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T3-C number 1431

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WellFedHobo View Drop Down
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    Posted: 16 Sep. 2010 at 1:21am
Hi there. My father has a T3-C, number 1431 (as far as we can tell from the data plate, which was sandblasted). He had it mildly restored around 20 years ago but it has sat unused on the side of the house for around 12 years. I recently dug it out and cleaned it up, with plans to find some uses for it. Seeing it cleaned up again rekindled our interest in it.

This trailer has a few points of interest. 
-It has been in the family since 1945.
-It has the original combat rims. 
-It has 4 tie downs per side, 2 on the front and 1 on the back, typical of the earlier ones.
-The suspension has been modified. It looks like the original 4 suspension brackets were cut short and re-welded back on.
-My father had a piece of diamond plate steel welded on to replace the floor. 
-It has all original chains and hooks, but the back ones have seen better days.
-It has original oval reflectors.
-Original hitch is gone, replaced with a (relatively) newer Fulton
-Was originally green but was painted Claret Red to match an old Dodge Caravan. 
-ACM number is completely gone. ACM is 152255

We have some reproduction bows and I'll eventually build some rails if I can find some free time. We hope to find some Model A tail lamps to put on it. There's also a possibility of some new paint in the future. 

I have no pictures of how it originally looked, nor do I have any of the previous restoration. But here are some of how it sits today.














Here are some pics of the replacement floor.





Here are a few shots of the modified suspension. We don't know when or why this was done.










Here are the original combat rims, in need of sandblasting and paint.




The current coupler (with original chains):


And lastly, if you look closely, you can see the number on the data plate.



I hope that wasn't too many pictures. There are still a few more.


Edited by WellFedHobo - 16 Feb. 2020 at 2:43am
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Randy Snyder Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Sep. 2010 at 1:32am
More pictures, please!!   Nice trailer.   Are those the original reflectors?  What is stamped on the bezels?    Can you post some reference dimensions for the reflector mounting holes?
 
Thanks,
 
Randy
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WellFedHobo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Sep. 2010 at 1:39am
Those are indeed original, but I don't recall seeing anything stamped on the bezels. The whole thing was sandblasted so it might not be there anymore. As for reference dimensions, the trailer is across town currently so I can't give any sort of reference at the moment.

The only markings on the lens that I see in the high resolution pictures are "NO 12A".


Edited by WellFedHobo - 26 June 2011 at 2:41am
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 48cj2a Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Sep. 2010 at 2:28am
Bradley,
 
Nice early trailer and great story...always cool to see one thats been in the Family that long.
 
Got your email and will work on something for the database and site next week after returning from the Willys Reunion in Jefferson City, Mo which by the way you are not to far from. You should stop by this weekend if you can.
 
As for the cut spring mounts, my guess is they may have pulled this behind a car at some point and wanted it lower to the ground. Still nice to see everthing else is there with exception to the hitch and tail lamp which always seem to be gone anyway.
 
The shackle question you had is - early type with the Willys style.
Are you sure the ACM number is gone? With the spring mounts actullay removed now and rewelded on the sides it should actually be visable with a little cleaning of the gusset plate.
Art C USAF (Retired)

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote canorisa Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Sep. 2010 at 2:33am
WellFedHobo:

Nice early trailer you have there.  In regards to the Model A tail lights, I got  a pair from Speedway Motors or www.speedwaymotors.com.  Their tel # is 800.979.0122.  They are item numbers 91127001-L (left) and 91127001-R (right).  I paid $19.99 per tail light plus shipping, of course.  Here is a picture of the tail light:



Hope that helps you in your search.  BTW, where did you get your bows from?

B/R,

Joel
Once a Marine!, Always a Marine!, Semper Fi! - Combat Wounded Vet, Desert Storm/Desert Shield - Persian Gulf 1992

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WellFedHobo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Sep. 2010 at 3:04am
Originally posted by 48cj2a 48cj2a wrote:

 Are you sure the ACM number is gone? With the spring mounts actullay removed now and rewelded on the sides it should actually be visable with a little cleaning of the gusset plate.

The underside wasn't properly refinished after sandblasting so we're pretty sure it's rusted away. I don't suppose anyone has a photo of the exact place the number would be, just so we're sure? He and I did a little cleaning on what we believed to be the right location but saw no evidence that there was ever a number stamped there.

