CCKW 353 Australia

[Malaponte]

I posted some pics a while ago of this Truck. I have now purchased it and have it at home.

The tray is the most problem. Rust has gotten to it. But it can be fixed.

 

[Malaponte]

I will keep posting pics of the restoration. Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[Piper Cub]

That truck seems like its pretty good shape. I'll be looking forward to seeing pictures of it getting restored!

 

[Malaponte]

Hi Everyone,

I have a little bit to the GMC CCKW, basically just removing everything from the rear tray. Mud guards, Lights, Trail plug.

What has take so long was the bolts. Almost every single bolt is either rusted and broken, impossible to get off or just takes hours to remove. I have attached some pics of what I have done so far.

I have also picked up 6 x NOS LH Fender Guide Black out lights as well to add to the truck.

 

[rchalmers3]

That's a nice looking truck! A bit rusty for sure but you will probably sort that out as time goes.

Did you perform the import of the vehicle or was it already in country?

Rick

 

[Malaponte]

Hi Rick,

The GMC was actually about a 10 minute drive from my house. I knew it was there but I was not really looking for a CCKW 353 yet. I wanted a Jeep to restore first.

But the friend of mine who had the truck convinced me that because I was having such a hard time to find a Jeep in Nth QLD that I should purchase his truck.

I am very very happy I did. As far as I know there is only 2-3 GMC trucks in Nth Queensland. And the truck was used in the making of the HBO Mini Series the Pacific. So it's kind of special to me.

I will be posting more photos shortly.

Regards

Justin

 

[Malaponte]

Just a short hello giving a quick update on the GMC. So far tray and all of the front panels have been removed. I have started cutting all the rust out of the tray and got brand new stake pockets from Thomas and "Vehicles of Victory".

Hoping to have all the rust cut out of the tray this weekend.

 

[mhassett]

Nice set of pictures. Looks like you are making good progress.
MHassett

 

[Malaponte]

Finally,,,, we almost got the whole RH side of the tray finished today and ready for some new steel. The RHR corner stake pocket took hours. Just no room and it wanted it all straight and clean.
Next week .................LH side.

 

[Piper Cub]

Looking good! How's the parts availability for one of these trucks down in Australia?

 

[Malaponte]

Not too bad actually. Ross Prince is the guy to speak with over here. Has lots of stock .

I have not purchased too much from him yet but he is great to speak with and has a wealth of knowledge. But other than him that's it as far as I know.

I have ordered some things from Vehicles of Victory " stake pockets" . Who is the best to speak with over there ?

Cheers

Justin

 

[Piper Cub]

That's good you don't have to have everything shipped over. I don't know who the best people here are for CCKW parts since I've never owned one (if I had made it to a construction auction last Thursday I would now own one real cheap, grrr) but I do see Vehicles of Victory mentioned a lot. The April issue of Military Vehicles Magazine has a dealer index in it that lists quite a few people who do WWII era parts.