Hi. The real question isn't necessarily how to wire the Jeep- but more, what you intend it to finally become. Since you've decided to mate a CJ chassis with an M38 chassis it's never be one or the other. As per the previous questions the electrical portion is a bit complicated, unless you intend to just start over. Not easy, but less confusing. M38 wiring harnesses are expensive- about $500 for the main part of the harness- but the rest is even more so. Then there's the question of the motor- CJ or M38, with original (expensive) 24 volt equipment, as well as the fuel/vacuum pump, which not only pumps fuel but powers up the vacuum system, that mainly operates the wipers but also the ventilation of the sealed military distributor, that also houses the coil, that generates heat. Lots to learn about, and so I suggest you get the manuals for the M38 on CD from Military-Media.com, as listed below, and the much clearer paper reprint of the parts manual from Portrayal-Press, also listed below.
From one point of view, since the complete Jeep won't really be an original military vehicle, it might make economic sense to have a lookalike M38 on the outside but a CJ on the inside, as well as underneath. Whatever the disadvantages, it'll be less expensive, as CJ stuff- by comparison- is cheap & readily available, as a friend of mine often says. If you make your own harness, remember that all M-Series military vehicles had all black wiring, with stamped aluminum tags to identify each circuit. The circuit numbers can be found on Olive-Drab.com, and even easier by googling "M-Series circuit numbers". Having a harness in colors is a dead giveaway that it isn't original.
The path you've chosen isn't for the faint of heart, more for experienced hands, but whatever you decide, it's bound to be a real learning experience!
In any event, good luck with your project.
The dealers, etc. below are a resource, but start with the manuals.
M38 Dealers/parts suppliers
(updated 23 Dec. 2007. Please provide update/correction info to Rich Saylor-
saylor@redshift.com)
AJP (Army Jeep Parts) "George Baxter"215-269-5014 (expensive but good stuff)
Beachwood Canvas, New Jersey 732 929 3168 (also expensive but also good stuff)
http://www.boltdepot.com/ (nuts & bolts)
Rick Larsen stencils NY 413 269 0058/59 (fax) make sure you know what you want. There were lots of variations.
Midwest Military- M38 parts- 952 440 8778 These guys make lots of high quality repo parts
Military-Media.com Good (but not perfect) $20 CD with all the major manuals of all Willys Jeeps- MB/GPW,
M38(MC), M38A1 (MD), M151- but ONLY for Windows- willl NOT operate on Mac! Also, M-M has inflexible
return or order cancellation (no!) policy if you forget & order this CD for your Mac. Still, a good deal for PC users.
Hal Miller email
kb1zq5@swbell.net vacuum, fording and fuel lines
Brent Mullins- M38 parts- (Texas) 979 690 0203
MVP wiring- harnesses & stuff- "Jeff Smith" 850 475 5030
National Band & Tag (#1631 metal tags, to match original 14 ga. small wire wiring tags. Other sizes available.)
New Life Upholstery- canvas stuff, repair-
http://www.newlifecanvas.com/index2.html “Mona”
Portrayal Press (
www.portrayal.com) (973) 579-5781 has good paper reprints of original manuals, at a price. Better
than M-M’s CD, but more expensive. The M38 parts manual (biggest M38 manual, over 400 pages) is $59, others
are much less. Their website of military manuals is most impressive! P-P is in New Jersey.
RAPCO- M38 parts- "Mark Dodd" Texas 940 872 2403 Good source for paint, and other stuff too.
Ron Fitzpatrick 541.582.4035 OUR WEBSITE HOST! Has lotsa stuff, good prices!
Rod Shaver data plates:
scoutcarrod@cox.net 480 893-2201 Does good work!
Saturn Surplus (Pennsylvania) 717 692 9520
Scholer Restoration (near Sarasota, Florida): 813 677 7680 (vacuum lines, mostly correct but not all)
Star Electric- electrical stuff- "kevin" 502 877 0813
Surplus City (California)-M38 stuff, canvas stuff/repair- 818 767 3666 “Chuck”
Then & Now fuel pump repair:
http://www.then-now.com/services.html Highly recommended!
Thomas & Betts- wiring stuff (HQ in Tennessee) 800-816-7809, fax 800 816 7810,
elec_custserv@tnb.com in Belgium: +32.235.98200
europe_inquiry@tnb.com
Vintage Wiring of Maine-wiring harnesses, etc.- "Joe Hall" 207 465 3431
Weebee Webbing- canvas goods- "David Pizzoferrato" 888 632 5684
Willys Acres- M38 parts- "Marcus" 705 835 5739 Ontario Province, Canada
www.wiperman.com/ http:// (vacuum wiper motor repair)