minnesota m38 project

eagle64 · Post by **eagle64** » Sun Jan 04, 2015 9:26 pm

First thanks for all the input for figuring out my title. Now that I'm waiting for that to be straightened out. It's time to start thinking about how I am going to proceed with things that need to be done. I will try and take some photos and figure out how to load them on here. To start with she is solid and straight. no rust outs. What I'm looking for is the best way to go about taking apart. I would like to take non essential parts and body parts off.
I do have a new wiring harness to be installed later, but it is wired just enough to run. I want to start it every few weeks during the next month or two of our cold winter. I do plan on removing the tub from the frame this spring. Being is I work in my garage is it possible to lift the tub off with only a few extra hands, also removing the engine and trany together, mostly to blasting cleaning and painting. I know this is a lot of questions even to start with so all reply's are welcome. And I will start a photo album, a picture is worth a 1000 words around here. I already started my filing system for the parts. all parts photoed and put in zip lock bags marked as to where I took them off. would love to hear how you all went about it.

Post by **wesk** » Sun Jan 04, 2015 10:28 pm

Since you said it runs I hope you have given it several days of driving to evaluate the condition of it's drivetrain so you know ahead of time what needs to be fixed as well as what needs to be restored!

Your post leads me to believe you intend to only clean up and paint the running gear. If the running gear has been tested and fared well on the road tests then there is nothing wrong with taking that route. On the other hand if the drive train has not been tested then finding out after a frame off cosmetic restoration that you need to pull the engine or tranny again will certainly dampen your spirits.

The tub is simple to remove and can be handled comfortably by 3 men.

Maintain a restoration log that lists all discrepancies found (so you don't overlook one during the next few months), and a list of needed parts.

eagle64 · Post by **eagle64** » Sun Jan 04, 2015 11:36 pm

I should list all that I have discovered to this point. Or where I think I'm at anyway.
engine seems to run excellent, no funny noises from the drive train.
tranny and transfer case function as they should and shift fine.
parts that have been replaced or I have in my stock pile here.
complete exhaust system, clutch kit, main light switch, ignition switch, voltage regular harness, battery cables and ends, plug wires, plugs, internal distributor parts, clutch and brake pedals accelerator pedal socket, throttle return spring, choke and throttle cables, carburetor, fuel pump, fuel line kit. I question the fuel tank yet. fuel pick up assembly with filter, fuel sender, oil sender, temp sender, new motor mounts, fan belts set, water pump, and coolant hoses and oil hoses also some transfer case mounting parts. also a full new wiring harness. I have a new copy of TM 9-8012 to 36A5-2-41, and just yesterday The BOOK showed up. M38 reference guide. what a wealth of information to digest.
But I do plan on driving it and putting some miles on it, so I want to cover everything.
again thanks for the reply

Bretto · Post by **Bretto** » Mon Jan 05, 2015 7:16 am

Steve,
Welcome! It's great to see another project come aboard. I look forward to seeing your project and its progress.

Brett

eagle64 · Post by **eagle64** » Mon Jan 05, 2015 5:50 pm

Brett I looked at your photo gallery, great documentation. a lot of the photos remind me of home, I really like the parts in the tree, now my wife can't say anything when I have them hanging on the clothes line. Also shows me how much work I have in front of me......looks like fun
again thanks for sharing
steve

ChuckW · Post by **ChuckW** » Tue Jan 06, 2015 5:34 pm

Steve, just wanted to let you know I finally got logged back into the site. Chuck

eagle64 · Post by **eagle64** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 1:35 pm

I posted earlier that I was nervous about the gas tank because it was ReNu'd, this is because I have tried it myself and had another person try it on m274 mule gas tanks with bad results. So I was nervous about it. I have learned that this tank was ReNu'd professionally. I am sorry if I gave the wrong impression of this product or those who did the work. At this point I would say if you can have it professionally done great, if you are thinking of doing this yourself make sure you talk with someone with experience in this process. Not saying a bad product but it can go wrong if your a green horn.
my apologies if I gave the wrong impression.
Steve

eagle64 · Post by **eagle64** » Tue Jan 13, 2015 12:44 pm

I was looking around on the net for helpful hints for dis assembling my M38 and I came across this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgwF8mdQwlw
nothing to it. even tho it is a set up it is fun to watch.

eagle64 · Post by **eagle64** » Thu Jan 22, 2015 8:46 am

We have been having above normal temps up here the last week, and I have been itching to dig into the m38 and learn more. I took the bonnet off, and the front fenders also, just to get a better idea of the motor compartment. started looking for what needs more work and learning more about it. Looks like I have a little work to do on the radiator I'm still looking for where it is leaking. Other than that it looks like a lot of cleaning. I will post photos in my album of electrolysis tank I built to clean parts for my mule projects. it works great.
The rest is baptism by fire workin on the jeep
photo album is page 15 of the gallery

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 7:59 am

Steve,
Congrats, you have a pretty complete looking 24 volt M38.

The gauge cluster looks to be all there. Do some of the gauges have junk behind the glass or is that stuff on the front?

Brian

aforests · Post by **aforests** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 9:14 am

Steve, nice looking complete m38. You are not too far from me. Hope you are enjoying the warmer weather. Sad when we think 30 degrees is warm!

eagle64 · Post by **eagle64** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 11:11 pm

Aaron
I agree with you, another warm day today so I just had to keep working on the jeep, fired her up and ran her for a few minutes, It looks like when the radiator pressurizes the leaks show up, I had a pretty good show going. when she cooled down I pulled the radiator out. I figure now is a good time to get it into the shop and fixed before it gets nice out. So I don't have to wait for the repairs later.
Steve

eagle64 · Post by **eagle64** » Sun Jan 25, 2015 2:52 pm

with another warm day, which very unusual for up here, I decided to pull more of the covers off, I understand it better when I can lay my eyes on it.
so far I'm not finding anything real nasty. mostly surface rust, and a few parts that are stiff, I'm sure from not being used.

eagle64 · Post by **eagle64** » Thu Mar 12, 2015 5:53 pm

One of our first warm days and it didn't take me long to head for the shed, I've been itchin to get going on the m38. Kind of hard to find someone to give a hand to take the tub off so after a little thought I decided to try the engine lift. darn if it didn't work out great, I had to lift it a little high to clear the steering wheel but it work out just fine. I set it down moved the straps and lifted again to get it on her side, I was happy with what I found, no big holes to fix, I did find to spots that are a little thin but that isn't hard to deal with. I had a little trouble with getting steering wheel off (but I think most of us have seen this problem) I put a pulley puller on it 2 days ago, and hit it with Kroil to loosen it up with no luck, ever time I walk by I would put a little more tension on it, and just leave it, so today I'm laying under neath the jeep and bang it sounded like a shot gun blast. scared the crap out of me. but sure enough the steering wheel popped loose. For a old fart I didn't think that was to bad of a day.

Post by **wesk** » Thu Mar 12, 2015 6:39 pm

You are doing just fine!

willysmjeeps.com

minnesota m38 project

minnesota m38 project

looked at your photo gallery

disassembly of M38

warm weather won't last but spring fever has hit hard

one of our first warm days