Overview:

It has been nearly a year since we last published a report on our GMC CCKW 353 Fuel Truck, which is under restoration at Mil-Spec Vehicle Restoration in Belvidere, New Jersey. We have a lot to catch up on, but the big news is that the cab is now bolted onto the vehicle's chassis, with much of its interior having now been fitted out too. This report will cover more recent endeavors, but reflect upon other aspects too. It is great to see such strong signs of visual progress on this fascinating project!

The CCKW 353 is beginning to resemble a truck again, as this image attests! Not only is the cab reinstalled on the body, but many of the fully-refurbished ancillary items, such as the hood, grill, wing mirrors and head lamps, have been added back on too. (image via Mil-Spec)
The CCKW 353 is beginning to resemble a truck again, as this image attests! Not only is the cab reinstalled on the body, but many of the fully-refurbished ancillary items, such as the hood, grill, wing mirrors and head lamps, have been added back on too. (image via Mil-Spec)

Dashboard:

After completing the structural restoration of the Fuel Truck's cab, a lengthy process, it became necessary to install those internal items which were easier to access while the cab was still off the chassis. This included the instrument cluster (and associated sensor lines which penetrate the firewall), some of the electrical wiring/terminals, and the seat support structure.

The dashboard inside the cab prior to the installation of the instrument cluster (cavity at left) and the glove box door (cavity at right). This image was captured prior to the cab's reinstallation on the Fuel Truck's chassis. (image via Mil-Spec)

Some of the new wiring installed on the cab's fire wall. (image via Mil-Spec)

The fire wall on the Fuel Truck's cab prior to its reinstallation on the chassis. Note the new wiring (at right) and engine sensor lines (center). (image via Mil-Spec)

The seat mount going back together in the cab prior to its re-installation on the chassis. (image via Mil-Spec)

Some of the NOS instruments and engine controls mounted in the Fuel Truck's dash board prior to the cab's re-installation. From left to right, the gauges are the engine coolant temperature, fuel quantity, speedometer, oil pressure and ammeter. The controls to their right include the Blackout Driving Light Switch (B.O.Drive), Headlights, the Choke (fuel mixture), throttle adjustment, and the instrument panel light switch. (image via Mil-Spec)
Some of the NOS instruments and engine controls mounted in the Fuel Truck's dash board prior to the cab's re-installation. From left to right, the gauges are the engine coolant temperature, fuel quantity, speedometer, oil pressure and ammeter. The controls to their right include the Blackout Driving Light Switch (B.O.Drive), Headlights, the Choke (fuel mixture), throttle adjustment, and the instrument panel light switch. (image via Mil-Spec)

Toe Board and Floor Board Restoration:

Once the cab was remounted onto the Fuel Truck frame, it was then possible to begin installing items like the Toe Board and the Floor Board. The Toe Board is a sheet metal cover which sits in the driver's side foot well where most of the control pedal linkages (and the steering column) enter the cab. This includes the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals. The accelerator pedal actually attaches to the Toe Board, and since the original was damaged beyond repair, Mil-Spec needed to replace it with a New Old Stock example, which had a slightly different mounting base to the original. As a result, the team had to drill fresh attaching holes in the restored Toe Board to ensure it sat in the correct position.

The Floor Board is essentially as its name implies; an access panel which forms the cab's floor. Several key driver controls pass through the Floor Board, such as the gearshift, handbrake and transfer case levers (for adjusting which wheel combinations drive the truck).

A New Old Stock accelerator pedal repair kit, complete with its original GMC Truck & Coach Division box dating from February 1951. Note the steel parts still retain a thick layer of cosmoline preservative at this point. Once the parts were trial-fitted to the toe board, they were stripped of this 'goop' and repainted in Olive Drab. (image via Mil-Spec Vehicle Restorations)
A New Old Stock accelerator pedal repair kit, complete with its original GMC Truck & Coach Division box dating from February 1951. Note the steel parts still retain a thick layer of cosmoline preservative at this point. Once the parts were trial-fitted to the toe board, they were stripped of this 'goop' and repainted in Olive Drab. (image via Mil-Spec Vehicle Restorations)

The NOS accelerator pedal and its associated fittings during trial-fitting on the cab's freshly-restored toe board. (image via Mil-Spec Vehicle Restorations)

Another view of the accelerator pedal, showing the underside of the mechanism, during trial-fitting against the cab's freshly-refurbished toe board. Following this, the cosmoline-coated parts were laser-cleaned to remove the preservative 'goop' and painted with olive drab to match the rest of the toe board. (image via Mil-Spec Vehicle Restorations).

