Joined: Mar 08, 2018 Posts: 5 Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 8:18 pm Post subject: M38A1 Front Turn Signals
Hello, I am new to the group. Thanks for allowing me into the group.
Restoring a 70 M38A1 and live in a urban centre. I would like to have some prominent front turn signals. I see some people have modified the front black out lights in the grill. I think I would prefer to preserve these and put two new front turn signals on the fender? The driving in our area is pretty crazy. Does anyone have any advice re turn signals (not comments around the crumby drivers) Thanks.
Jay Orchard
M38A1 60% restored.
London Ontario Canada
The military has already added turn signals to their M series vehicles. Just follow the instructions based on which system you use and weather your jeep is stock 24V or modified to 12 V.
Joined: Mar 05, 2008 Posts: 78 Location: Berlin Germany
Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2018 1:49 am Post subject:
Hi Jay,
what do you think about the "Canadian style" Front Turnsignal configuration?
You only have to take a front B.O. Marker light body, with the lense of a M151A1 front Turning light.
Or next good option for good visiual turn signals are these
"Berlin Brigade" style turn signals, installed on all wheeled Combat Vehicles in the late 50th- early 60th in Berlin Germany.
These are also visible from the front, and the backside, and brings a lot of more safety in traffic.
Old picture.
The brushguard is actually painted in olive.
There are many pictures to see this version on M38A1's, M37's, M34's, M35's and M151's (without A1).
These two versions are 100% military and not an civil add on.
Only the M38A1 CDN3 came from the factory with the added amber lens bullet lights on the fender.
The US Army in Europe ran into the turn signal issue around 1960. The first US Military approved MWO kit addressed this in 1963.
Note paragraph 1f.
This kit replaces the right rear all blackout light assembly with a second left rear service stop light assembly giving a red lens on both rear corners. ORD# 8378785.
Look at the second note below the parts list. The jeeps actually used this light assembly ORD# 8376368 with this kit.
The makeshift arrangement using the standard civvy style clearance lamp was not a HQ US Army approved modification.
The later Army Turn Signal upgrade used the small round yellow lens bullet lamps up front.
Joined: Mar 05, 2008 Posts: 78 Location: Berlin Germany
Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2018 12:09 pm Post subject:
Yes Wes, you are right.
The "Berlin Brigade Style" Turnsignal's are civilian lamps.
But:
They were installed by order of the area commander and were purchased from a German manufactor called "Hella" and were not American manufactored lamps.
In 1961 all of the Trucks are applied with these Turn indicator lamps
at the front and the rear.
The lamps were installed by the Motorpool personal and the Trucks became also these "customized" brush guards for protection.
All together, for me as an motor pool restorer, these civlian lamps are
an original ARMY Add on in that case of U.S. Army Berlin Brigade M38A1's
and M151 (without A1)
I agree, however they were not HQ US Army approved. They were a simple locally procured and applied temporary solution to the problem that was permanently solved by MWO 9-2300-263-20 in August 1963 as clearly printed on page 1 par. 1f. By 1964 the M151A1 was sporting factory turn signals. The Dutch NEKAFS sported NEKAF installed turn signals also. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Fascinating thread. I studied the MWO work order and I see what Wes called out as the large aluminum M spec turn signal housings (front) are called out.
i have never seen a Jeep equipped this way and wondered how it is done. Well the work order covers it. There is a pair of brackets to be fabricated, the drawing is in the work order.
And the picture above shows how it works on an A1!
I went out to my Jeep with one of those housing and yes the rear end of them goes just far enough into the blackout light hole that it could mount to the bracket...but God is it ugly up front! These two big bulbous things on the front of that handsome grille. i just can't do that to my M38s.
Any pictures of these monstrosities mounted like that?[/img] _________________ '52 Dodge M37, '42 GPW, '48 FrankenJeep CJ2A/M38, '50 CJV-35(U), '51 M38, '42 WC-57 Command Car, '44 WC-51 Weapons , (2) M1941 Sperry 60" Anti-Aircraft Searchlights, John Deere M-gator, '44 White M3A1 Scout Car
Just like the rear red lens that are available in full red so are front full amber's out there but they are tough to find. It would be easier to get two red gama goat full lens and then replace the red lens with an amber lens. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Ive got a number of full ambers. They are showing up on that large online auction site. Was planning on using them on the M37, but went will full clears.
I just cant mount those to the front of my Jeeps. Reading the MWO they mention the M38A1 but not the M38. I get the feeling that a good number of the M38s didn't stay in service long. My '51 was civilian licensed in '55.
Since I don't care to show or have my vehicles judged, I am leaning towards adding the bullets to the front fenders and leaving the stock BO lights in their place. _________________ '52 Dodge M37, '42 GPW, '48 FrankenJeep CJ2A/M38, '50 CJV-35(U), '51 M38, '42 WC-57 Command Car, '44 WC-51 Weapons , (2) M1941 Sperry 60" Anti-Aircraft Searchlights, John Deere M-gator, '44 White M3A1 Scout Car
Note that you will need to make some holes in the 3D part to bring the cables out.
I did not add the holes in the Fusion 3D design so that you can make them depending on the led lights/cables you use
I you are interested in this mod and want the 3D part I will be more than happy to share with you the .stl file
I only will ask $5 to support my work and continue to invest time in new 3D parts for our jeeps
Thanks for watching !!!
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