willysmjeeps.com

.....another date stamp on my Johnny Cash M38A-1 to go along with the 1953 casting date on the T-90A transmission. This one is 2-15-1946 and is located on the front axle differential case. Guess this supports the case that Mr. Knettles made that my axles with nuts on the ends are from an earlier year model. Thank god so many of the parts from a '46 Dana 25 axle are interchangable with a '55 Dana 25 axle or I'd have been really messed up on ordering replacement parts.

Jim

Jim,

Unless you are trying to do an exact show grade restoration , then I would keep plugging at her.

You ca always look for the original stuff later if you decide to go that route.

Sometimes finding correct parts can take a long time of searching and wear you down. Being able to drive the vehicle once in a while can keep your spirits up.

I will for sure have a better appreciation of those folks who do choose to do show grade restorations.......but for me this is just an exercise in bringing an older vehicle back to servicability. And I'm far from being discouraged. In fact I kinda like this mechanical archeology and the mystery of trying to figure out why something is differnt then expected. That plus the satisfaction of knowing I'm not part of that temporary, throw-away society we American's seem to be known for. Mind you...I'll be dead broke by the time I get through...but I will have a drivable jeep when this is all over!! I look at it this way.....maybe if I fix up this '46 axle today and keep it properly serviced, tomorrow when one of those guys seriously needs an axle ot this type to make their vehicle proper, I will be able to work a deal to swap them for a correct axle for my jeep. I haven't had this much fun since I took apart the lawn mower.....uh....at least until my dad found out about it!!!

Jim