C60 cwt Signals CZMk IV

[Gordon Yeo]

I have had some time to start taking the corroded panels off the van. The first two pictures show the interior and exterior of the front right side, that have been removed. The rear three panels are good and will be kept.

Picture three shows the panels across the rear and the doors have all so been removed. Fortunately the curved panels on the rear corners are in good enough condition to have the dents hammered out and reused.

Picture four shows the channel irons that hold the panels in place, they can be nasty to get out. It also shows the amount of rust behind the panels, far less than I had imagined to be there.

[Gordon Yeo]

A bit more progress on cleaning up the van body. All the panels, I can access, have been removed and the frame work cleaned up and painted. The underside has been buffed clean with a wire wheel in the right angle grinder and painted. The odometer shows 6494 miles and from the absence of corrosion on the underside of the van body I don't think this truck has seen road salt.

I found the manufacturers plate on the rear lower left side of the van body, Chrysler Serial -No 5-J-7 009. Looks like what I thought it would be and a very low production model.

I am bending up new replacement panels and one window assembly was in very poor condition and needs to be rebuilt.

Both front curved corner panels were damaged and I replaced the lower sections using 3M Body Panel Adhesive. I like to use it as it doesn't heat distort like welding or brazing and seals the joint against further corrosion.

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Gordon

Your body work is looking like that when you are done you will have a restoration as close to as manufactured as can be.

Looking really really good.

Cheers Phil

[Mike Cecil]

Gordon

I'm late to this thread, so forgive me if some of this is already evident or has already been passed on to you.

"5J7 body is constructed to drawing schedule 1102576."

'The is a 5J1 body modified to accommodate Signals (CZMkIV) equipment. A fixed wheelhouse is provided with this body. The inside of the body is sheeted with plywood and insulated with 1 1/2 inches of Thermo Craft paper between the inside and outside sheeting of walls and roof. The floor is covered with two coats of Dektred. A Crouse Hinds electrical outlet receptacle for 110 Volt power is installed in the right front panel of the body.'

'Signals CZ Mk.IV':

'The Lorry is equipped with an all steel 12 ft Lindsay House type body, with entrance doors at the rear. The body is fitted with clear plastic windows having two in each of the upper side panels and one in each of the rear doors. The two upper panels on each side of the body are hinged at the top and have locking handles on the outside allowing them to open. Two hinged screen doors are fitted on the inside of the rear entrance and open inward. Copper mesh screens fitted on each side window. Two 60 cycle 110 volt A.C. puller type ventilating fans with screen assemblies are used to ventilate the body through a fibre glass filter. A small door at the front on each side of the body provides an opening for the fans. A 110 volt A.C. overhead lighting system is supplied. Power is obtained from an outside source from a 3" opening located in the right side of the body at the front. A tool box is underslung on the right hand side of the body while a P.O.W. carrier is underslung on the left hand side."

The above are quoted from official CDN DND publications.

I'm guessing, but the CDN WS No.52, a general purpose Brigade/Division set for use as either vehicle or ground station, would seem to be a good candidate for this vehicle. 'Wireless for the Warrior' provides a good coverage of the vehicle installations. Another option is the No.19 set, which is also well covered in WFTW Volume 2.

Mike C

[Gordon Yeo]

Mike

Your being late to the thread isn't a problem, your input is very much appreciated. What you have given me for information is more than I have gotten so far, all I had found was the 5-J-7 signals van configuration. I would be very interested in any information or pictures you might have about the truck. From your information I believe the original lighting system and puller fans were still in place.

Phil

I certainly wont be doing a Bob Carrier restoration on the truck, but will try and get reasonably close to original appearance. Originally the interior was clad with good one side fir ply wood. The best we can get now, with out special order, is better one side. The plan is to re-insulate with dense foam board and clad it with 1/4" mahogany underlay. When painted the mahogany will look close enough to original to be acceptable, at 2/3 the cost.

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Gordon

I used two layers of 1/8 mahogany luan plywood which was actually fairly cheap, when I was rebuilding my S56 Radio Box. Used two layers of the thin 1/8 instead of 1/4 inch because the 1/8 would bend to the curves of the roof inside and out while I could not get the 1/4 plywood to bend that sharp without breaking. Little glue between the layers and it has been in the box on the truck since 1992.

Did a little searching on the internet seems to relatively common, even in marine grade. Marine grade I found for 4'x4' or 2'x8' sheets 1/8 thick was $28. Found some none marine grade 4'x8'x1/8" for around $15 per sheet.

When I went looking the local lumber yard had it in stock in 4x8 sheets it is used in cabinet work for the bottom of drawers.

I went the same way and used rigid foam re-insulate.

Cheers Phil

[Gordon Yeo]

I have all the new panels made, but not all of them are painted yet. I tried test fitting one side to see how well things went together. The window assemblies need to be completed and mounted before the channel irons can be put in place.