I bought a new dash plate
Moderators: TomM, Moderator, wesk
I bought a new dash plate
Is there a special rivet tool I need? And if so, does anyone know where I get one? Also, I apparently have a later edition ignition switch, does anyone know who sells the skinnier early version?
You should do a quick search of the forum for some of these answers. Both questions have been answered several times here.
The dash plates are screwed to the dash on early m38's and riveted to the main carrier plate on later M38's with tubular brass rivets. The tool used for setting the rivets is shown below.

This is the rivet set and you must support the head of the rivet with something.

Here's a complete tool set that has it's own anvil, set, backing bit and rivet removal pin. This tool is only $15. You use a 8 Oz ballpean hammer to drive the set.
Not sure what you have. The three common M series ignition switches with Douglas metal connectors are all the same size and use the same lever. The difference is in the number of wires.

The dash plates are screwed to the dash on early m38's and riveted to the main carrier plate on later M38's with tubular brass rivets. The tool used for setting the rivets is shown below.

This is the rivet set and you must support the head of the rivet with something.

Here's a complete tool set that has it's own anvil, set, backing bit and rivet removal pin. This tool is only $15. You use a 8 Oz ballpean hammer to drive the set.
Not sure what you have. The three common M series ignition switches with Douglas metal connectors are all the same size and use the same lever. The difference is in the number of wires.

Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... _album.php
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... _album.php
- evanso1975
- Member
- Posts: 615
- Joined: Sun May 09, 2010 6:00 pm
- Location: North Yorkshire, UK
My best guess on the "non-skinny" ignition switch:
The late M-series ignition switch (as fitted to the M151, among others) would have packard type connectors, which make it look pretty 'fat' at the back of the switch. Since the switches look about the same when fitted to the dash, here's an alternative to replacing this switch:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M37-M43-M38-M ... 4aae7ad1f3
The leads have metal tags (A, B, C & D) which correlate to the letters on the back of the late ignition switch. These leads allow you to connect the late ignition switch (packard connectors) to your original wiring harness (douglas connectors). The douglas ends are numbered 11, 12, 27 & 85.
Here's a wiring diagram indicating the numbers above:
http://willysmjeeps.com/downloads/M38wirecolored.jpg
Wbr,
Owen.
The late M-series ignition switch (as fitted to the M151, among others) would have packard type connectors, which make it look pretty 'fat' at the back of the switch. Since the switches look about the same when fitted to the dash, here's an alternative to replacing this switch:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M37-M43-M38-M ... 4aae7ad1f3
The leads have metal tags (A, B, C & D) which correlate to the letters on the back of the late ignition switch. These leads allow you to connect the late ignition switch (packard connectors) to your original wiring harness (douglas connectors). The douglas ends are numbered 11, 12, 27 & 85.
Here's a wiring diagram indicating the numbers above:
http://willysmjeeps.com/downloads/M38wirecolored.jpg
Wbr,
Owen.
Owen
1951 US Air Force M38
1944 F-1 1/2-ton Airdrome Trailer
1940 C15 Chevrolet CMP 11-cab
1939 DKW KS200 Motorcycle
MVT # 19406
1951 US Air Force M38
1944 F-1 1/2-ton Airdrome Trailer
1940 C15 Chevrolet CMP 11-cab
1939 DKW KS200 Motorcycle
MVT # 19406
-
- Member
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Wed Oct 31, 2012 6:00 pm
- Location: BRASIL
Wes,
I need the Willys M38 ignition switch (EARLY VERSION) What is the correct connector? What is the difference between 2 and 3 wires?
Thank you.
Alexandre
I need the Willys M38 ignition switch (EARLY VERSION) What is the correct connector? What is the difference between 2 and 3 wires?
Thank you.
Alexandre
wesk wrote:You should do a quick search of the forum for some of these answers. Both questions have been answered several times here.
The dash plates are screwed to the dash on early m38's and riveted to the main carrier plate on later M38's with tubular brass rivets. The tool used for setting the rivets is shown below.
This is the rivet set and you must support the head of the rivet with something.
Here's a complete tool set that has it's own anvil, set, backing bit and rivet removal pin. This tool is only $15. You use a 8 Oz ballpean hammer to drive the set.
Not sure what you have. The three common M series ignition switches with Douglas metal connectors are all the same size and use the same lever. The difference is in the number of wires.