Mike - Your background is very nice, it sets the scene well. Those rocks would have given the suspension a workout . . .

That Bronco kit seems like a nice advance over the Tamiya kit. Bronco has the hood latches which are pretty noticeably missing from the Tamiya effort . . .

@ Peter and jsmith, Thanks for the comments, guys!

@ Paul, Yes the kit is very nice, that’s if you like getting lured into a large parts count for such a tiny vehicle. … Oh yeah, that would be me. Lol! 🤔

Now I have a dumb question regarding Def.Model's US Utility Truck (DW30018) 1/4ton Sagged Wheel Set – Early type. This is what they suggest is in the box ...


... and here’s what actually arrived. All four hubs are identical, yet the wheels labeled ‘B’ (rear) do have correct brake drums.


This can’t be right, can it? I searched the web, but couldn’t find any images to support the rear hubs being the same as the front.

I contacted Def.Model and I’m just waiting for a response. In the meantime (before I clip and sand-down the suspect hubs), I was wondering if any of you more learned Jeep experts might have any information regarding my dilemma?

Cheers!
—mike

So, I got a wild hair and decided to clip the rear hub nibs. Oh well, if it’s wrong now, it is what it is (before and after).


I also got some hairy stick painting done on the windshield gun rack and the tools.


I lost the original fire extinguisher to the Carpet Monster a while ago. ... So hellooo Evergreen tubing (No. 223, 2.4 mm), scraps, Tamiya putty, tape, and a spare hood latch. The transfer is from Archer's M2/M3 Halftrack Instruments & Placards Set (35230). Here's the reference image I used (right). I'll most likely tone down the transfer color later on, but for now ... close enough.🔍


Cheers!🍺
—mike

Hi Mike

You are safe with your clipped wheels. In all my research, I have not one reference to rear hubs like that.

Front Axle assembly


Rear



In fact, the whole axle assembly is very different breakdown to the front asssembly

http://legacy.1944mb.com/c-84-G503_WWII_Jeep_Removing_Front_Brake_Drum.aspx

http://legacy.1944mb.com/c-85-G503_WWII_Jeep_Removing_Rear_Brake_Drum.aspx

Thanks Peter!

The schematics and manual images are very helpful. I've added them right to my reference file. Being a former shade-tree mechanic (Chevy's not Jeeps), that's kinda' what I was thinking.

And with Bronco's typical over-engineering, it's surprising they didn't include the entire parts list... “A thru Z.”🔩 Lol!

Cheers!🍺
—mike

Minor progress being made. Optivisor a must for me at least.

I have a jewellers magnifying lamp.... oh for the good old days of 20/20 vision.

Looking good so far Chris

@ Chris – Nice progress! I see you opted for the turned wheel option with your Optivisor. ... See what I did there? Teehee! As I recall, that assembly was very tedious (refer: A, AC, AB, R, Q, P, N).

Cheers!🍺
—mike

Bronco can try your patience with tiny parts. Lots of bits to cut off and replace too as this is a Brit version and apparently they did numerous mods.

Hi guys,

Here's today's Bronco Jeep update. Wheels are painted, attached... and touchdown has been achieved! Dashboard dials and placard decals have been added. Somehow, I lost two of the small dials so I just faked them with black paint. You know what they say: "It'll never be seen"... 'cause I ain't showing' it. Lol! Tools have been attached, a sling has been added to the M1 Garand, and the windshield frame (clear part) has been outlined in OD. This is where my newly acquired Raphael Kolinsky brushes truly paid for themselves.

The Musette Bag w/helmet (left rear wheel well deck) is from the Value Gear 'USA Pack Set #2.'


With the body & bumper decals settled in, I thought a little canvas top dry fit session might be in order.




And the good news ... I checked and there is still enough room for the driver's noggin!

As always, comments are welcome.

Cheers!🍺
—mike

Something occurred to me when I went to locate the soft-top’s rear window on the clear sprue.🔍 ... What, no part?🤨 Then it became “clear” when I recalled the following reference image. Look! — Just a drafty hole!🤔 Also, it looks as though the first of three Jeeps in this column has its window covered with canvas. And check out the missing spare tire's ghost wear on the last Jeep. Those could be a couple of interesting details for someone to replicate. ... You're welcome.

Cheers!🍺
—mike

@ Chris and other Bronco GPW builders out there,

Note: The two outer PE transmission crossmember hangers need to be flush with the top of the chassis. If they protrude above, they will become rocker-points causing a large gap and very poor body fit down the road — not real obvious in the instructions. I just noticed this fit issue on my version and corrected it by grinding-down the tops before final attachment of the body (see below). HTH.

Cheers!🍺
—mike

Silly me has been sitting on this image for months. It just got lost in the shuffle I guess. Oh, and getting sent to Japan for a while doesn't help.

Mostly done!

Thanks for the tip Mike

Looking good Dan. A lot of green there

I have been finishing up a couple of other builds, so the GPA has been side lined. Will get back to it shortly.

I'd love to be a part of this campaign but just don't know if I could complete it. But here's some support, a neat site of a man restoring Wileys.
http://www.darrylsgarage.com/wwiijeep/wwiijeep.htm

@ Dan – Nice little unit! ... Maybe reposition it on the base a little, i.e. forward and angled just a wee bit more? 🤔

@ Frederick – Enlist anyway ... completion is sooo overrated!
And thanks for sharing the restoration link!


So this is how my GPW spent the night — a necessary evil, even after the previous grinding fix. ... Clamp-it, Jed!


Cheers!🍺
—mike

Not sure if cutting the pieces from the sprues and organizing them disqualifies me, but I'd like to join with this. No piece cleaning nor assembly yet.

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The campaign leader has not posted for several months, so I'll put my 2 bits in and say I have no issues in you joining in. What says the rest of us....

Hey Mike, my previous post re your build didn't save. Looking great - don't forget the paint in the rear light lenses though....

I agree with Peter on the new build...........

johhar has my vote. ... The more, the merrier!



Thanks Peter! It's amazing how the "little stuff to do list" continues to grow at this stage. I did get those lenses painted though.🎨

I used this as a reference.


Cheers!🍺
—mike

I'm enlisted, and hope I can beat the deadline.

I haven't forgotten about this one. I'm working on the Trumpy UAZ-469 and hope to have it finished in time.

I wonder if I have time to build another JEEP, but what I see from the posts I don't think that I could come up o the level of craftsmanship. Everyone really has cranked out some great looking stuff.

Bob