Joined: May 14, 2013 Posts: 201 Location: Between Crosslake and Emily, Minnesota
Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 10:37 am Post subject: Stowing top bows on a 1955 M38A1
I am a bit confused on the proper way of stowing the top bows on my 1955 A1. The photos below show the brackets for attaching the bows (forgive the gratuitous pictures of the grandkids). The front bracket in bent outward and has a hooked lip. The rear bracket has a slot which I assume a strap goes through. I guess my questions are:
1. Are the bows suppose to fit inside or outside of the brackets?
2. How exactly is the front bracket used?
Does anyone have a photo showing stowage of the bows on a '55 or newer A1? I do know that the earlier A1's used a different set of brackets.
Thanks
_________________ Steve Stark - 1955 M38A1 MD #85388
Member - MVPA #35153
Member - Red Bull Historic Military Vehicle Association
That's the late style bracket and the flat portion of the bow snaps under the lip on the outside. The bows lay in the same place as they do with the old style bracket but you have no way to fasten the "T" bolt to the bracket. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
The three lower loops in the photo are added by the field installed side curtain kit. They do not create any serious issues but eventually in the field they were relocated to the outboard sides.
Bow stowage usually occurs when the entire top is stowed on the jeep. The foldable doors and the canvas panels were split evenly and strapped to the top of each wheel house. The strapping at the rear usually included the tie down of the back of the bows. Doorway rodding was stowed on the wheel houses with the canvas.
Below is the M38 but the top is stowed the same on both:
Joined: May 14, 2013 Posts: 201 Location: Between Crosslake and Emily, Minnesota
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 10:42 am Post subject:
Wes, thank you for the explanation. In the photo, it appears that the rear bracket is not being used to secure the top bows. Is this the case or are these old eyes getting bad? _________________ Steve Stark - 1955 M38A1 MD #85388
Member - MVPA #35153
Member - Red Bull Historic Military Vehicle Association
It's your eyes. There are two single short straps , one on each side, through the two rear brackets and once around the top tubes. The 4 long straps secure the canvas parts.
The driver's side is clearly seen but the passenger side just barely shows the silhouette of the edges of the short strap. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Joined: May 14, 2013 Posts: 201 Location: Between Crosslake and Emily, Minnesota
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 11:36 am Post subject:
I was actually referring to the rear bracket in the photo by Luciano. But, I do see the short strap in the manual drawing you provided. So, thank you again, I will give it a try.
I have a feeling, however, that I will be swapping out my "new style" front bracket for the "old style" thumb screw type bracket. _________________ Steve Stark - 1955 M38A1 MD #85388
Member - MVPA #35153
Member - Red Bull Historic Military Vehicle Association
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