M38A1 noob with lots of questions...
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 12:50 pm
Yeap…looks like I have joined the M38A1 club…I am finalizing a purchase of a 1952 M38A1 with 26,000 miles and have some questions for you guys.
From what I can gather it was sold or given to a fire fighting unit at some point by the ARMY and painted red. It was then purchased at auction and resold when the current owner sanded it down and painted it back to a green color.
It appears to have all the original data plates including the one behind the seat which I thought was pretty cool since they are usually missing.
The tub has only light surface rust under it except for a small part of the hat channel near the edge of the tub has been hit by some cancer. I plan to cut this out and weld part of a new bracket in its place.
It is still has the original 24 volt system and components, it runs and drives. Though some of the gauges don’t work, but I can fix em I am sure.
Overall it looks like the fire unit that had it took decent care of it.
Here is a list of what it is missing that I would like to purchase.
Right rear bumperette
Rear spare tire carrier and spare tire
Fender mounted black out light and guard
Rear seat
Canvas and doors.
New 24 bulbs for the right rear marker light
&
M38A1 Stencil kit from http://www.militarystencils.com/
My current priorities are:
1. M38A1 Stencil kit from http://www.militarystencils.com/ (in Texas you can use the vehicle markings as your license plate!)
2. New 24 volt bulbs for right rear marker light
3. Right rear bumperette
4. Rear spare tire carrier and spare tire.
5. Fender mounted black out light and guard
I have seen the following parts at http://www.debellajeepparts.com/
WO-800078 Bumperette, rear $35.00 R.
&
M38A1 Spare Tire Carrier with mounting hardware $125
Are they a decent place to order from?
I wonder if it would be cheaper if I looked for a used bumperette and spare tire carrier?
Also what is a good place to find the bulbs I need?
Also I want put some unique unit markings on my jeep. I would like to put marking associated with Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA). I have always had a thing for the early cold war missiles. Is their a listing out there of appropriate markings for the bumpers on my M38A1 for this agency?
From what I can gather it was sold or given to a fire fighting unit at some point by the ARMY and painted red. It was then purchased at auction and resold when the current owner sanded it down and painted it back to a green color.
It appears to have all the original data plates including the one behind the seat which I thought was pretty cool since they are usually missing.
The tub has only light surface rust under it except for a small part of the hat channel near the edge of the tub has been hit by some cancer. I plan to cut this out and weld part of a new bracket in its place.
It is still has the original 24 volt system and components, it runs and drives. Though some of the gauges don’t work, but I can fix em I am sure.
Overall it looks like the fire unit that had it took decent care of it.
Here is a list of what it is missing that I would like to purchase.
Right rear bumperette
Rear spare tire carrier and spare tire
Fender mounted black out light and guard
Rear seat
Canvas and doors.
New 24 bulbs for the right rear marker light
&
M38A1 Stencil kit from http://www.militarystencils.com/
My current priorities are:
1. M38A1 Stencil kit from http://www.militarystencils.com/ (in Texas you can use the vehicle markings as your license plate!)
2. New 24 volt bulbs for right rear marker light
3. Right rear bumperette
4. Rear spare tire carrier and spare tire.
5. Fender mounted black out light and guard
I have seen the following parts at http://www.debellajeepparts.com/
WO-800078 Bumperette, rear $35.00 R.
&
M38A1 Spare Tire Carrier with mounting hardware $125
Are they a decent place to order from?
I wonder if it would be cheaper if I looked for a used bumperette and spare tire carrier?
Also what is a good place to find the bulbs I need?
Also I want put some unique unit markings on my jeep. I would like to put marking associated with Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA). I have always had a thing for the early cold war missiles. Is their a listing out there of appropriate markings for the bumpers on my M38A1 for this agency?
