M38 Serial Numbers??

PaulB · Post by **PaulB** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:07 pm

Hi, is there any way to figure out the correct DOB and serial number of a vehicle without the original data plates. I have recently purchased a 1951 M38, in which the original plates have been lost. Is the frame or any other part stamped like the ww2 Jeeps? Thanks

Post by **wesk** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:20 pm

Paul I checked my records and I sent you a completye technical pubs list for the M38 and our group's survey form July 15, 2006. Did you not recieve them?

Willys only placed two serial tags on the M38 and the M38A1. One on the dash and one behind the passenger seat on the front verticle surface of the right rear wheel house,

Email me off line and I'll shoot you a complete manual list for the M38. If you have the $20 CD from http://www.military-media.com/Merchant2 ... Code=MVMOC
then you'll already have the 4 basic manuals for the M38 which are the Operator's manual (TM 9-804 early and TM 9-8012 late), chassis and running gear manual (TM 9-1804B), engine & clutch manual (TM 9-1804A) and the ORD 9 SNL G-740 parts list.

A lot of this data is already stored on our Post WWII Willys military jeeps (M38/M38A1/M606 series/CJV35) web sites and forum. You're certainly welcome to join us there.

http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?name=Forums
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/M38-M38A1-M60

Post by **Ryan_Miller** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:31 pm

The last update published on the serial number data bases is on this board also in the "Downloads" section, which can be found by looking to the top or to the extreme left and clicking on the download word.

It should be under the vehicle survey data base section.

you will need adobe acrobat reader to open the file.

Do you have a title with a serial number on it for this jeep?

PaulB · Post by **PaulB** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:41 pm

Ryan No, no title. The gentleman I bought it from had it for over 30 years in his barn and removed the data plates for repainting many years ago. Subsequently they were all lost. It's currently a non-runner but other wise in good shape. So I guess I'm outta luck on ever finding out the correct serial number.

I still don't know though if the Army reg numbers are still on the hood, I'll try that next.

Post by **wesk** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:48 pm

Did you have the plate on the right rear wheel house? This is often overlooked because the Army painted over it several times.

PaulB · Post by **PaulB** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:55 pm

Wes, is that the one just behind the passenger seat? If it is it was also removed. All the scews are still there, just no plate...again I

Post by **Ryan_Miller** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:53 pm

Paul,

You may be able to get a closer date of production by what is found on the jeep. I say you MIGHT as the military and subsequent civilian owners often swaped stuff during rebuilds etc.

Small things like the dash (does it have a large hole on the passenger side or not; were the data plates individually screwed to the pass side dash. Mounting location of the front shackles. hood number.

Like I said, some or all of these things could have been repaired, replaced, repainted. So you would need to look at the whole picture and it might get you within a 3 to 6 month time frame at best.

PaulB · Post by **PaulB** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 5:20 am

Ryan, I sent the M38 questionair to Wes last night with what I could answer. I took some pics of the dash this morning, can you tell anything from these?

The previous awner said it was a 51'. But since the plates are MIA, thats all he could remember.

[img=http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/4005/img5709mu4.th.jpg]

[img=http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/1363/img5710jy7.th.jpg]

[img=http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6113/img5711zf9.th.jpg]

Post by **wesk** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 8:50 am

The dash photos narrows your serial down to MC10001 Sep 50 thru MC34151 Sep 51.

For your survey, the instrument cluster has the wire connector clip and the circuit breaker.

Do you have these type instruments with resistors on them:

Item B in the photo are the resistors.

Do you have this on your firewall:

Item 6 radio noise filter. If not send me a photo of that area of the firewall from both front and rear.

Your jeep should have came with the light switch on the far left. The one you have now appears to be the one on the far right.

On your engine ID the early un-reinforced rear flange block has only four main mounting bolt holes. M38 engine serials up to (RMC) or MC74419.

The later block with the reinforced rear flanges ahs the 4 3/8" bolt holes plus 3 on each side 5/16" bolt holes. M38 engine serials from (RMC) or MC74420 and on.

The zerk fittings (grease fittings) are located here:

This accessory plug was used until Dec 51 and you'll see where the circuit breaker trio are.

PaulB · Post by **PaulB** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 4:49 am

Took some more shots of the things mentioned above,

[img=http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/3125/img5729hh3.th.jpg]

[img=http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/2748/img5724ko9.th.jpg]

[img=http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/9549/img5723qw6.th.jpg]

[img=http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/5507/img5735va5.th.jpg]

I can't get a look at the back of the engine...yet

odgreenm38 · Post by **odgreenm38** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 8:26 am

Paul, If you don't mind me asking, what did you have to pay for the 51 MC?

PaulB · Post by **PaulB** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 10:16 am

OD Green I sent you a PM.

Paul

Post by **Ryan_Miller** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 6:39 pm

I would say your jeep is still in the mid to late 51 prior to late september 51 when they changed the dash to include a large hole on the passenger side. The larger horn button (which can and was frequently changed) was a late Aug - early Sept change from the smaller button.

Light switches, horn buttons, even engines/transmissions were frequently changed (even axles).

If you look on the front and rear axle tubes there should be a date of manufacture stamped on them. You may have to remove the paint to see them.
My jeep was a 9/51 delivery and on the axle tubes I found a date of 9/6/51 and 9/3/51 stamped on them.

Like I said, this may or may not help you to figure the DOD (Date OF Delivery).

let me know and I can set up a photo gallery for you to upload these onto the website. When posting use the IMG tab instesad of the URL.

Do you have a photo of the whole jeep? We like photos!

maeserik · Post by **maeserik** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 1:20 am

on those 4 pictures, your jeep seems complete !

show some other picstures !

PaulB · Post by **PaulB** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 8:50 pm

Here are some pics of it on the trailer when I brought it home last weekend. It had many years of dirt and crud after sitting in the barn. I wanted to make sure it didn't have any little friends come along with it. I'll get some better shots later.