My Dec 1954 M38A1

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Pat Gray
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My Dec 1954 M38A1

Post by Pat Gray » Mon Dec 07, 2020 2:09 pm

Just wanted to show you my new project. It came from Susanville California and was used as a street sweeper. Then the owner brought it up to Washington State and sat in a field until a friend of mine found it and asked if it was for sale. After few phone calls I was able to inspect it and found that it was in really good condition. Thanks to hydraulic fluid leaking it kept the floor and sheet metal preserved.
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70th Division
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Re: My Dec 1954 M38A1

Post by 70th Division » Mon Dec 07, 2020 4:43 pm

Hello Pat,


That Jeep looks Great !!!
It is beautiful, a great save right there :D :D :D

Keep us updated on its progress, nice hood Number !

Best Regards,
Ray

Pat Gray
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Re: My Dec 1954 M38A1

Post by Pat Gray » Mon Dec 07, 2020 5:04 pm

Thank you Ray!
This one will be a lot of fun. I think the hood has been changed at some time. I thought it was unusual that it has 2 antenna brackets, could it have been a CO's jeep? Note the grass in the jerry can holder, I had to wait for a few months for the birds to finish raising the little one's before I could move it!!!! Having it be it's B-Day month, I figured time to start the restoration.

Pat Gray
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Re: My Dec 1954 M38A1

Post by Pat Gray » Sun Dec 20, 2020 2:49 pm

Well,
Removed the air filter today. Found a few things that have been living in it. Can the filter element be flushed out and cleaned?
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IvorGPW
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Re: My Dec 1954 M38A1

Post by IvorGPW » Mon Dec 21, 2020 7:08 am

Yes it can, it’s a messy job so good luck
Tate Christensen
1944 Ford GPW #234613 USMC Radio jeep
1943 Willys MB #263100
1945 Willys CJ2A #10226
1941 Ford GP #9687
1941 Willys MB #100161

Pat Gray
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Posts: 416
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Re: My Dec 1954 M38A1

Post by Pat Gray » Mon Dec 21, 2020 3:49 pm

Thank you, Well today finished pulling the tub off and getting ready to start some body work.
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Pat Gray
Sergeant Major of the Gee
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Posts: 416
Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2016 6:38 pm
Location: Washington

Re: My Dec 1954 M38A1

Post by Pat Gray » Tue Dec 22, 2020 4:54 pm

Was able to do a little more today. I don't know why someone did this but it took a little work to get it back.
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42rocker
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Re: My Dec 1954 M38A1

Post by 42rocker » Tue Dec 22, 2020 7:57 pm

While it's work, try to enjoy the time spent.

Looking good.

Stay Safe

Later 42rocker
Owner of "The Swiss Miss"

Pat Gray
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Re: My Dec 1954 M38A1

Post by Pat Gray » Wed Dec 23, 2020 4:32 pm

Anyone know what these were used for? This is the passenger side.
Thanks,
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Pat Gray
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Re: My Dec 1954 M38A1

Post by Pat Gray » Fri Dec 25, 2020 1:14 pm

My jeep came from California and I am very lucky to only deal with a little rust issues. Starting to cut out the bad spot and prep for a patch.
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Pat Gray
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Re: My Dec 1954 M38A1

Post by Pat Gray » Sun Dec 27, 2020 5:03 pm

Found this after removing the antenna mount on the passenger side today. And gained some progress on the rust patch. I have a little filling to do on the body. When the pinch weld was applied it put a dimple in the panel.
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70th Division
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Re: My Dec 1954 M38A1

Post by 70th Division » Mon Jan 18, 2021 1:38 pm

Hello Pat,

This jeep is going to be an exciting project !!
I like that you uncovered the star :D :D
Also it is great that you have the restoration started and underway !!
As for finish work on your patch repair, I would highly recommend using a product called
" Metal to Metal " Carquest carries it, with tube of hardener.
It will perfectly fill in the weld and grinder marks, and you can sand it smooth.
It will not absorb moisture ever, and blends in to not be seen again :D :D
wind20.jpg

Getting your restoration is a huge achievement in it own right !!
I don't know what the holes on the side
were used for, but hopefully others will have knowledge of what might have gone there.

I am working on my 1943 GPW right now, but I am wanting to get my M38A1 running as I look at it everyday :D :D :D

I did order a few parts like nuts and bolts for the floor pan covers, etc that like to snap off as soon as a wrench is used.

I also ordered a new canvas top from OD Cloth for the jeep :D :D :D
I haven't taken it out of the box yet, but will as my attack rooster is now gone that always snuck into my jeep barn to get on the windshield !!! I will get it installed.
Their canvas is perfect, and I have their tops on my 42 GPW, and have 2 more tops in the box along with the M38A1 top. I like their product, and highly recommend their tops !!!
I found an original top bow here on the G going through some old posts that a member still had one left , so I was very thrilled getting it. It was shipped affordably via Greyhound Bus freight. However that was before the china virus. Greyhound is having its own problems now and has cut back on some freight station destinations, and I feel they raised prices too.But always worth checking into if you need to ship bulky items like top bows !!

