transition from early to later M38A1

TomM · Post by **TomM** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 11:45 am

Regarding the 1953 M38A1
My understanding is that that this should have some design changes of the 62000+ serials.
Question: is October/November S/N 62000 a hard date for the transition away from the earliest features?
A local jeep data plate has s/n 67k December '53 with :
hinged grill with no support rods
No support rod brackets on firewall under hood hinges
seamed fenders
thumbscrew battery cover
short bumper

Is there still a possibility the data plate is correct for the jeep?

Post by **wesk** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 6:03 pm

You're a bit confusing. Your title is M38 but the dates, serial and fender info is M38A1?

TomM · Post by **TomM** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 7:34 pm

Your'e right Wes,
I edited the post to clear it up. The question is regarding the M38A1

Thanks

Post by **wesk** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 8:09 pm

The problem with the subtle design changes in 53 is they were easily transferable either way. A front clip replacement using a later or earlier salvage front clip, frame replacements early or late, and military depot overhauls where tubs moved to different serials quite often. Of the half dozen changes the most reliable change to base early vs late is the battery box cover. But even here as the A1 parts availability dropped with it's age it was common to see only the later version part remaining in stock from the 60's on. The three frames are helpful in deciding age but we must remember that the first two frames both have the grill hinge bolt holes. I would suggest basing dating of an un-serialed M38A1 on the tub (battery box cover) and the dates on the axle housing left hand tubes.

TomM · Post by **TomM** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 6:12 am

Here is my question asked differently:

The body of the M38A1 in question is an early version. The subtle pieces of the front end are consistent with the early version. The jeep has the parts needed to restore it to an early version.

The data plate states a s/n 67xxx range with 12/53 delivery.

Question: are there any known examples of early configuration M38A1 in the 67xxx serial range?

Post by **wesk** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 8:57 am

That is still a very gray question. There are M38A1's in my data base with late features in the MD14XXX through MD67XXX as well as M38A1's in the serial range MD67XXX through MD74XXX with a few early features. About two or three percent on both sides of the cutoff which I perceive to be the field mixing of parts and no indication of an overlap in factory production use of late and early parts. None of these odd A1's have had a thorough evaluation of component parts, IE dates of tranny, axle housing and colors of base paints to establish weather the jeep may have left Willys that way.

If this is a one off question about a specific jeep and the best way to restore it I would say follow the cutoffs in the IPL to insure the value of the jeep stays high in the display arena.