More tinkering on the Jeep in the last week...
One of the windscreen wiper arms crumbled away at the mount recently, probably caused by having the windscreen folded down and the vibration, but if original then that alloy is 55 years old so not unexpected to happen...
The pair removed...
Looking on the 3 UK websites there was no replacements listed other than WW2 wipers that were different and were linked by a hand operated arm, however a replacement arm new and unused was on eBay for under a fiver so ordered that, but upon arrival it's mounting head is different, and not for a Hotchkiss as advertised -or not for the wipers on this Jeep that maybe came off something else, it has a serrated bush inside but would not match my wiper arm mount...
I put up a question for help or ideas on the UK Hotchkiss FB page and result!, Paul who sold me the Jeep gave a link to these universal Landrover and similar mounts, again under a fiver so all was not lost so ordered one of these which arrived a few days later...
There were later other posts in replies to folk who do have some of the wiper mounts that I needed, I thanked them and Paul for their help and said I will try this first, the great thing about the Hotchkiss is the variety of parts used on them, is is no `Original` spec folk say you should stick to like say a WW2 Wyliss or later wartime produced Ford MB Jeep, Like old Landrovers folk just make it their own...
So tapping out the bush on the new arm I pressed in the new bush using the vice carefully..
With that taken care of the next thing was the different end where the wiper blade attaches. I had removed the wiper blade but did not need to bother doing so as you just turn it 90 degrees and pull the inner arm out of the outer arm and fit it into the new arm...
Job done and ready, then an easy job to install on the wiper arm link and at the right angle tighten up...
Tool/Storage boxes;
With my Jeep being converted from 24volt to 12 volt there is a spare battery tray in the engine compartment that I wanted to utilise as a tool box where tools will be stored safe and secure out of site...
I purchased a 50mm Cal ammo box on eBay for under £20 to original use but it was too big for in here with it's length, not to worry as I also planned to fit one in the rear tub so remeasuring carefully I found new plastic ammo boxes of the right size, again around £20. This fitted well in the space but need to sit higher for the lid to clear inner wing so I raised it on wood, cutting some CLS left over form a recent bike rack I built and cut them to fit into the moulding on the base...
With everything lined up I then drilled through the box and wood to mark the battery tray, then drilled the tray, having previously noted the chassis frame is under the tray on the wing side meaning two holes would be drilled more central, than one in each corner...
6mm roofing bolts 100mm long were used with stainless penny washers and nylon nuts to secure the box, and with G above holding a screwdriver above on the bolt heads I soon tightened them up underneath...
Next I mounted the 50mm Cal box on the rear in the tub and this will hold a brew kit of gas stove, sealed bottled water, cups, instant coffee and tee. It got a quick spray of Drab Olive once fitted to match the Jeep...
I also got a 30mm Cal ammo box from friend Ed, which I mounted on the other side, again with 4 stainless bolts with penny washers and nylon nuts. This box will have tyre repair foam, a litre of engine oil, and a litre of Radiator coolant - again just in case...
These boxes keep in the Hotchkiss Jeeps style adding both WW2 and Cold War era to its theme,
A 1.8 meter towing bar which is collapsible as it is now illegal to tow in the UK with a rope, arrived via Machine Mart for £18, and it will be far safer if I need towed home when the towing vehicle has modern disc brakes and your Jeep as old Drum brakes!, I also had bought another cheap £6 Highlander green canvas bag on eBay and being 2 foot long the towing bar folded up fits inside it and wrapped up the bag is stowed behind the rear seat...
See those mounts on the back panel?
They are for a starting handle - being a Willys flat side WW2 engine either the Willys or Ford MB handle should fit and I managed to find a reproduction handle and waiting on that arriving...
More soon...
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