ron hausmann Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 All, Well I finished my 1918 Kissel Gibraltar Sedanlette and am embarking upon my next challenge - a US Army Truck. I have accumulated four - five Kissel Model 6-38 frames, engines, and parts over the last five years. Although I don’t have complete bodies for them, nor enough parts to do complete cars, I DO have enough parts to do complete Kissel light trucks with wood bodies. Kissel did make US Mail and US Army tricks but none have survived. Some were based upon car frames. Pictures of these have survived. I am therefore going to build a 1917 Kissel US Army Truck, bodied as a troop carrier, using the below pictures as guides. I can also use Kissels contemporary sales pictures which sold complete chassis as guides. Maybe this one can be done in two years! The last one took over five, but I built a big house at the same time. Stay tuned. Ron Hausmann P.E. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 (edited) You may just want to contact Howard Dennis. He built a little 1917 Army truck from a Maxwell.... https://forums.aaca.org/profile/78299-hddennis/ Edited December 11, 2019 by keiser31 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron hausmann Posted December 11, 2019 Author Share Posted December 11, 2019 Here is the first set of restoration pictures for this project from this week. Frame selection and disassembly is underway. Unstacking car frames one at a time by one person with a shop crane is tricky. Need to keep cell phone on ones self in case of mishap. I’ve selected a complete 1917 Kissel frame which has its original vehicle number from 1917 on it. It’s rusty, very rusty, but all there including hard-to- find brake drums and mechanism. Will have to do ally of brakefree soaking to get parts off. I’ll also start sorting thru my Kissel parts stash to select pieces that will complete the chassis, hood, cowling, dash, etc.i have an unequalled stash of Kissel parts - useless to most everyone, but priceless to Kissel guys. Once disassembled, axles, frame, and many other chassis parts will be commercially blasted and black powder-coated. Ron Hausmann P.E. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 Wow! All of those Kissel parts! Never saw so many in one spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 (edited) There is a military website in the UK that has many WWI truck guys with lots of history and photos. I recommend you inquire there. You may be surprised what you find. HMVF.CO.UK Edited December 11, 2019 by edinmass (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron hausmann Posted December 15, 2019 Author Share Posted December 15, 2019 Here is an updated picture of the restoration planned. It’s proportioned according to actual Kissel dimensi9ns and several period correctarmy truck pictures that We received. Ron 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron hausmann Posted December 20, 2019 Author Share Posted December 20, 2019 All - Here is the progress that has been accomplished As this new project has been started. It involves canabalizing several 1916 to 1918 Kissel Model 6-38 parts cars which I have, as many components in one frame are not as good as those in another. Ultimately the car will be a 1917. Chassis components and most other parts for Kissel Model 6-38 cars are the same except for bodies. a. Rear axle has been disattached from its frame. It will be rebuilt. b. Brake mechanical connections are being stripped from a different chassis. c. Brake operating rods (unique to Kissel) from three cars have been sorted and best one selected. d. Front axles from three cars have been compared and best selected. e. Front axle spindles, springs, and steering and pitman arms have been sorted and best selected. f. Spring shackles, special bolts, abs special washers have been stripped and buffed g. Wheel bearings and special wheel nuts for Kissel axles have been refurbished. h. Frame from original 1917 has been emptied of all connecting components. Next steps will be to start prepping these chassis parts for sandblasting and powder coating. And rebuilding the rear axle and machined brake components. Ron Hausmann P.E. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hidden_hunter Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 Really exciting project, can’t wait to see it progress Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S. Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 Very interesting project. Ron, you are the perfect fellow for this project. Looking forward to your posting. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Macartney Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 I agree. I for one will be following your progress on this project. Thank you, for both your workmanship and your recording of the work. Being from the other side of the pond, your previous posts have informed me about a make of car I had previously never heard of! Keep up the excellent work and posts. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron hausmann Posted January 12, 2020 Author Share Posted January 12, 2020 All - As of first week in 2020, disassembly of chassis and many components is almost complete. 1. frame has been almost completely stripped of everything attached to it. Going to blaster/coaster next week. 2. rear axle has been checked and serviced by professional rear end shop and is being repainted. 