M38A1 Instrument Cluster Color

madmike · Post by **madmike** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:34 am

I have a 1961 USMC M38A1 and have a question about the instrument cluster and glove box door color. I was previously told that the panel and door were painted body color. But mine is dark grey. The jeep is original except for being repainted od green when parting service. The back side of the door and panel and the intrument bezels are also the same grey.

Does anyone know if some A1's left the plant with those two items painted a different color? There is no evidence there ever was USMC green on these parts and the data plate was masked off to paint the od green. I believe the cluster was also masked off or removed. No other dash parts were masked off so unfortunately, the other controls were painted over as well.

mdog · Post by **mdog** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 8:25 pm

My '64 usmc m38a1 had both parts in body color(forest green)as best I could tell under the post military paint job. It sounds like your parts are take offs from another vehicle.

Post by **wesk** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:50 pm

Looks like you got a NOS or used door and panel from the Navy. They were painted the same color as the tub for all the services.

GPA · Post by **GPA** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:01 am

In the book of "Off Road Jeeps, Civilian&Military 1944-1971" on the pages of 36-39 they are testing a new M38A1 and the gauge panel is different color to the rest of the dash.

Post by **wesk** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:47 am

Perhaps the test involved special instrumentation. The production jeeps left Willys with the instrument cluster painted the same spec OD color as the dash. Since these clusters are assembled and installed in the jeep as a complete assembly it is possible they may be not quite the same shade of OD but that happens with air cleaners and seat frames and main light switches as well. This different shade will appear even more different in black and white photos.

madmike · Post by **madmike** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 12:32 pm

Well that settles it. They will get painted tub color. Thanks to all who replied. The variations in these later model A1's are hard to track down.

Post by **wesk** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 1:02 pm

The primary late M38A1 (Post 1958) differences in factory delivered jeeps were the following:
1-M151 style air cleaner
2-M151 style instrument cluster illumination lamps.
3-Packard wire connectors.
5-Passenger seat snap & lock bracket
6-If USMC then posi-traction axles

There are many field mods but they aren't considered in the above list.

For example:
1-USMC lifting shackle setup
3-60 and 100 amp electrical systems.
4-Modification back to full fording capability on USMC units.
5-Radio set-ups including the late MRC units.