M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

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m3a1
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M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

Unread post by m3a1 » August 9th, 2017, 5:15 pm

An M38 has surfaced in my area. I'm considering acquiring it for my son and will be having a close look at it in the next few days. Are there any particular warning signs for M38s that I should be looking for?

Cheers,
TJ

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rickf
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Re: M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

Unread post by rickf » August 9th, 2017, 7:01 pm

They are small. Aftermarket parts are in good supply abiet sometimes pricey. They have a real frame but make sure it is not rotted out.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

Fil Bonica
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Re: M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

Unread post by Fil Bonica » August 9th, 2017, 7:02 pm

Its a70 yr old version of an mb or gpw.
They are slow , steer and brake poorly.
Hard to maintain . Expensive to buy parts for.
Had two of them while I had my first A2
Itsamagnitude more rugged than a 151.
Probably its best feature.
Now do you want to know how I really feel!!!

Fil Bonica
Last edited by Fil Bonica on August 9th, 2017, 7:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

Unread post by rickf » August 9th, 2017, 7:06 pm

Oh yea, Old guys ain't gonna fit in it. :twisted: :twisted:
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

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Re: M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

Unread post by Fil Bonica » August 9th, 2017, 7:14 pm

Horrible to get in to or out of.

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Re: M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

Unread post by fowlercal » August 9th, 2017, 7:28 pm

TJ,

I don't think they like the M-38. Just a guess.

Cal

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Re: M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

Unread post by Lindsay36551 » August 9th, 2017, 7:33 pm

It's an ass splitter!
Also going to be valuable , soon(10/15 yrs from now)Have restored 2 of them, Fil and Rick are both correct TOTAL PIA!!! but fun when done correctly!
Your top speed (comfortably) 35 /40 mph!
CAnvas is expencive,
Think of it this way, every problem that was found in a ww2 jeep they tried to fix on this one! Still under powered, crappy suspension, iffy steering!
Would I buy one ?
Hell yaaa if the price was correct!
1967 M-35-a2-D SOLD
1973 M151A2
M151 A1-SOLD
196? franken MUTT
M1oo trailer-sold
1963 M151-sold
1968 M416 trailer
1988 998 Humvee-4 man
1994 998 Humvee-up armored

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Re: M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

Unread post by Hambone » August 9th, 2017, 8:07 pm

Make sure it has correct windshield frame and seat frames, they are getting expensive, some early CJ stuff will bolt on.

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Re: M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

Unread post by Haas » August 10th, 2017, 12:03 am

I am going to have to disagree with Fil on the maintenance aspect, we collect many antique jeeps and they really are not hard to maintain. While we do not have a running (yet) M38, we do have a number of CJ2As and M38A1s, and I absolutely love working on them, and personally think they are quite easy to work on and maintain. However, I will agree that they are a rough ride (part of the fun, right??). If the steering is repaired and maintained properly, they really don't handle all that bad. As was mentioned, parts are plentiful, but you will run into the same issues with finding quality ignition parts that you run into with the M151s. Quality parts are expensive, and if you use it regularly you will want the quality parts. If you do end up getting it and have any questions about working on it, maintenance, or locating quality parts, I would be me than willing to help you out!! Like I said, we collect many of these antique jeeps and they are a passion of mine.
1942 Willys MB "slat grille"
1943 Ford GPW
1953 M38A1
1952 M38A1
1951? M38
1st run M151
1953 M37
Ford G8T
2 Ford GTBs

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Re: M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

Unread post by rickf » August 10th, 2017, 9:55 am

fowlercal wrote:TJ,

I don't think they like the M-38. Just a guess.

Cal
Oh I like them, had one for years. My cousin still has it. Just not as flexible as I used to be. Even my M37 is a tight fit compared to the 151.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

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Re: M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

Unread post by m3a1 » August 10th, 2017, 10:13 am

Ok, thanks fellas. Going to have a look at it tomorrow. Will report back with the results.

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Re: M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

Unread post by Haas » August 10th, 2017, 2:12 pm

Post pictures!!!
1942 Willys MB "slat grille"
1943 Ford GPW
1953 M38A1
1952 M38A1
1951? M38
1st run M151
1953 M37
Ford G8T
2 Ford GTBs

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Re: M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

Unread post by muttguru » August 10th, 2017, 3:26 pm

TJ....
make sure the 24v electrics are still installed and working. Check that the tailgate hasn't been "welded shut".
The M38 is the best-looking Jeep of the series (the M151 is the best but some claim it isn't a true jeep).
If I came across one at the right price, I'd still be tempted.
Ken
Kind regards....
Ken

Always wanted - Details and pictures of M416 Trailer data plates & M151 data plates & body-tags for my research. Thanks!

Contact address - - muttguru@aol.com

Note for 2023..... Ken..."Less Stress - More Exercise!"

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Re: M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

Unread post by Fil Bonica » August 10th, 2017, 3:50 pm

Ken ,
After my rant about hating M38s
My son and. I were at Barrett Jacksonn auction in Palm Beach in April.
There was one for auction.
My son was intrigued with it because of memories or our first one:
He bid on it but lost it when it went up to $ 11k .
No comparison to the prices. I paid n 1994.
I am sure prices on the other side of the pond are no better either.

We sure have beaten this topic to death!

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Re: M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

Unread post by lpcoating » August 10th, 2017, 5:42 pm

We make the rear bumpers and seat backs at this time. I have a battery tray to copy...

Guy
M151 Body Panels - http://www.m151bodypanels.com/

'68 A1 - Under full resto

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