New owner a lot of questions. M38A1

Dee · Post by **Dee** » Tue Jan 31, 2017 8:20 pm

Hey guys new to the forum. I just bought my first M38A1. It's a 53 model I think. It looks like it's completely original but I'm not positive about that. Thought I would put what info I know On here and see what you think.
Serial number on data plate is 63423 Nov 53
Patent plate has 57148 and 89051
Engine number is MD12880[/img]

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Tue Jan 31, 2017 8:37 pm

Photos?

Dee · Post by **Dee** » Tue Jan 31, 2017 8:58 pm

I don't know how to post photos. Sorry.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Tue Jan 31, 2017 9:16 pm

First thing is ask for a photo page.

Post by **wesk** » Tue Jan 31, 2017 11:30 pm

Hello Dee,

You have two tags that do not agree with each other. This often happens when a jeep has a replacement tub put on the owner's original chassis and the owner then moves his original military serial plate from the old tub's dash to the new tubs dash. They often forget about the patent plate behind the passenger seat.

Sometimes the problem is the owner bought a jeep with the patent plate and no dash serial plate and then bought a dash serial plate that had paperwork with it and used that serial to title the jeep.

Serial number on data plate is 63423 Nov 53 This serial would have been a standard M38A1 DOD Oct/Nov 1953 and the serial should have been preceded by MD on that plate.
Patent plate has 57148 and 89051 57148 ID'd model as export M38A1 or Navy/USMC M38A1 and the DOD would have been Sep/Oct 1963

The easiest way to post photos is to go to the photo album request & problem board and request an album.

Here's an example of a USMC patent plate from 1963

Here's an example of a standard M38A1 data plate and patent plate.
Note: the "Model MD" to the left of the serial on the dash serial plate.

Check your Responsible Agency Plate on the dash set:

US Army and Early USAF plate

USMC Plate

45auto · Post by **45auto** » Wed Feb 01, 2017 10:35 am

Dee,
If your engine number is MD 128XXX it is within the range of engines used around SN# 89051. However, you are one digit short, could you check the engine number again and post all 6 digits. If it is MD 128XXX I will post a clipping of my database with your serial numbers included.

Depending on the engine serial number, its looking like you may have a 1963 USMC M38A1 with 11/53 data plates. There are other things to check, but for now, lets confirm the engine number.

Post by **wesk** » Wed Feb 01, 2017 11:28 am

Howdy Harold,

I sent Dee a survey form to complete and that will help sort out any USMC traits the jeep may have. He can also review the USMC section of my photo album for ID purposes.

The normal list of Marine items:

positraction diffs
undercoating
rubber Packard Connectors
Shipboard tie down system
Complete fording systems
and so on

Dee · Post by **Dee** » Wed Feb 01, 2017 9:52 pm

45auto wrote:Dee,
If your engine number is MD 128XXX it is within the range of engines used around SN# 89051. However, you are one digit short, could you check the engine number again and post all 6 digits. If it is MD 128XXX I will post a clipping of my database with your serial numbers included.

Yes sir. I will look again.

Depending on the engine serial number, its looking like you may have a 1963 USMC M38A1 with 11/53 data plates. There are other things to check, but for now, lets confirm the engine number.

Someone told me to see if it had a locker axle. I spun the tire and the turned opposite.

Dee · Post by **Dee** » Wed Feb 01, 2017 9:58 pm

wesk wrote:Howdy Harold,

I sent Dee a survey form to complete and that will help sort out any USMC traits the jeep may have. He can also review the USMC section of my photo album for ID purposes.

Wesk thanks so much for the help. I haven't found the survey. I'm not too good at this stuff.

The normal list of Marine items:

positraction diffs
undercoating
rubber Packard Connectors
Shipboard tie down system
Complete fording systems
and so on

No positraction diff. Wheels turn opposite.
It looks like the interior has a type of rhino liner.
I don't know what Packers connectors are.
I know it has hooks on front. Not sure about the rear. I'll look.
It has something on the dash that you pull for fording.

Post by **wesk** » Wed Feb 01, 2017 11:48 pm

Packard like the name of the old car. Douglas connectors use metal shells and were used on MV's from the end of WWII thru about 1960. Packard connectors use rubber shells and have been used on MV's since about 1959.

Marines used a different front & rear bumper tie down ring system.

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Dee · Post by **Dee** » Thu Feb 02, 2017 4:01 pm

Wesk I think my Jeep is a bunch of mismatch stuff lol. I have a Marine patent plate that I know is original to the tub. John from Midwest said it was USMC because it had two sets of numbers on it.
It doesn't have pos trac axles.
It has Douglas connectors that are numbered.
I don't have a clue where the Nov/53 data plates that they included w it came from.
The depot responsibility tag that's w them does not have USMC on them.
It's hard for me to tell the difference in those front rings but I believe mine are the marine type.

I never received your email. I checked my trash folder also.
Thanks a lot Wesk

Post by **wesk** » Thu Feb 02, 2017 9:03 pm

Is the chassis and tub carrying a heavy coat of undercoating?

Dee · Post by **Dee** » Thu Feb 02, 2017 9:46 pm

Not sure about underneath. But the entire inside of the tub has a liner.

Post by **wesk** » Fri Feb 03, 2017 12:52 am

The Marines used old fashion body undercoating on the frame and the underside of the tub and fenders. A real heavy coating. Bedliners came from civvy owners.

skyjeep50 · Post by **skyjeep50** » Sat Feb 04, 2017 9:03 am

From the photo you posted on the G (under the name pvtcook) your M38A1 does have a Marine rear cross member but is missing the tie down rings. But the tags are interchangeable as you know - I wouldn't put too much faith in them being original to the jeep. Once original tags are removed a vehicle's identity is up for grabs. There are clues as to the age based on certain tub features but anything that can be removed or changed easily - may have been. 1953 models had a hinged front grill with the cast hinges riveted to the frame and a battery cover lid attached by 8 screws. You picture shows a battery cover attached with one bracket, can't see the front of the jeep - so the tub is likely not a 1953 tub.