M38 ID

[slambert]

How can I tell the year of my M38 if the ID plate is missing and I have no paperwork?

[wesk]

Are both the dash and right rear wheel house data plates gone?


They are often covered with several coats of paint and hard to see.

[TomM]

If the plate behind the drivers seat is gone you might see other clues that can at least come close to telling you the what it might be.
Does your dash have one big hole between the instruments and glove compartment?
Are there 4 small holes drilled in the passenger side step?
Do your front lifting shackle brackets sit on the bumper or are they bolted to the frame behind the bumper?
What do you see for the remains of a venting system? Is it early or late style? - closed/sealed bellhousing or open?
Does your light switch have one or two connectors on it?
Have you found an engine serial number on the horizontal flat behind the water pump?
Do you have an early steering gear or later steering gear?


Many items may have been changed through the service life of the jeep so the more clues you can find the better you can take a swag at the date.
There are no secret stampings of serial number on the frame or body. The numbers to find that will pinpoint your s/n and DOD are the dash plates and the plate behind the passenger seat. If you have one of the few with the original motor the configuration of the engine and bellhousing will at narrow things down to a good estimate.

[78670]

TomM, you asked if there are 4 holes on the passenger side step, mine has the holes and I've always wondered what they are for, can you advise? My M38 has a delivery date of 3/53 with the number 56989.
Thanks, Ron

[wesk]

They are for mounting the gas heater kit's fuel pump. Early M38's did not have them.

[wesk]

Slambert,
Are you still with us?

[TomM]

78670
The gas fired heater Wes noted is the powerplant heater. There may be tech notes here:
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... ic&p=11072

On a cold weather prepared M38 there were three add-on kits that were added. Arctic hard top, personnel heater, powerplant heater.
The powerplant heater mounted under the passenger floorboards. You will see a removable plate where the passenger feet normally are. This flat plate was replaced by a bulged in plate that cut floor space in the cab but allowed a gas-fired heater to mound under. There were components bolted under the tub step (4 holes) and to the fender. The exhaust from the heater was directed around the engine oil pan to warm the engine. There were also hot water heating outlets that circulated hot water to warm the battery compartments.
Tom