Radiator Top Support Rod

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Wed Jan 20, 2016 8:54 am

Still researching this through some older posts here with some confusion, but my M38 has two holes in the cowl lip under the hood hinge for the radiator top support rod. One hole is pretty much centered in straight line with where the other end attaches to the top of the radiator, and another hole off to the right (towards the driver side) where the one in this photo is mounted. My rod is pretty much straight with a slight upward bend near the firewall end to clear the crossover pipe. It will reach both holes but doesn't look correct if I put it in the hole nearest the drivers side. Other rods, like shown in this photo have a different distinct bend to angle it off to the driver side hole. Are there two different rods, each with their own mounting hole on the cowl?

On the underside of my hood on the center seam where the two halves are welded is another hole near the bumper end. Was there a MWO for a support rod to hold the hood open (for safety?) that would use one of the holes in the cowl? I've seen the post about hard top M38's with heaters using it, but it seems to me that every jeep could use one with the hood open in windy conditions?

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Wed Jan 20, 2016 10:25 am

I saw that photo yesterday and wondered about that too Ron.
Guess the Army figured you'd just lay it back against the windshield.

Why only a hood prop if equipped with a heater?

Do you have any of the other heater installation holes
or equipment?

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Wed Jan 20, 2016 11:29 am

I'm guessing, but my take on the hood prop was more tied to the windshield being vertical with a hard top on board, making it more likely to conk somebody in the head if not secured somehow. Especially with a jeep parked on a slight down slope?

I see no evidence of a heater ever being on my jeep, and no for the hard top either, mainly because I don't have the MWO installed that put reinforcing plates for it on the rear quarters. I'm pretty sure I do have a real M38 tub, but not original to the frame I have.

I'm using a short bungee cord to hook from the hole on the underside of the hood to the footman loop on the top center of the windshield just so I don't get clocked.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Wed Jan 20, 2016 12:17 pm

Ron if you have both extra holes why not make a new rod
or two and go for it.

I bet motor pool guys would have done it especially if they
found the holes already there.

5/16" rod and a die and you are golden!

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Wed Jan 20, 2016 1:49 pm

Brian,
I might do that! Especially if a 32-inch rod will fit in the tool box.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Wed Jan 20, 2016 3:47 pm

Probably one of the articles about these rods we have read talks about where it was stowed under the hood...

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Wed Jan 20, 2016 6:02 pm

You bet it does! Sorry for the confusion. I mixed up posts. Will be more careful in the future.

Brian,
I found these in my research. Nothing definite, but might help. Always interesting.

http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... diator+rod

http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... diator+rod