Hello Gentlemen,
Ironic that I would end up purchasing such a modified vehicle, isn't it. Though not so surprising, considering the list of things I had to compromise with on the restoration truck, I suppose. Since buying the grey truck I have searched for any branch of the services who might have had similarly colored trucks in WWII. That search was ultimalely unsuccessful, and a number of individuals have advised grey was not used at all by any Australian military units at that time. That's a pity. It would have saved me considerable work, at least in the medium term future. At some point I will be striping down all the bodywork anyway.
I would like to retain the rear canopy, and hope to get a green canvas cover (same color as door curtains for other truck) made that will sit straight over the grey one. Obviously the windows and rear flap appetures will have to be slightly enlarged so that when they are rolled up the grey one underneath can be opened also. So far as I can imagine, that should be the only challenge. Side awning will be retained, but green canvas instead of current grey vinyl. The entire canopy and steel frame beneath can be removed with quick release clips pulled upwards. I won't need to test that feature, I wouldn't expect.
I should have mentioned in my initial post, that all the mechanicals which are still CMP have been rebuilt by previous owners. Most recent owner rebuilt some components of braking system, such as vacuum booster and pedal bushings. The owner prior to that had wheel cylinders bored and stainless steel sleeved, new rubber brake hoses made, and brake shoes relined. One of the two owners got new brake lines made, but I don't remember which guy did those, nor do I know whether they are stainless steel or steel composite material. Front end and rear axle have been rebuilt entirely. My only issue is with the steering box. While it is not unsafe, and I have 'learnt' how to drive it, there is a little wander in steering, which I want to remedy when I can. I had hoped to swap the steering boxes between the two trucks, as a short term fix, and rebuild the wandery box to then put into other truck. That won't happen. I discovered the grey truck has a smaller steering box in comparisn to the resto truck, so I will have to source one to rebuild then put that into the grey truck so it's not off the road at all. In my experience, small jobs seem to drag on and the vehicle can be disabled far too long, especially if parts need to be ordered from O.S.
These are the tyres I will be putting on in place of the civi type which are on now.