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This jeep served the 3rd Australia Infantry Division in New Guinea. It still contains all the original markings, such as:
Formation Sign, Koala over a Boomerang. Located on left side of windscreen.
Unit Tactical Sign, 24/56 on red background. Located on L/H/S of windscreen.
Bridging Sign, 2 in black on yellow circular background. Located on R/H/S of windscreen.
Commonwealth Registration Number, 142994. Located on right hand side of hood.
The Australians shipped very little vehicles back from New Guinea which makes this jeep a very rare item. My grandfather bought the jeep from a farm in the early 70s and gave it to my dad to learn to drive. It has been sitting in the back of a 6x6 studebaker since the late 70s up until a couple of years ago. It was then given to me to drive around our backyard and of coarse, I chewed up the lawn and broke the shackle hanger clean off the chassis. It then sat for 1 1/2 years until I desided to do something about it. It has 4 new bumper gussets, a new bumper, a new shackle hanger and the chassis welded up again. Since then I have begun the restoration. I havent done anything major yet but Im kept busy cleaning up and painting small parts around the engine bay like the oil filler, air cleaner, regulator etc. I have bought many miscellaneous parts to fill up holes and improve performance, for example an NOS exhaust system. It has many "F" script parts and most bolts have "F" script heads.
For those of you who care, Im leaving the body as is and only restoring chassis and running gear. The engine runs like a clock but needs a couple of gaskets here and there.
UPDATE: Front diff is out and in pieces, need to replace seals, bearings bellcrank shaft and bush and maybe rezeppa joints. Front diff is now done and ive also rebuilt transfer case, transmission and clutch. next thing is rear diff.
If you have any questions or comments, dont hesitate to email me at sloth@hotkey.net.au
