10/53' M38a1 refresh

Beast · Post by **Beast** » Thu Apr 06, 2023 7:41 am

This spring I plan on beginning a refresh of my 53' M38a1. This is the only vehicle in my motorpool that I did not do the restoration on. It was done pretty well by the PO, but there are several things that I plan on improving and correcting. I'll be documenting this on my YouTube channel, Green Iron TV and you are more than welcome to follow along as I go. The first video dealing with the M38a1 is up now and as the weather improves and I can spend more time in the garage, more videos will soon follow.

Here is the first video in the M38a1 series.
https://youtu.be/8XFAyLBf8KA

Pierre · Post by **Pierre** » Thu Apr 06, 2023 12:12 pm

Cool, thanks for sharing Dave

Beast · Post by **Beast** » Fri Apr 14, 2023 9:26 am

Well the warmer spring weather means that it's time to get back to regular military vehicle content on the Green Iron TV channel. We are starting on a re-restoration on our 1953 Jeep M38a1 and this is the first video in that series. In this episode we will be removing the old leaking exhaust manifold and down pipe to get ready for replacement with all new parts from Quarter Ton & Military. So please like, leave a comment and if you haven't already, please subscribe to the channel.

https://youtu.be/Y_L2b71QKNU

Beast · Post by **Beast** » Fri Apr 21, 2023 9:24 am

Friday's mean a new episode of Green Iron TV is dropping. We are on to part 2 of the exhaust manifold replacement on our 1953 M38a1 Jeep where we are getting everything back installed and ready to run. So please take a moment to watch and leave a like, a comment and if you haven't already hit the subscribe button.

Here's the Youtube link;
https://youtu.be/IdcHo05AOhI

And as we continue to work on the 1953 Jeep M38a1. This episode we are replacing the seat bases due to the previous owner using the wrong type of material for them. They used particle board which over time has started to fall apart. We will be swapping that out for good 1/2 plywood which should last for quite sometime. Like always, please take a moment to watch and leave a Like or a comment and if you haven't already, please subscribe to the channel.

https://youtu.be/9XTVh-EbTJw

Beast · Post by **Beast** » Tue May 02, 2023 10:07 am

Finished up working on the rest of the exhaust system, replacing the extension pipe and muffler and hangers all with new parts. The exhaust system is now all up to spec. and looks and sounds good.

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Tue May 02, 2023 1:06 pm

I also used 1/2-inch plywood pans under my foam seat bottom cushions.
I installed 4 T-nuts on each pan to match the frame holes, then generously "painted" them overall with a 50-50 mix of turpentine and linseed oil.
After letting them air dry for a couple of days I painted them OD.
Might've been overkill, but I bet they outlast me.

Beast · Post by **Beast** » Tue May 02, 2023 3:10 pm

RonD2 wrote:I also used 1/2-inch plywood pans under my foam seat bottom cushions.
I installed 4 T-nuts on each pan to match the frame holes, then generously "painted" them overall with a 50-50 mix of turpentine and linseed oil.
After letting them air dry for a couple of days I painted them OD.
Might've been overkill, but I bet they outlast me.

Yep, I only used 2 T-nuts each, because that's just what I had and didn't feel like running back out the hardware store. I thought about painting them, but figured it would be a waste as no one would ever see the undersides anyway.

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Tue May 02, 2023 4:42 pm

It never occurred to me that nobody (but me) would ever see the undersides of my seats.

I treated and painted them mostly because I was thinking this is an "exterior" application --- subject to moisture, humidity, temp changes, termites --- I was after preservation against rot.
Plywood isn't cheap any more.

Plywood seat pans don't fall into the "restoration" category --- I know they aren't authentic to the M38 or M38A1, so I'm just guessing the Army probably would've treated and/or painted them if they were?

Since you asked for comments on your videos, I'm enjoying them but don't "subscribe" to YT so can't make comments over there. So if ok I'll give some here?
Best intentions.....

More and better lighting and camera angles! Nobody can see what you're doing in a lot of dark shots --- nobody can see when your back and arms are blocking the camera.

Stop the finger-wagging and pointing at your audience (it's repetitive and annoying --- same for thumping the box repeatedly on the "open the box of exhaust parts video").
Suggest maybe grab a tool or put your hands in your pockets instead?

