M38a1 emergency brake

1952 - 1968, M38A1, M170, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the M38a1 series.
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gunter635
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M38a1 emergency brake

Post by gunter635 » Fri Jul 11, 2014 5:13 pm

Emergency brake question, or lack there of. I have this Marine m38a1 frame with complete drivetrain. Here's my question....I have noticed the transfer case has no emergency brake. Not only is there no brake but it has no place to bolt one up. Is this normal for these jeeps? Why would the Marines have no emergency brake? Just curious. Thanks.
C'EST LA VIE
1958 M37B1
53 M38A1 USAF.


Joe Gopan
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Re: M38a1 emergency brake

Post by Joe Gopan » Sat Jul 12, 2014 3:42 am

Every Jeep left the factory with a parking brake. Note the holes in the floor and on the Tool Box corner for the handbrake lever. The Transfer Case Rear Bearing Retainer should have provision for the pin that the shoes attach to. Is the brake drum still there. Midwest Military has the shoes and the lever that the shoes attach to. I have NOS Pin. The Pin is attached to the passenger side of the bearing retainer by a 5/8" Nut with split lockwasher.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
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gunter635
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Re: M38a1 emergency brake

Post by gunter635 » Thu Jul 17, 2014 5:12 pm

Well, I tried to load some photos but with no luck. As to your answer Ben Dover, there is no drum or anything. It's as if it didn't exist. The drive shaft is bolted directly to the transfer case. I have a spare trans and it has the e-brake drum ect on it. That's why the question. It just had me confused for a bit. Looks like that's the way it was made. ssw
C'EST LA VIE
1958 M37B1
53 M38A1 USAF.

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: M38a1 emergency brake

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu Jul 17, 2014 11:03 pm

Perhaps someone installed a Truck or Wagon Transfer that has no provision for parking brake. The rear bearing retainer for the X-Fer is just that, there are no provisions for the parking brake mechanism.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

gunter635
G-Staff Sergeant
G-Staff Sergeant
Posts: 50
Joined: Mon Sep 05, 2011 5:48 am
Location: Nicholasville, KY

Re: M38a1 emergency brake

Post by gunter635 » Fri Jul 18, 2014 3:24 pm

That could be. I'm looking at it to possibly put in my 53 m38a1. I need to replace the trans. Question is......will it work?
C'EST LA VIE
1958 M37B1
53 M38A1 USAF.

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: M38a1 emergency brake

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Jul 18, 2014 5:19 pm

T-90 from 4 Cyl Wagon and Truck will work fine, if the T-90 is from a 6 Cyl 6-226, the M.D. Gear, (Input Shaft is too long) it will not fit unless a shaft from 4 Cyl is installed.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO


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