The cab's toe board, in the foreground, and several other components following refurbishing and a coat of olive drab paint. The board's upper forward edge is nearest the camera. (image via Mil-Spec Vehicle Restorations)

The floor board after refurbishing and repainting, with the forward edge towards the bottom of the image. Note: the circular boss with the round hole at its center is where the gear shift leaver fits, while the square-edged hole is where the hand brake and transmission case control levers pass through. The smaller round hole at the upper right is a maintenance access point, normally covered by a removable cap, as shown in a subsequant image. (image via Mil-Spec Vehicle Restorations)

Cab-mounted Components:

After reinstalling the freshly-restored Toe Board and Floor Board into the cab, Mil-Spec's mechanics connected linkages from the various driver controls which pass through them to the relevant locations—for example, they attached the engine throttle to the accelerator pedal. They also refabricated, and fitted the flexible draft plugs which tuck around each of these controls to minimize the air gaps into the cab. The team also installed the steering column support brace, which sits just under the dash, and bolted on a freshly-restored, wooden steering wheel to the column as well. A newly-refurbished fire extinguisher mount was also attached in the passenger-side foot well too.

Much of the electrical wiring has also been refabricated and installed, including for the horn, headlights, brake lights and battery. The fuel system is now mostly plumbed in as well.

A view of the freshly-installed toe and floor boards in the Fuel Truck's cab. Note that new draft plugs have also been installed around the gear shift and the steering column/clutch & brake pedal entry points in the floor board and toe board respectively. Note the floor-mounted starter button is just to the right of the accelerator, while the brake pedal is mostly hidden by the steering column. (image via Mil-Spec).
A view of the freshly-installed toe and floor boards in the Fuel Truck's cab. Note that new draft plugs have also been installed around the gear shift and the steering column/clutch & brake pedal entry points in the floor board and toe board respectively. Note the floor-mounted starter button is just to the right of the accelerator, while the brake pedal is mostly hidden by the steering column. (image via Mil-Spec).
A view of the cab with the freshly installed bench seat, refurbished steering column and wheel, toe board and floor board and numerous sundry accouterments. (image via Mil-Spec)
A view of the cab with the freshly installed bench seat, refurbished steering column and wheel, toe board and floor board and numerous sundry accouterments. (image via Mil-Spec)

A view inside the CCKW's cab following the installation of many of its various components, including the seat, steering column and wheel, toe board and floor board. (image via Mil-Spec)

A view of the floor board, with a freshly installed, dome-topped plug to cover the access hole which, when removed, allows maintenance personnel to reach fittings beneath the panel without having to remove the entire Floor Board. (image via Mil-Spec)

A view of the freshly-installed fire extinguisher bracket in the cab's passenger side footwell. (image via Mil-Spec Vehicle Restorations)

A view of the steering wheel soon after reinstallation. Mil-Spec carefully sanded down the wooden components and revarnished them, while also overhauling and repainting the column and spokes. It looks marvelous back in position. The glove box door has also been installed at right. (image via Mil-Spec)
A view of the steering wheel soon after reinstallation. Mil-Spec carefully sanded down the wooden components and revarnished them, while also overhauling and repainting the column and spokes. It looks marvelous back in position. The glove box door has also been installed at right. (image via Mil-Spec)

Hood, Wipers, Mirrors, Lights & Grill:

Amongst numerous other details, Mil-Spec has also begun rebuilding the windscreen wiper systems, which included disassembling, cleaning and inspecting the left and right vacuum wiper motors, then reassembling with NOS parts where necessary. They ended up having to remake inner spacers for the wipers, but thankfully the motors themselves operated properly after rework.

