Scored an NOS M38a1 winter enclosure kit last week!

wilfreeman · Post by **wilfreeman** » Mon May 08, 2017 9:35 pm

And I picked it up at the Post Office this morning. I expected the worst after pulling the original asphalt coated paper wrapped kit out of the box - it was falling apart! I would love to know when these were made.

Funny how it is labeled:

Despite the outside appearance, all of the canvas and plastic was in GREAT condition - as pliable as my new canvas and the plastic was pretty clear! Some of the metal hardware had some rust though. It came with the (almost) complete hardware kit too.

I couldn't stand it. After I finished my beer I was drinking while admiring my new (and final) piece of the puzzle, I had to start installing it. I installed the driver side curtain. No problem except my home made horizontal rod was not made right. I welded a lug for the vertical side curtain rod onto it - it's in the wrong place of course! I will have to cut that off and install the adjustable one that came in the hardware kit so that I can adjust the vertical rod so that it is VERTICAL and the ripples are out of the side curtain.

Next I temporarily installed the door in the upper hinge and secured it to the windshield. I marked where the turn buttons needed to be installed. I installed those one at the time and checked the position before I drilled the next hole. I pulled the door back off and installed the rope hinge in the windshield channel, installed the upper hinge and secured the turn buttons - then shut and secured it to the side curtain with the door handle. It was a tense moment while the canvas stretched and pulled into position on the frame. Nothing ripped or tore and it tightened up nicely! Now all I have to do is fiz the vertical rod problem and she'll look great - and finished!

I did a writeup with more pictures on my blog. Here are the links to the unboxing videos on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/H1BhG-sUN_o
https://youtu.be/r0J9aU5Wb_Q

Post by **wesk** » Mon May 08, 2017 10:47 pm

Nice find. It was probably meant to be included in one of the 12V M38A1 overseas contracts IE Saudi units. Where did you find it?

wilfreeman · Post by **wilfreeman** » Mon May 08, 2017 11:21 pm

Maybe so. They must have been stored in a cool, dry and dark place since the materials are still in such good condition. The seller said the other guy's kit had rusty bits in the hardware kit and on the other metal parts, but it wasn't in the original packaging like mine either.

A guy on G503 forums had 2 for sale - I missed the first one but he just happened to have a second! He was located in Wisconsin.

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Tue May 09, 2017 8:58 am

That IS cool Matt, Good On Ya!

oilleaker1 · Post by **oilleaker1** » Tue May 09, 2017 5:43 pm

Nice find! Looks good too. Oilly

TGP · Post by **TGP** » Tue May 09, 2017 8:17 pm

Awesome!!!
Tom

wilfreeman · Post by **wilfreeman** » Tue May 09, 2017 9:31 pm

Thanks guys! I almost bought a set of frames for 2/3 the price of this kit a few months ago - glad I didn't really have the $$$ to spend at the time!

After a night of being installed, the canvas has stretched and is not tight as a drum - I had to tighten the side curtain straps and the door didn't pop open when I turned the handle!

I removed the vertical side curtain rod lug this morning and replaced it with the adjustable bracket that came in the hardware kit. Doing this and plumbing the rod didn't really take the side curtain wrinkle out like I had hoped, but it looks better up close. I think my windshield is bent back a little - causing a little looseness in the top and the rear of the door to sag. Or is this normal and all doors need to be adjusted (bent) to fit the installation?

After looking at the pics, I can't believe how much the canvas has faded! It has only been installed for 5 years and has not really seen much outdoor use!