Greetings all,
first to thank the creator and monitors of the site and all participants.
I am retired electronic engineer one step from PhD and had to stop prior to my final dissertation research due to severe illness.
My spare time between traveling I worked on all my cars as well as family and friends. After retirement I elected to conclude my bucket list and I am now all the way at the bottom
one of the last items is to start giving my attention to the above mentioned old lady.
according to my research it’s
Model: VF-31. 1 1/2 Ton
Engine: 217.76 flathead Six
serial number: 8772229
gross weight: 135000Ib T-98-E-133
Plant: Detroit, Michigan
Build Number: 6229
anyhow I don’t believe this truck was involved in the war activities but for the military green paint all over including engine bay.
looking forward to interact with all of you and learn things and obtain parts info and how to.
god bless you all
Norman

 

About the time your truck was being built, Uncle Sam started buying up all the vehicles they could. Especially commercial vehicles. It was probably used by the military but wasn't purpose built for the military. Most 1941 and ALL 1942 cars were reserved for the military. 1942 didn't have any chrome on them either. I've had a couple of former military that were civilian built but bought new by Uncle. There may be a [late or twow with the military specs on it around the truck somewhere. Usually on the dash.

 

I know it took too long to start but late than never…when I was forced for retirement I intended to work on her however my kids thought that I am going to drive them mad staying home recovering and kept asking to help them servicing their cars or doing repairs even the one was on assignment with the marines overseas he called asked me to left his truck 2” 🤦🏼‍♂️. Anyhow now it’s the time for her among other projects 😬. I got all parts to service her and rebuild the carb and it’s ready. The motor I know I ran it 5 years ago and decided to take everything off and clean the parts in and out (I don’t know if it had the original transmission oil lol)
I discovered the original paint when I pressure wash the engine and the red paint came off and the green appeared.
the old tires had the military type still but totally unusable. Need to think of a way to replace the tires without (kil&$) anyone in process as it’s had the outside ring on the wheel😱

 

If you have the NDT tires, you definitely want to replace those. As for rims, What size wheels do you have? How many and what size lug holes? Does the engine spin over okay? If it's stuck, you might want to fill the cylinders with a mix of ATF and Marvel Mystery oil. On the paint, is the engine green or the whole truck? Some years the engines were painted green and some years were red. It's possible the engine isn't original to the truck. Unlike now, the engine number was the VIN back then.

Years ago, I had a 1952 B-3-PW that had the split rims but I found a set of wheels with PW centers on industrial bobcat rims. Very few shops do split rims anymore. You might find some military combat rims that bolt together.

By the way, don't forget to post pictures of it. The more the better. We're strange that way. I'd also talk to the Mods about moving this to Dodge Classics. I think there's a whole squad of them. (The Mod Squad?)

 

Thank you for the reply
the Ron’s are 20” 5 logs dual the tires has the numbers 7.50/20
the motor turn ok and had oil no water last time I ran it many years ago before putting her to sleep inside with other equipments…the paint on the doors inside, in the center in front of the handbrake and some around the back window and the hood as well as the engine bay. I am uploading the tags and soon I’ll upload full photos when I pull it outside.
Ps sorry did not allow uploads at this time that I can see

 

Host your pics somewhere else, imageshack, or similar, then just link to them here.

 

Does your old truck look like these?

https://imageevent.com/dad2nick/1940...04?n=0&x=0&w=0

It looks like Uncle bought it new but it was a civvie truck they painted for the military when it was built.

 

I am sure it was not as I did not see any markings or the usual front add on or second tank etc. the only other tags I found with numbers are:
877 2229
4022-17928. This one was painted oily darker green
Some parts I found three colors over each others mustard yellow, red and darker green
The front close to photo 110 hope that help
i am going to join the share site to upload the photos too

 

Back in the early 1980's I ran a salvage yard and we often bought military surplus. Not all military is olive drab. Many times it will be what ever color was available for a purchase order. Drive by a recruiting office and you'll see government plates but other than that, it looks like any parking lot. Government contracts, built to spec., will have data plates. Purchase order equipment usually doesn't.

After Pearl Harbor, vehicles on car dealers lots were reserved for Uncle Sam. Those may or may not have been repainted. Defense contractors also got the few vehicles made and there again, some were painted and some weren't.

 

I know what you mean. My brother told me many stories similar prior to the Gulf situation in the Middle East. The local government asked anyone own SUV or pickup to drive to the border with supplies of food and clothing to drop the supplies and bring back evacuees soon after the start of the invasion of the small country. Thousands came across the border running for their lives and all of them stayed free in hotels as well as guest with families till the end of the conflict. At the end the local government compensate all local businesses that accommodate them and the food and clothing suppliers. It's not uncommon for the government to ask civilians for help regardless with pay or without during times like that. The rest is up to the individual.