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There is a bracket G244-77-26808, WO 801460 where the spare #85 ignition switch wire is stowed on the M38, M38A1 and M37. This must provide an isolated mount for the wire since it is hot when the switch is "on". However the same bracket 7726808 is also used to ground the reel light on the M170 ambulance. Can someone explain? It may have to do with another un-illustrated piece G244-77-26804: "Bracket connector (circuit closure cap)". It obviously very important that the stowage of the #85 ignition switch wire is done so that it won't short out. How is this accomplished?

There is at least one on sale on eBay or was. A rough takeout.
It's a Douglas connector so simply installing the sleeve between
the two connectors without a corresponding male terminal and
wire on the mount side should insulate it. The rubber grommet is
probably needed to prevent slack or looseness in the connection.

Take care,

Here you go;
http://m.ebay.com/itm/Military-Jeep-Wil ... iid%253A22

I have NOS brackets and it is very dicey to depend on these brackets to provide an isolated storage location for the #85 wire. Even with a bakelite connector in place (required to join the connectors) the clearance seems minimal between the stub in the bracket and the metal core of the connector.

I believe that special connector is used as a ground connector, as on the M170 reel light. It has a bullet connector inside and you use the sleeve to connect the two metal connectors. The rubber grommet is for waterproofing as found on regular douglas connections. A connection must be made between theG244-77-26804 connector and the regular douglas connector on the wire or no grounding will happen. I have found the bullet in the ground connector to be shorter than a regular one and have had to ground down the sleeve a bit on that side to make a good connection. Perhaps not using the sleeve will accomplish the safe storage of a hot wire but as noted above the connection isn't secure without the sleeve.

Where would this ground connector be placed on the gauge panel? Again, a part probably most M38 owners are not aware of. I never knew it was used.

Hi Gary,
I think it was attached to the guard panel that sits under the gauge panel. On the originals there is a hole not found on the reproductions.

It might be possible to substitute a sleeve from a Packard connector. It is pretty easy to remove the internal connector from the Packard sleeve.

Let me emphasize: a bracket like this is used for 2 completely different purposes. For the M170 reel lite it acts as a place to ground the light. But for M38, M37 and M38A1 it is used as a isolated storage location for the "hot" #85 wire on the original ignition switches. The #85 wire was available as a source of power for various accessories when the ignition switch was turned on. It is critical that the bracket in this case not be grounded otherwise you'll guarantee a dashboard fire when you turn on the ignition switch. That being said, very few vehicles are still using an original ignition switch with the #85 "4th wire". Those that are probably just have it taped over and dangling in the dash area. On the M38 the bracket was attached with a sheet metal screw to the left lower corner of the dashboard guard panel. I'm not sure about the M38A1 or M37.... Brian

what holds the #85 and "Bracket connector (circuit closure cap) together? Putting a sleeve in would increase risk of shorting out #85. Seems something is missing here!

Gary,
You are just twisting a male and female Douglas connector together.
The two rubber grommets and the sleeve provide enough resistance to
keep the two connectors together. A wire (85) and terminal on one end
and no wire or terminal on the panel end prevent a short.

Just take two Douglas connectors and attach them using the sleeve and
the two rubber grommets without any wire. It should be tight.

there is a bullet terminal in the "Bracket connector (circuit closure cap)".

Brian,

It may have to do with another un-illustrated piece G244-77-26804: "Bracket connector (circuit closure cap)"

7726808 is the entire assy, bracket, grommet, shell, & terminal. 7726804 is only the small bracket that bolts to the body. What is missing in these parts manuals is the blank or dummy type 573000 connector which would have no conductor in it.

digging deeper, I looked at my gauge panel guard and did not see any open hole in the guard for a sheet metal screw to hold this connector. I have attached two pictures: one from Wes and the other from a poster in the forums.

Wes picture is of an original and I can't decide whether there is a hole with a wire in it on the left side or not. The repo is similar to what I have on my m38, and what is pictured in Ryan's book. I believe mine is original also. Under the lip of the dash there is a hole but there is no hole in the guard at that point. The hole is closer to the right side of the plate mount and looks to far away for wire #85 to reach.

Exactly where is this hole to attach this connector? Was the left mounting screw used?

Could this be only found on early M38's and the hole removed?

John is selling a very nice piece but it does not have the hole.
Let me see if I can dig up a photo.

I hope this link still works:
http://m.ebay.com/itm/Ford-GPW-Jeep-CJ2 ... HING_ENDED

thats an awfully big sheet metal screw hole. That can't possibly be for a screw to hold that small connector! Also, it appears some guards have no hole.

Maybe time for other m38 owners to let us know whats on their jeep, but this request doesn't always get results.