were all the M38A1 frames

Bill_F · Post by **Bill_F** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:56 am

Who knows why they did but I have seen proof of it with my own two eyes. A very orginal 1955 cj5 same owner since new not boxed on the front but did have the machine gun mount. Maybe they had some extra crossmemebers with the mount already welded on and where short for the cj5 production that day. Anything could have happened. Never say never when a jeep is concerned.

Post by **wesk** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:58 am

And I did not say never.

Whats the serial CJ5 and name of the owner?

Bill_F · Post by **Bill_F** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:59 am

Can you take better photos of the front of the frame? Maybe someone removed the boxing for whatever reason. on the passenger side front can you see any extra welds or marks behind the front crossmember? Maybe it had a battery tray that was removed.

Bill_F · Post by **Bill_F** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:02 am

I dont know the serial number and have the guys name written some where. He came to a car show I bought the m38 to with the cj5 in peterborough NH. Very nice jeep right down to the speedo with willys script on it. I know cj5s as well as I have owned a few and my brother still owns 2. All of us jeep nuts from the MVMVC where all over the thing when it pulled in.

Deadguy · Post by **Deadguy** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:27 am

I just talked to the guy I got the frame from, and he swears up and down it's a M38A1 frame. I'll take some photos and post them later.

Deadguy · Post by **Deadguy** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 1:33 pm

Deadguy · Post by **Deadguy** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 1:58 pm

And the next question i have, is should I box the front of the frame before I install the winch?

53a1 · Post by **53a1** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 4:53 pm

Looking at the weld on the machine gun mount, does it looks pretty clean, ie, perfect bead? From the picture the inside weld looks pretty nice. Not what you would expect from the stick welder they used at the factory. Can't tell for sure.

Post by **wesk** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:59 pm

It's quite possible the jeep frame you have was wrecked and the front was repaired with a replacement pair of CJ5 frame rails.

Yes I would box it to the bumper like it should be before you mount the winch.

Note there is no #3 left tub mount on the A1 frame because the fuel tank well fills that area. A CJ5 frame used for a M38A1 will show evidence of that #3 left tub mount being cut off.