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I have a 64 mc a1, but need to get a new frame. I've found a few of the later model w/ front radiator bolt mounting. Whats throwing me under my front support cross member that radiator bolts to are reinforcement plates. They are welded on and it looks factory. Is this only found on the 60's run ? or just put there by someone else ? In the link, the last 3 pics show the supports, They are just big one piece semi triangles of steel bent and welded in. one for each side.
http://imgur.com/a/wNoeZ[/img]

Saberr,

To answer your question, some later frames have those added reinforcement gussets. A M38A1 built from 1954 on would not have the hinged mount radiator grill.


Here's a late A1 frame with the gussets


Here's one without

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Here's a late A1 frame

Cool. Now, i have a 52 frame i'm thinking of getting (close to me), mine is more butchered than original thought. Was thinking of getting the 52, and welding on the radiator mount from the 64. Are the gussets just welded on as well ? Hope to cut them off and weld on to 52. Of course halve to cut 52 hinges off, and extend the front right mount as well. It seems impossible to find a late frame in southern California. All are around 7.5 + hours one way away, and there expensive. If i drove or had it shipped, it would cost as much or more than frame . avrg price is$ 540 + in cali, and 52 i can get is a quarter that. Would those mods work to bring it to a 64 ? Of course id be switching with my 64 bumpers as well.

If a fellow tries hard enough he can make a VW look like a Lincoln!

There were three A1 Frames. 52/53, 54/? and ?/71.

The first frame has the radiator hinge brackets bolted to it and a large hole in each rail where the winch would sit.. The second frame has only the holes for the brackets and very small holes on each side of the frame & the radiator mount. Third frame has no radiator/grill hinge holes but still has small holes on each side of the frtame where the winch mounts.

.
52/53 frame


54/? frame


Third frame ?/71

AWWA DANG NABIT. Didn't realize those differences, and mine is definitely the last one. Back to searching i go....

ok, so the 54 will work great, just weld the top two grill mount holes closed. Looks like the boxing and rest is same as 64.

Is it still legit latter frame if you take a 52 and fill the big boxing hole in and drill the middle hole. Also weld shut the grill mount hole. Just weld on a latter model boltmount on the front crossmember ? Asking becouse having hard time and only finding 52 frames.

Not sure what you are asking when you say:

"Is it still legit latter frame"

If you do all that welding it will only be a 1952 frame welded up to approximate a 1964 frame. There will always be someone smart enough to detect the make over. If it's a show quality restoration you want you will have to find a late frame. Or since you seem to embrace a lot of welding why not rebuild your original frame?

If the jeep is not being built to show but is a driver then do what you wish.

OK, so there is no way to make it pass as a 64 ever for show. Not planning show, motorpool, but it would irritate me on the inside if it's not correct, or could be made correct.

My understanding is if its motor pool class, as long as you can make a sane argument for the Army replacing the frame on a 64 jeep with a 52, due to whatever reason, you would be ok.

Wes, correct me if I'm wrong.

I think you are making a whole lot of work for yourself.

Just my two cents.....

Saberr,
I'm with you---if it's a 64 I would want the unique parts that makes it a 64 M38Al. I have a 62 M38A1 and some of the parts I need are unique to the late model A1s. Lucky for us, there were many of these vehicles made and many scraped by the military. I would do some old fashion detective work and start searching the internet for surplus dealers and see if they have a late model frame, or parts of one. It may take a while, but there is one somewhere. Unlike yesteryear, you can get a picture of what they have sent to you with little problem without having to drive a long distance just on the hope they have what you want. Lastly, be prepared to drive to wherever you need, and buy more than just a frame--it may have other parts still bolted on it.

Keep us posted!!

Harold, As Saberr said in his original post he is not willing to pay the price in shipping for the correct frame. He has left himself with few alternatives.

Where are you, Saberr?

I am down between San Diego and and LA in California (more San Diego). I am willing to go pick up or pay for shipping if the price is right. The cheapest i have found ends up at $1000 for JUST the frame. That's if i go drive or it's shipped down. I have found 2 whole 64's, one for 2000 another for 2500, both within 2 hours drive of me. It just kills me when i can get 51/52 frames for 250 all day, and a 53-71 jumps up to 1000. I am in a bad place, so cal for old parts. 96 and newer is what our remaining yards have, and we have no government surplus places down here. All that stuff is in middle CA, the tower park is 8 hours 1 way, and 889 mi round trip (my truck gets 10 mpg). 445 I would love to find one with anything attached .

That's why I'm asking. Maybe something is closer, and maybe
somebody can meet you.