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#1
19-12-10, 04:03
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Restoring a CMP Truck
MP,
A couple of years ago (and many dollars as well!) I completed the restoration of an F8, Cab 11. I can honestly say that a project like this is not for the faint of heart! This site is the best for getting advice and feedback. The members of it were most helpful in aiding me with suggestions and answers to my questions. I strongly recommend that you maintain the integirity of the vehicle as a whole as you are restoring a part of history, something that nobody likes to have rewritten.  Now, having said that, I did install a '46 Mercury flathead (15 more horsepower) and did install an automatic transmission. BUT, I pinned the clutch pedal to the brake shaft so that the pedal set-up looks just like the original. One can press on either pedal for braking. And, I installed a Locar shifter which comes up into the cab in the exact same location as the original shift arm. Both of these do make driving the vehicle much safer due to the very limited foot space for the pedals.  I might add that neither "adjustments" affect the authentic look of the interior.  As for driving at speeds over 60, I wouldn't recommend it. Mine drives fine up to that speed with the hard tires but at 45-55 MPH one does feel much more secure!Best of luck in your search for a vehicle! Regards, Jim PS I did remove those "crab eyes" turn signal indicator fixtures and installed a pair in holes on either end of the bumper. 
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#2
19-12-10, 04:16
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Ugly orphan....
Jim..... Congratulations......
...... you took an ugly orphan that no one would touch in Canada and you turned it into a jewel that a lot of us would love to own..... you are a tribute to the CMP hobby and a tribute to what MLU stands for...... .... a lot of us followed attentively as you progressed in your restoration and learned from your experience....... that's what it is all about !!!!!! Bob C.
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Bob Carriere....B.T.B C15a Cab 11 Hammond, Ontario Canada
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#4
20-12-10, 22:35
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Pete,
It's definitely an interesting discussion, and nobody is really wrong, no matter their opinions on it. I personally believe there's room for both showroom/garage queens with immaculate paintjobs and matching serial numbers all around, and for kitbashed restorations with new engines and modern tires and such. I'm not all that concerned about the monetary value here. I'm looking at taking some relatively cheap CMPs that are already missing several parts sitting in a field and trying to breathe some life back into them. Here's what I may be working with, if everything falls into place for the new year:   The thing is, while I'm definitely not bad with a ratchet set and an airbrush, I'm not a professional. Not even close. I don't even work with cars for a living, I fix computers. I'm doing this for the experience and the shot at getting a piece of history rolling again. I couldn't build a museum-quality replica even if I wanted, especially not with a pair of CMPs with no beds and engines of questionable quality. But there are already plenty that HAVE been preserved-and I'm doing these a lot more justice getting them back on the road with different engines and modern tires and such then letting them rust into scrap or letting them get carted off to the scrapyard where they'll be crush and sent to China and melted down to make Buicks.  I'm not doing this for the show aspect so much-the closest one to me would be the Edmonton or Vancouver shows, and I don't own a vehicle that could tow one down there anyways. Plus, I have a natural disinterest in 'trailer queens'-these things were meant to run. Since I'm looking at picking up two that are, at least mechanically, intact, I may try out both routes-take the one in worst shape, put in a slighty newer engine and whatnot and try it at modern speeds, and try and keep the better one closer to factory specs.
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#5
21-12-10, 05:59
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Hi Don,
If you are hell-bent on making a CMP run on modern components, then so be it. Factors to consider are width and compatability: The width of CMP trucks is narrow compared to trucks of today's standards. This translates from axle width down to spring mount width, which then becomes a real problem. Take a tape measure to a modern truck running gear and compare it to a CMP and tell us what you find and what you think will fit.... Compatability-wise, nothing will fit past the mid 1960's that I have found. Talking about GM products here only as I don't know squat about Fords... Here to help and not to hinder... Thanks, David Last edited by David DeWeese; 21-12-10 at 06:18. Reason: added BS
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#6
21-12-10, 06:16
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Cmp
Hey Don
I am in the same boat as you, I am a computer guy for 10 years now, I have 2 CMP's that I want to restore to showroom condition and then take them out for a ride. I also can handle a ratchet and other tools however a welder is going to be interesting. I think a lot of guys here are trying to tell you that these trucks were made for offroad and not speed so the upgrades are thinking of making could be problamatic for you. If you do get the upgrades in and the truck runs for you then I think that is great, as you say another truck saved from the wrecker and the rust, I personally would rather see the truck running than rusting or flattened. Good luck on your restoration and remember to post plenty of pics as we all would like to see the progress even if some are against your plans. If you need any pams or whatnot let me know. Gary
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C-15A C-60S Universal Carrier MK II x4 M152 CDN VW Iltis and M101 Trailer   
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#7
21-12-10, 21:19
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Quote:
stovebolt, I'll look them up, thanks!
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#8
21-12-10, 17:37
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Redo..
Don..
