Finding numbers for 1960 M38A1

Post by **wesk** » Mon Jan 05, 2015 12:05 pm

Tom:

His frame is a 53 as is the engine and rear axle. The fenders and grill are later. The tub is later but how much later depends on the answers I get on his survey form I have already sent back to him for more info. His answers will indicate weather the tub is 55-59 or 60 or newer. But for all practical purposes it is a gathering of various parts jeeps.

Rockytop · Post by **Rockytop** » Mon Jan 05, 2015 1:42 pm

Hey guys good grief , so as far as registering it . Since the serial number reflects a 53 I should use that as the year to use for getting a title.

Post by **wesk** » Mon Jan 05, 2015 10:48 pm

I sent you a reply to your email. Do that first.

Rockytop · Post by **Rockytop** » Thu Jan 08, 2015 10:29 am

Wes, you had requested a picture of a radio power plug, im not familiar with that. where would that be located? I will be back home tomorrow night and will take more pics. Also I am planning on starting to sand blast the inside this weekend , is there any area I should pay special attention to as far finding any markings or numbers?
Thanks,
Martin

Post by **wesk** » Thu Jan 08, 2015 11:15 pm

Actually I asked for a photo that covered the area of the radio power plug to and including the front edge of the right rear wheel house.

This is the area I am looking to see.

Rockytop · Post by **Rockytop** » Mon Jan 12, 2015 12:37 pm

Wes sent you some pictures over the weekend of the area you requested. Just making sure you received them. Thanks

Post by **wesk** » Mon Jan 12, 2015 5:26 pm

The seat snap in lock setup dates your tub as a late tub. 60 or so. So 53 chassis & running gear with a 60 or + tub sitting on it.

Rockytop · Post by **Rockytop** » Mon Jan 12, 2015 6:12 pm

Ok Wes, I sure do appreciate your help . I don't know if that's good or bad. My plans for the jeep are to make it look close to original as possible . It's not gonna be a show piece but will look nice when I'm done. I'm gonna need a windshield frame and a fuel tank. Will the cj parts interchange? I know the prices for the M38 are a lot higher. Thanks

Post by **wesk** » Mon Jan 12, 2015 6:22 pm

The late & early M38A1 tubs differ in 3 primary ways. The pass seat latch on yours is late, the front floor drains were inboard early & outboard late and the canvas top bow storage forward brackets were spring type instead of of thumb screw type.

Since chassis and running gear and engine are all 1953 and you currently have NO paperwork I would pursue titling it as a July or Aug 1953 unit based on the engine serial. If your state DMV will confirm the engine's serial is not currently inuse as a title serial for another jeep and they are willing to let you use that number then I would have a new dash plate stamped with that number and press on with a title for a Jul/Aug 1953 M38A1. If other jeepers ask about the tub just say you have updated the tub to the later style.

Rockytop · Post by **Rockytop** » Mon Jan 12, 2015 7:33 pm

Wes, that all makes perfect sense, and sounds good. Again thanks for the info. Did u see my questions about the fuel tank and windshield frame, I am gonna need both.

Post by **wesk** » Mon Jan 12, 2015 10:46 pm

The CJ5 tank can be made to fit by closing the deeper tank belly relief for the deeper M38A1 tank with steel sheet. You would then have to reduce the filler panel hole for the small diameter CJ5 tank filler neck. Also you must reroute fuel feed line to bottom side of the tub since the CJ5 outlet is in the bottom of the tank. Finally you would need to get an aftermarket matched sender and gauge to fit. I'd try harder to find the correct tank.

Any of the CJ5/6 windshields from 55 thru about 73 will fit. 68 and up have electric single wiper motor on bottom of windshield frame driving both blades through linkage. 55 to about 65 can be made to look just like a M38A1 windshield. Keep in mind that many CJ5 windshields are the optional vented windshields which have the pair of glasses tilt out at the bottom like the WWII jeeps for extra ventilation.

Rockytop · Post by **Rockytop** » Tue Jan 13, 2015 12:56 pm

Going with an original style tank sounds like the way to go I found a guy a couple of hours from me that has lots of old jeeps and parts, he has a used Steele tank that I'm gonna look at. He also has some winshield frames so I will make a run down there soon.