3. front axle, spindles, steering arms, springs, shackles, and brake rods going along with frame to blaster next week. 4. brake mechanisms, unique to kissel, have been painstakingly disassembled and shined up. 5. rear axle bearings and seals have been carefully withdrawn and freshened up. 6. rare brake drums, bands, and wheel hubs have been taken apart for painting. 7. rear springs will be new, truck type (heavier). They will be ordered next week. 8. research into precise details of wood body continues. Looks like US trucks in WW1 were a real chaotic mix ! Here are some pictures. Next week I go to California to pick up the remnants of a later 1921 Kissel touring car. Complete but no wood, disassembled. thanks, Ron Hausmann P.E. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron hausmann Posted January 12, 2020 Author Share Posted January 12, 2020 A few more pics of design development, etc. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 Nice project, reminds me of what we used to see 50+ years ago in HCCA and AACA magazines. I've noticed a lot of interest in WWI vehicles, just sold a set of T wheels to a fellow building a Ford Scout Car. Bob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hursst Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 I think you've become a defacto Kissel factory. Putting them all back into circulation. Great work. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 My seven year old grandson looked at this photo and without any help from me said "Army ambulance". Bob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 On 1/12/2020 at 12:30 PM, 1937hd45 said: Nice project, reminds me of what we used to see 50+ years ago in HCCA and AACA magazines. I've noticed a lot of interest in WWI vehicles, just sold a set of T wheels to a fellow building a Ford Scout Car. Bob Very true........it's unbelievable how many early brass cars today were put together from floor sweeping and a pile of scrap. Many of the "assembled" cars are now lost to history and thought of as correct. ALWAYS hire an expert....or two when buying a big dollar brass car. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron hausmann Posted January 18, 2020 Author Share Posted January 18, 2020 All, Progress is being made. Tedious work refurbishing all the chassis and brake parts and fittings but nearly all done. 1. Rear axle has been overhauled and painted at axle shop. 2. Brake rods and fittings, front axle parts, front springs are being sandblasted and poweder coated. 3. new beefed-up rear springs are being made at Eaton Spring. Ready in a week. 4. painting of dozens of drive shaft, axle brackets, operating rod parts is done. 5. Frame is completely stripped. Had to fabricate a new battery box as original sheet metal was ratty. Now all I need to do is to get the frame powder coated. Will take it next week! Ron Hausmann P.E. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted January 18, 2020 Share Posted January 18, 2020 Ron....from the size of your pile of extra parts, you can build a Kissel tow truck.......very neat toy. Just planting a seed for the next project........can't start too soon! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted January 19, 2020 Share Posted January 19, 2020 May the City of Edmonton's give some encouragement: Craig 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron hausmann Posted January 30, 2020 Author Share Posted January 30, 2020 As of January 31, 2020, a lot of the tedious chassis parts work is done. 1. Wood artillery wheels have been sanded and painted olive drab. 2. Rebuilt rear axle has been detailed and is ready to mount on the car. 3. Brand new rear springs have been made and painted. Also ready to mount. 4. Car frame proper is at blaster and will be powder coated. Pick up next week. 5. All the brake parts, suspension parts, and gas tank straps are blasted and painted awaiting mounting. Ron Hausmann P.E. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JV Puleo Posted January 30, 2020 Share Posted January 30, 2020 Have you looked into the exact color for the period? I think what we call "olive drab" changed quite a bit between WWI and WWII. It may never have been all that consistent either. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron hausmann Posted January 30, 2020 Author Share Posted January 30, 2020 JV - yes I’ve done color research. Many if not most of those WW1 trucks were brush painted by troops using a recipe for field mixed green paint. That’s why there is a wide discrepancy in what WW1 colors were. Miss variations were many. In genera however, WW1 green was more light and more grey-ish than standard WW2 forest or drab green. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JV Puleo Posted January 31, 2020 Share Posted January 31, 2020 I can't say I'm surprised you knew the colors were slightly different... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted January 31, 2020 Share Posted January 31, 2020 Most of the armies in WWI had service depots for light and moderate repairs close to the lines, heavy shops were further back. They tried to fix and save as much as possible, and did some very impressive repairs. Paint was certainly what was available at any location......and what any supplier provided......much of it was close......but taking down paint on WWI chassis’s clearly show multiple shades........no one cared back then, and interestingly most of the WWI guys today are of the “close enough for government work” attitude. