Original 1953 M38A-1 So Very Nice !

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70th Division
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Re: Original 1953 M38A-1 So Very Nice !

Post by 70th Division » Wed Nov 24, 2021 9:35 am

Hello,

Well, everything went well and looks great !!!

The damage is repaired, and now has been completed.
One more task off the checklist
😁😁😁 !!

I will add a little dust to match the surrounding paint, and it will all blend right together 😃😃😃

Here is an action pic :
Resized_20211124_200835.jpeg
Next area will be taping up the original exposed wiring under the hood, and then the battery box trays need blasting and restoring.
The gas tank will be a fun installation !
It still has an aroma of Pinesol
😄😄😄

I will install the NOS battery cables, and the rubber grommets today as well.

Here is a picture of an original CJ-2A seat back cushion that I got from a G503 member that had some up for sale, posted a long time back, but still had them , so I recently bought what he had, to include the rear seat spring cushions for my cj2a future project.

Since it seems there are no nos upper springs available anywhere, we are very lucky to find any original springs in good shape !!
This one is in perfect shape, still with its original darker red leatherette cover.
I will recover this seat cushion with a cover set from WeeBee.
I also have another upper military cushion that came on my 1942 Ford GPW. Both will be restored.
Nothing like good shape spring cushions in the jeep ...
Very comfortable 🙂🙂🙂🙂
The CJ2A and CJ3A used the same cushion springs as the M38 and M38A1.
Resized_20211126_204107.jpeg



Best Regards,
Ray


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Re: Original 1953 M38A-1 So Very Nice !

Post by 70th Division » Sat Jan 29, 2022 7:05 am

Hello,

Well I have been working on repairing the wiring harness wires under the hood.
Over the years, the coating in the exposed and untaped wires has crumbled, and a few areas had bare wire exposed as well.

I think that I can repair the wire covering and save the original harness.
All the wires were there and connected. No cuts or breaks, so I decided to use good 3M electrical tape to tape up all the exposed wires. I cleaned of the crumbly coatings that remained, and double taped the few areas that had some bare wire exposed.

This came out really nice, and even though the exposed original wires were not taped, 98 percent if the original harness is taped up with electrical tape from the factory.
So a slight compromise, but saving the harness is well worth a little more electrical tape !!!
Here are some pictures of the efforts.
I also replaced the rubber wire grommets behind the headlight buckets, and the fender mounted B.O. driving light.
I taped the wires inside the BO light right to the metal connectors inside. It should be great !
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I also added the canvas strip to the top of the grill.
It looks great !
Resized_20220116_135847(2)(1).jpeg

Best Regards,
Ray
Last edited by 70th Division on Sat Jan 29, 2022 7:24 am, edited 1 time in total.

fnp43
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Re: Original 1953 M38A-1 So Very Nice !

Post by fnp43 » Sat Jan 29, 2022 7:18 am

Have you tried shrink wrap tubing fits over the old wire Just use a lighter it will shrink rigt to the wire a lot easier than tape I used it on my wireing and works fine. I am working on a M38A1 12/54 It was outside for a long time but complete
M416
1954 M38A1

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Re: Original 1953 M38A-1 So Very Nice !

Post by 70th Division » Sat Jan 29, 2022 7:28 am

Hello,

No I haven't tried that , but sounds like a very effective method of repairing and protecting the harness !!

It is always great to hear of another beautiful M38A1 being rescued !!

I will next work on taping the wires behind the dash to the instruments if they need attention.

I want to be certain there are no bare wires before I get some batteries and try starting her , for the first time !!!

If you can , post some pictures of your shrink wrapped wires here, as all methods will be interesting to see, for all the G members who might be looking to save their original harnesses, that are also super expensive !

Best Regards,
Ray

fnp43
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Re: Original 1953 M38A-1 So Very Nice !

