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Coming Attraction - project #6 M43 build

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zout

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Went down as the new toy's cry was echoing in my ears to COME PLAY - Debs at work so I could not get caught not working on her jeep.[thumbzup]

Cleaned out some loose components so I could get some lube on them & then put them aside inside the garage.

Lubed all the hinges and moveable items to get something on them - for later working on I stayed away from anything that had silicone in it - painters will know why.

Gas fired heater still in tact.
Viet Nam era stretchers hanging from the ceiling in their OEM clips.
Nothing found in the compartments under the beds except one strap.
The floor section in the left front is collapsing that enters the under side storage compartment - will have to consider flooring for this one.

Door black out curtains still in tact - rear step in tact - sliding door - data plates - etc etc etc all in tact - this baby is fantastic.

PB - we wondered about the side windows and who hacked the odd ball cutouts in there - from the outside you can see where glass was inserted and crapola seal put in. At this time the upper fold down bed had not been lowered by anyone to my knowledge as we wondered about those crazy arx windows.

While cleaning out I lowered the upper beds - these windows are original and the hacked up holes on the outside are original - unless someone made them a little larger but it does not appear that way - check out the pic of these.

I welcome any input to this style with windows ?????
 

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jbingvtx

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That is a GREAT project!! Is the plan to track down original drivetrain components? If so, how hard do you think that will be? I am anxious to watch this proceed.
 

zout

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Everything is there - just not in the pics or in the chassis - but I do have everything to get it back together.
 

Danger Ranger

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:shock: Wow Zout! You're lookin a little blue....lol.rofl
So those had 4 bunks and 2 stretchers, it was only made to hold 4 patients then right?
You got me already wanting an M43 now. :jumpin:
Hurry up with those jeeps so we can see this build!!!
 

zout

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OK - pressure washed with a truck soap I use for the fleet. It peeled a top layer of green immediately. The resounding color is BLUE (yuck) (it means AF Strata blue) but luckly under this is still green/brown.

Can ANYONE tell me why this unit has the 2 windows on the side - on the interior there are OEM frameworks as I showed above that these were not cut in afterwards but original. I cannot find another pic with these windows in a 43 - any help out there identifying these ?

This soap is a killer soap and really peels away the oxidization - the floor came out great enough to want to put your hands on it now - there was a lot of debris on it - besides what would be on there from an ambulance - BLOOD.

The main color on the interior after blue is pressure washed away again is the brown which is very solid on the surface.
 

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srodocker

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I love those ambulance bodys. for some reason gf loves them too. I will be following close on this one as well! you waiting to finish the jeeps to start this one?
 

sojourner

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This is very cool and very similar my M725 in a lot of ways, color, condition, originals item in place...

I can't image those side windows are original. In these era ambulances the boxes are similar and the cross is always in the center right where those windows are.

Looking forward to the updates.
 

zout

In Memorial
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Location
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I believe after reviewing the floor and condition it is going to come out and get replaced. I will also be looking for a vinyl to replace the covering once the wood is done.

From what I can tell by the bottom coat of paint in the rear area - it was indeed OD and not white or seafoam. I took a small area and checked to metal for signs of original coating.

Also I will use a non duluted solution of the truck soap I use and get to a solid adhesion point to where sanding needs to begin on the exterior - need to get these rust areas repaired and sealed up to further stop that 4 letter word.
The area above the pass & dr door will get cut out and replaced for sure - unless I can find a repo body panel for the area behind the hood to windshield frame I will have to fab one - I call this the cowling - but this area is rusted through.

Be back oin mama's jeep this weekend finishing the brake lines - had a dip in funds (that I do not regret) so no parts coming in for it right now - but labor I can do on the 43 which is free.
 

nattieleather

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Is this an M43 on the data plate? The windows were for the M152CN which is a canadian commo truck. I wonder if they started to make a M152 and then switch to M43 along the way? Strange. But then again stranger things have happen!
 

zout

In Memorial
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Location
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I did see the comm unit on the Canadian site while viewing the TM's supplied there for handy reference. It is a M43B1 and a 1963 - vin is 10219.

I am finding this was NSN 2310-00-542-4634 ?

As you mentioned this could have started out one thing and changed up in the middle of production. The Red Cross on the sides would then come into play as to make them not look goofy on the sides when painted.

The inside are OEM frameworks and not hacked in - but the exterior side metal is cut really screwy and not even. Almost like the frameworks were installed and originally the sides were left full panel and hacked out at a later date - they also had some really weird looking weather trim on it that was not made for that type frame and glass.
Delima contines on while I work on it.
 

zout

In Memorial
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Location
Columbus Georgia
OK - after a night (couple hours) of sanding here is the found hidden items under the paint.

From metal out:
base primer of red oxide
green
no primer and sprayed with AF Blue
no primer and sprayed with a crappy od green that washes away.

Here is what I found on top of the Blue - Chambers County (you can pick Al or Tx or whatever state has a Chambers Co.) Civil Defence. There is no center logo on a decal. CD stuff was just pained on from stencils as you can tell.

The do not overfill is on top of the original paint.

I will work on the area's that would have had base information to find out a little more history to the truck tomorrow. Referencing Hood - back of ambulance roof area - bumper.
But here is what I have for now.
 

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814
16
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Location
Universal City, TX
OK - after a night (couple hours) of sanding here is the found hidden items under the paint.

From metal out:
base primer of red oxide
green
no primer and sprayed with AF Blue
no primer and sprayed with a crappy od green that washes away.


Sorry about the OD on top, I got tired of looking at the blue paint so I applied a liberal amount of green spray paint. I wish I would have had the time and know how to put her back together after I took her apart. And the numbers spray painted on the top are accurate for that M43B1 (I found a picture from after it was overhauled in Columbus years ago).
 

zout

In Memorial
In Memorial
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Location
Columbus Georgia
ABM - that is exactly why I am trying my best to make this as right as I can - because I know you had it first under CAMO.

I am having a ball with this this and I think I have actually started the project in a slow manner.

Open invitiation any time you want to come up and play ![thumbzup]

I have written down all teh data so far and in its proper placement as well to copy it back on when I get to painting it after the body work - sealing it up first.
 
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