M38 Front Frame Specs

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Sun Oct 04, 2020 12:09 pm

It never ceases to amaze me the ridiculous amount of damage PO’s inflict on these vehicles.

They were designed from the factory for winch installations. It probably would have been faster and easier to fab a mounting plate to bolt to the frame as intended than go through all that guy did.

Just....wow.

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Sun Oct 04, 2020 2:15 pm

Hi Ryan,
If I understand your lines on the photo correctly, and going from left to right (as they aren't labeled), here are the measurements from my frame:

First is 3-3/16 inch
Second is 2-3/4 inch
Third is 3-3/8 inch
Fourth is 1-1/2 inch (3/8 bolt holes, center to center)

I didn't take a measurement for the far right (fifth) yellow line as I don't understand what dimension you want. I also don't understand the other photo view you wanted -- the photos Wes provided seem to be what you asked for "a side view looking inward of the frame".

Let me know if there's anything else you need.

Post by **wesk** » Sun Oct 04, 2020 3:30 pm

Let's see if this can help us get on the same page:

Ron, He was asking for 6 dimensions plus bolt hole ID's. Perhaps you can now edit list from numerals to letters?

JeepFregia · Post by **JeepFregia** » Sun Oct 04, 2020 4:06 pm

I am sorry Ron, I should of had that picture labeled ALOT better. And if you don’t mind please edit your post with the picture that Wes updated.

And thank you Wes for doing that and clarifying my post.

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Sun Oct 04, 2020 4:32 pm

No worries Ryan. I was hoping Wes would do exactly what he did to help clarify it (Thanks Wes!).

This is what I have:

A ---> 3-3/16 inch
B ---> 2-3/4 inch
C ---> 1 to 1-1/8 inch
D ---> 1-1/8 inch
E ---> 3-3/8 inch
F ---> 1-1/2 inch
G ---> 1 to 1-1/8 inch

C and G are difficult to measure accurately due to a judgement call on where the center of the radius actually is (it's not a sharp radius). Having the Willys engineering drawing would be better information (and would probably answer all dimensions exactly). My frame is in nice shape, but not nearly as beautiful as the one in the photo.

I didn't measure the hole diameter for the two 3/8 bolt holes as mine are slightly wallowed. I looked up the machinist reference for normal clearance hole size on a 3/8-inch bolt and it's 13/32 (.406).

I hope this helps. If there's anything else I can do, please give me a shout. Good luck!

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Sun Oct 04, 2020 5:04 pm

Ryan,
I wanted to add something I observed on one of your photos about the piece represented by the dimension "A".

Your photo shows a single bolt hole located towards the top of that piece. I believe it's incorrectly located. On mine, that bolt hole is centered both vertically and horizontally on the piece. It's also for a 3/8 size bolt like the other two that are used to actually bolt the front bumper to the frame on each side. It can also be clearly seen centered there in one of the other photos that Wes provided.

Hope this helps.

JeepFregia · Post by **JeepFregia** » Mon Oct 05, 2020 2:55 pm

Thanks Ron for updating that photo! There is one thing I would like to ask of you. If you still have the bumper off of yours could you take a picture of that part of the frame from a downward angle looking inward? I assume that the top and outside side part are connected, but just want to make sure. Below is an example of the view I am looking for, but a just a little more of a downward angle.

Also, on the front 3/8 bolt hole. That is the original hole its just that the top part of that face had been cut down and I may have gotten a little too close to it with the torch!!

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Mon Oct 05, 2020 4:45 pm

Ryan,
I'd be glad to take that photo, but not real clear about what angle you want.

A suggestion.....if you take a photo of yours in the view you want to see and post it, then I can duplicate it for you with a photo of mine. Suggest you zoom in to show only what you want to see (better detail).

Will that work for you?

JeepFregia · Post by **JeepFregia** » Mon Oct 05, 2020 5:36 pm

Absolutely. I will get that posted tomorrow afternoon.

JeepFregia · Post by **JeepFregia** » Wed Oct 07, 2020 5:57 am

Ron,

Here is the photo I am looking for. It is taken from the right side.

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RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Thu Oct 08, 2020 4:10 pm

Hi Ryan,
Thanks for posting your example angle. Sorry for the delay. Here's mine, both right and left. I hope the angle is what you're looking for.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do. Good luck!

Post by **wesk** » Thu Oct 08, 2020 5:36 pm

Is that your state DMV assigned VIN for your M38 on that tag in your top photo?

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Thu Oct 08, 2020 6:06 pm

It is. Right where they told me to put it. I used one existing hole to rivet it, and drilled the other hole (painful). I'm not too happy with it, but it got my title and registration issued.

I've been thinking about a more elegant solution, but will have to write DMV for permission. I'd like to relocate it and stamp the VIN on my blank patent plate on the passenger wheel well. And weld up the bogus rivet hole in the frame.

Incidentally, on your advice, I used the last 5 digits of the VIN to make my hood registration number 20932721. Figured it would be obvious to anybody educated in M38 that it's contrived and not real. I think that number coincidentally put it in the 1951 production range, which is ok with me because it doesn't look too much out of place. Titled and registered as a 1951 Willys MC M38.