Data plate letter size.

jeeptj1 · Post by **jeeptj1** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 5:28 pm

My m38 had new data plates on when i got it. Anyone know the size of the stamped info that has to go on them? Thanks john jr

Post by **wesk** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 9:51 pm

Post your serial number and DOD and contract number and I can post an illustration appropriate to your specific unit.

jeeptj1 · Post by **jeeptj1** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 5:59 am

Wes, didnt have the old plates on it. In an old posting, i used the vin for the hood number of 20962451. I cant find your response as to any info provided with that number for the other stuff. What i was thinking of doing was stamping the info on myself but dont know the size of the die stamp to use. Hope that isnt to confusing. Thanks john jr

Post by **wesk** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 7:14 am

Are you saying you estimated a serial number (Willys vehicles do not have VIN's from Willys or Kaiser) based on your hood number? That can backfire on you if that serial is already registered to another jeep. Not just in Illinois. Had a friend up here buy a MB and when he took the seller's title to the DMV to re-title it the serial bounced as in use already for the same make/model jeep. They confiscated his title, launched an investigation and a long while later sorted out who legally was entitled to use that serial. The moral of the story is "Don't interpolate a new serial number from vague data bases".

The hood number 20962451 would have been a JUL 52 M38A1. The A1 production started out in Jul 52 with the 20960XXX numbers.

What serial number is on your Illinois title?

jeeptj1 · Post by **jeeptj1** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 7:39 am

Wes, my title from the state has the vehicle identification number as 62451. It says 1952 willys m38. Does that help with anything. Thanks john jr

Post by **wesk** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 8:30 am

Yes MC62451 is an April 1952 unit built under contract DA-33-019-ORD-43 and would have had an original hood number around 20910XXX.

You did the right thing by fabricating a hood number using your serial number.

Your serial plate should look like this.

If you shop around you can find new replacement serial plates with the -43 contract number on them.

jeeptj1 · Post by **jeeptj1** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 8:52 am

Wes, thanks for the info. John jr

rwbow1969 · Post by **rwbow1969** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 9:12 am

John Jr.
I have a NOS unstamped plate that you may be interested in. I used all of the other plates on my M38 but I didn't need this one. It is DA-33.019-ORD-43 and is identical to the one in the picture Wes put up. My DA number is different for June 51. This came from a complete set rivited to the backing plate, still wrapped in the paper dated 6/52. If your interested PM me. $20 for the plate and postage. I don't need it, but I would like for it to go to good use. Army Jeep Parts stamped mine. Did a nice job too.

Thanks, Rob