Originally posted by canorisa canorisa wrote:

 
In regards to the Model A tail lights, I got  a pair from Speedway Motors.

BTW, where did you get your bows from?

I saw that link to Speedway on another thread and just bookmarked the site today. I'll probably snag a couple of those when I've got a few bucks to spare. I don't know if I wanna go with a left and right or just two rights, as I don't believe you have to tag trailers in Arkansas (so, no need for a license plate light).

My dad got the bows from a guy who makes replicas. He was mentioned on the t3c site, but I don't know exact details. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ndrtkr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Sep. 2010 at 3:46am
Originally posted by WellFedHobo WellFedHobo wrote:


My dad got the bows from a guy who makes replicas. He was mentioned on the t3c site, but I don't know exact details. 
Looks like a set of those we all enjoy..hey Art!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 48cj2a Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Sep. 2010 at 4:05am

I was thinking the same thing, they look offly familiar...Did he get them from a guy name Norm in New York?

 
As for the ACM number look at the unpainted area on the left frame (driver side) next to the frt spring mount
 
Art C USAF (Retired)

47 CJ2A #134955 Project
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Longhunter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Sep. 2010 at 3:46pm
NICE trailer!
That baby should clean up nicely!
 
Thumbs Up
Mike in Mississippi
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WellFedHobo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Sep. 2010 at 12:45am
I'm looking into getting tires in a few months and found the link to Summit on the forum. But I was wondering which tubes to get for them?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote canorisa Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Sep. 2010 at 12:53am
I think your wheels are 15" so if you are going to go through Summit their tube stock number is COK-85400 - M15 700/915-15 TR-13 TUBE.  They are $15.95 ea.  These are the tires and tubes I purchased from Summit:



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WellFedHobo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Apr. 2011 at 4:48pm
Bringing this thread back from the dead. Very little progress though.

Dad got a set of Model A tail lights for Christmas :)

He and I haven't had time to do anything to the trailer yet though. We have decided that it needs the proper size tires. The current ones are 750-16 and are a bit dry. I'll be sourcing some 600-16 NDT military style tires and tubes soon.

I'm currently looking at Summit. They've got the 4 choices of Coker tires that are all pretty much the same. Two are 4-ply, two are 6-ply. Two have a max wheel width of 5.5 in, two have a max wheel width of 5.0 in. Though, one of them (COK-65902) is not marked as "oversized" so there isn't an extra $16 worth of shipping attached. Any thoughts on that?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WellFedHobo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 May 2011 at 3:13am
Got a little bit done today. We pulled the rims off and started to take them apart in preparation for some sandblasting and probably paint. What we found was similar to someone else on the forum: original green paint on both the rims and the hubs. We also found that the "restoration" that was done years ago wasn't nearly as complete as we remembered. Here are a bunch of pictures from today.

Up on jack stands for a bit


Here's what 65 years of wear does to paint. Note the paint on the hub, original green.


This side seemed a lot more worn than the other side. The rim was also a little loose.  LOL


The suspension looks pretty rusty but serviceable.




The other rim was on a bit tighter so the paint was much better preserved. The camera just doesn't do the paint justice. It's something you have to see in person to get the true "green".










The paint on the rims was about the same. One side was a little rough, the other side was much clearer.









There appeared to be some warning messages on both sides of the rims as well. The insides of the rims haven't been treated well over the years though. They're barely readable as something along the lines of "Warning: deflate tires before removing rim"







We also removed the data plate in preparation for getting a reproduction made. More original green paint, ruined by time.


We also attempted to remove the tires from the rims. This was MUCH more of a challenge than I expected. There was no air in the tires, but the nuts didn't want to come off. After a heavy application of PB Blaster, they all grudgingly came loose. I was able to pop one of the rims apart but could not break the beads at all. They'll have to go to a shop for that.

I hate to have them sandblasted with that original color on there, but they need an intervention while there's still some rim to save. The holes for the valve stems are rotting away and I had to displace some very unhappy ants in the process.








