willysmjeeps.com

I'm sure most of you "purists" would consider it blasphemy, but I'm planning to build a rat rod from an old M38a1 tub. I plan to keep it respectable at least (at least as far as a rat rod goes). There's a lot of brackets and stuff on the tub that I won't be needing, so I'll try to get them off cleanly and put them up for sale instead of tossing them. I want to keep as much character as I can from the tub and it's patina, but I need some help identifying some things.


Can anyone tell me what the markings are on the glovebox/fender? How about the CG on the bottom front?

How does the tailgate attach to the tub? I know I have a lot of straightening to do on it before it will line up.

Best I can tell, the serial number is MB 81455. That should put it as a 1955 from what I can tell. The dash plaques are gone, but the fender one is there, but the number is near worn off.

Here are some pictures of what I'm starting off with:

CoffeeFreakDesigns wrote: Can anyone tell me what the markings are on the glovebox/fender? How about the CG on the bottom front?

TP 25=Tire Pressure 25
CG= Center of Gravity

RICKG wrote:

CoffeeFreakDesigns wrote: Can anyone tell me what the markings are on the glovebox/fender? How about the CG on the bottom front?

TP 25=Tire Pressure 25
CG= Center of Gravity

Cool thanks! I sort of figured the CG (with the arrow), but the TP one slipped past me. Kinda anti-climactic though... I was hoping it was some sort of super-secret branch of the military, the 25th Toilet Paper Division or something.

The M38A1 did not have a tailgate!

ECVJeeps wrote:The M38A1 did not have a tailgate!

Then how does the "rear panel" (or whatever you call it) attach? I see that it's not hinged like a CJ tailgate, so I'm assuming it bilts on, but I couldn't find any type of bracketry to bolt up. I figured once straightened, I may just weld it together if the bracketry is missing.

CoffeeFreakDesigns wrote:[quote="RICKG
I was hoping it was some sort of super-secret branch of the military, the 25th Toilet Paper Division or something.

Their mission: to seek and "wipe" out the enemy (sorry..)

The rear panel on the M38A1 was spot welded into the body, it was a fixed body design.
No tailgate, check in the members photo section at the different M38A1 pictures.

Cool! I thought of a few things I could do with my spare 'a1 parts vehicle, like put a v6 and higher gears in it to make it more driveable, but after I did that and fix the rust, I could buy a wrangler! Also saw a picture on facebook the other day of the front of an old cj (cowl forward) made into a towable bbq - lift the hood and you have a grill - pretty neat!

Then the purist in me decided that I would just get the title put in my name and sell it. Being fairly complete with a title and matching data plates (and maybe original hood numbers under the forestry service paint?), it should be worth repairing. Look for it in the next few weeks.

Maybe you could post your build progress on that rat rod as you go - I for one would like to see it!

coffeefreak...., sent you a pm....

looks familiar..

I have seen a few Rat Rod M38's and A1's and honestly, they look pretty awesome. They kept some of the originality and they turned out pretty cool. I'll try to find a picture of a few of them and post them here. Maybe that'll help give you some ideas. I'd love to see this thread as well.

I'm restoring mine back to original condition, but sometimes you run across a jeep that has been mutilated to put in whatever bubba wanted. That'll in turn cost you more to repair and replace parts than it would for you to turn it into your Rat Rod. It all depends on what you want. I'd love to see it. Done right, which you came here for advice which I think is great, you can maintain that original flare and yet still give it modern badassness that would look all wrong on a restored jeep.

There were photos posted way back of a very custom M38 in the Phillippines and an all aluminum or stainless M38 here in the US. If I live long enough I have a Dauntless V6 and a M38A1 frame that needs to go together.

army_inc wrote:I have seen a few Rat Rod M38's and A1's and honestly, they look pretty awesome. They kept some of the originality and they turned out pretty cool. I'll try to find a picture of a few of them and post them here. Maybe that'll help give you some ideas. I'd love to see this thread as well.

I'm restoring mine back to original condition, but sometimes you run across a jeep that has been mutilated to put in whatever bubba wanted. That'll in turn cost you more to repair and replace parts than it would for you to turn it into your Rat Rod. It all depends on what you want. I'd love to see it. Done right, which you came here for advice which I think is great, you can maintain that original flare and yet still give it modern badassness that would look all wrong on a restored jeep.

Well, I can't speak to my skills, but at least my intent will be to build something that is "done right". This will definitely not be something built for speed. The components that I have just won't hold up, but it's what I have and honestly - I gave up the speed quest years ago when I got rid of my Honda Prelude VTEC (nick-named the ticket-taker). If I have my way, it will be cool looking and sounding, and that's good enough for me.

This tub was de-commissioned from military service and apparently never issued a form 97, and was bought off a salvage yard for scrap.

ok. So here is one of the pictures that I found that looks cool as a rat rod. Not sure how functional it would be to drive (you'll see what I'm talking about when you see the pic). It still looks cool though and is very interesting. You'll definitely turn some heads!
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... _photo.php

Clearly it retains a little bit, and I do mean LITTLE bit, of authenticity with a lot of modding, but still looks pretty cool.

The road clearance is ridiculous for any purpose.