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I have a nos and what I believe to be the original gate off my m38. The nos has 2 approximately 1 inch hole in the support brackets, but the "original does not. I noticed a few other small diffs too Where replacements diferent or updated or am I missing something?

Hey spe,

What brackets do you mean? The M38 tailgate has "support brackets" for both the jerry can and the spare wheel carrier. Here's a photo of one of two M38 tailgates I have:

The holes with the black marks around them are "Bubba holes".

And here's the back side, showing the brackets (excuse the roof tiles!):


The one in the photos is USAF blue under that green/rust, and is likely original to my M38. My other tailgate is identical (except the Bubba holes are in different places. ). Can you post a picture of the 1" holes you mean? It will make this website's members task of helping you out a whole lot easier.

Owen.

On the inside, the 2 hat channel style support brakets for the spare-
Yours has one hole about 1 inch in dia. my replacement has a hole in each of the brackets, not just one

does this help?

and my question is - did replacements have upgrades in the support area or they simply use one part to make both brackets or what?

I checked the tailgates on my two M38's and each has one 1" hole. It is present to access the nut for the footman loop.
Kendall

I'll bet your NOS gate is a repop.