Smile once in a while when on camera! Tell us an interesting jeep story while you work. Look like you enjoy what you're doing and why we should.

Using anti-seize on exhaust system bolts is a good thing.

Good luck with the YT channel!

Beast · Post by **Beast** » Wed May 03, 2023 8:13 am

RonD2 wrote:It never occurred to me that nobody (but me) would ever see the undersides of my seats.

I treated and painted them mostly because I was thinking this is an "exterior" application --- subject to moisture, humidity, temp changes, termites --- I was after preservation against rot.
Plywood isn't cheap any more. Plywood seat pans don't fall into the "restoration" category --- I know they aren't authentic to the M38 or M38A1, so I'm just guessing the Army probably would've treated and/or painted them if they were?

Since you asked for comments on your videos, I'm enjoying them but don't "subscribe" to YT so can't make comments over there. So if ok I'll give some here?
Best intentions.....

More and better lighting and camera angles! Nobody can see what you're doing in a lot of dark shots --- nobody can see when your back and arms are blocking the camera.

Stop the finger-wagging and pointing at your audience (it's repetitive and annoying --- same for thumping the box repeatedly on the "open the box of exhaust parts video").
Suggest maybe grab a tool or put your hands in your pockets instead?

Smile once in a while when on camera! Tell us an interesting jeep story while you work. Look like you enjoy what you're doing and why we should.

Using anti-seize on exhaust system bolts is a good thing.

Good luck with the YT channel!

Thanks, I'm just starting out in this and learning as I go. It can be hard to stay out of blocking the shot. I'll set up the camera at what I think is a good angle and start working trying to be aware of where the camera is, but sometimes you don't realize that you've moved into the shot until after you are finished and reviewing the footage. And at that point I'm not going to go back and take things apart to refilm it.

whydahdvr · Post by **whydahdvr** » Wed May 03, 2023 9:39 am

Camera shots, angles, etc.:

I used to work in the movie industry - special effects, video filming, and stunt work. Try planning out your shoot in advance. Use story boards and test angles, shots, lighting, etc. in advance to see what works, what doesn't, and what you do unconsciously that could distract from the story you're telling. The storyboards will help you with planning out what you're doing, the transitions, placing the camera and lighting for the shots - all that jazz.

Editing is where all movies, videos, etc. are made or lost. Take a lot of extra "footage" and then take the time to piece everything together when you're editing, before you post it to YouTube or anywhere else. That will make it a more polished and professional product and more watcher/user friendly.

I've seen YT videos that post in the information block important points - a video timestamp for any shots or information you want to particularly call out or that may be extra useful to viewers.

Good luck!
JJB

Beast · Post by **Beast** » Fri May 12, 2023 8:37 am

Friday's are for Green Iron TV. And today we are working on remounting the big radio in the 53' M38a1 on some proper wood spacers. We will show you how to cut and make the spacers so that they fit over the ribs in the wheelwells. And like always please take a moment to watch our episodes and if you could please leave a Like and a Comment on the videos and if you haven't already, please hit the subscribe button.

https://youtu.be/jQE6yDgBjqg

Post by **wesk** » Fri May 12, 2023 8:24 pm

Can you post closeup photos of each radio units data plates? Or list their make/model/PN. Also the data plate on the mounting plate.

Beast · Post by **Beast** » Sat May 13, 2023 7:37 am

wesk wrote:Can you post closeup photos of each radio units data plates? Or list their make/model/PN. Also the data plate on the mounting plate.

No Problem, I bought this radio set as a working unit form John at Midwest Military several years ago.

Beast · Post by **Beast** » Fri May 19, 2023 8:50 am

Friday brings another episode of Green Iron TV, and this week we are getting all the military trucks prepared for the upcoming Memorial Day parades. We are doing a little PMSC on all the vehicles. Like always, please take a moment to like, comment, and subscribe to the channel if you can.

https://youtu.be/583c922PTuI

Beast · Post by **Beast** » Fri May 26, 2023 7:59 am

Just in time for Memorial Day, we take a trip down to Findlay Ohio for the Armed Forces Day Celebration Military Show and Swap Meet. So sit back and enjoy all the Green Iron as we walk through the show. and like always, please take a moment to leave a like, a comment, and if you haven't already, please subscribe for all the Green Iron action.

https://youtu.be/Kar-lCqWGZo