Dashboard

[Mithril]

Here is an original Ford starter switch for GPW and GPA (before january 1943, GPW & GPA used the keyed type) :



Scripts "F" - Détail :

[Mithril]

Here is an original GPA fuel gauge :





Bottom marking = Stewart Warner 400507 Made in USA

[Mithril]

Here is an original Temperture gauge :





Bottom marking = Stewart Warner 400083 Made in USA

[Mithril]

Here is an original GPA Voltmeter gauge :




Top marking = Stewart Warner 404306 Made in USA

[Mithril]

Here is an original GPA Voltmeter switch :

[Dominique Cordonnier]

Thanks Mithril for the info and the nice pictures !!.
What about the speedometre , is the original GPA one ,with the long white arm or the short one ?!; On mine , I have the short one , and it's original since it's stay in India ,...!!! I've told that it's the long arm , the original , or is there an early and late type ??...! ! ..Can you help ? :(
Thanks Dominique

[Mithril]

Hello Dominique,

At my knowledge, some speedometers makers are corrects on GPA.

Early GPA :
Stewart Warner (model 403261 on top) with long or half moon needle
King Seeley (model KS-40363-C on top) with long or half moon needle.

Mid and late production :
King Seeley (model KS-40363-N on top) with half moon needle.
Waltham

Il will take some pictures of mine when I'll found time again ... :wink:

[bobassel]

Hello Mithril & Dominique
I'm pretty sure that the Ford GPA used the same instruments as the Ford GPW and made changes at the same date as the normal jeeps.
You can read in the book of Lawrence Nabholtz (a very good book by the way!).
On the contract Ford-F-4 may '43 you still can see the speedo meter used with the long needle!
In the (also good) book of John Farley he points out that the early type speedo meter was changed in mid March 1942 from the type with 5 mile markers to the type with mile markers and both with long needles!
A1266 into A5734.
The speedo meter changed approx june 1943 from type A5734 to A8180
(AL SPK 4003)
The 3rd model was the waterproofed model King seely (KS 40355) with the black counter balanced type.

A question to Mithril is abouth the cooling instruction plate.
I know the early ones didn't have this plate.
For as far as I know Ford added this plate aprox. GPA3000.
Do you know until this small plate was used and when did Ford install
the large instruction plate?
Robert de Ruiter of Holland is working on those "early" plates in brass and in steel.(original is steel)
Here the picture added from GPA 4926 in the South Africa Museum.

Greetings Bob

[Mithril]

Hello Bob,

Two years ago, Robert de Ruiter bought this complete original set of early GPA data plates from me. This particular GPA came from Russia and has been parting out two years ago to help a lot of us completing their own projects ...

Robert is working to make the best available copies for all of us who need them.



I suppose you are speaking about this particular plate :



It was on my previous GPA, frame 3403, sold last year to a dutch collector. I don't have any clues when exactly this change occured but it is easy to see if the holes were drilled or not on the dashboard. Early dashboard only shows 5 small data plates, after it shows six.

My opinion is that the change with the large data plates occured around late february 1943 but they had to change all the "old" GPA's in that new configuration as said in FSMWO G504-W7 (march 43). They also add the Fire plates at the same time.

a/ Remove all plates from instrument panel except voltemeter plate GPA 1701630A.
b/ Locate all new plates from voltmeter plate.
c/ Locate and drill one top corner hole on each plate using n° 37 (.104) diameter drill, top holes of plates to be in line.
4/ fasten plates with drive screw.
5/ Drill all other holes in place and apply all drive screws.
6/ Remove rear seat cushions and raise rear seat.
7/ Locate and drill two holes using n° 37 (.104) diameter drill to dimensions.
8/ Assemble fire caution plate in position so it will be readable by personnel raising seat.
9/ Fasten securely with drive screws.
10/ Raise motor cover and locate holes to dimensions.
11/ Drill two holes using n° 37 (.104) diameter drill.
12/ Assemble fire caution plate in position to be readable by personnel from right hand side of vehicle.
13/ Fasten securely with drive screws.

I still have to see if the latest dashboard I know about still have the holes factory drilled for the small plates type or only for the large one.

When I removed my original lage data plates from my dashboard, I found a Ford motor Co label for such a plate under the Marine operation one ... You can see it here on this before/after restoration picture.

[bobassel]

Yes Mithril that's the plate I'm talking about.
Robert is working to make a perfect copy of this one.
I now have a flat foto copy of this plate and I'm waiting to get
the right model of it.
I'm just curious about the date and chassis nbr when Ford
changed this plate.
I know that all GPA's that stayed in US service were modified
with new plates.
Our "forum leader" , Peter has a GPA 5755 with the "old" drilled holes and the new type plates.
(Keep on placing pictures!)

Greetings Bob

[GlennV]

Hi Bob,

my GPA also had (yes, had ... i welded them shut) all the holes for the two types of dash plates. I think the change was made during december '42 or januari '43, as my GPA's date of delivery 14th january 1943.

Next saterday, 'she' will be 63 ....... :D , i'll ask my wife to bake her a cake ! :wink:

Best regards,
Glenn

[Dominique Cordonnier]

Thanks Guys for all theses exciting informations !!! :D :D
Please do carry on !!!!
Dominique

[leo verhagen]

Last but not least the 60-30-0-30-60 amp meter....