41 ford 3 ton 4x4

[leo tomaiolo]

here's a few of the interior. and yes that a 6 volt lighter in the dash. after i painted the cab i noticed that i forgot to fill in some of the dash holes.(this truck was a firetruck in it's former life) when i saw the gaping 1" hole in the dash i was mad at myself for missing it. not really sure what i was going to do with it. i happen to be a a friends house and he was cleaning out a bunch of 6 volt stuff light bulbs, regulators, etc. then he ask's me if i need a dash lighter in 6 volt. i personally don't smoke but it was a perfect fit for the hole. the other holes will be for a map light on the dash. restored the steering wheel with epoxy. i'll get a better picture of the interior with the front seat in it.

[leo tomaiolo]

here's a few of the engine bay. still a few things to finish.

[Bob Carriere]

Don't forget that with the proper adapter your lighter socket can be a source of power for a trouble light.

Very nice job on the truck and the steering wheel.

Bob C

[leo tomaiolo]

so i've just about finished with my truck. got the canvas top on and installed some of the accessories. been out to a few shows with it and it runs perfect.

[leo tomaiolo]

here's an original photo of a german ford that i'm copying (for markings). this truck belonged to the 3rd panzer grenadier division. and is shown during the surrender at the Ruhr pocket.

[leo tomaiolo]

finally got my 'new' used tires. their a copy of the war time pattern. my old tires were 6.50x20" and the new ones are 7.50x20" so i hope to gain a little speed too. waited years for these to become available. it took me about 10 hours to get them mounted and rolling. had a chance to try them out off road and they perform quite well. even had a chance to drive them on the road when it rained and i was happy. i think the tires are what i needed to make the truck really look the part.

[Ken Smith]

Very nice truck Leo, well done.
Ken

[leo tomaiolo]

having come from the Collings foundation show just a few weeks ago. i got some shots of the truck next to my other driver, panzerjager 38t. (hetzer). even a shot from the drivers seat. as usual truck ran great. can't beat a flat head.

[leo tomaiolo]

with my truck pretty much done time to start a new project. i'll start a new thread for that. i'll leave a few pictures of some snow fun.

[Lang]

Great truck, Leo.

Lang

[leo tomaiolo]

got my truck and pak's out last weekend for an indoor display. trucks running and driving perfect. next big show in 2 weeks.

[Rob McCue]

Hi Leo,

Brilliant job on the truck, it looks great. Well done.

I am interested in a similar restoration, and want to know where you found the those tires?

Also do you have any dimensions or scale drawings of the cargo bed and sides?

Great work, and keep the pictures coming.

Cheers,

Rob McCue

[leo tomaiolo]

thanks for compliments rob, the tires are now available new they are a 7.25x20" made in the EU. i will get the info for them. as far as the bed dimensions its a standard ford flat bed that after looking at lots of period picts kinda just did it in my head and came out with that. i could get some measurements for you though.

[Rob McCue]

Hi Leo, were you able to find the info on the tire manufacturer in the EU?
I have had no luck finding any.

Cheers,

Rob

[leo tomaiolo]

here's a picture of my 41 with it's new big brother.

[leo tomaiolo]

so i made a new towing attachment for the 41. scored a vintage pintill hitch and fabbed up a mounting bracket and installed it. took the field kitchen out to a show with it. made a wiring harness to have lights on the kitchen round trip was 106 miles and it towed perfect. i set up at a local military vehicle show and i thought it looked pretty good. next show i'm towing the PAK 38.

[leo tomaiolo]

i needed to rebuild my transfer case. it was starting to make a hollowing noise. i was able to get a complete set of bearings and seals and went for it. something i learned was this style of transfer case had a compensating gear for the front axle. so basically i was in four wheel drive all the time. which would explain the popping noise i would hear when i drove it on asphalt. so i removed the gear and spring. so if i need four wheel i engage the lock for the transfer case by hand. i also replaced all the u joints front and rear. seemed like a good time to do them also. the truck is much happier on the open road now.

[Bob Carriere]

I have only done work on Chev T case...... and yes they are fairly straight forward and all bearings, race, speedy sleeves were available......

Can you point out the compensation gear on your parts table..... not usre that the Chevy T case has one????

Cheers

[leo tomaiolo]

third picture down. the 'gear' that has the spring attached to it. it delivers full power and when you turn the front axle it slips over the drive gear. by removing the gear it causes no problems with the rotating assembly. and now i just use the locking lever to achieve four wheel drive.

[Bob Carriere]

Thanks Leo for the information.

I am not familiar with the design of that transfer case...... I have worked on CMP Chevs and some Fords T-Case but they are totally different than what you showed.

Love your work.

Cheers

[leo tomaiolo]

with my ford running and driving really good i haven't had much to work on. lots of washing though. so i decided to make a pioneer kit, similar to an Opel 3 ton 4x4. i scored a nice german axe and shovel for this project. the tools were mounted on the bed sides. looking a some (2) period pictures i made the brackets and mounted on them on the bed sides. made some leather straps, to secure them to the loops. i think they look pretty good.