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Full floating rear axels
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 2:23 pm
by Shopman
How many M38 jeeps were equipped with the full floating rear axels ??
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 5:07 pm
by wesk
Only the 6 prototypes SN MC10001 thru MC10006 had the full floating Spice 23-2 in the rear. Then the semi-floater 41 and 44 showed up for regular production.
Full floating rear axles.
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 9:24 pm
by billybob
My Feb 52 M38 Serial # 53623 has a full floating rear axle. Both front and rear axles are GPW.
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 9:53 pm
by wesk
BillyBob,
Trust me, she did not leave Willys with those axles!
Full floating rear axles.
Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 6:09 am
by billybob
Wes, I certainly won't disagree with you. Funny thing is my grandson has a barn find 51 M38, #43889 and it too has the full floating rear axle. Why they are that way we'll probably never know. I have no idea if either one has ever been overseas.
Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 8:51 am
by wesk
Why they are that way is really simple. Supply & demand. In the 50's after Korea the surplus market was flooded with Spicer 23-2 floaters. As the m38's were surplused out these were easier to find then 44's. Keep in mind that the civilian jeep by 1960 was terrorizing the western US and they were eating up all the 44 axles so the M38 owners settled for the cheaper 23-2 floaters. Also the salvage yards had many more salvage early CJ2A floaters then 44's around that period.
Full floating rear axles.
Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 12:50 pm
by billybob
Thanks Wes. I remember you telling me that before but I lost it somewhere.