willysmjeeps.com

Hi. I just came across a couple of posts that mention USMC having put underseal on their jeeps. Can anyone confirm this would have been the case for late production - 6/52 - M38? My M38 had underseal which I had assumed was a civilian application but maybe it was a USMC Jeep?

The undercoating was painted on all M38A1's both on processing of new vehicles thru the Marine Corp Vehicle Depots or the recycling of other service's M38A1's that transferred to the the USMC thru the Marine Vehicle Depots. The new USMC units from about 1957 on came with positraction Diffs as well. The recycled units from other services had the positraction and undercoating and special front and rear tie downs installed at the USMC Vehicle Depots.

Thx Wes. Can you confirm if this process was the same on M38’s? My June 1952 M38 had underseal and I’m trying to work out if it may have been a USMC M38 with original underseal.

Undercoating on the M38 was performed by the USMC in the field and their depots. Where did you pick up on the term "underseal"? I've had undercoated cars since the late 50's and this is the first time I have ever heard that term used to describe undercoating!

I’m British...

Are there any other additions / changes that might identify it as a USMC vehicle? I didn’t find a hood number but it does have TP25 stencils in white on the fenders.

For what it is worth....my 8/51 MC29749 USMC M38 has undercoating that appears to be applied to the original factory paint then painted USMC green over the undercoating in places. I can send pictures of the hood numbers and unit markings if desired. The jeep is unrestored and retained many of the warning labels. The open slowly is stenciled in red and the hood numbers and other markings are yellow.

Thx Brian. Pics would be great! PM me and I’ll give you my email address.

Are there any other additions / changes that might identify it as a USMC vehicle?

Positraction diffs, the special rear and front crossmember lifting shackle kit and the USMC titled lower left dash plate.

Thx Wes. Mine is not USMC then.