plate on frame in picture

pickle · Post by **pickle** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 12:27 am

Hey guys:

I was doing some digging and I found this photo in the Canadian archives which shows training to build a jeep. I am curious about the frame. In particular, the plate on the frame. Is that something that would be for the machine gun mount, or something different. Correct me if I am wrong, but that is not normally on the M38 frame.

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

Post by **wesk** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 12:47 am

That is a WWII Willys MB frame. Even has one combat wheel on the rear and the 23-2 full floater 4.88-1 rear end.

Yes that is a machine gun mount support plate. It fits snugly against the bottom of the tub when the tub is installed. The M31 pedestal is then bolted thru the tub and the plate along with the three leg braces for additional support.

The M38 was not fitted from Willys with that plate. The WWII MB was designed from the ground up as a combat vehicle thus the plate for the machine gun. The M38 was taken from the CJ3A assembly line and modified by Willys for combat service. Therefore the plate was omitted. When one want to mount a machine gun in the m38 there is a special version of the old M31 pedestal kit that has under the floor bracing straps and fittings that weld to the frame rails for the two side angle supports.

The M38A1 was designed from the ground up as a combat vehicle and thus it came with the plate. It uses essentially the same pedestal the WWII MB used.

Very interesting photo. Please continue to find those type photos and please add them to our "Period Photos" album.
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... _album.php

pickle · Post by **pickle** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 1:07 am

Thanks Wes.

I wondered about the age of it, but what threw me off was the colour of the powertrain, and the oil filter assembly (it looks like the newer filter opposed to the cuno style).

I found a couple of photos in the archives. I have a call in for more as there appears to be some from the Korean War, but I cannot access yet. I will see what they are able to get and can share them.

Post by **wesk** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 2:13 am

All production M38's came with the Cuno filter. The M38A1 used the Cuno for the first month of production then switched to the standard Military Junior oil filter which is the same Military Junior used in the WWII MB.

skyjeep50 · Post by **skyjeep50** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 9:26 am

There is a short video out there of a Canadian military group driving up in a M38A1, taking it apart and putting it back together in a matter of minutes, then driving off in it as a demonstration of their skill. They used the same type of modified jack stands as are under the jeep in the photo to quickly elevate the frame. The jeep was specially modified to come apart quickly. This is probably a still of the same type of demonstration on a different jeep from a different era - that's why there is a big elapsed time clock in the background - its a competition of sorts. The differently painted parts are probably that way to key viewers of the demonstration on how the jeep goes together.

Post by **wesk** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 10:55 am

These are of course competitve ventures and not real world military operations.

evanso1975 · Post by **evanso1975** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 1:47 pm

Going back to Pickles original post, did the Canadians have a thing about whitewall bargrip tires on jeeps?

Post by **wesk** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 2:07 pm

Looks like they did on special; purpose jeeps. That looks like an old Porterwall. They were an add on over top the blackwall. On faster cars they were notorious for flapping in the breeze and tearing. 1950/60's fad.

pickle · Post by **pickle** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 7:44 am

Thanks for the replies.

Regarding the whitewalls, I have only seen one or two pics of canadian jeeps with whitewalls, and as Wes has eluded to, I believe they are for special uses. I get a kick out the shine on the hood of the jeep with Provost on it. Lots of elbow grease.

Wes, I awaiting a reply for more photos from where that one came from. I will try to pull a couple more that are interesting.

Cheers,
pickle

ECVJeeps · Post by **ECVJeeps** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 7:59 am

I wonder how long the white seats will stay white?

whydahdvr · Post by **whydahdvr** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 8:12 am

They all look like they need to eat too....