Dismantling my donor M38A1

[majoday]

I bought a badly rusted M38A1 (MD 26241, Rebuilt in1962 at the MCSC, Albany, GA) for parts. It has many small parts and 2 fenders that I need. It came with a Koenig Model 51 and the shafts. I have a 1954 USMC Jeep that I am working on. It is good to have found such a source. I have not decided to install the winch. I have a Koenig 100.

 

[NDT]

I wonder if the rebuilt unit got a front axle upgrade to locker? Do both have the USMC characteristics like rear bumpers and data plates?

 

[majoday]

I wonder if the rebuilt unit got a front axle upgrade to locker? Do both have the USMC characteristics like rear bumpers and data plates?

The rear bumper had a longer bumper with clevis on each end. The underside to include the frame and hood were undercoated. The transmission had a fitting for a tube. There are many drilled holes in the rear fenders. The dash had an hour meter and a fording pull. The only data on a plate was a rebuild from MCSC Albany, GA '62 DATE and 149 ODOM. The Willis Overland Plate was greatly obscured and I did not have much hope for it However, with very careful cleaning I did find a Serial Number: MD 26241, and could make out the name of the company. Today I also cleaned the fording plate. I thought it was beyond hope, It appeared to be just a painted square. But, it surprised me and was indeed the functional plate. The tub is well beyond repair, but is a treasure of small parts that I needed.

 

[majoday]

I wonder if the rebuilt unit got a front axle upgrade to locker? Do both have the USMC characteristics like rear bumpers and data plates?

The rear bumper had a longer bumper with clevis on each end. The underside to include the frame and hood were undercoated. The transmission had a fitting for a tube. There are many drilled holes in the rear fenders. The dash had an hour meter and a fording pull. The only data on a plate was a rebuild from MCSC Albany, GA '62 DATE and 149 ODOM. The Willis Overland Plate was greatly obscured and I did not have much hope for it However, with very careful cleaning I did find a Serial Number: MD 26241, and could make out the name of the company. Today I also cleaned the fording plate. I thought it was beyond hope, It appeared to be just a painted square. But, it surprised me and was indeed the functional plate. The tub is well beyond repair, but is a treasure of small parts that I needed.View attachment 931693

below is my project Jeep data.

 

[NDT]

Hour meter means it was a AN/MRC-83 radio Jeep.

 

[majoday]

Hour meter means it was a AN/MRC-83 radio Jeep.

That is what I thought. Someone sandblasted it. I polished it for quite a while and it is now more readable. The lense is made of glass.

 

[majoday]

I wonder if the rebuilt unit got a front axle upgrade to locker? Do both have the USMC characteristics like rear bumpers and data plates?

I checked the axle this evening. It is a regular one normally found in most Jeeps.

 

[majoday]

I found the stamp 241 on the passenger side front of the frame. The "1" is obscured but readable. I used marking paint to photograph it. The "Patent Plate" was heavily covered with paint. The number MD 26241 is highlighted in red. The photo does not show the faint but visible lines in the stamping. I just added the rebuild data tag to note the 1962 rebuild. It was interesting to notice the stamping on the frame. The springs on the donor jeep frame in the front are heavier than those on my M38A1 in progress.

 

[majoday]

I have a trio of supplements to the TM for the Jeep and one for the M-37 and variants.

 

[DeetFreek]

I found the stamp 241 on the passenger side front of the frame. The "1" is obscured but readable. I used marking paint to photograph it. The "Patent Plate" was heavily covered with paint. The number MD 26241 is highlighted in red. The photo does not show the faint but visible lines in the stamping. I just added the rebuild data tag to note the 1962 rebuild. It was interesting to notice the stamping on the frame. The springs on the donor jeep frame in the front are heavier than those on my M38A1 in progress.

My '52 is #22040 DOD of 9/52. Probably about a month between the builds.