Ford KL Welder truck restoration

[Kirk Armitage]

This 1943 Ford KL was picked up by Jim Fraser (Arnprior , Ontario) in early 1995 from the Truck Trader, advertised as " Jeep 3 ton with welder 25 amp ". It was remarkably intact except for the driver's door and front bumper guard .
Jim sold me the truck in late 95,and it was put in storage. The serial number was given to the late Peter Ford and a build date of 1943 was concluded. In 1999 , a full tear down was started, the welding unit was removed and set aside to wait it's turn. After sandblasting, the axles were resealed, transfer case rebuilt, brakes done all round, re-arched the springs and added a leaf front and rear. Michelins were installed, with an original tire for a spare. Didn't have access to a large lathe at the time to cut the rims, managed to get the Michelin's on, they were tight, NDT Mohawks wouldn't go on . So the truck was in primer, with the brake lines to be run , in the spring of 2000 . Then other projects came along, also a couple kids, and I don't like running brake lines . The project went to sleep for 14 years in a heated garage....................... to be continued. Picture quality is poor on these old photographs.
Kirk Armitage

[Bob Carriere]

I tried buying that beast before it went up on Auto trader but they wanted too much at the time.

It was at a campground in the Wolfe Lake area..... Tantetine campground I believe.

We found that if the rims are sandblasted and painted on the inside in glossy black with plenty of wet tire snoot from the tire shop the tires slides on much easier. The local tire shop sold me a half pail of the "snoot" for $10.00 so we have a life time supply... messy but it works.

Glad to see you working on it.

Cheers

Bob C

[Kirk Armitage]

Yes Bob ,that was the area, judging by the spruce trees it was sitting there for a while.
So now that there is a team of three, hopefully things will progress faster. Were doing a small dozer at the same time, hope none of the parts get mixed up ! Although after 15 years since tear down, things are a little on the fuzzy side.
Paint wise there was a little deviation, went with some surplus olive drab I had been sitting on. Were already at 3 1/2 gallons used and having been pricing automotive paint for our other project ,I can live with it.
The brake lines were run, got a good pedal and managed to get a few good days for paint. Still have to find the shock links, have it narrowed down to a couple buildings.
Kirk Armitage

[Kirk Armitage]

Few more pieces of the puzzle got some paint.
Kirk Armitage

[Robin Craig]

I also recall that truck, I like Bob, also lusted after it and had delusional fantasies of owning it and restoring it and showing it.

Grand job your doing

R

[Kirk Armitage]

It's nice to feel re-energized about a project, after all this time. This forum is probably the main reason , when you see the different builds taking place all over the globe. Thanks Robin
K Armitage

[Shane]

Mate she looks fantastic keep posting more pictures . I think a lot of us understand the effort you are putting in, and lets face it its a learning curve for us all.

[Kirk Armitage]

Thanks Shane . As per a conversation with Bob C this morning, I rolled out some white strip caulk on the cab floor and set the back wall into place. Just put a couple bolts in for now, have to dig up the originals in a box somewhere ?
K Armitage

[Bob Carriere]

Go to TSC and by a few pounds of assorted bolts...... good luck finding the square nuts.

Truck is looking very good.

[Bob Carriere]

as it been reworked ready to fire up?

[Kirk Armitage]

Original bolts if possible or close , not too fussy about the grade marks on the heads of new bolts, on an antique, maybe underneath where their not visible. Engine wise, had the 239 bored out, needed one sleeve, so I put the bottom end together, also adjustable valves and its sitting on the end stand waiting to be finished. Wheels are probably seized !
K Armitage

[Kirk Armitage]

Have 5 holes on the back of the cab , rht side of the window, any opinions , original or civvy mod ? One hole is ripped so something was there at one time.
Thanks K Armitage

[Ganmain Tony]

I think there may have been a small thin box there Kirk (original fitment) for paperwork of some nature...

Have seen this sort of thing on some wrecks but have no photographic evidence that I can remember.

My suggestion, fill the holes with something you can paint over but dont weld them up.

Great job by the way - getting me inspired to kick on with my project.

[Kirk Armitage]

Sounds good Tony, I'll keep them. Already fixed the ripped one, will look for some pics of that cab area.
Thanks K Armitage

[Kirk Armitage]

Great weather today and looking the same for the weekend, so we are trying to get the roof in shape for paint. I'm not patient enough to perform miracles with bodyfiller, so very little was used, left a couple of kisses on the front center edge of the roof for "Character" . Hopefully paint will go on tomorrow.
Started on the front clip, by replacing one captured nut and cage on the drivers floor plate. This was the only one I remember breaking on teardown, pretty impressive for the age. A donor clip has come in handy for these parts, especially a side vent frame ,which will be replaced next.
K Armitage

[Kirk Armitage]

Still working on the front clip, replaced the angle iron mount, the original had been cut in order to install a hydraulic pump.
The roof has been installed and rolled out the truck for a few pics. Other than the clip in primer, were out of parts to paint, so I guess its time to start sandblasting again.
K Armitage (and crew )

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Kirt

Very impressive work and attention to detail.

By chance had you seen the photos on my web site of the Welding Truck at the Camp Borden Museum back in 1984 at the time of the CMP historical conference. Here is the link to the photos I took at that time http://canadianmilitarypattern.com/CMP84.htm click on the individual photos should get you the photos at Hi Resolution. Here is one them http://canadianmilitarypattern.com/R...20color017.jpg

Keep up the good work and keep posting your progress.

Cheers Phil

[Kirk Armitage]

Hi Phil
Thanks for the encouragement and thanks for the link to some excellent pics. The last time I saw the Borden Kl picture taking was impossible in the museum. Would have needed a miner's hat !
Regards Kirk

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Kurt

Always enjoyed that welding truck where else are you going to find a V-16 CMP.

The story told at the time my pictures were taken in 1984 was the truck had been working for it's keep with base maintenence department who didn't want to give it up.

cheers Phil

[chris vickery]

Kirk
Sent you a PM. Your door is now in Ottawa for pickup.

[Kirk Armitage]

I would like to thank Chris and his son Mathieu for getting my 13 cab door landed from out west and into my hands .Also thanks to Gord Falk for finding all the parts. Can hardly wait to get sandblasting, actually I'll supervise while my young lads do it !
thanks again K Armitage