M38A1 Frame Swap

Deadguy · Post by **Deadguy** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 7:15 am

I figured, while my engine is out of the vehicle, now was a good time to address frame issues. The people who sold me the jeep said it was rust free. Turns out they just painted over everything, grease included, and the frame is in pretty rough shape. Too rough to survive sandblasting.
I've been looking around, and a scrapyard in California has a good one, with only minor surface rust, that they will sell me for $350. They pulled the tub off it, and realized someone had cut the crossmembers. They have another M38A! frame, not in as good a condition, and they said they could take the crossmembers from that, weld them on to the other frame, and send it to me. (oh, and cut off that ridiculous bumper someone stuck on there) Any opinions?

Balvar24 · Post by **Balvar24** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 7:31 am

I don't think I'd trust a scrap yard to do much welding. What if it's warped when you recieve it?

Deadguy · Post by **Deadguy** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 7:39 am

This is the place- http://www.jwjeep.com They are primarily a Jeep place, it's 3 guys, and the guy I was talking to mainly, Mark, seems to know what he's doing. He was offering to just send me the frame and the two new crossmembers. I was going to get it sent to the sandblasting place directly. They sandblast and powdercoat it, but I would need the frame as one full piece in order to do that.

STXM38A1 · Post by **STXM38A1** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 7:45 am

I'd try calling Brent Mullins (College Station, TX) and Rapco (Bowie, TX) and see if they can assist or advise on locating a serviceable M38A1 frame before having a Franken-frame shipped in from Calif.

Place some WTB Craigslist ads in Dallas, Houston, Austin, SA. I've previously seen some CL ads from a guy in Kemah (Houston CL) with M38A1 parts, but not a whole frame.

Post by **wesk** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 9:51 am

The last A1 frame I bough a year ago with spring pivots missing was $50. and the pivots from another frame were shipped with it. Patience is the key to financial well being. Shop and ye will find!

There are in all liklyhood several hundred M38A1 frames lying in folk's part piles. To stir the fire just place want ads in about 7 or 8 jeep related web web sites and they shall come.

53a1 · Post by **53a1** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 11:51 am

Where are you at and what year frame are you looking for?

I run into the post '53 frames (non folding grill) a few times a year. The '53 & '52 frames are much more rare and don't see those very often.

I would resist the urge to rig together a frame in the manner you describe.

Let me know.
Dave

Post by **wesk** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 12:18 pm

Look at the odd right rear frame rail on both of those frames! They look like they were modified to carry a rear gas tank with a right side fill pipe.

The M38A1 frames I see have both rear frame rails straight back.

oilleaker1 · Post by **oilleaker1** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 6:08 am

My opinion is NO! I've seen M38A1 frames here listed that were bolt in,in excellent shape. Just sit back and shop. Put a wanted thread here and on G503. The worst thing you will experience is that it is too far to go and get. Some have extra springs, running gear, and parts you could use or sell to pay for the frame.

John

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 9:28 am

Out of curiosity i checked the web link you provided.
There's a section there with pages of testimonials
from HAPPY customers. It's not suprising that there's
no section for testimonials from UNHAPPY customers.
The guys are right when they recommend fishing in
in your own area-Brent Mullins or Mark Dodd likely
know the location of just what you need.

rgmutchler · Post by **rgmutchler** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 5:00 pm

Deadguy,
I notice you live in Austin. Have you joined MVPA or at least the Austin Lone Star MVPA Chapter. There are a lot of contacts there that might be able to assist you in locating a new frame. Google Lone Star MVPA and you will find the web site.

TomM · Post by **TomM** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 11:00 am

The removal of those components is usually done to mount a rear fuel tank. Translation - you will want to look very closely at that frame for other bubba mods. Given the price and advice from others, pass and find a less modified frame.

gmjoey · Post by **gmjoey** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 9:26 pm

Did you find a frame yet? I have a good m38a1 frame. Need to sand blast good solid frame with both diff and springs.Missing rear pintle brace.

Deadguy · Post by **Deadguy** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 12:45 pm

I doubled checked with my local Jeep Shop, and they know the place well. They say they are good guys, and know what they are doing. Buying the frame and having it shipped to the sandblaster cost me $600. Anyone local I talked to wanted at least $500, and they wanted to dump a "parts jeep" on me, I get to do all the frame extraction and disposal of the spare parts. I went ahead and got the initial frame I posted.

Post by **wesk** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 7:44 pm

I sorry but I must say you paid too much. You have some serious steel correction work to do on that frame as well. Good luck.

Bill_F · Post by **Bill_F** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 5:33 am

If you could have got a parts jeep just selling the extra parts alone would have paid you back for the purchase of the extra jeep.