Harold just offered up some very good advice. Get her running, drive and enjoy her a bit giving yourself time to contemplate just what direction you really want to go with her. Throwing a fresh acquisition right onto the rotisserie is not always the best idea. Many projects die right there as folks get bored with the tedious resto work. I have owned 6 jeeps since 1971 and they can get real boring when they are not drivers. It's very easy to get bummed out. My M38 was the heaviest resto I have done on a jeep and it bored me so much I bought an M37 driver which I believe kept me on track with the M38.
Not the prettiest M37 but she runs like a top and has about 7 or 8 coats of military paint on her. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Joined: Aug 22, 2016 Posts: 117 Location: Huntsville, AL
Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 9:33 am Post subject:
Z wrote:
Mark,
I'm not far from you. I'm south of Hampton Cove area. Great to know another project is near. I'm starting slow with mine as I'm prioritizing some construction projects right now. One being "The Garage."
Do you work on the arsenal?
Sometimes, but my main office is off Research Park. I go to Grant quite a few times a month (match direct a shooting club), I might have to swing by New Hope/Owens Crossroads sometime and check out your M38...maybe get some views/pics for my work. Give me an email someday... markruschak@knology.net
Thanks Harold, This sort of input helps me on deciding which way to go with this. I believe my grandfather would appreciate me keeping it original. I need to keep in mind, he is why I have this M38 today. Still not sure yet if I'll come off the frame with it. _________________ Z
-52 M38 (Ser# 61033)
-52 M38A1 (Ser # 10047), Engine MD-95388
M37 looks like a blast! Going to do just that, get it running safe and enjoy it while saving up and build an executable plan. I'll work on small this and that's while keeping it rolling. Fluids, brakes and cleaning is first order of business. My kids are anxious to ride! Thanks! _________________ Z
-52 M38 (Ser# 61033)
-52 M38A1 (Ser # 10047), Engine MD-95388
I will assume your title says you own an M38 sn 61033.
That is usually a sign that the tub and the title were not matched. Meaning what usually happens is a guy buys an M38 with the dash plates and that serial 61033. Then he buys a used tub in better shape than his and he installs it. Unknown to him there is a tag on each tub behind the passenger seat. And that tub tag was probably covered in paint and he ignored it. Today you found the plate and voila the number on the plate was not 61033.
The other more remote possibility is your M38 was originally sn 60821. At the motor pool back in the 50's the motor pool Sgt sent a pair of privates out to the yard and had them round up all the dash plate sets and bring them to the shop to stamp the new tire pressures on the servicing plate. When another pair of privates were sent out to put the stack of dash plates back on the M38's in the yard they saw no reason to try and match any to a specific M38 because the Army never taught them to use any reference to a serial number. They always ID'd the M38's by their hood number and their motor pool records also only ID'd the M38's by their hood numbers!
The last scenario has an owner of your M38 needs to title it and has no title. So he buys a title with sn 61033 and the dash serial plate. Now he can title his M38 61033.
You can either accept this as is or risk opening Pandora's box by asking or looking for history on both serials. This can lead to a conflict if anyone uncovers another M38 with either of those serials on it's title. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Hard to tell what the answer is. The tub plate has no paint on it and is attached with screws vs rivets. My grandfather bought this in the late 60s early 70s and always assumed it was all matched original. Wonder if the tub plate was an add on before he bought it? _________________ Z
-52 M38 (Ser# 61033)
-52 M38A1 (Ser # 10047), Engine MD-95388
The early dash plate sets were individually fastened to the dash with screws. The later M38's the set was riveted to a large panel which was then screwed to the dash.
It's anyone's guess what may have happened over the last 65 years.
Which serial number is on your title? _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Funny things is, the title my grandparents had for it in Indiana used the wrong number for the serial number. They used the last 4 of part number on the data plate and not the serial number. Good thing is that now I have it in AL, I don't have to transfer the title and can request a new one (not required). _________________ Z
-52 M38 (Ser# 61033)
-52 M38A1 (Ser # 10047), Engine MD-95388
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