Cowl Battery Box

1950 - 1952, M38, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the M38.
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dpcd67
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Cowl Battery Box

Post by dpcd67 » Sat Dec 24, 2016 5:18 pm

Does the cowl battery box come out, bolted in, (I can't see any bolts) or is it welded in, and if so, where? Mine is rusted out at the bottom 2 inches.
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James L
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Re: Cowl Battery Box

Post by James L » Sun Dec 25, 2016 6:20 am

It's welded in at the top, if all you need is the bottom John from mid west military might have thr bottom. Jim lobue

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Re: Cowl Battery Box

Post by dpcd67 » Sun Dec 25, 2016 9:31 am

Mine is rusted out for 2 inches at the bottom; IE, it needs not only the bottom plate, but 2 inches of the bottom sides; it was full of dirt and mouse nests, which does nothing good for steel. Yes, Midwest does sell the bottom plate. I need to get the box out first before I can repair it.
How is it welded in? I can see any obvious welds.
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Re: Cowl Battery Box

Post by James L » Sun Dec 25, 2016 4:26 pm

At the top where the box meets the cowl thats where it is welded. You would have to take a very thin chisel and work your way in. Try measuring with a tape both sides and the front add about two or three inches to wrap around the back. Measure from bottom up above bottom of dash and cut a piece of sheet metal from the measurements you took. Then bend both end pieces against a piece of 1 1/2 pipe to match the curve of the original box. Once you get the new piece to fit properly drill a few holes in the new piece and mig weld to existing metal box. Jim

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Re: Cowl Battery Box

Post by Mark Tombleson » Sun Dec 25, 2016 4:39 pm

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Re: Cowl Battery Box

Post by dpcd67 » Sun Dec 25, 2016 5:23 pm

Thanks for the good pics and good info. I will need to look at it more closely, as it has to come out.
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Re: Cowl Battery Box

Post by dpcd67 » Mon Dec 26, 2016 2:18 pm

I looked closer at it; I see the spot welds around the top; the actual cowl was formed upward, as you show; that part of mine is still good. So I will cut out the spot weld places and the box should fall out? I will find out.
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Re: Cowl Battery Box

Post by Buster1 » Sat Jan 29, 2022 7:37 am

dpcd67 wrote:
Mon Dec 26, 2016 2:18 pm
I looked closer at it; I see the spot welds around the top; the actual cowl was formed upward, as you show; that part of mine is still good. So I will cut out the spot weld places and the box should fall out? I will find out.
What did you ever find out? I am looking at adding a cowl battery box to my M38 and was wondering how it attaches to the body? Tough to find info and sketches.

Also, what are the dimensions of the cowl battery box? It looks like it might hang down into the passenger footwell a little?

Thanks.
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Re: Cowl Battery Box

Post by dpcd67 » Sat Jan 29, 2022 3:19 pm

Should have asked me half a decade ago; I have forgotten all about this jeep by now.
Yes the box does stick down and interferes with big feet. It is only welded around the top; bolted to the dash and cowl; I get the boxes from Midwest Military.
Why are you adding a battery box to an M38? They all come from the factory with one. Two actually.
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Re: Cowl Battery Box

Post by Buster1 » Sun Jan 30, 2022 4:21 am

Thanks dpcd. Yeah, this is a pretty old thread, but I’m trying to get some information and schematics on the cowl boxes.

My M38 came without a cowl battery box. It’s just a big hole there when the cowl lid goes up. This feature makes for nice dashboard wiring access, but that’s about it.

My M38 is also a 12v. So my idea is to put a cowl box in for functional storage. Perhaps a little rubber sealer and a single drain tube, and it can hold some ice and a couple beverages. 8) You never know when you might need something to drink after a parade or local drive!
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