foldable M38 door frames

[RommelJuan]

Any needs M38 foldable door frames? And who sells good ones?

Like this one:

[D Pizzoferrato]

Rommel,

The canvas on that tells me it's not M38. The width, if not distorted by the photograph, also leads me away from M38.

I'm thinking CJ3B or M606.

[Joe Gopan]

They are hit and miss on the market now. Some of the late replacement GI Issue M-38 Doors of the 60's were rigid and shared the frames of the CJ-3A.

[RommelJuan]

but it fits on our M38.

How many kinds were there of these door frames?

[D Pizzoferrato]

The canvas on that is definately not M38. M38 canvas has the rope bead following the angle of the windshield frame from top to bottom. CJ3B and M606 have the bead going from an angle on the windshield frame to vertical (at the cowl) as the one pictured.

The CJ3B and M606 door frame will fit the front hinges of the M38. As the top and side curtain construction are different between the m38 and the other two, I question the width. Get me the width between the front and rear vertical rods, and I'll be able to tell you if it is a match to an M38 door frame. As stated earlier, it looks wider to me. Perhaps a distortion by the photograph; perhaps not.

[RommelJuan]

ok I will get measurements thanks

[RommelJuan]

Here are the complete M38 Door frames:



Here are the measurements.

this is the height:





and here's the width:

[athawk11]

Rommel,
Those measurements match my M38 folding door frames. The canvas in you photo looks odd to me also.

Here are a couple photo references. This is a 3A with M38 top bows, M38 door frames and canvas...





This page cuts off the right edge of my photos. Hopefully it will all show up. To my knowledge, nobody is making reproductions. These are desireable, and rare. I know folks that would want a set if they could find them.

Tim

[D Pizzoferrato]

Rommel

Yep, what Tim said.

I have also verified the measurment. The frames you have are a match to M38 frames.

Now you need to make those (after I sell out of my originals).

There is a demand for folding door frames for both the M38 and M38A1.

I'd suggest one minor change if you decide to pursue making these. Make the door handles as a removable design like the later M38A1. The same handle configuration could be used for both M38 and M38A1. As the M38 handles are originally made, the shaft is fitted and welded to the outer handle. The inner handle is installed after fitting the canvas, then the shaft end is peened to secure the inner handle. The later, and more user friendly design, has the outer handle welded to the shaft, but the inner end of the shaft is longer and threaded in order to accept a pinchlock or nylock nut.

[RommelJuan]

hi Dave,

You are absolutely right.

The door hardware of this door frame requires crimping if you want to install the canvass.



Can you show me close pictures of the M38A1 door hardware that shows that it is detachable?

Rommel

[RommelJuan]

I installed our sample on an M38 and it fit. And it also looks correct. Maybe my old picture was not the right side and angle that's why it looked wrong.

[D Pizzoferrato]

Those 2 holes to the front of the vertical canvas are a key. I'm sure you produce the lower door channel track that mounts here. Look again at the photo you are holding. The leading edge of the canvas follows the angle of the windshield in it's entirety. The canvas you have, changes to vertical below the windshield arm. That canvas is for an M606 or CJ3B. The door frames are interchangeable between those and the M38.

[RommelJuan]

because you asked for it. Now available thru Ron Fitzpatrick Jeep parts:

[RommelJuan]

can anyone post a picture of the M38 door frame where you bolt on the lock?