1944 C-15A-Wire-5 Restoration

[Robert Bergeron]

I don't want to distract and highjack Rich's thread so i will be short:

Hi Bob, i get 45-50 mph on flat hard roads at max rpm. It is not a comfortable ride because of the suspension.I have added about 250-300 lbs of sandbags in the back to help cushion the ride with moderate success. Those men of WW2 were sure tough !

Hey Terry, thanks for the heads-up. I should be there with either the Wire 5 , maybe a Carrier or a GPW in period colours and markings.

[RichCam]

Hi, it has been a while since my last update but we have been hard at work on the details of this Wire 5 restoration. Jim now has installed the left and right side view mirrors, rifle butt blocks, restored to full functionality both vacuum wiper motors and wipers and has hand polished the steering wheel. I'm about 30% through installing instruments, dash lights at 12V and wiring everything together to the terminal blocks so I can get the IP installed. Then, the nose cone goes on and the truck should be set! Check out the pics!
Cheers - Richard.

[RichCam]

We have the box up on blocks which makes it a lot easier to safely access the underside as well as the topside. We have removed the upper ventilators and after 70 of sitting outside, I was surprised that the electric fan motor still worked. Ok, $200 later at the local german electricmotorgeshallshaft shop, it was fully operational. Jim and Steve have repaired the pin hole rust perforations in the wheel wells, including the spare tire holder and they have removed all of the windows. I am getting the roof access ladder rebuilt and we are removing, cleaning and rebuilding all window and door latches. Perforations of the outer box are being replaced with aluminum panels and slotted self drive screws. As authentic as some of the other original patches we hope!
I need help finding a metal roll form to replace the metal window enclosures. The window rubber seals are easy enough to get, the latches are salvageable but the lower steel roll forms have rotted away. Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks in advance - Richard.

[Bob Carriere]

Following your project with interest has Grant will be doing the same full restoration to his radio box on day.

Pray tell.....what is the... lower steell roll forms have rotted away.... any close up pictures....is this the lower part of the steel frame itself that is composed of one piece of sheet metal that's been bent and folded a window frame.......

Anticipating similar problems when we get there.

I have salvaged the lower part of my cab 11 windshield frame by filing the frame rust hole cavities with epoxy and J-B weld..... it was rusted out to the appearance of soda crackers.

Bob C

[RichCam]

Hello Bob,

I will post some close ups later tomorrow. I need to get the exact dimensions and then I am going to contact M.P. Metal Products to see if they have some matching C-108 16 gauge roll formed window frame with miter. It would make things a whole lot easier if I can find a steel roll form that is reasonably close.

Will let you know shortly.
Regards, Richard

[Edwin Wand]

We will be restoring a Wire 5 radio box when the weather warms up. Like your box the window frames are well rusted and we are not sure how much of the lower frame can be salvaged.

We have been following the story of your restoration with great interest. Thank you for the information.

Edwin Wand

[RichCam]

Hello Bob & Edwin!

So, after we looked at the window frames, we discovered that just about all of them could be salvaged. The brass closure thumb tabs cleaned up well, the metal roll forms were repaired with Bondo/JB Weld and the double pane glass were replaced. The screen frames were pooched but it is easy enough to make replacement frames and new screens. The lower steel window roll form for the door was completely rusted. I am using it as a pattern and I am having a new one fabricated by a local sheet metal shop. Door now closes properly with it's original hardware. We just had to replace the interior and exterior door handles.

Here are some pictures - before and after paint.