willysmjeeps.com

Wes I noticed a facebook post where you answered a brake fluid question - Something I didn't know - the military used DOT 5. My M38 was started frame up by a kid who did nice work in some areas and not so in others. It is my first jeep since the 1970s when I had a '61 CJ5 and before that a '61 Willys truck. I remember about once a year I'd pull the little hatch in the floorboards off and bleed about a can or more through - it was DOT 3. I was thinking I should put this job on my to-do list for the M38. Since nothing is labeled I shouldn't assume he used DOT 3, he might have heard the military is now using DOT 5. Anyway I think a test would be a few drops in a test tube, a few drops of water and see if it mixes - mixes it is DOT 3, doesn't mix it is DOT 5. I think there is a color difference too, but I can't remember what colors.

The smell is the easiest way. Just buy a $2.00 can of DOT 3 and smell it. Then since DOT 5 is so ridiculously expensive spray a little silicon lube spray on your finger and smell it.

I doubt many M38's saw silicon fluid in the military since most were phased out before 1970.