Need M38A1 Condition/Valuation Help

renovate7 · Post by **renovate7** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 8:26 am

I looked at a complete original M38A1 recently. Needs 2 wheels, spare tire bracket and gas can mount. Lots of rust underneath. Inside of rear cargo area has aluminum sheet on the bottom and up the wheel wells. This sheet metal looks "ok" underneath. Completely rusted thru in passenger wheel well where bottom meets sloped part meets side. I can sse where there is hat channel etc. under there. I'm trying to figure out if it's a project I can tackle and what it's worth. They want $2k. Serial number is 53735 and date of mfg is 7/53. I'd like to post pics here but don't see a way to do that. I can email them if someone could post them for me. My email is hmd7(at)msn.com...I've been over at G and also Steelsoldiers for several years but am new here.

BullRun · Post by **BullRun** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 2:38 pm

Another way of looking at this is do you have the time to repair this kind of damage. Whatever damage you see, there is twice if not more that you cannot see like thinned out panels a screwdriver will go through.

Your likely talking about a body-off the frame repair best done on a rotisserie and a complete MIG welding outfit and various other tools just to get started.

You'll probably need to repair or replace the floor riser, various hat channels and maybe the rear floor, front floor, and wheel housing plus exterior areas. The tool box housing and parts of the rear panel too. You get the idea.

If you have great skills in body repair it could be a quick repair but if not then it could take years of part time work. No Joke!

$2000 sounds too high.

Balvar24 · Post by **Balvar24** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 2:44 pm

Two years ago (almost) I paid $2200 for a wore out M416a1 and M38a1 package deal. The body was mostly solid except for a couple of pieces of hat channel and one rocker panel. Several bondo'd up places, busted fender, and didn't run at the time. Other than that, mostly complete. I don't feel like. I got a bargain. You can see pics of what I got in my album. My advice on a rotted out jeep of any kind is not to give much more than scrap value. A nicer one will come along. But then again, free advice is worth exactly what you pay for it.

renovate7 · Post by **renovate7** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 3:50 pm

Thanks for the replies. I think I'm going to pass on this. I'm afraid if you sandblasted the frame there would be serious problems. I've thought about buying it, getting it running, and painting it green for a "driver". I think I'll look for a better jeep to start with. If anyone is interested go on Tampa Craiglist and do a search under "military jeep". I have 38 pics if anyone is interested.