M38A-1 side panels

idiocrates · Post by **idiocrates** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 2:43 pm

As I'm removing the spot welds where the end panel was welded to the side panels and removing the welds between the side panel and the wheelhouse and the riser panel and tool box I'm finding more and more places where the side panel is tissue thin from rust....and I'm really starting to wonder whether trying to reuse the side panels is such a good idea. Does anybody know.....
1. are side panels available for the a-1 and who makes them?
2. if not....can cj-5 sides be used in place of a-1 sides?

Last resort I guess....this is going to become an Indian jeep....with apache here and apache there.....

G740 · Post by **G740** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 5:17 am

I have original AMC stamped panels for the sides of the A1, cj5/6.
www.midwestmilitary.net
John

Post by **wesk** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 7:56 am

John,

What is the pricing? Do they run from the tail light panel seam to the cowl? Does the left panel have the gas filler insert?

idiocrates · Post by **idiocrates** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 10:01 am

Yes, sir......but let me sit down first......

Here's what I'm looking at
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/22032 ... .jpg[/img]
side_panel_front by idiocrates, on Flickr[/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/22032 ... .jpg[/img]
side_panel_rear by idiocrates, on Flickr[/url]

DaveM38A1 · Post by **DaveM38A1** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:24 am

I used to get patch panels from Jeep Panel Plus, I don't know if they are still on the web. But price was good and they worked.

Dave

DaveM38A1 · Post by **DaveM38A1** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:30 am

Should be able to research Jeep Panels Plus on early CJ5.com. I think I saw the phone number there. I will need some panels soon.
Classic enterprises has the panels, but I haven't gotten any from them.
http://www.classicent.com/
I need to patch around the rear also, and don't want to replace the whole panel or cut one from another body, so I will probably patch it.

Dave

Post by **wesk** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:21 pm

Jeep Panels Plus is gone. Son is not carrying on the business. That only leaves three choices for retail priced panels. MD Juan, Midwest Military and Classic Enterprises.

Jim,

Has John Bizal answered any questions we posted to you yet?

idiocrates · Post by **idiocrates** » Sat Mar 26, 2011 9:05 am

This is Mr. Bizel's reply...

"The panels are available for both sides. It would be easier to discuss how these panels are the way they are on the phone.
They are 2 piece panels on each side. Jeep is stamped in the front section as they were made for the CJ series and not the military.
Price is $400 per side. I do not have pictures at this time.
Regards"

Post by **wesk** » Sat Mar 26, 2011 2:51 pm

It shouldn't be too difficult to make them work on your A1.

http://img.mypicgallery.com/Default.asp ... 56%3a26+PM
This is probably the side panel.

idiocrates · Post by **idiocrates** » Sun Mar 27, 2011 7:35 pm

I'm gonna say for now that the price made the decision.......we're going to try to patch, plug, and piece-out the sides that we got. Now that I'm all done grinding away the old spot welds it seems like where we need it we still have pretty good metal.....and since most of the really bad spots under the doors are going to get fixed by the lower rocker repair panels....that just leaves the spots on the sides where the wheelhouse brace was welded to repair.....and....since these are nice flat spots...we're gonna cut them out and piece in a new panel.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/22032 ... .jpg[/img]
P1010001 by idiocrates, on Flickr[/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/22032 ... .jpg[/img]
P1010009 by idiocrates, on Flickr[/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/22032 ... .jpg[/img]
P1010004 by idiocrates, on Flickr[/url]

I think this may be my next reral challenge.....repairing and reusing the console
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/22032 ... .jpg[/img]
P1010021 by idiocrates, on Flickr[/url]

Balvar24 · Post by **Balvar24** » Sun Mar 27, 2011 8:23 pm

Keep posting your progress. I'm a couple of months behind you now and very interested.

BullRun · Post by **BullRun** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:22 pm

I feel your pain on those repairs. The last A1 I did was a sieve. After all the "POP" riveted panels were removed it was hard to believe the jeep would stay together.

In the end I just bought a few full sheets of mild 18 guage and did weeks of patch panel welding. The great thing is that the jeep is still original and has the appearance of being nearly new... and this is before any paint.

DaveM38A1 · Post by **DaveM38A1** » Tue Mar 29, 2011 4:46 am

On the floor boards I laid metal over the part that looked like a sieve, formed it with large vice grips and hammer, 2X4's what ever, and got the shape cut out the old metal and left a gap around the new piece. weld it slowly and use the vice grips to hold it in place and form as you go. It take time but it works well. Eastwood has clamps that keep your gap right, but you can make your own or find them on EBay. Your floorboards look better than mine that I rebuilt. Used 18 ga. also. The gap should be small filled with weld a little at a time to keep from warping.

Dave

idiocrates · Post by **idiocrates** » Tue Mar 29, 2011 7:32 am

I really appreciate all the great advice. I'll post back whenever we make some more progress but if there is one thing we're good at.....its the take it slow and easy part. I'm just thankful I've gotten this far without the need for a tetnus booster.

Balvar24 · Post by **Balvar24** » Tue Mar 29, 2011 8:07 am

Tried your hand with a body hammer yet? Looks like you got a few dings to fix as well.

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