Tall guy in M 38 A 1

1950 - 1968, M38, M38A1, M170, modifications, sugestions, and ideas, official MWO's and unofficial field mods.
w30bob
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Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Post by w30bob » Wed Apr 05, 2017 6:26 am

Hi Guys,

Well......my 55 A1, which is my first military jeep (or any kind of jeep) arrived last night and I got to drive one for the first time. I'm 6'1" and 185 lbs. I felt like I was driving from inside an ATM machine! You guys actually drive these things for more than 10 or 15 minutes at a time? My hat's off to you. First order of business, once I get it to stop puking lubes all over my nice clean driveway, is to move that seat back. I've read it's pretty impossible.......but it's going back. I haven't dug into this in detail, but I think I can move the sheetmetal seat back from the front of the frame to the back of the frame and pick up an inch or two to start. I'll pull the cover off later. I won't destroy my original seat frame, I'll pick up a junker or an Omix at one of the meets in a few weeks. I also have to re-route the fuel sender wire, as right now it catches my foot entering and exiting. Other than that it's a "cozy" driving position for sure.

regards,
bob


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Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Post by Jeeps4Brains » Wed Apr 12, 2017 5:46 am

Awh... come on! I am 6'1" and 220lbs and it is cozy but perfectly fine to drive. You learn to step in first with your right leg and slide behind the steering wheel.

You should sit in and drive a M38 or MB. Then you will think the M38A1 has lots of room. :lol:

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Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Post by Joe Gopan » Wed Apr 12, 2017 8:23 am

A lot of us fit Jeeps way back when during the days of the "lean mean fighting machine". :wink:
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Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Post by Joe Gopan » Wed Apr 12, 2017 7:40 pm

Driver and Asistant Driver used to swap seats while driving when they got tired.
Even done it a few times as the Battalion Motor Officers driver.
Last edited by Joe Gopan on Sat Mar 17, 2018 4:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

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Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Post by w30bob » Sun Apr 16, 2017 7:09 am

I know, I know.......I'm a pussy. :roll:

I didn't say it was impossible to drive, just not optimal. I sure won't fall asleep driving it, I can guarantee that. Looking at it a bit more I can see how I can move the seat back a few inches. Offset adapter plates for the right side seat frame mounts and on the left I'll have to modify the seat bottom frame and put a small dog-leg in the seat back tube on the left side......but it can be done. Now installing that reclining mechanism........................... :mrgreen:

Hey........on the positive side I'll never complain about the driving position of my M37 again, now that's comfort!!

Happy Easter everyone!

regards,
bob

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Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun Apr 16, 2017 9:30 am

I've never had M-38/M-38A1 kits that sucked as I have been lucky to have bought a stock of OEM Carters made thru the 80's. I did loan out several of M-38 and M-38A1 OEM Carters to use as patterns for the quality kits now being marketed.
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LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
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Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Post by dpcd67 » Sat Apr 29, 2017 2:57 pm

Just chop out the wheelhouse and put a real seat in there; M38A1s are common enough so a little modification won't matter.
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w30bob
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Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Post by w30bob » Sat May 13, 2017 5:56 pm

Ouch! Someone in 20 years is gonna be pissed you suggested that. :x

I bought another seat frame a few weeks ago and this weekend I picked a used bottom half of the driver's seat frame to play with. A small dog bone in the left side upper frame and moving the sheetmetal backing to the rear should do the trick. I was also looking at how roomy the M151's are this weekend.

regards,
bob

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Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Post by aguas » Sat Mar 17, 2018 4:11 am

im 6'2" and i figured out how to more comfortably slump to see under the top of the windshield frame. dont have issues hitting the canvas top though.

have to wear regular shoes or less aggressive boots when i drive so i can reliably hit only one pedal at a time!

and the starter switch under the dash behind the shifters....oh boy.

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Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Post by Joe Gopan » Sat Mar 17, 2018 4:42 am

"Short or small, big or small, M-38A1 fits them all"
The M-38A1 was the best 1/4 Ton fit available during its active military period.
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HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
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Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Post by g.keating » Sat Mar 17, 2018 6:17 am

I would have to say the M170"s fit and ride beats any 1/4 ton in its day.

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Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Post by Maverick1701 » Mon Feb 28, 2022 7:16 am

I'm 6ft 6in and I fit in my M38A1 just fine
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Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Post by acudanut » Mon Apr 25, 2022 9:57 am

Is that steering wheel digging into your stomach ? I went M151 and never looked back. Cheers

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Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Post by SKIVVYNINER1 » Tue Jan 23, 2024 7:51 am

Looking at '63 M38A1. I'm 6'3" 230...looks like I'll fit.. :lol:

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Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Post by dpcd67 » Wed Jan 24, 2024 9:25 am

You guys need to forget these toy jeeps and get an M37. They will fit.
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