M38A1 noob with lots of questions...

[linx310]

Yeap…looks like I have joined the M38A1 club…I am finalizing a purchase of a 1952 M38A1 with 26,000 miles and have some questions for you guys.

From what I can gather it was sold or given to a fire fighting unit at some point by the ARMY and painted red. It was then purchased at auction and resold when the current owner sanded it down and painted it back to a green color.

It appears to have all the original data plates including the one behind the seat which I thought was pretty cool since they are usually missing.

The tub has only light surface rust under it except for a small part of the hat channel near the edge of the tub has been hit by some cancer. I plan to cut this out and weld part of a new bracket in its place.

It is still has the original 24 volt system and components, it runs and drives. Though some of the gauges don’t work, but I can fix em I am sure.

Overall it looks like the fire unit that had it took decent care of it.

Here is a list of what it is missing that I would like to purchase.


Right rear bumperette
Rear spare tire carrier and spare tire
Fender mounted black out light and guard
Rear seat
Canvas and doors.
New 24 bulbs for the right rear marker light
&
M38A1 Stencil kit from http://www.militarystencils.com/

My current priorities are:

1. M38A1 Stencil kit from http://www.militarystencils.com/ (in Texas you can use the vehicle markings as your license plate!)
2. New 24 volt bulbs for right rear marker light
3. Right rear bumperette
4. Rear spare tire carrier and spare tire.
5. Fender mounted black out light and guard

I have seen the following parts at http://www.debellajeepparts.com/

WO-800078 Bumperette, rear $35.00 R.

&

M38A1 Spare Tire Carrier with mounting hardware $125

Are they a decent place to order from?

I wonder if it would be cheaper if I looked for a used bumperette and spare tire carrier?

Also what is a good place to find the bulbs I need?

Also I want put some unique unit markings on my jeep. I would like to put marking associated with Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA). I have always had a thing for the early cold war missiles. Is their a listing out there of appropriate markings for the bumpers on my M38A1 for this agency?

[hillbilly21]

Midwest Military

Debella Jeep Parts

Army Jeep Parts

All are favorites of mine and all have excellant restoration parts...You should post pictures ..as we all LOVE PICTURES >>>>>>

[Zane]

good used originals will cost more than new repros, ive had good service ordering from all the jeep parts vendors

[whydahdvr]

I have ordered almost exclusively from Army Jeep Parts and Peter DeBella. Both are easy to work with and have comparable prices. I would lean towards DeBella for original parts and AJP for any repros. But that's my view. Both ship promptly. DeBella is best to speak with directly on the phone but AJP is very easy to deal with over the internet.

[moby]

I Have An origoinal take off part bumperete from an M38 A1. It is a little beat up but if you are interested let me know ,Don

[GIJOE290]

Welcome linx310! Glad to see another A1 being saved. Ya got a name or shall we call you linx? Ditto what hillbilly said, we love pictures.

[linx310]

I Have An origoinal take off part bumperete from an M38 A1. It is a little beat up but if you are interested let me know ,Don

Sent you a pm...

Welcome linx310! Glad to see another A1 being saved. Ya got a name or shall we call you linx? Ditto what hillbilly said, we love pictures.

I go by Donnie....to many Dons here...gonna get pictures when it is delivered.

I am probably one of the youngest guys on this forum...almost every one that I have seen with these vehicles is twice my age...not sure why my generation isn't really interested in them.