Finally a CMP of my own

[John Winfield]

Thanks for the input. I figured they'd be hard to find, but even one with similar rust but no large dent would be a head start. Body work is beyond my skill set, so I'd be taking it to somebody to do the work. Fortunately, I don't think it needs to come out as perfect as it might for another vehicle. I don't mind the idea of imperfect panels for a truck like this.

Not many pictures, since I don't actually have the truck yet, and it was difficult to get a good picture where it is now. I've attached a few, one of the front, one of the base of the roof showing rust, and one at the base of the back also showing the rust. Hopefully be getting the truck here sometime in March.

John

[Bob Carriere]

Rust in all the usual places.

Nice looking and looks fairly complete.

You might want to take more pictures of the damaged area and canvass a few body shop for a quote. Looks like a heavy dent in the roof area but that would be easier to push it out while still attached to the truck. Both the back wall and the roof section can be removed and bring along to a body shop. I would ask for a full reskin for the back wall..... it will be cleaner and straighter ad probably take less time and$$$..... the top will be more delicate work.

don't panic.....wait until you have it in your backyard....try looking around for a good top you might be lucky. I am sure you will need a few odds and ends as you go along and could do all your searches at the same time.

Remember that skills can be acquired...... too dum not to know that you can't do it something can be an asset....don't limit yourself.....with a CMP you will be doing things you never wold have though you could....... and you will get a good collection of stories and skinned knuckles.

Talk to Jordan in your area and many others..... ask how they did it and go for it. Think of how you will replace the point/condenser....... look at electronic ignition as a more permanent system.

Do you have facilities to work on it...... lying on your back ( get a good comfortable creeper) admiring the intricacies and contemplating your next move. PA will become your best friend.

CMP and OD green is a chronic disease....embrace it.

Good luck

Cheers

[John Winfield]

Well I finally got the truck licensed and in my name, just in time to put it away for the winter. It took longer than I had hoped, but then doesn't it always?

Many thanks to Gordon Yeo for the roof, and Brian Asbury for a bunch of other parts. Also, this forum, without which I probably never would have found the chassis number. I also got all the brakes and wheel seals using the numbers listed here. Plus all the info needed to do the wiring.

The mechanic said the U-joints could use replacing, but that can wait for spring.

John

[Phil Waterman]

Hi John

Hope you have as much fun with your CMP as I've had with mine. Does look like you are starting with a good one. As you probably found from reading of MLU is these are amazingly tough long lived military vehicles yet are really straightforward to work on and maintain.

If yours is drivable, consider doing all the work necessary to make it safe and reliable, then do a driving restoration, where you start driving it and enjoy it, while you take on the body work chunk at a time.

If you know how to weld or have ever wanted learn, CMPs are much easier to do body work on than modern cars because of the thickness of the steel.

Enjoy exploring your new CMP, and keep us posted on your progress.

Cheers Phil

PS CMPs make nice roadster while you work on the cab roof.