After a total rebuild, the hood has been re-installed with freshly-refurbished hinges, newly-made hinge pins/screws, catches and support prop. The headlights have also received a lot of attention, with NOS light buckets attached to the reworked mounts. NOS blackout lights have also been fitted beside the main headlights—these being run during wartime conditions when running traditional headlights would have increased the truck's visibility, and thus its vulnerability to enemy attack.

Mil-Spec rebuilt the wing mirror mounts and refurbished a pair of NOS, telescopically adjustable mirror struts too. The front grill, running boards and front fender have also received attention to fix corroded, bent or missing sections. They have final-fitted the sheet metal cowlings to the engine bay as well.

A pair of NOS spacers for mounting the refurbished headlights back onto the Fuel Truck. (image via Mil-Spec)

The spacers for the Fuel Truck's windscreen wiper assemblies were too badly corroded to re-use, so Mil-Spec remanufactured a pair of them, seen here part way through the refabrication process while sitting next to an unmarred original at right. (image via Mil-Spec)

A pair of NOS wing mirror arms emerging from their original wrappings. Note that these subassemblies are telescopically adjustable, and presently seen in their fully-truncated position. After laser cleaning to remove old paint, surface corrosion and dirt, the parts were repainted and installed on the cab sides. (image via Mil-Spec Vehicle Restorations)

Refurbished hinges for the truck's hood, plus their associated pins (in NOS condition). (image via Mil-Spec Vehicle Restorations)

The engine bay with the newly installed hood, and hood latch arm in place. Note the silver, dome-shaped object with the long, needle-like tube extending from its top mounted on the engine firewall. This is the oil can for applying lubricant to the numerous levers and linkages in both the engine and cab. The truck's lefthand mirror is also on view. (image via Mil-Spec)
The engine bay with the newly installed hood, and hood latch arm in place. Note the silver, dome-shaped object with the long, needle-like tube extending from its top mounted on the engine firewall. This is the oil can for applying lubricant to the numerous levers and linkages in both the engine and cab. The truck's lefthand mirror is also on view. (image via Mil-Spec)
A front-on view of the fuel truck following the installation of the fully-restored engine grill, headlamps and wing mirrors. (image via Mil-Spec Vehicle Restorations)
A front-on view of the fuel truck following the installation of the fully-restored engine grill, headlamps and wing mirrors. (image via Mil-Spec Vehicle Restorations)

Wheels

For the convenience of being able to move the Fuel Truck around their shop when necessary, Mil-Spec's bolted a set of borrowed wheels onto the vehicle. However, they are presently refurbishing a set of rims which they will outfit with brand new tires for mounting back on the truck.

The CCKW 353 sports ten wheels in total, with the brand new set of tires being on view here. (image via Mil-Spec Vehicle Restorations)
The CCKW 353 sports ten wheels in total, with the brand new set of tires being on view here. (image via Mil-Spec Vehicle Restorations)

Wheel rims for the CCKW Fuel Truck sitting on trestles awaiting sandblasting. Note the yellow-green object just to the left of the red shipping container in the background. This is the as-yet unrestored rear body of our Fuel Truck which will eventually house the vehicle's avgas tank and refuelling equipment. (image via Mil-Spec Vehicle Restorations).

One of the freshly-sandblasted wheel rims for our Fuel Truck sitting beside two as-yet unrefurbished examples. (image via Mil-Spec Vehicle Restorations)

Major Signs of Visual Progress:

The Museum's Fuel Truck is now finally beginning to resemble a GMC CCKW 353 again—for the first time in decades—as the images here clearly attest. But as with most restorations, there are still numerous details to resolve before the vehicle can move under its own power again. That day, hopefully, is not too far off, but it will likely be some time before the avgas bowser is ready to reinstall on the truck's body for refitting with a modern refueling system. In the meantime though, we hope you have enjoyed seeing the progress so far!

A three-quarter front right view of the Fuel Truck following the re-installation of the fully-restored engine hood, side panels, grill, headlamps and wing mirrors. (image via Mil-Spec Vehicle Restorations)
A three-quarter front right view of the Fuel Truck following the re-installation of the fully-restored engine hood, side panels, grill, headlamps and wing mirrors. (image via Mil-Spec Vehicle Restorations)