Post by fnp43 » Sat Jan 29, 2022 7:53 am

I do not know how to post pictures but the vehicle that I did it to I no longer own so I couldnt post pictures But if you Google shrink wrap tubing you can see what it looks like It comes in several sizes to fit your needs You mentioned that you were going to buy batteries I was in BJ,S wholesale club last week and they had Interstate 51R batteries for $89 plus a dud This is the cheapest source that I have found FYI
M416
1954 M38A1

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Re: Original 1953 M38A-1 So Very Nice !

Post by 70th Division » Sat Jan 29, 2022 8:03 am

Hello ,

Thanks so much for that info !!
That is great, I need to get 2 batteries for this jeep soon.
They are building a BJ's nearby, and I am sure there are some existing ones here in Florida.
That is a great price for a battery, and I like Interstate batteries as well.

Best Regards,
Ray

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Re: Original 1953 M38A-1 So Very Nice !

Post by 70th Division » Sat Jan 29, 2022 8:24 am

Hello,


Another item I discovered wire repairing the wire harness is that this jeep had a later model horn installed that used the later style connectors to attach to the harness.
So now I will have to get a new horn to match the jeep.
The one I have is in perfect shape, and was hooked up, so itnlikely worked, but just not connected right.

Here are some pictures :
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You can see some fraying of the outer wire coatings and even some bare wire.
The tape will take care of that !!
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All taped up nice now !

You can also see the original red oxide primer exposed, after removing the horn from the mounting bracket.

Best Regards,
Ray
Last edited by 70th Division on Sun Jan 30, 2022 6:40 am, edited 2 times in total.

70th Division
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Re: Original 1953 M38A-1 So Very Nice !

Post by 70th Division » Sat Jan 29, 2022 8:33 am

Hello,


Another 2 areas that I have some questions about are as follows :

Headlights - how do they come out ?
I have 2 nos GE 24V bulbs to replace the current ones, that may work, but only one is a GE, and also one has a slight fog in an area.
I took the screws out from the front, and didn't want to put too much screw driver pressure trying to pop them loose.
Does anyone have any good ideas ?

Second -
The steering box oil seal dried our and leaked oil from the box.
I have a new seal, and a gasket set.
Can the oil seal be replaced with the column and gear box in the jeep, or does it all have to come out ?

I will order 2 new fan belts as well, along with front and rear axles seals and gaskets to do some routine maintenance , as I am sure they need replacing, even though they are not dripping.


Best Regards,
Ray

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Re: Original 1953 M38A-1 So Very Nice !

Post by 70th Division » Sat May 07, 2022 5:29 pm

Hello,

Hopefully I will get the gas tank connected soon, and the new Firestone NDCC tires installed on Flash :D
I also obtained a new lower battery tray to replace the rusted one, thanks Frank !!

Next I have to get a blocking MB jeep out of the barn, that is keeping this jeep stuck in there.
But I have to move 3 jeeps and a Halftrack , to be able to roll here outside the barn !
At least the Halftrack I can drive out !!

Not to mention large objects in between everything :D :D

But I want her running soon !!

Best Regards,
Ray

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Re: Original 1953 M38A-1 So Very Nice !

Post by 70th Division » Fri Jul 01, 2022 12:23 pm

Hello,

The jeep is still waiting to get the restored gas tank installed.

But I am making good progress on my 1943 GPW, so hopefully once the frame is rolling, I can get the M38A1 rolled out to work on the gas tank, and change the tires to new Firestone NDCC tires.
Resized_20220701_133936(1).jpeg

Best Regards,
Ray

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Re: Original 1953 M38A-1 So Very Nice !

Post by 70th Division » Sat Dec 24, 2022 3:55 pm

Hello ,

I had some time and have started mounting new Coker Firestone tires on Flash.

They look beautiful, NDCC tires, made in USA.

I can't wait to get her out of the barn and onto the road.
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I will clean the tires up once outside.

These came from Jegs as they offered free shipping.
That was great !


Best Regards,
Ray


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