M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

A place to post pics and descriptions of ongoing restoration projects

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m3a1
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Re: M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

Unread post by m3a1 » August 10th, 2017, 8:47 pm

Thanks, Guy and also to everyone else who responded. I'm going into this absolutely blind but the owner is getting up in years and wants it gone, gone, GONE.

What I have been told is that it is blue, with TONKA written on it... somewhere. I am told that it ran as late as several years ago, (which means we will have to employ the sneak-up-on-it method for restarting). No mention of brakes. I know the tires are flat "but should be able to be aired up for movement". I know that the fuel tank is shot and that it formerly ran off a boat fuel cell. I know that it has bus-seats (Oh, can't wait to see that) for seats....and I know it leaks because he's told me I'm taking the giant pizza pan drip-tray with it. So, tomorrow we're either gonna see the M38 version of the Bubba-mobile, the Flintstones-mobile, or a former military-mobile which has fallen out of favor with it's owner. I've also done some homework to familiarize myself with some of the ins and outs of the M38 so that I know what I'm looking at and for.

BTW, does anyone know if the WWII Jeep wheels are a bolt-up match for the M38? I have a set of wheels and tires that I could swap onto it if need be.

On the plus side, I have a fresh motor for it already on the shelf (if needed) and a derelict WWII Jeep from which I can scavenge two seat frames to be modified so that my 6'3" son can fit behind the wheel.

Keep your fingers crossed and wish me luck, fellas.

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

Unread post by rickf » August 10th, 2017, 9:08 pm

Wheels are the same
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

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m3a1
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Re: M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

Unread post by m3a1 » August 10th, 2017, 10:06 pm

Terrific. Thanks, Rick! I know the tire size is different but I'll put em on just for the recovery phase.

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

Unread post by Haas » August 10th, 2017, 10:23 pm

Just a heads up, the WWII seat frames are substantially different from the original M38 seats. What we do on some of our rougher old jeeps is actually cut and weld a pocket into the rear fenders and modify seat frames to sit farther back as my dad, brothers, and I are all well over 6 foot. If you do get it and are interested, I could send you some pics of the way we have done seats.
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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m3a1
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Re: M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

Unread post by m3a1 » August 11th, 2017, 9:41 am

Thanks Haas. Appreciate the offer. Too soon to tell what is going to happen with this truck so we'll just have to see what's what. I'll actually have eyes-on in about two hours. Can't wait!

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Re: M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

Unread post by Joe » August 11th, 2017, 11:28 am

You may have found these other websites that will be helpful with all things M38:
http://www.willysmjeeps.com
http://www.g503.com
http://www.ewillys.com

This book is also very helpful:

Image

I acquired my M38 over 40 years ago and love it; however, my A2 mutt is still my go-to favorite when I want a comfortable ride.
Good luck,

Joe

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Re: M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

Unread post by halftracknut » August 11th, 2017, 8:36 pm

If you don't care about having correct rear seat and are handy with a welder you can make a rear seat from a 151 rear seat but it will require a few cuts and welds...also the 151 seat cover is a little wider but? good luck
slowest mutt east of the missippi..

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Re: M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

Unread post by m3a1 » August 12th, 2017, 6:25 pm

Well, fellas, yesterday I went over to look at this M38 expecting it to fall into one of three categories - Former Military Vehicle", "Bubba's Barnyard Project", or "Rusty Pile of You-know-what." What I found was something entirely in a category all its own -

And what I found looked like someone's well-loved (past tense) "Surf's Up" version of an M38. In fact, the Jeep had been stripped of nearly all of its military kit, with the notable exception of the side-view mirror (which is the nicest part of the whole truck) and the addition of a late WWII Jeep tow-bar bumper modified to a ball hitch. Even the tool box under the right front seat was gone! Four flat tires (naturally) an enormous fender top-mounted roll bar only suitable for holding the aft end of the bikini top (or for securing the hawser of a cruise ship), a gigantic side by side bus seat mounted high in the rear for Granny (a la Beverly Hillbillies) and high back bus driver seats up front. Now, if you're formulating a mental image of all of this, add to that, a tired sky blue paint job with some yellow (and rather well done) TONKA stickers where the hood numbers would have been. Underneath that paint beats the heart of a warrior, but between that warrior heart and multiple layers of paint (green, red, white, medium metallic blue) is about 55 gallons of Bondo, topped off with a 70's version like Rhino Coat inside (probably just undercoating) and in places the remnants of boat carpeting here and there. Somebody just loved the HELL out of this jeep and then.... they moved on.

Predictably, and after I provided many constructive opportunities for my son to give it the thumbs-down, my son gave it the thumbs-up. :shock: So we trailered the thing home and wrestled into place where it sits in the place of honor in my driveway.

Today we started in clearing away the wreckage. Dead battery - GONE. Roll bar - GONE. Bikini top - GONE. Tons of detritus - GONE. It's beginning to look more like a Jeep and less like a disco inferno though I must admit, I do already miss some of the party barge atmosphere.. :lol:

Next upcoming project - assess the bearings and brakes and turn it into a smooth roller.

Cheers,
TJ

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Re: M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

Unread post by Haas » August 12th, 2017, 7:47 pm

Wow! That poor thing sounds like it has had a rough life! But I have seen your posts, I know you can whip it into shape! If you have any questions, I would be more than willing to help you with what I know about the old jeeps. Post pics when you get a chance!
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 m3a1 » August 12th, 2017, 10:19 pm

Yeah, unfortunately that's gonna be a while because I am still bamboozled about what to do about 3rd party hosting pics.

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Re: M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

Unread post by rickf » August 13th, 2017, 9:58 am

ONE MORE TIME!

https://postimages.org/

Upload pics, click on pic, click on share and then on hotlink for forums.

Image
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 Hambone » August 13th, 2017, 2:47 pm

Image

Most of those panels are available, now get to work!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Re: M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

Unread post by rickf » August 13th, 2017, 5:19 pm

Yea but the rear frame assembly is not, trust me , it was REALLY squashed! Broke the mounting ears off of the rear.
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 13th, 2017, 6:43 pm

OK! Now that I got Rick all lathered up, here are a few pics. :lol: :lol: :lol:

In all it's glory! We're assessing the rear brakes, seals and bearings. Needs one of everything, except the shoes, which seem rather new.

Image

Pulled the plugs, laid in the Marvel Mystery Oil, turned it over a few times by hand. Finding no reasons not to turn it with the starter motor we let fly. Did the old school compression test with my finger. It's huffing!

Image

2 1/8" ball hitch! REALLY?

Image

The process of cleaning this out has been rather protracted. The wacky seats are THOMAS seats from school buses. The manner in which they were installed made them extremely uncomfortable (and probably unsafe). See the boat gas tank in the background? That's the gas tank!

Image

This is one ridiculously large steering wheel, only about 2/5 the width of the vehicle!

Image

GACK! Where would we be without bond and silicone? Believe it or not....the headlights and tail-lights work!

Image

This is where I decided to pack it in for the day. Broken bolt. Not happy. Nope! Not happy at all.

Image
Last edited by m3a1 on April 12th, 2018, 4:16 pm, edited 3 times in total.

Lindsay36551
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Re: M38 - Nothing at all to do with M151s

Unread post by Lindsay36551 » August 13th, 2017, 7:28 pm

As we say in the south, BLESS YOUR HEART!!
Not as bad as I thought it would be!
Congrats!!!
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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