Edited by WellFedHobo - 16 Feb. 2020 at 3:01am
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jerry45 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 May 2011 at 2:17pm
Nice project!
I have two on the back burner I hope to get to one day.
Does the discovery of the green original color mean you're going to repaint it green?
Also, does anybody know what exactly is the code or name of that green?
Good luck with the trailer!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote F Bill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 May 2011 at 2:29pm
Those safety tags are available from the usual WWII jeep suppliers.. I must have missed your post earlier, I see you have the early tailgate, I'd like to see some shots of the whole tailgate from the back of the trailer and close ups of the upper left and right corners as I have one that needs a reproduction  tailgate made and I would like to pass that info along to the new owner.
If you haven't checked out the tech FAQ section, go to:
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for a lot of great stuff you need to know!!

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WellFedHobo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 May 2011 at 1:54am
Originally posted by Jerry45 Jerry45 wrote:

Does the discovery of the green original color mean you're going to repaint it green?
Also, does anybody know what exactly is the code or name of that green?


Someone else on here mentioned that it was "forest green" through PPG. We're still trying to decide on a color. We thought about paint matching it to one of our vehicles but eventually we'll get rid of one or the other, or both, so why bother? We are leaning towards the original green if it can be matched.

Originally posted by F Bill F Bill wrote:

Those safety tags are available from the usual WWII jeep suppliers.. I must have missed your post earlier, I see you have the early tailgate, I'd like to see some shots of the whole tailgate from the back of the trailer and close ups of the upper left and right corners as I have one that needs a reproduction  tailgate made and I would like to pass that info along to the new owner.


If I remember, next time I'm over there I'll snap a couple of pictures. Ours might not be the greatest example because it's pretty beat up.

Today I was able to take the wheels over to my local shop and get the beads broken on those tires. I was worried when rusty water came pouring out of one of them. It took a LOT of effort to break that rim apart. The other one came apart relatively easy because it was dry inside.  Here are a few pictures of them.

Two of the bolts came off this one but the rest look pretty well stuck. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or bad thing.




The hole for the valve stem is pretty rough, but not as bad as the other one.


Ouch. This is after a little wire brush action.


Both rims looked like this pretty consistently.




This is the one that was full of rust soup. Some of the original green survived. It's odd to see the mix of light green and dark green. Makes it look sort of like a watermelon.




At some point in time, the outsides of these rims were green, red, and then black.


I am surprised by all the green paint though. The more rust you brush away, the more paint there is.


One of my concerns is the middle of this one. I hope it can be straightened out and repaired.



Edited by WellFedHobo - 16 Feb. 2020 at 3:08am
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WellFedHobo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 May 2011 at 4:53pm
Here's more of the teardown progress.









All of the bolts from the sides are marked "E.C."




The reflectors off the back of the trailer are original. The bolts had to be drilled/ground/cut to be removed. The bezels are stamped "Model 50" and the lenses are marked "Stimsonite AGA" and "No. 12A".







F Bill, you requested pictures of the tailgate. I snapped a few and added them to this album: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v153/itinerant/BantamT3C/





Edited by WellFedHobo - 16 Feb. 2020 at 3:16am
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WellFedHobo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 May 2011 at 4:54am
Here's a little more on the history of this trailer. From what the family has said, it was bought around late 1945 or early 1946 (as best we can figure). It was used to help move the family from Memphis to California in the spring of 1946. At some point along the way, (Arizona or New Mexico?), a strong gust of wind blew the trailer over. The "published" story is that they were able to flip the fully loaded trailer upright and continue on their way. What we believe REALLY happened was that the original 0-6 coupler was trashed and the original spring hangers were all damaged from the weight of a fully loaded trailer bearing down on one wheel. (The trailer still shows a large dent on the left side of the tub and a dent on the left fender from this accident to this day.)

The "published" story says they flipped it back over and continued on their way. We believe they actually just limped it to California and had some repairs done later. If the coupler was still firmly attached when they flipped the trailer, it wouldn't have escaped damage. It would have been twisted. We think that the rivets on the spring hangers might have snapped and bent over. Since it had just been bought, it was worth fixing back then. The newer Fulton coupler has been on this trailer as long as my father can remember. He even has a scar on his arm from where the lip of the coupler got him when he was moving it as a young boy. The original spring hangers are gone, but the bottom holes were cut off the original brackets and welded straight onto the tub. We think this was the easiest or best fix back then, because no one else in the family has said they made this change.

This is also why we can't find an ACM number on the gusset plate. The modified spring hanger was welded over where the number would have been.






Edited by WellFedHobo - 16 Feb. 2020 at 5:32pm
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