NEKAF #2 Initial Inspection

match · Post by **match** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 8:54 pm

So, I get the green NEKAF unit (#2 out of three that I bought, see my previous posts) loaded on the trailer and give it an initial wash / looking over. The first thing I wanted to look at was the tub floor condition, as the red NEKAF has quite a bit of rust in that area. Surprise, surprise, it has a fiberglass tub floor installed !! Is this something that the Dutch army did ? I did notice that the rear floor riser panel is pretty rusted out.. I still need to vacuum the several inches of dirt off of the floor area to get a better look at it though. I will try to post pics tomorrow after I clean it up a bit more so you guys can get a decent look and let me know what your opinion is. I'm trying to decide which one of the first two, red or green unit, that I am going to start tearing down / rebuilding first. The 3rd unit (white) looks worse off than the first two, but I haven't really looked at it very hard yet...

GPA · Post by **GPA** » Sun Apr 01, 2012 12:32 am

I was told by Dutch jeep parts vendors that it is a Dutch special mod. Mine has the same tub. At least it will not get rusty.

Nic · Post by **Nic** » Sun Apr 01, 2012 3:42 am

Hi Guys

I can confirm that the fibreglass was a Dutch mod that was used to help prevent underbody corrosion due to the large amount of rain the Western European countries have.

Nic

GPA · Post by **GPA** » Sun Apr 01, 2012 6:38 am

This is very likely, Nic. Only problem is, it contradicts the theory of "jeeps were not expected to last longer than six weeks, two months six months" etc.

match · Post by **match** » Sun Apr 01, 2012 6:54 am

That is very interesting indeed ! Thanks for the info guys ! Although I haven't looked at the white NEKAF very closely, the driver's side front fender is also fiberglass (and, the side view mirror is mounted to the fender, not the cowl). I could tell at a glance, because a chunk of it is missing. I'll get pics of it at a later date. I should get the green one cleaned up a little better later today, and post some pics.

Nic · Post by **Nic** » Sun Apr 01, 2012 10:00 am

GPA wrote:This is very likely, Nic. Only problem is, it contradicts the theory of "jeeps were not expected to last longer than six weeks, two months six months" etc.

I know what you are saying

However the M38a1 NEKAFS were the longest serving vehicles ever to be used in the Dutch army. I think they retired the last ones in the mid 90s.

Here is a website that is run by a great guy, that has some history of the Jeep and other bits and bobs, will need Google translate to read.

http://www.jeepfan42.nl

Nic Jackson

GPA · Post by **GPA** » Sun Apr 01, 2012 1:39 pm

Thats an interesting site Nic. Thanks. How is the restauration comes along on your jeep?

Wiltshireboy · Post by **Wiltshireboy** » Sun Apr 01, 2012 1:57 pm

Nic, It would be good to see some pics of your restoration.
Andy

match · Post by **match** » Sun Apr 01, 2012 10:24 pm

Here's some pics

Good pic showing fiberglass fuel well and bolts on side of lower door panel that hold small metal angle that bolts to fiberglass floor

Rusty rear floor panel

Rusty dash panel

Tire and wheel....camo ?? Was this possibly done in the Dutch Army ??

Found what was left of top covered in dirt on rear floor...

Here's the only markings I could find...is this a US top, or did the Dutch use NSN numbers also ?? Note its dated 1978.

Nic · Post by **Nic** » Mon Apr 02, 2012 1:58 am

Wiltshireboy wrote:Nic, It would be good to see some pics of your restoration.
Andy

Here Ya go

http://m38a1willysjeeprestoration.blogspot.co.uk/

I post on blog about once a month, still have a long way to go

Things are slowing down a bit but still do something on the Jeep everyday if I can, even if it is just cleaning up nuts etc. Don't have a lot of space to work in, but have a good storage facility where the completed parts and parts awaiting restoration are stored.

Also Match.... the cover is I believe of Dutch manufacturer, it has a rubberised surface over the canvas, whereas I think the US vehicles just had plain canvas. The company that made them is still in existence today and make large tents. They were formed in 1961 and are called Van Der Werff and are based in VeldHoven near Walrre in Holland. They did use NSN numbers on their products. I will be adding a blog on the canvas covers this week on the blog, so keep an eye out.

Regards
Nic

Post by **wesk** » Mon Apr 02, 2012 2:55 am

That top is US manufacture. The NSN numbering system uses the 2 digits just after the first four digits to ID the country of origin for the part. "00" was used on all re-numbered FSN's and it and "01" are US manufacture. Each Nato country producing the part in their country has it's own number used there.

http://www.dlis.dla.mil/PDFs/NSN.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO_Stock_Number

Nic · Post by **Nic** » Mon Apr 02, 2012 4:07 am

Thanks for that info Wes,

Do you think they shipped the tops etc as just bare canvas and then the Dutch rubberised them, my top has the manufacturer stamped on the inside of it, as I pertained to in my previous post.

Regards

Nic

Wiltshireboy · Post by **Wiltshireboy** » Mon Apr 02, 2012 10:39 am

Nic, thanks for the link to your blog, very interesting. I have read most of it.
All the best with putting it all back together.
Andy

match · Post by **match** » Mon Apr 02, 2012 11:38 am

Nic, looking forward to your post about the canvas. Thanks for the info !

Post by **wesk** » Mon Apr 02, 2012 8:18 pm

Are you sure that top is rubberized canvas? It certainly looks very much like the late 60's and 70's reinforced vinyl.