M38A1 Rear Seat

TGP · Post by **TGP** » Thu Feb 18, 2016 5:16 am

Rear Seat I purchased from an individual doesn't fit.
Imagine that.
Was supposed to be for a M38A1 and looks the part however
The pivot tube measures 35 1/8" across.
My wheel house is 36"
Any Idea what I have or the tubes were cut maybe?

Anyone with a correct measurement from tube end to end?
Or a measurement of how much tube overhangs from side frame tube to
The end of pivot?
I currently have 1/4" sticking out past the frame.
Thinking that should be at least a 1/2" or so.

The seat looks like the pictures of correct seat frames I have seen
But I don't know all the little differences.
Also rear hook bracket I ordered are correct for A1 but appear I need the M38 hooks.
I thought these frames were the same m38 m38a1?
Thanks
Tom

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Thu Feb 18, 2016 7:58 am

Hi Tom,
According to this post your seat frame is 3/8" short.

http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=143602

Sounds like splitting hairs. Not sure why your pivots wouldn't
be wide enough to accommodate. It can't fit tight.

No way it's a civvy, nor a WWII seat, again per the article.
Any chance your wheelhouses are tweaked outwards just a tad?

Again, it can't be a rubbing fit.

The hooks don't make sense either if as your photos
show you put everything back in the factory locations.

Unless the seat is a repop. Then all bets are off.

TGP · Post by **TGP** » Thu Feb 18, 2016 8:06 am

Thanks Brian.
That is exactly what I was looking for.
Not sure how I missed that when searching.

My seat has obviously been trimmed to 35 1/8 which don't relate to a MB or earlier seat either.

Now that I know the total I will weld on what I need with an internal sleeve also.
Thanks
Tom

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Thu Feb 18, 2016 8:27 am

That should work well!
Thank Wes also, aka "Cuz"!

skyjeep50 · Post by **skyjeep50** » Thu Feb 18, 2016 9:20 am

I measured my M38 and M38A1 - wheelhouse to wheelhouse is about 36 1/4. The back seat that I took out of the A1 is now in the M38 - same seat for both. You can see that the end of the cross tube support is about 1/8 in from the wheelhouse (on both sides) - so I'd estimate the cross tube is about 36". I didn't take the seat out because I also have 2 radios mounted in the way. Seat back hooks are different between the M38A1 and the M38 because the M38 has a tailgate and the hooks need to be longer - see pics. The rear seat is kind of a snug fit and its hard to get it out and in without scuffing the paint as you can see also - maybe your seat was shortened to accommodate a bent tub or a fussy owner with a pristine paint job!

Post by **wesk** » Thu Feb 18, 2016 9:27 am

Tom,

Take a look in my photo albums:

Knowing the outside diameter of the tubing you can use a pair of dividers to get the extending length of the tube at each side down to less than an 1/8"

TGP · Post by **TGP** » Thu Feb 18, 2016 10:00 am

Thanks for the Pictures.
I'm on the right track.
My wheelhouse is 36"
There is definitely about 3/8 0f an inch cut off from my tubes.

Thanks Wes.
I been all through your pic's.
That's the first place I go. Really helps.
From the picture of the tubes there is definitely some cut off.
I have nowhere near the extension as in the picture.
As for as rear hooks, I'm confident I have the correct
Shorter ones for my A1. I have no tailgate.
All the other measurements wheelhouse or seat compare to your drawings.

Why these tubes are shortened I will never know.
Tom