M38 data plates and master plate

[Texbillhs]

I have see both M38s with a master dash data plate mount (a sheet metal 7x11 plate) and what looks to be original data plates mounted directly to the dash. I haven't seen it, but I have been told M38s had both the 4" hole under the master dash data plate mount and of course if original data plates are mounted directly to the dash there is no 4" hole. The question I have is when in the M38 production did Willys change to a hole with a master plate or discontinued the plate and hole? Was the direct mounted plates early production or late production?

[Bretto]

MC#'s below 34151 (Sept '51) had the dash plates individually mounted on the dash.

[wesk]

Well the easiest place to find the answer is in the ORD 9 parts manual.Page 338 shows Plate, Mounting used on vehicles after MC34151.

The round hole is for the heater ducting. The Kit instructions for those heater kits tell you on early models move the plates and cut the hole.

Or if you go to our downloads page and open the PDF file for the M38 serial number data base you will see the entry for "Last to use plates mounted directly to the dash" on page 4, middle of the page.

http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... =Downloads

http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... oad&cid=35

http://www.willysmjeeps.com/downloads/M38SNDB.pdf

There is a wealth of data here in the post, on the downloads page and in the several hundred photos in my technical info photo album on our "Member's albums" page in our Photo Gallery.
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?name=gallery

http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... _album.php

http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... _album.php
Just start tapping the keys on your keyboard!

[Texbillhs]

that was a quick answer - I was wondering what the 4" hole was for - heater ducts! Anyway the one for sale in Harrisburg is likely correct it appears.