M38A1 Rear Springs

1952 - 1968, M38A1, M170, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the M38a1 series.
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fnp43
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M38A1 Rear Springs

Post by fnp43 » Mon Apr 04, 2022 7:45 am

I need to replace a broken rear spring on my M38A1 Will a M38 spring fit I know the A1 spring is 13 leafs and the 38 is only 11 and are about 2 inches short based on the length but will they bolt up M38A1 springs are fairly scarce I am not looking for a nos one a good used one will do

Thanks
M416
1954 M38A1


AFM38A1
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Re: M38A1 Rear Springs

Post by AFM38A1 » Mon Apr 04, 2022 3:20 pm

The (always handy) Kaiser Willys catalog have different part numbers for the M38 and M38A1, so my guess is they are not interchangeable.

They say both springs are 9 leaf, the 38 is 42", the A1 is 44.5".

Interestingly, it gives a separate part number for '55-71 CJ-5s, (I would have thought they would interchange with the A1), they offer a 5-leaf unit with a 46 1/8" length.I
Hope this helps.

Also another Jeep parts dealer's website parts lists separate Army part numbers...
WO-808459 for the A1 and WO-801659 for the M38.
I would think (there I go again) if they were interchangeable, the Army would have the same part number to help their supply chain.
M38A1 MD 82551. Built 3/1955. Purchased in Nov. 2021.
Former owner/restorer of 1977 Jeep CJ-5 Renegade Levis Edition.
All stock w/factory V-8. Used as a daily driver for 7 years.

fnp43
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Location: Florida

Re: M38A1 Rear Springs

Post by fnp43 » Mon Apr 04, 2022 4:50 pm

Yes they would have a different part number because they are different in the number of leaves one has 13 the other is 11 and a different length My question is since there are only 2 1/2 inches different, the shackle is movable and could easily compensate for the difference in length.All the repro springs that I have found are only 9 leave or less The m38 is closer with 11 to the original and it looks like the same bearing to the shackle is the same in each unit I checked both SNL parts lists for the M38 and M38A1 for info The reason for my original question is there are NOS 11 leaf springs on epay for $70
M416
1954 M38A1


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