USMC M38A1 Decal On Dash

madmike · Post by **madmike** » Tue Sep 21, 2010 12:23 pm

In removing OD paint from the dash I discovered a decal that is not in the manual and that has not been discussed before. It is located vertically on the right side of the instrument cluster in line with the shift levers. It is 6 3/8 long x 1 3/4 wide and is the same yellow with black script as the other decals. It reads; Four Wheel Drive, (next line is two arrows pointing both directions) then Out on the left (upper) side of the label and In on the right (down) side. The next three lines read Do Not Operate Front Axle, Throwout Lever While, Machine Is In Motion.

Has anyone seen this or know if it is reproduced? I checked with John at MWM and has not seen this on any military or civilian vehicle. It is applied over the USMC green paint and by the way, the long decal telling you the bell housing drain plug is located in the glove box is located above the instrument cluster rather than on the lower windshield frame. Also, my oil filter cap had a rectangular decal, not the curved one we commonly see. The cannister also had a rectangular decal. I was unable to read either one.

I have a digital picture of the dash the wife took but SHE would need to post it and I hate to admit my inability to do that but will suck it up if anyone needs to see where and how this decal re: four wheel drive is located.

Post by **wesk** » Tue Sep 21, 2010 10:28 pm

Mike,
Suck it up! Let her load it.

Use this link for your own photo album:

http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... _album.php

Claudio · Post by **Claudio** » Wed Sep 22, 2010 8:46 pm

I also would like to see how this decal looks like. I am also finding ways to discover what decal has it been originally applied on the dash of my M606A3 radio jeep. Unlike this declal from Mike's vehicle (vertical rectangular), mine is also rectangular, but mainly horizontally placed.

madmike · Post by **madmike** » Fri Sep 24, 2010 11:21 am

Well I don't have to suck it up too much because she could not post the pictures either. Wes...with the link you sent me, I got to the album but nothing we highlite allows us to post the pictures. Do I need to send them to you and then you post? I'm used to opening a file and then going to another file to transfer data. Is that how this works?

Mike

Post by **wesk** » Fri Sep 24, 2010 2:46 pm

When you open your album there's a little white box with "Admin Options" in it with a pull down menu. You select add photos from that menu and a new smaller window pops up.

Applet Form URL Other Admin
Click the Browse button to locate a photo to upload.
Supported file types: jpg, jpeg, gif, png, avi, mpg, mpeg, wmv, mov, swf, mp4

Tip: Upload a ZIP file full of photos and movies!

1. Select the number of files you want to upload:
Optional: Select the number of meta data files you want to upload:
2. Use the Browse button to find the photos on your computer
File Choose
Caption

File Choose
Caption

File Choose
Caption

File Choose
Caption

File Choose
Caption

Leave blank if no caption is specified.
Use filename as caption if no caption is specified.
Use file creation date stamp as caption if no caption is specified.

You click on Choose and a file box on your computer will open up. Select the photo you want to load and open it. Now if you want you can add a caption by filling in the caption block or just leave it blank. Then at the bottom of that window click Upload Now and when it finishes close the little window.

madmike · Post by **madmike** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 6:20 pm

We did click on that admin file & add photos before and I tried to follow your instructions again but I do not get the sub menu with "Choose". So maybe it's the age of my computer or for some reason your site is not going to allow me to get pictures. I have the pictures. I just cannot get them onto the site.

I have a windows 98 or 2000 operating system and with all the changes I would not be surprised if it's a problem on my end. Or a problem created by windows to ensure I have to update my computer with a new one.

If you have any suggestions, I am all ears. Really..I have big ears. I do plan to replace this computer and I could repost the question with pictures (maybe) if you think that might be the answer. I don't want to tie up this site with computer problems but have seen that others have problems with posting pictures and wanted to let members know that I could send the pictures by PM if necessary.

Post by **wesk** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 8:47 pm

I am sure its on your end. I have no problem loading photos to your album. You won't be able to PM the photo. Just email the photo to me and I'll post it. Next time you have a computer guru over at your house have them walk you through the process.

Post by **wesk** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 1:52 am

Larger view at:
http://img.mypicgallery.com/willysstuff/img-8344.jpg

Claudio · Post by **Claudio** » Tue Oct 12, 2010 12:03 pm

Hi, what are the dimensions of the decal (height x width). I can suppose the text reads " Four Wheel Drive - Do not operate front axle throwout lever while machine is in motion". Is this text correct? have you seen tis decal somewhere for sale?
Claudio

madmike · Post by **madmike** » Tue Oct 12, 2010 1:01 pm

As I mentioned in my first post, the decal is 6 3/8 inches by 1 3/4 inches. The text is also mentioned in the first post and reads as you described. I am going to have one made by contacting a decal company nearby. I do not know of a source for these and no one else has said they have seen it before. It seems the later model A1's had some different add ons and the different branches of service had their own take on what was necessary information for drivers and mechanics. Add to that the base commanders ideas and you get the confusion we have to deal with to try a correct restoration. My different hood number and the wheel color are good examples but explained somewhat by the A1's likely post assignment to an air base.

There is no doubt in my mind this decal was applied by the military or specified by the military and placed by the manufacturer. But others may doubt that because they have not seen it before. It is the same color yellow and has the thin black line border as on the other dash decals.

I have been waiting to sand this decal off until I have the new one in hand. I hope it can be duplicated but do not know for sure as yet. Hope this information helps you.

Mike

madmike · Post by **madmike** » Sat Oct 16, 2010 10:24 am

One last post on this issue. I have the new decal, made by a local company, and they did a great job. If I could post the picture of the new one I would do so. The cost to me was $10.00. The company and I traded e-mails developing the label and I was amazed at how fast they could do this. Without seeing the label, I ordered from the proof they sent. After getting the decal, the only thing I would change is the size of the print font. It's slightly larger than the original. Other than that it's perfect and good enough for me.

I believe these decals would be cheaper ordered in quantity but there does not seem to be the demand for that. Anyone wanting this can pm me and I will forward the information or a picture of my replacement.