View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
CoffeeFreakDesigns Member
Joined: Mar 03, 2013 Posts: 7
|
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 7:11 am Post subject: M38a1 rat rod build |
|
|
I'm sure most of you "purists" would consider it blasphemy, but I'm planning to build a rat rod from an old M38a1 tub. I plan to keep it respectable at least (at least as far as a rat rod goes). There's a lot of brackets and stuff on the tub that I won't be needing, so I'll try to get them off cleanly and put them up for sale instead of tossing them. I want to keep as much character as I can from the tub and it's patina, but I need some help identifying some things.
Can anyone tell me what the markings are on the glovebox/fender? How about the CG on the bottom front?
How does the tailgate attach to the tub? I know I have a lot of straightening to do on it before it will line up.
Best I can tell, the serial number is MB 81455. That should put it as a 1955 from what I can tell. The dash plaques are gone, but the fender one is there, but the number is near worn off.
Here are some pictures of what I'm starting off with:
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
RICKG Member
Joined: Aug 31, 2010 Posts: 1744 Location: SO IDAHO
|
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 7:52 am Post subject: Re: M38a1 rat rod build |
|
|
CoffeeFreakDesigns wrote: |
Can anyone tell me what the markings are on the glovebox/fender? How about the CG on the bottom front?
|
TP 25=Tire Pressure 25
CG= Center of Gravity _________________ keep 'em rollin'
RICKG MC 51986 DOD 01-52, '50 CJ3a |
|
Back to top |
|
|
CoffeeFreakDesigns Member
Joined: Mar 03, 2013 Posts: 7
|
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 7:58 am Post subject: Re: M38a1 rat rod build |
|
|
RICKG wrote: | CoffeeFreakDesigns wrote: |
Can anyone tell me what the markings are on the glovebox/fender? How about the CG on the bottom front?
|
TP 25=Tire Pressure 25
CG= Center of Gravity |
Cool thanks! I sort of figured the CG (with the arrow), but the TP one slipped past me. Kinda anti-climactic though... I was hoping it was some sort of super-secret branch of the military, the 25th Toilet Paper Division or something. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ECVJeeps Member
Joined: Jun 21, 2010 Posts: 195 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 8:15 am Post subject: |
|
|
The M38A1 did not have a tailgate! _________________ 1952 M38CDN (in progress)
1942 GPW 51859(in waiting)
M100 CDN #0548(in progress)
M100 CDN #0281 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
CoffeeFreakDesigns Member
Joined: Mar 03, 2013 Posts: 7
|
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 8:21 am Post subject: |
|
|
ECVJeeps wrote: | The M38A1 did not have a tailgate! |
Then how does the "rear panel" (or whatever you call it) attach? I see that it's not hinged like a CJ tailgate, so I'm assuming it bilts on, but I couldn't find any type of bracketry to bolt up. I figured once straightened, I may just weld it together if the bracketry is missing. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
RICKG Member
Joined: Aug 31, 2010 Posts: 1744 Location: SO IDAHO
|
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 8:29 am Post subject: Re: M38a1 rat rod build |
|
|
CoffeeFreakDesigns wrote: | [quote="RICKG
I was hoping it was some sort of super-secret branch of the military, the 25th Toilet Paper Division or something. |
Their mission: to seek and "wipe" out the enemy (sorry..) _________________ keep 'em rollin'
RICKG MC 51986 DOD 01-52, '50 CJ3a |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ECVJeeps Member
Joined: Jun 21, 2010 Posts: 195 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 9:28 am Post subject: |
|
|
The rear panel on the M38A1 was spot welded into the body, it was a fixed body design.
No tailgate, check in the members photo section at the different M38A1 pictures. _________________ 1952 M38CDN (in progress)
1942 GPW 51859(in waiting)
M100 CDN #0548(in progress)
M100 CDN #0281 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
wilfreeman Member
Joined: Mar 13, 2006 Posts: 1079 Location: Richburg, SC
|
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 10:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Cool! I thought of a few things I could do with my spare 'a1 parts vehicle, like put a v6 and higher gears in it to make it more driveable, but after I did that and fix the rust, I could buy a wrangler! Also saw a picture on facebook the other day of the front of an old cj (cowl forward) made into a towable bbq - lift the hood and you have a grill - pretty neat!
Then the purist in me decided that I would just get the title put in my name and sell it. Being fairly complete with a title and matching data plates (and maybe original hood numbers under the forestry service paint?), it should be worth repairing. Look for it in the next few weeks.
Maybe you could post your build progress on that rat rod as you go - I for one would like to see it! _________________ Matt
1953 M38a1
1964 USMC M38a1
'51 USMC M100 trailer, '54 M100 trailer, '90 M101a1 trailer
Http://wilfreeman.wordpress.com (M38a1 build blog)
http://m38a1usmc.wordpress.com (USMC M38a1 rebuild blog) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
MODIFIED Member
Joined: Mar 28, 2008 Posts: 353 Location: BrOoKlYn
|
Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2013 12:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
coffeefreak...., sent you a pm.... _________________ Always Looking for M170 Parts and bits |
|
Back to top |
|
|
millertime Member
Joined: Aug 16, 2006 Posts: 23
|
Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2013 7:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
looks familiar.. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
army_inc Member
Joined: Jan 31, 2012 Posts: 197 Location: West Point, VA
|
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 10:25 am Post subject: |
|
|
I have seen a few Rat Rod M38's and A1's and honestly, they look pretty awesome. They kept some of the originality and they turned out pretty cool. I'll try to find a picture of a few of them and post them here. Maybe that'll help give you some ideas. I'd love to see this thread as well.
I'm restoring mine back to original condition, but sometimes you run across a jeep that has been mutilated to put in whatever bubba wanted. That'll in turn cost you more to repair and replace parts than it would for you to turn it into your Rat Rod. It all depends on what you want. I'd love to see it. Done right, which you came here for advice which I think is great, you can maintain that original flare and yet still give it modern badassness that would look all wrong on a restored jeep. _________________ Dave
52 M38A1 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
wesk Site Administrator
Joined: Apr 04, 2005 Posts: 16365 Location: Wisconsin
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
CoffeeFreakDesigns Member
Joined: Mar 03, 2013 Posts: 7
|
Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 6:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
army_inc wrote: | I have seen a few Rat Rod M38's and A1's and honestly, they look pretty awesome. They kept some of the originality and they turned out pretty cool. I'll try to find a picture of a few of them and post them here. Maybe that'll help give you some ideas. I'd love to see this thread as well.
I'm restoring mine back to original condition, but sometimes you run across a jeep that has been mutilated to put in whatever bubba wanted. That'll in turn cost you more to repair and replace parts than it would for you to turn it into your Rat Rod. It all depends on what you want. I'd love to see it. Done right, which you came here for advice which I think is great, you can maintain that original flare and yet still give it modern badassness that would look all wrong on a restored jeep. |
Well, I can't speak to my skills, but at least my intent will be to build something that is "done right". This will definitely not be something built for speed. The components that I have just won't hold up, but it's what I have and honestly - I gave up the speed quest years ago when I got rid of my Honda Prelude VTEC (nick-named the ticket-taker). If I have my way, it will be cool looking and sounding, and that's good enough for me.
This tub was de-commissioned from military service and apparently never issued a form 97, and was bought off a salvage yard for scrap. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
army_inc Member
Joined: Jan 31, 2012 Posts: 197 Location: West Point, VA
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
wesk Site Administrator
Joined: Apr 04, 2005 Posts: 16365 Location: Wisconsin
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
|