Keep us posted on your progress !!!

These jeeps are so very nice and deserve all the attention they can get :D :D :D

With the chinese bio weapon virus blowing about, at least I am having time to work on my vehicles, as there is nothing else to do like we used to do, like going places, visiting people, going to restaurants, breweries, MV shows, meeting girls, etc.

I also have been fortunate to be able to buy some expensive ammunition, which really is disappearing from every known source.

Keep up your good work !!!


Best Regards,
Ray

Pat Gray
Sergeant Major of the Gee
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Posts: 416
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Re: My Dec 1954 M38A1

Post by Pat Gray » Mon Jan 18, 2021 5:44 pm

Thank you Ray!!
Yep, same with me. With the virus going around I have been able to spend some time getting things done around the house and putting some time in on my M38A1. Thank you for sharing with me the Metal to Metal. I have never used it. Would you post some pictures when you use it next time? I have used body filler for over 30 years and always looking to improve! Lately I have been doing a lot of metal shrinking on the rear inner fenders and floor. I did some checking on the welded holes on the passenger side and found a picture in the M38A1 book it has a 2 pin cable that powers up the radio or radios in the jeep. The power and ground is routed inside the body, passenger side.

Thank you,
Attachments
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70th Division
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Re: My Dec 1954 M38A1

Post by 70th Division » Tue Jan 19, 2021 3:37 pm

Hello Pat,

I am glad you discovered what went there, very good detective work :D :D !!
Others with similar holes will now know :D :D
My M38A1 also had a radio in it at one time.
I hope it is ok I will post some pics to your thread :D
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I hope to replace it when I get it to working on the jeep.
You can see the outlines where the radio set was attached to the fender.
You can also see a mount for a radio speaker I believe, as well as a grounding post that looks sort of rudimentary ? :D
The antenna was mounted on top of the spare tire bracket, and I found an antenna mount here on the G to replace the missing one. It had the bolt markings where it used to be.
Now, what type and model, that is the question ???
Hopefully someone can tell from the out line ??
I think it is pretty cool that your have dual radio antenna mounts on your jeep !!
I imagine it must have been an important jeep to some commander :D :D
Very similar to how the French equipped their MB, GPW, and M201 Jeeps with the dual radio antennas and they used the same exact brackets, and even the round hole in the corner for the wires.
I will post a picture of the jeep, I discovered its name, painted on the both sides was
"Flash" . This is the jeep as I bought it in Utah, it is now in Florida.
It is an August,1953 model. Stamped 8/53 with all its original data plates, I can see the "USA" and number under a repaint on the hood, along with multiple sets of "US Army" and the the same hood number.
M38-A1 1.jpg
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Based on the bumper markings I uncovered and on the bumperettes it appears to have been with the Wisconsin National Guard,
with a Combat Engineering unit from Fort McCoy.
My neighbor from Wisconsin saw the number as well and told me that same information.
He was in the 1st Infantry Division in VietNam, but was very familiar with the WNG markings.
It has tires dated 1969, and the engine was rebuilt in 1978 by the Army.


Here are some pictures of the metal to metal filler as applied on my 1943 GPW fenders.
This stuff will never flake off like bondo type stuff does.
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fender35.jpg
One it is applied , I let it harder up for a few days before sanding with an orbital sander, blending it in smooth to the metal.
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It is almost like jb weld in a way.
This is the only stuff I would ever use !!!!
This metallic based filler stays put and rock solid, permanently !!
It costs about $47 a can, but so well worth it !!
Only mix up a little blob at a time, as it hardens quick. I apply it with a flat razor blade, and wear rubber gloves and a 3M respirator as it does stink !!!
The gloves are a must to keep your hands clean :D :D :D

Best Regards,
Ray
Last edited by 70th Division on Tue Jan 19, 2021 4:50 pm, edited 4 times in total.

70th Division
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Re: My Dec 1954 M38A1

Post by 70th Division » Tue Jan 19, 2021 4:14 pm

Hello Pat,

I just took a look at my jeep, as I was wondering about the great discovery on your jeep.
Mine also has holes drilled on the passenger side wall as well, a different pattern, but I wonder if these were, and I assume so, used for the same radio wire purpose ?
There really is very little information posted here on the G about the wonderful M38A1, and even fewer restorations documented.
Very little !!!!

I am glad you are starting your M38A1 restoration here on the G so many can gain knowledge as you make progress.
We can all contribute the best we can, to the greater knowledge base regarding the Willys M38A1, used in the Korean War, and all through the Cold War, and also in the Vietnam War. Many countries also used these jeeps, Holland immediately comes to my mind, as I personally saw and spoke to Dutch soldiers that were parked with a beautiful, Dutch assembled M38A1 jeep in 1989 .
Holland only in recent years went to a European built jeep type vehicle.

M38a1b.jpg
While I was there a photo of the name I uncovered :D :D
M38a1.jpg

Best Regards,
Ray


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