Comments for The Big Reveal...

The Big Reveal...

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 07:13:53 -0600

Well, you guys danced around it a lot, and there were some rabbit holes that got thoroughly explored. SFC D and Colin were the first ones to be firmly in the right track. The quibble being Colin's call of an M38, vice an M38A1, when one of the signature differences between the two are those two radiator support arms arching across the engine - a clear call for the M38A1.Mind you, a week ago I didn't know as much as you guys know. And today, I probably don't know near as much as some of you do, once it's made clear.But...

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2009-06-17

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 07:20:46 -0600

It was the M151 that tried to kill me, twice.

Comment from membrain on 2009-06-17

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 07:01:48 -0600

What a catch! I was always partilal to the M38 though, until one tried to kill me.....

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2009-06-17

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:26:44 -0600

Master Allison - I don't want people to throw rocks at it.

Comment from jsallison on 2009-06-16

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:39:27 -0600

Methinks you oughta fix it up as a Graf Range Control vehicle. If yer gonna be an jeep-drivin $%^^, go for the gold. ;)

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2009-06-15

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:26:01 -0600

That's an interesting observation SFC D - according to the other data, it's a 1952 production vehicle. Perhaps an MWO during a 3rd shop rebuild?

Comment from SFC D on 2009-06-15

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:03:29 -0600

About those radiator supports...
The first generation M38A1 didn't have 'em. They were added to the M38A1 after OCT/NOV 1953. Welcome to the old Jeep addicts club, they get in your blood!

Comment from Argent on 2009-06-15

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:31:09 -0600

Oh yeah but that's worth the spoiling. Yep a bush mechanic can get anything going with whatever is on hand (I've seen knife and even freaking nail polish) but for your beauty I'd go for a real grease monkey to keep it all official.

Comment from og on 2009-06-15

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:14:32 -0600

i have seen a flatfender utterly disassembled with a screwdriver and a crescent and a pair of pump pliers. pre 1950, there werent even any phillips screws. a book of matches has other use too- no unitaskers. best tool is big jack. you'll need it.

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2009-06-15

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:06:35 -0600

Good field expedients. I was figuring on having a gap gage and gapper in the tool roll.

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2009-06-15

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:05:15 -0600

I don't have the jeep in my actual possession yet, (yes, I've laid eyes and hands on it, I didn't buy it sight unseen) so I don't have the manuals - but the only thing I've seen is that the pioneer tools were, um, located flexibly. The most common thing I've seen in pictures of in-service vehicles is the ax mounted on top of the right rear fender well.

Comment from og on 2009-06-15

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:59:00 -0600

point ignition. points get out of adjustment. matchbook cover good compromise thickness for setting points. match striker good abrasive for cleaning points.

Comment from Fishmugger on 2009-06-15

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:58:25 -0600

Wasn't there a shovel and an ax mounted on the sides or is this the upscale cabriolet model MK VIII.

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2009-06-15

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:38:46 -0600

Oh, *do* explain your last.

And I do like the old jeeps. A good buddy of mine has one of the early, pre-war one with the square grills built here in KC. He'll lead in the parades, I'll be right behind him.

I disliked the M151, but I will admit they could get just about anywhere, with that suspension.

And this baby is the first vehicle in a long time where I can pretty much recognize every part and what it does...

Which means I will be willing to do some of the wrenching on my own, or under the supervision of the local milveh collectors.

Comment from og on 2009-06-15

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:23:53 -0600

guess you just have to be a wrench to enjoy the nostalgia of the old flathead. make sure you keep a book of matches in it.

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2009-06-15

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:04:38 -0600

CAPT H, correct. This chassis does not have the windshield nor body reinforcement/modifications for the 106mm. Nor is it the D-model version that carried the Davy Crockett, either. Though, somehow, one of those has been found and restored. I'm more interested in the provenance of that launcher than I am the jeep!

Oh, and Og - for all the nostalgia about the flat-fendered jeeps of WWII (and the M38) - the troops liked the M38A1 the best. More power than the predecessors, ultra-reliable, and easy to work on. It's replacement, that monster the M151 Mutt, was an over-complicated maintenance hog that would kill you quick on the highway. Or, as I found out, try to kill you by being rollable on flat ground at 15mph.

Comment from Sgt. B. on 2009-06-15

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:17:37 -0600

Welcome to to the wonderful world of Military Vehicles... You'll want to invest in a bit of research about the MVPA... Good call going with the 1/4 ton class - easier to work on... Plenty of parts out there too...

XBradTC: YOU need to hook up with Richard Tait of the Southern California Military Vehicles Collector's Club... Green beasties aplenty!

Comment from J.M. Heinrichs on 2009-06-15

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:01:37 -0600

Fitting the 106mm properly may be a problem.

Cheers

Comment from og on 2009-06-15

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:38:09 -0600

nice. a good trap for the traditionalists who like me, dont believe a jeep can have curved fenders, or a land rover without a tyre on the bonnet.

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2009-06-15

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:29:28 -0600

Well, Jim - you might be able to score a ride or two, and if you can provide your DA Form 348 showing the proper endorsements... you might be allowed to drive it. ;^ )

Oh, and don't give me that crap that it's in ULLS...

Comment from JimC on 2009-06-15

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:32:58 -0600

I spent parts of three summers driving M-38's as my personal ride at Camp Shelby, MS and Camp Grayling, MI. They were great. They ran all the time and were able to go most anywhere. I am being tempted by the green-eyed monster over this one.

Comment from XBradTC on 2009-06-15

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:18:20 -0600

As I drove to an event in the hoighty-toity part of Newport Beach last week, I was quite surprised to see a Willys WWII (MB?) jeep rolling along the PCH. Looked in pretty good shape too.

Comment from Pogue on 2009-06-15

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:19:05 -0600

Nice catch! (I'm consumed with envy...)