M38A1 wiring harness wrong.

Willys Overland M series service/parts/vehicles wanted.

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mydadsjeep
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M38A1 wiring harness wrong.

Post by mydadsjeep »

I recently bought a wiring harness from Kaiser Willy's and it took about 3 months to get it. I got a call from the guy putting it in my jeep and he stated the harness has male ends that connect to the male end on the headlights. (pic 1) Is there a workaround to fix this or just connect them and leave the covers taped over?
Also, the wiring harness didn't send any wiring connectors (pic 2) Should they have sent those? One wire they did not include was the main wire to the generator and not sure if that is something I need to get separately. Currently, I brushed off the loose old covering and taped it up pretty well (pic 3).
Lastly, the main switch got fried ( pic 4 and 5), does anyone know a good place to get a NOS one?

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4x4M38
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Post by 4x4M38 »

There is a sleeve that goes between the metal shell connectors that the male pins go in from each side. I don’t see any.

As far as the main light switch. If what I see is what has burned up, you are in luck. That is the main power switch not the light switch.

Much easier and cheaper to find.
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mydadsjeep
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Post by mydadsjeep »

In the last two pictures, the main switch, I looked at the kiaser willy catalog and didn't see one. Do they carry them or just not on the site? I'll call Monday but what is the tech name for it?
And it is an assembly or buy the whole thing>
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Kendall
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Post by Kendall »

IMO why don't you go to parts suppliers who specialize in military parts for your military jeep? There are a number of them out there who have what you need.
1951 M38
1952 M38
1952 M38A1
1942 Dodge WC-55
1951 M100 trailer
1942 Ben Hur trailer
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wesk
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Post by wesk »

I took the liberty of correctly linking your photos to an accessible by the public link and sandwiched each link inside a pair of these ( Image ) as they should be.

That switch is actually called an ignition switch.

I have always ordered a new harness directly from the Harness builder in the northeast US and skipped all the dealer middle men. There are plenty of spare Douglass connectors on the market and the method to change them is here on our downloads pages.
Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100

Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... _album.php
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mydadsjeep
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Post by mydadsjeep »

Wiring the jeep, there are two wires that go into the steering box. There was no information on what they are actually for? Not turn signals or pressure gauges?
Looking for gromlets that go through the firewall for the wires. Anyone have them or a go place to get them>
RonD2
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Post by RonD2 »

The 2 wires coming out of the bottom of the steering box are the horn switch.

You really should download a free copy of the tech manuals.
They include wiring diagrams. And a lot of other useful information.
Last edited by RonD2 on Sun May 08, 2022 6:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Ron D.
1951 M38 Unknown Serial Number
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“The only good sports car that America ever made was the Jeep."
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4x4M38
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Post by 4x4M38 »

Grommets can be found in the US at hardware and auto parts stores.

The waterproof wiring is not dependent on the grommets. You can get the dimensions from the manuals available online, or just buy grommets that fit the different holes in your firewall. The internal diameter only needs to be big enough for the wires and connectors to pass through.
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Post by RonD2 »

Erik sells the ignition switch here: https://eriksmilitarysurplus.com/igswformvems.html
You’ll have to make Packard to Douglas adapters to mate to the M38 harness.
I’ve never seen new or NOS ignition switches with Douglas connectors (doesn’t mean there aren’t any to be had).
With patience you might find one, or a good used take-off.

Here’s a set of ready-made M38 grommets: https://www.armyjeepparts.com/p-1220-ma ... -0020.aspx
Like Brian said, likely a lot cheaper if you get them from your local hardware store.

Your best bet for military and M38 parts isn’t KW. It’s MWM, AJP, BMJP, DeBella, and QTM.

Good luck!
Ron D.
1951 M38 Unknown Serial Number
1951 M100 Dunbar Kapple 01169903 dod 5-51

“The only good sports car that America ever made was the Jeep."
--- Enzo Ferrari

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4x4M38
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Post by 4x4M38 »

RonD2
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Post by RonD2 »

Gotta wonder if he got what he needed.
Ron D.
1951 M38 Unknown Serial Number
1951 M100 Dunbar Kapple 01169903 dod 5-51

“The only good sports car that America ever made was the Jeep."
--- Enzo Ferrari

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G740
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Post by G740 »

Midwest Military has everything you need to fix your current problems including tech help that knows how it should be. Ring us for assistance.
John
www.midwestmilitary.com
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