C60 cwt Signals CZMk IV

[Yeo.NT]

Today I am posting pictures on behalf of my computer Illiterate father. This week removal of interior walls and flammable insulation. The next step is to try and remove one of the corroded panels and see how big of a horror story this will be.

[David Dunlop]

When you get a chance to inspect the wire harness, if you notice what appears to be a cloth loom covering, take a close look at it. I used to own a Chev 15-cwt Wireless, built in June 1944, which turned out to have been a vehicle that had served overseas and ended up coming back to Canada after the war for whatever reason. When I bought the truck, I noticed the left headlamp had a distinct yellowish look to it, whereas the right side was a bright white. The markings on it were the typical xx-xxx CFR Number and the round orange circle with the black capital P in it.

After sitting in the back yard for the first winter, I was shocked in the spring to notice a white star and segmented circle appearing through the paint on the drivers side roof and overseas TAC and Formation signs on the front cowl.

Then, when stripping the wiring out of it, the first thing I noticed was all the wire clad loom and grounding straps connecting everything, everywhere. When I got to the headlight assemblies, more pieces of the overseas puzzle came together. The driver's side headlamp was a newer assembly than the left side. It had a cloth loom and was the only such piece of wiring harness on the entire vehicle. I thought that was really odd considering the intent of the wiring loom was to reduce electrical noise as much as possible. When I took this headlamp assembly out of the vehicle, I discovered that underneath the cloth loom, was a full wire loom covering.

The Chev Master Parts List shows a series of wiring components replacing one another over time. I think that early war production used two unique wiring harnesses: a standard cloth system for all vehicles not carrying wireless equipment and a second wire loom system to be used in all vehicles equipped with wireless. It may have become easier at some point to produce just one, universal wiring harness capable of being installed in any vehicle.

Good luck with the project.

David

[Gordon Yeo]

Bob and David

I took a close look at the wiring harness today, looking for metal shielding. There is no engine in the truck so I am guessing at the connecting points of the wires I looked at. I found two shielded wires, one would go on the generator and the other, as Bob suggested, went from the dash down to the frame below the drivers seat. Possibly connects to the starter as a feed for the power source. These appear to be the only shielded wires in the wiring harness.

Phil

Thank you for the heads up on the insulation, I certainly don't want to end this story prematurely. As I removed the paper insulation it went into the shop furnace, it burnt with a lovely bluish flame.

Thanks to Neil for posting the pictures, nothing too startling, just to show something is happening here.

Gord

[Gordon Yeo]

I have had some time to start taking the corroded panels off the van. The first two pictures show the interior and exterior of the front right side, that have been removed. The rear three panels are good and will be kept.

Picture three shows the panels across the rear and the doors have all so been removed. Fortunately the curved panels on the rear corners are in good enough condition to have the dents hammered out and reused.

Picture four shows the channel irons that hold the panels in place, they can be nasty to get out. It also shows the amount of rust behind the panels, far less than I had imagined to be there.

[Gordon Yeo]

A bit more progress on cleaning up the van body. All the panels, I can access, have been removed and the frame work cleaned up and painted. The underside has been buffed clean with a wire wheel in the right angle grinder and painted. The odometer shows 6494 miles and from the absence of corrosion on the underside of the van body I don't think this truck has seen road salt.

I found the manufacturers plate on the rear lower left side of the van body, Chrysler Serial -No 5-J-7 009. Looks like what I thought it would be and a very low production model.

I am bending up new replacement panels and one window assembly was in very poor condition and needs to be rebuilt.

Both front curved corner panels were damaged and I replaced the lower sections using 3M Body Panel Adhesive. I like to use it as it doesn't heat distort like welding or brazing and seals the joint against further corrosion.

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Gordon

Your body work is looking like that when you are done you will have a restoration as close to as manufactured as can be.

Looking really really good.

Cheers Phil

[Mike Cecil]

Gordon

I'm late to this thread, so forgive me if some of this is already evident or has already been passed on to you.

"5J7 body is constructed to drawing schedule 1102576."

'The is a 5J1 body modified to accommodate Signals (CZMkIV) equipment. A fixed wheelhouse is provided with this body. The inside of the body is sheeted with plywood and insulated with 1 1/2 inches of Thermo Craft paper between the inside and outside sheeting of walls and roof. The floor is covered with two coats of Dektred. A Crouse Hinds electrical outlet receptacle for 110 Volt power is installed in the right front panel of the body.'

'Signals CZ Mk.IV':

'The Lorry is equipped with an all steel 12 ft Lindsay House type body, with entrance doors at the rear. The body is fitted with clear plastic windows having two in each of the upper side panels and one in each of the rear doors. The two upper panels on each side of the body are hinged at the top and have locking handles on the outside allowing them to open. Two hinged screen doors are fitted on the inside of the rear entrance and open inward. Copper mesh screens fitted on each side window. Two 60 cycle 110 volt A.C. puller type ventilating fans with screen assemblies are used to ventilate the body through a fibre glass filter. A small door at the front on each side of the body provides an opening for the fans. A 110 volt A.C. overhead lighting system is supplied. Power is obtained from an outside source from a 3" opening located in the right side of the body at the front. A tool box is underslung on the right hand side of the body while a P.O.W. carrier is underslung on the left hand side."

The above are quoted from official CDN DND publications.

I'm guessing, but the CDN WS No.52, a general purpose Brigade/Division set for use as either vehicle or ground station, would seem to be a good candidate for this vehicle. 'Wireless for the Warrior' provides a good coverage of the vehicle installations. Another option is the No.19 set, which is also well covered in WFTW Volume 2.

Mike C