M38A1 Body on CJ2A Frame- Will it work??

1952 - 1968, M38A1, M170, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the M38a1 series.
Post Reply
Adventure Van
G-Private First Class
G-Private First Class
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2021 2:01 pm
Location: AZ- USA

M38A1 Body on CJ2A Frame- Will it work??

Post by Adventure Van » Fri Sep 10, 2021 7:49 am

Hi everyone. I'm new here and new to "little Jeeps". I have a 2A frame and I have picked up an M38A1 body. I would like to put the body on the frame. I have read some threads on this subject and have not been able to come to a conclusion. Many of the threads that I found are putting a CJ body on an M38A1 frame. I want to do the opposite. Does anyone here have any experience or knowledge on this subject? Can I expect to have to reposition the body mount brackets on the frame? I know that the 2A wheel base is 80" and the M38A1 is 81". What problems like possible wheel rub and mounts not alligning, pedals mechanisms not fitting, etc can I expect to encounter on this swap? I can't figure out how to post photos. Will try to post pics soon. Thanks.


User avatar
dpcd67
G-General
G-General
Posts: 11813
Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:41 pm
Location: Iowa

Re: M38A1 Body on CJ2A Frame- Will it work??

Post by dpcd67 » Sat Sep 11, 2021 9:02 am

Welcome.
I have not done what you want. However, this is your big chance to become famous.
Just jump into it and do it. Report back here, with pictures.
it will work; and I think with little to no drama.
Good luck.
Posting photos; put them on your computer. When you make a post here, at the bottom, click on "Attachments".
However, I think there is a minimum number of posts you need first to prove you are not a terrorist.
So, make some posts without pictures.
U. S. Army 28 years.
Armor Branch

Adventure Van
G-Private First Class
G-Private First Class
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2021 2:01 pm
Location: AZ- USA

Re: M38A1 Body on CJ2A Frame- Will it work??

Post by Adventure Van » Sat Sep 11, 2021 12:08 pm

Well,I'm going to be famous then, because this is what I am working with; 2A frame and A1 body. There is no turning back now.

Anyone else have any input?

Thanks!

PS: As soon as I have been confirmed as a non-terrorist, I will post photos of what I am working with.

Ron D
G-Major
G-Major
Posts: 923
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2014 9:19 am
Location: Dorchester County SC

Re: M38A1 Body on CJ2A Frame- Will it work??

Post by Ron D » Sat Sep 11, 2021 8:13 pm

Can we call you Bubba?

Seems friendlier than "Adventure Van" anyway......
Ron D
1951 M38
1951 M100

Adventure Van
G-Private First Class
G-Private First Class
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2021 2:01 pm
Location: AZ- USA

Re: M38A1 Body on CJ2A Frame- Will it work??

Post by Adventure Van » Sat Sep 11, 2021 9:01 pm

I'm thinking of naming the Jeep "Bubba" so that works for me. I might do a Bubba here and there anyway.

Adam
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 4526
Joined: Sun Jul 20, 2003 6:03 pm
Location: Little Meadows PA

Re: M38A1 Body on CJ2A Frame- Will it work??

Post by Adam » Sun Sep 12, 2021 5:36 am

I will admit it, built a CJ2A-5. 2a frame with a cj5 body on it. Cj2a body fell apart pulling lumber out of the woods or jungle or forest, If u can blow up pic you will c the body hangs off a few inches. this was 20 years ago, just parted it out last year.

Adam
Attachments
jk 135.JPG

Adventure Van
G-Private First Class
G-Private First Class
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2021 2:01 pm
Location: AZ- USA

Re: M38A1 Body on CJ2A Frame- Will it work??

Post by Adventure Van » Sun Sep 12, 2021 6:00 am

Adam wrote:
Sun Sep 12, 2021 5:36 am
I will admit it, built a CJ2A-5. 2a frame with a cj5 body on it. Cj2a body fell apart pulling lumber out of the woods or jungle or forest, If u can blow up pic you will c the body hangs off a few inches. this was 20 years ago, just parted it out last year.

Adam
A few inches over in back? Photo is hard to see, but to my eye it looks more like 1.5" I'm sure you know your Jeep though. Maybe wishful thinking on my part.

Adventure Van
G-Private First Class
G-Private First Class
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2021 2:01 pm
Location: AZ- USA

Re: M38A1 Body on CJ2A Frame- Will it work??

Post by Adventure Van » Sun Sep 12, 2021 6:04 am

It looks like I have been cleared as a non terrorist and I can post freely now. Will try to figure out the photo posting next...

User avatar
dpcd67
G-General
G-General
Posts: 11813
Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:41 pm
Location: Iowa

Re: M38A1 Body on CJ2A Frame- Will it work??

Post by dpcd67 » Sun Sep 12, 2021 7:16 am

I have a M38A1 jeep and an M38 frame sitting here right now so if you need any measurements let me know. But you will have the same thing soon. Just do it. As for a rear overhang, I would remove the rear cross member and weld or bolt extensions onto the CJ frame. You can just bolt it back on; don't fret about these rivets. You will need an angle grinder; my favorite tool.
U. S. Army 28 years.
Armor Branch

Adventure Van
G-Private First Class
G-Private First Class
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2021 2:01 pm
Location: AZ- USA

Re: M38A1 Body on CJ2A Frame- Will it work??

Post by Adventure Van » Sun Sep 12, 2021 7:19 am

Here are some photos of my project.
Attachments
IMG_6382.jpg
imagejpeg_1(4).jpg
imagejpeg_0(58).jpg
20210801_125558_resized_1.jpg
20210801_125642_resized_1.jpg

User avatar
dpcd67
G-General
G-General
Posts: 11813
Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:41 pm
Location: Iowa

Re: M38A1 Body on CJ2A Frame- Will it work??

Post by dpcd67 » Sun Sep 12, 2021 9:46 am

I like it; that's a clean frame. Make that front bumper go away. And the draw bar has to go.
Why don't you have any grass in your yard?
I see a PTO too.
U. S. Army 28 years.
Armor Branch

Adventure Van
G-Private First Class
G-Private First Class
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2021 2:01 pm
Location: AZ- USA

Re: M38A1 Body on CJ2A Frame- Will it work??

Post by Adventure Van » Sun Sep 12, 2021 10:04 am

dpcd67 wrote:
Sun Sep 12, 2021 9:46 am
I like it; that's a clean frame. Make that front bumper go away. And the draw bar has to go.
Why don't you have any grass in your yard?
I see a PTO too.
This is a project that was started in 1970 and was never finished. Frame, Axles, etc were all sandblasted then. I'm replacing bearings, brakes, all hoses, gaskets, etc. Front bumper went last night. Probably shaved 120# off the front. Draw bar... not sure yet. I live in the desert=no grass!
Attachments
120 pounds.jpgS.jpg

User avatar
dpcd67
G-General
G-General
Posts: 11813
Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:41 pm
Location: Iowa

Re: M38A1 Body on CJ2A Frame- Will it work??

Post by dpcd67 » Sun Sep 12, 2021 10:10 am

Desert. Ok, I live in the middle of the biggest corn growing area in the world. Everything is green. I always wanted a yard like yours so I wouldn't ever have to mow it. Big waste of time.
U. S. Army 28 years.
Armor Branch


Post Reply

Return to “M38a1 Technical Knowledge Base”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 49 guests