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JV Puleo Posted January 31, 2020 Share Posted January 31, 2020 (edited) The SAE standard threads came about as a result of the problems the Motor Transport Corps had with repairs in WWI. Making nuts and bolts in the field was often necessary because of the wide variety of threads. After the war, the government insisted that future purchases for the Army must have a standard thread applicable regardless of the supplier. My late Great Uncle, Sam Pendleton, belonged to the 310th MTC, a job he got because he knew how to drive which was a skill relatively few enlisted men had at the time. Edited January 31, 2020 by JV Puleo (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron hausmann Posted February 6, 2020 Author Share Posted February 6, 2020 All - As of February 6, 2020, very much progress is being made. 1. Frame has been sandblasted, powder coated, and readied for parts. 2. Front axle, steering mechanism, and wheels have been restored and mounted. 3. New rear springs have been picked up, pained, and mounted on frame. Had to buy a spreader to warp them on. 4. Rear axle, already restored, has been fished into springs. Needs to be shackled in tomorrow. 5. Frozen steering gear has been completely disassembled, figured out, polished and painted. Smooth as butter now. 6. Wheels have been repainted in flat WW1 green, as best as I could research. RON HAUSMANN, P.E. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron hausmann Posted February 6, 2020 Author Share Posted February 6, 2020 Few more pics 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S. Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 Very nice work Ron! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerczak Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 Are you reusing the old driveshaft or having one made? Also, when you paint the leaf springs, do you take them all apart, paint, and reassemble or can you just blast and paint them? Looks good so far. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron hausmann Posted February 21, 2020 Author Share Posted February 21, 2020 Hey Gerczak, im reusing the old driveshaft. These are husky Kissel rods with neat universals in cups at both ends. on this chassis, I painted the springs as assembled, not apart. They are soooo stiff I’m not worried abou5 to much chipping as they flex. i did have to buy a spring spreader to maneuver them onto their mounts. Never used one and they are great. Ron 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 I'd like to ask Ron if it hasn't already been, what product / type of paint do you use on the frame? I would imagine it was quite rusty from all the years but looks like new now. Thanks in advance. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron hausmann Posted February 21, 2020 Author Share Posted February 21, 2020 Dei - for all my restorations I have the chassis parts sandblasted and powder-coated in black. You can paint over the powder coating or just leave it as this one is. It’s not expensive and very durable. thanks, Ron 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron hausmann Posted February 26, 2020 Author Share Posted February 26, 2020 As of February 26, 2020, work is progressing on the framework for the truck body. I’m using premium red oak planking as originally, Kissel used Oak and ash. I’m reverse engineering the framework dimensions from the pictures which I have. See below. This work has highlited a number of problems with stiffness and clearances whichthe original designers must have dealt with. Ron Hausmann P.E. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just me Posted February 29, 2020 Share Posted February 29, 2020 Ron Great project and nice work. Ed had a good idea on a wrecker project. Maybe in the works? Best Charley 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron hausmann Posted February 29, 2020 Author Share Posted February 29, 2020 Charlie, At my rate of one restoration every 2-5 years, and with two definite jobs in front of me after this truck, my old body may not last long enough to get to a wrecker. I do all the work alone, including carving the oak, and that wreaks havoc on my joints. we’ll see ron 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron hausmann Posted March 1, 2020 Author Share Posted March 1, 2020 Framing for longitudinal seats - just like church pews. Ron 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S. Posted March 1, 2020 Share Posted March 1, 2020 Fantastic work on the truck. Really interesting project. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBKissel Posted March 1, 2020 Share Posted March 1, 2020 Ron, you sir are truly a dedicated sole for all the time and effort you have put forth to keep the Kissels alive and rolling- Thx! Looking forward to your updates. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron hausmann Posted March 6, 2020 Author Share Posted March 6, 2020 Here are cargo/trooper benches which make up the lower body of the truck. The front driver seat and cowl have not yet been added. All carved oak. thanks, Ron Hausmann 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBKissel Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 Looks good. Impressive that you do this alone. /Doug 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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