You can basically do what you want and I have been around these things for 600 years and have always thought I would like to take the CMP distinctive cab and box and just strip the body off a modern pick up truck and plop it down on the new frame and running gear..That would work and you would have left hand drive and all the good stuff..sort out the dash and make it fit and you would have all the modern conveniences..like Heat and air ,good breaks and 200 MPH potential..with a super charger.. If you look at some of the CMP conversions in Thailand,you would soon realize that some camouflage tactics and you can do any thing you want and still have that CMP Look.. Go for it... But what ever you do take pictures and post them here and have fun.. Damned the torpedoes and full speed ahead.!!!
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Alex Blair :remember :support :drunk:
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#9
21-12-10, 21:42
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Interesting reads this thread.....
Hi Don
Sure a lot of traffic on this issue...... just a couple of observations on what you most recently wrote..... You mentioned that your area of expertise was computers and not mechanics/body work..... well the thruth be know most of us are frustrated wanna be mechanics/welders/bodymen....... in fact I suspect that the majority of the MLU membership are not mechanics but rather earn our livelyhood doing something else...... and turn to MLU / CMP and all that is greasy/mechanics as a release from the frustration of life.... I for one is am a professional paper pusher for the Feds.... once out of the office I like to do work with my hands..... very little formal training in what is required to restore or repair a CMP...... Collectively the greatest attributes are....willingness to try... the stubborness to persist...... and be dumb enough not to know we can't do it......oh yes money!!! do not restore a CMP to sell for a profit...!!!! Some of the greatest restorations have been done by members who presisted and turned to MLU, books, the web, EBay, etc. to find ways to make it work. Another firm belief that I suscribe to..... you cannot restore a CMP with out have a couple of vehicles as a parts source.... or just as a model to look at when you can't remember how the parts fits...... the three Mousequeteers at the Hammond barn have in excess of 24 parts trucks to draw from..... Get yourself some CMPs.... and go for it...... but..... you have to keep us posted of your progress or failures....... I know if no other places where such a wealth of information is so readily available. Bob C
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Bob Carriere....B.T.B C15a Cab 11 Hammond, Ontario Canada
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#10
21-12-10, 23:46
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I agree with Bob in general
Quote:
I just wanted to expand on Bobs points a little and to disagree with one point. You most certainly must be craze to restore a CMP but as most who have gotten into this mania realize almost nobody restores just one. In its advance stage CMP mania requires you to restore the second and even the third trucks. Bob mentions that it is important to have a parts sources ie. the proverbial parts trucks what we have to let Bob in on is those aren't parts trucks they are potential restoration projects. One of the nice things about CMPs is because they were designed to be built with the simplest available parts and parts manufactures so much of the trucks are reproducible. Cheers Phil
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Phil Waterman `41 C60L Pattern 12 `42 C60S Radio Pattern 13 `45 HUP http://canadianmilitarypattern.com/ New e-mail Philip@canadianmilitarypattern.com
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#11
19-12-10, 14:44
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Quote:
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#12
20-12-10, 05:39
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"40 Ford Engione VS "46 Mercury Engine
Quote:
You're absolutely correct. I inadvertently used the stats from the Flathead Specification site and not my Ford Special Pattern Vehicles Instruction Book (Second Edition) which clearly shows that the original engine in my F8 did have a 3 3/16 bore and 95 hp. My bad!  Regards, Jim
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#13
20-12-10, 08:36
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To chop or not?
Hello Don
You raise an interesting question which taxes a number of restores and collectors as the differential in road speed between our trucks and modern traffic gets ever larger particularly here in the UK with our high population density. For example here in the UK motorway driving will as a norm produce a speed differential of 45mph assuming a CMP at 35mph and a modern vehicle travelling at 80mph, (yes I know the limit is 70mph but no one drives at this speed anymore). In recent years a small number of historic military vehicles have been involved in rear end collisions nearly all on motorways as a result I suspect of modern drivers misjudging the closing speed, they expect the MV to be doing 50 to 60 mph, no excuse for bad driving but it is an unwelcome fact. Given the facts your argument for modifying the drive train has validity. However, and this is the sticking point for me, I do think it brings into focus the reasons for restoring our vehicles are we preserving mechanical engineering history some of which is now at least 70 years old or are we trying to keep alive the spirit of the men who used our trucks? For me it’s both and ultimately it’s your truck and you can do as you want with it but I would suggest as others already have that the route to modern upgrading can never be straight forward or wholly satisfactory from the engineering stand point. The danger is that you will end up with a vehicle that is neither a historical example or one that is mechanically sound in terms of modern standards and in terms of its monetary value will seriously be reduced. I see you live in the Yukon so anywhere from you must be a seriously long way away, with that and the above points in mind would a better solution be to buy a more modern MV for shows, meets etc and if you are really keen on CMP’s get one and restore it to original spec and enjoy it locally. This raises another spectre in the shape of why restore something if it sits in the barn and no one sees it…….. probably a topic for a another discussion? Pete
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