M38a1 rat rod build

CoffeeFreakDesigns · Member Joined: Mar 03, 2013 Posts: 7

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:

RICKG · Member Joined: Aug 31, 2010 Posts: 1744 Location: SO IDAHO

CoffeeFreakDesigns · Member Joined: Mar 03, 2013 Posts: 7

ECVJeeps · Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 8:15 am Post subject:

The M38A1 did not have a tailgate!
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1952 M38CDN (in progress)
1942 GPW 51859(in waiting)
M100 CDN #0548(in progress)
M100 CDN #0281

CoffeeFreakDesigns · Member Joined: Mar 03, 2013 Posts: 7

RICKG · Member Joined: Aug 31, 2010 Posts: 1744 Location: SO IDAHO

ECVJeeps · 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

wilfreeman · 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!
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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)

MODIFIED · Member Joined: Mar 28, 2008 Posts: 353 Location: BrOoKlYn

coffeefreak...., sent you a pm....
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Always Looking for M170 Parts and bits Wink

millertime · Member Joined: Aug 16, 2006 Posts: 23

looks familiar..

army_inc · 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.
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Dave
52 M38A1

wesk · Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 10:51 am Post subject:

There were photos posted way back of a very custom M38 in the Phillippines and an all aluminum or stainless M38 here in the US. If I live long enough I have a Dauntless V6 and a M38A1 frame that needs to go together.
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Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100

Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=Wes-Knettle&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

CoffeeFreakDesigns · Member Joined: Mar 03, 2013 Posts: 7

army_inc · Posted: Sat Apr 27, 2013 5:27 pm Post subject:

ok. So here is one of the pictures that I found that looks cool as a rat rod. Not sure how functional it would be to drive (you'll see what I'm talking about when you see the pic). It still looks cool though and is very interesting. You'll definitely turn some heads!
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?full=1&set_albumName=album135&id=298603_10151043572386104_748909635_n&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php

Clearly it retains a little bit, and I do mean LITTLE bit, of authenticity with a lot of modding, but still looks pretty cool.
_________________
Dave
52 M38A1

wesk · Posted: Sat Apr 27, 2013 8:27 pm Post subject:

The road clearance is ridiculous for any purpose. Laughing

_________________
Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100

Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=Wes-Knettle&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php


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