M-38A1 Spring Question...

OKCM38CDN · Post by **OKCM38CDN** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 6:31 am

I am working on an M-38A1... I purchased a set of rear springs for it as the ones that were on it did not match the manual for correctness. I put the new springs on and when I went to put the rear driveshaft in it was tight fit... not super but did not feel right...

My question is were the rear springs for an M-38A1 with a recoil less rifle different than the stock M-38A1... I know they had a set of coil helper springs on them...

I think my jeep was a recoil less rifle jeep as it did not have the rear tail gate as a solid piece and there were some brackets that have been said to be from the recoil less rifle setup...

Help would be appreciated...

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 7:32 am

Morning Hal,
Here's a nice write up and photos of a restored C model:

http://m38a1.com/Models/models_106.htm

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 8:01 am

Do you have a copy of this MWO?

MWO G758-W3 7 DEC 55
1/4-ton, 4x4, utility truck M38, M38A1; Installation of 105mm rifle M27A1 with 105mm rifle mount M75A1 or 106mm rifle M40 (MT170E1) with 106mm rifle mount M79.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 8:37 am

Another restoration article:
http://www.militarytrader.com/military- ... ar-project

What a find!

Here is a page(s) on restoring a CDN C model. The guy posted some fantastic photographs to his credit. I would guess there are a bunch of questions that can be answered just looking at them.

Wes, it might be an idea to link this to an M38A1C model variant page.

http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/showt ... hp?t=26524

Post by **wesk** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 9:14 am

Hello Hal,

No need to go Globe Trotting across the internet as Brian did. Just go to my photo album (it's the 2nd one) and go to page two of the sub-albums and click on M38A1C and of course the trusty M38A1 ORD ( SNL G-758.

This is the parts list on page 1 of the MWO for the C conversion. The front spring assy w/brg is the same part number for the stock A1 808467.
The spring assy w/brg for the rear is the same as the one in the ORD 9 808466.

S the short answer is No the springs are not different on the M38A1C.

Page 4 of the MWO shows that you will modify the stock springs.

MWO Pages 15, 16 & 17 cover additions and light mods to stock rear springs. Essentially bolting the coil spring and bumper bracketry on and replacing the spring eye bushing with threaded in the opposite direction. Nothing that will change the fit of the rear drive shaft.

If your springs are brand new and not used the chassis will sit higher than the old set-up causing the down angle to be greater for the rear drive shaft thus causing what you are perceiving as a change in feel or increased stiffness of operation.

OKCM38CDN · Post by **OKCM38CDN** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 2:21 pm

Thanks, for the info... Better to ask than to assume...

Now to finish the body work and electrical to see if she will fire up...

Post by **wesk** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 7:42 pm

One could also say better to read and research than to assume!!!