willysmjeeps.com

Hi All,
Did any of the later M38a1 jeeps come with tailgates?



Since your question was of a technical nature and offered nothing "For Sale" I moved it from the "For Sale" board to this Technical Board.

No. All the 1952 thru 1971 US & Canadian built M38A1's came with NO tailgate.

Of course the military did test a tailgate kit in 1953, so there was at least one out there.....

This of course would be an M38A1 delivered by Willys without a tailgate then modified and tested in the field at the Army's Aberdeen Proving Ground.

Bubba also did a few,I'm sure. Seen one on ebay, Bubba was real proud,claimed it improved the vehicle, and of course he wanted more money. It was not very pretty looking.

That APG vehicle would be an interesting unit to do, though. Looks like you have all the necessary markings.

I can see it now when it shows up at a meet.

“Never had one.”

“Here’s a pic....”

As has been said, a period photo trumps nearly everything else.

Interesting photo. Standard civvy tailgate.
No reflector right side, obvious dents and dings here and there.

Thanks for sharing Wes. Any more of this unit?

Do you think they used a CJ5 or M38 surround?

Sorry Bob! I see now it was your photo!!

Here's the story I got from the seller.
He said his cousin had got it from a base in Oregon. It was 24volt he changed it to 12V. It had a windshield that had a slot down the middle and he chanced it to a 1 piece. Also on the id plate it say's M38A1C. I posted it over on another site, looks as if it would have had a cannon on it at one time.

Where is Bob's Photo Brian is commenting on?

Thanks to Bob W for the photo. I suspect Bob has the report that went with it...

I also suspect the engineering/testing of the Tailgate was related to later use on the MD-A/M170 Ambulance.

The M38A1C body modification details are detailed on the TACOM drawings that are in the MVPA archive. As I recall the body mods were done after the Jeeps left the factory. Maybe I'm wrong. I just don't recall seeing any Willys or Kaiser drawing number references on the TACOM drawings.

interesting that its described as a kit install

Yes Keith, the majority of the M38A1C conversions were done at the Army's Albany Depot.

That A1C would me much more valiuable restored as such.