Combat Medic budget 1952 M38

ACRay · Post by **ACRay** » Wed Dec 09, 2015 8:49 pm

I smoothed out that one rim and added some rubberized undercoating spray inside along with a wheel flap to attempt to ensure that she'll be ok. painted the rims with 24087 spray cans to just get it temporarily driveable around locally. ALSO I swapped out my busted Carter WO for the solex I picked up off the forum and she's working awesome!

coolpool · Post by **coolpool** » Wed Dec 23, 2015 8:53 pm

Looking great AC. Quick question, why are there two hood latches on one side of the hood?

Post by **wesk** » Wed Dec 23, 2015 9:30 pm

Many units added the second latch on each side on their jeeps in the field when severe rough terrain use would often jar the 2 front latches loose.

ACRay · Post by **ACRay** » Sun Dec 27, 2015 10:15 am

wesk wrote:Many units added the second latch on each side on their jeeps in the field when severe rough terrain use would often jar the 2 front latches loose.

I had wondered about how I wound up with an extra hood latch on each side of my M38. Thanks for that info Wes! Cool to know. I even thought about taking the second set off because I thought it might have been a bubba mod. Now that I know I'm going to leave them on.

ACRay · Post by **ACRay** » Sat Apr 02, 2016 6:06 pm

Haven't posted in a while, but I've been tinkering with my M38 a lot. I read a quote from a Willys owner about him trying to only do "resto jobs" on his that will only keep it off the road for a 72 hour max or so. I tried to do that myself and it's kinda worked, but shes just not there reliability wise like I'd like her to be. The more I try to band-aid things that need attention to stay away from a full frame off tear apart the more I think i need o just pull the body and start cleaning, painting and fixing everything all at once. Guess I'll drive it to walmart once or twice more before I move from Fort Bliss to California and then just pull the body and start on doing everything before I try to put it back on the road. Now I just need a huge chunk of change to facilitate the restore LOL

Post by **wesk** » Sat Apr 02, 2016 7:19 pm

That is always a tough call to make. I'd wait till you finish your move.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Sat Apr 02, 2016 7:51 pm

Ah, Man.
Thought we might hook up sometime.
Good luck in Cali!

ACRay · Post by **ACRay** » Tue May 10, 2016 10:32 pm

Brian, it stinks that we couldn't meet in the great lone star state!

Fun story, I've been gone for about 8 weeks for Recruiting School and my silly M38 started right up when I got back! Maybe I need to drive it to work on Fort Bliss one last time before I move to Commiefornia ha ha ha.

ACRay · Post by **ACRay** » Tue Sep 13, 2016 2:37 pm

Since I've moved I haven't actually done anything spectacular to my M38. SO I haven't added any updates, but I have done a couple small things since I got to California. I'm installing new wiring and 90% done, all but the master switch is wired new. Then within the first 5 minutes of it all being wired the dimmer switch pooped out and doesn't work on low anymore. I slapped in the semi correct tail lights (both are driver side lights so I'll have more brake light for others to see) and I took 5 minutes to mount the headlight guards. My fuel tank is at a local shop getting some new metal welded up so I can use it again as well. As much as I wanted to rip the whole Willys apart to clean and refresh everything, life got in the way and I've got the garage currently overwhelmed with my other Jeep. ANYWAY I've been driving the ol girl to work and just trying to enjoy it while it's still together and we've got great weather. Hope you all are doing well too! Take care!

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Tue Sep 13, 2016 2:50 pm

Hi Aaron!
Great to hear from you.

Still a great looking ride. Glad you are putting miles on it.

Don't freak about the dimmer. There are plenty around if you are
doing a motor pool/daily driver. Get one cheap with Packard connectors
and make some Packard to Douglas adapters. Sure the Army did it.

Take care,
Brian

willysmjeeps.com

Combat Medic budget 1952 M38

Great Job!