M38A1 Wire Harness Routing On Frame

madmike · Post by **madmike** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 5:18 pm

I am ready to reinstall the wire harness on the frame before mounting the tub and searched all my pictures and the manuals but cannot find how it was routed in the frame. I searched my memory bank and there was nothing there either.

I have good pictures after the harness comes out of the frame and up the drivers side of the tub.

Would anyone know where the rear harness enters the frame ( i.e., in front of the master cylinder or steering box or behind them) and if it goes thru the frame or always stays inside the frame rail held on by clips but going around the frame boxing and cross frame? Also when the rear harness branches off, does it route thru the holes in the frame rails or stay in place clipped underneath?

My old harness is being replaced with a new one but many of the clips broke off when removed and I cannot determine the old position. BYW, the new harness would/will not route thru some of the rear frame areas due to a pair of multiple wiring connectors that are about the size of a cigarette package, unlike the smaller round connectors on the old harness. These are not possible to separate on either harness. Not a problem if the wiring routes around the cross supports though.

Help appreciated as always. Getting closer to mounting the tub.

Mike

madmike · Post by **madmike** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 2:38 pm

I am starting to drop way down the list here without an answer. Could someone please, please look under their M38A1 and tell me how the wires are routed from front to rear? I really would like to know before I do it wrong. Would really appreciate it.

Mike

53a1 · Post by **53a1** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 6:03 pm

I don't know if this is correct but this is how my A1 came when I got it. The Jeep was very original when I got it so the wiring probably was also.

madmike · Post by **madmike** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 11:51 am

Thank you 53A1. What your picture tells me is that I cannot put the wire harness in until after I put the tub back on because the rear harness goes thru one of the tub openings. That is something I could not see in my pictures. If you still have access to the frame would it be possible to tell me how the rear harness is routed? I am particularly interested in how it travels along the frame and where it splits to the lights.

If you are unable maybe someone else could chime in. I may go over to the G and ask this same question but you have just answered a major part. I will wait until the tub is back on to complete this portion of the restoration.

I painted the bottom of the tub yesterday. By laying it upside down on tarps it was much easier to deal with. Plan to hit it with some undercoating today.

Mike

53a1 · Post by **53a1** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 1:56 pm

My harness has been removed for a few years now but as I recall it ran along the bottom inside of the frame fastened by the clips. It then made 90 degree turn at the bumper and two wires poked out to the LHS rear light and a few went to the trailer plug. It then continued on to the RHS rear lights. As I recall the harness clipped to the upper inside cross member. I'll see if I took a picture of this when I'm at home.

madmike · Post by **madmike** » Fri Jun 29, 2012 9:52 am

Thanks again. I finally found a picture in the manual which may answer part of my question. The routing appears to go around the cross members rather than thru them. I think this is the same for the tail lights. Under the frame and bumpers enroute to the lights rather than thru the frame holes. I will need to buy a bunch of clips to hold the harness to the frame as most of mine broke off when I took the harness out. If you find pictures and my assumption is incorrect please advise.

I still can't believe I did not take pictures of the harness. I have everything else documented but this one is a real "Doh". My photographer (aka, wife) must have been visiting her mother.

Mike

Post by **wesk** » Fri Jun 29, 2012 6:14 pm

The harness is routed very similar to the M38 from the master cylinder aft using the same clips.

This is the best manual shot of the complete firewall.

I put this together a few years ago. You can number your frame clamps and then view the other several hundred photos in my album and other's to see frame shots of M38A1's and locate each clamp position.

madmike · Post by **madmike** » Sat Jun 30, 2012 9:22 am

Thanks again Wes. This is what I need except for the actual routing around cross frame members which I should be able to see by reviewing the pictures you mention. I overlooked the possibility that someone would have posted pictures they took of the harness installed. But I overlook a lot of things these days.

Mike

colmustard · Post by **colmustard** » Sun Apr 26, 2015 12:37 pm

how would I get to or find the album of photo's of the wire harness routing that WesK mentions? I am now ready to put my harness back on my M38A1

Post by **wesk** » Sun Apr 26, 2015 12:58 pm

At the top of this page you will see:

Home · · Forums · · Articles · · Downloads · · Photo Gallery

Click on "Photo Gallery" then review the member's albums with M38A1 photos.

My album with hundreds of technical photos is the second album.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Sun Apr 26, 2015 3:42 pm

Chris has some useful photos on page 3 of his photo album.
Specifically how the molded junctions at the rear are routed:

http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... php&page=3