Bumper Wood ?

52M38 · Post by **52M38** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 3:12 pm

Hi guys. Just a question. Did the front and/or the back bumpers have wood behind them ? If so, does anyone have a photo of one ?

whydahdvr · Post by **whydahdvr** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 3:18 pm

Yes, they did have wood and the main vendors can easily supply them - Army Jeep Parts, Midwest Military, DeBella Jeeps, etc.

52M38 · Post by **52M38** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 3:38 pm

Is this front or back ?[

52M38 · Post by **52M38** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 3:41 pm

Well that worked good. Can't the get photo to load.

52M38 · Post by **52M38** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 3:46 pm

I was able to get photos in members gallery's. Page 6 on bottom 52m38.

Bretto · Post by **Bretto** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 5:05 pm

There was only wood in the front bumper and the pic you show is it.

52M38 · Post by **52M38** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 11:10 am

Thanks Bretto. Any idea what it's worth ? It is orignal M38 and in great shape.

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 12:22 pm

MWM sells a nice oak repop for 30 bones if that helps..

MrWillys · Post by **MrWillys** » Mon Aug 05, 2013 10:14 am

What is it good for? Just extra protection?

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Mon Aug 05, 2013 10:22 am

What is it good for? Perhaps it furnished an extra
bearing surface for a hand crank to start the engine?

Jim in Darkest Arkansas

MrWillys · Post by **MrWillys** » Mon Aug 05, 2013 10:35 am

Well, that is a good guess, I never thought about that.

Post by **wesk** » Mon Aug 05, 2013 10:54 am

The wood was the cheap steel free way to make structures stronger without wasting valuable metals during wartime. The wood in the bumper and the hat channels under the floor added strength and crush/bending protection. Military contracts for new vehicles were always with the intent that vehicle would only remain useful for a few years about 8-10. So the damage caused by wood getting soaked and moisture causing corrosion was not an important consideration but one that created a lot of problems for restorers 40 to 50 years later.

MrWillys · Post by **MrWillys** » Mon Aug 05, 2013 2:43 pm

With that in mind, I'll drop my plans to install wood in my bumper. I'm all for authenticity, but I don't need to install rust generators on the car.