1952 m38a1

[Shug4]

I have acquired a 1952 m38a1 radio jeep that came out of Africa years ago. I am going to restore it. I need pictures and information on it if anyone out there has any. I need close up pictures so I can get back to original as possible. Thanks.

[Jeeps4Brains]

You might start with getting a set of manuals. I know they can also be bought on CD as well.

My 53 when I got was in pieces from the original owner. I used the manuals a lot to figure out where things went and how they should look.

Welcome to the site there is lots of info here.

[skyjeep50]

You can also explore the Willys M Jeeps site www.willysmjeeps.com where you will find in the "Downloads" section the manuals for your jeep plus lots of other supportive information. The "Photo Gallery" has hundreds of photos of jeeps as well as technical photos of parts and assemblies. You can ask questions there and at this site and also research for answers by doing a search.

[MASH_4077]

I would get a set of manuals also! The correct TM's are your best bet to start off. Are you going to put the radios back in it?

[Dave M38A1]

Where are you located? One of the best resources is the chance that here may be an someone close that may have restored one.

Good luck, lots of great information available here.

[skyjeep50]

At www.willysmjeeps.com you can look at the manuals on-line or download, save and print info as needed. A free resource!

[Shug4]

After I look at it I don't think it is a radio jeep. The brackets for the antennas are not there. The guy thinks that the brackets for the top bows are the antenna brackets. I live in Decatur Illinois. Is there any clubs or groups close by?

[skyjeep50]

Equipment such as antenna brackets can be removed easily, the holes filled so really don't define a "radio jeep". Early models of the A1 had a radio power lead and plug next to the front passenger seat between the seat and the outer wall of the jeep. I think these were eliminated in later models as a cost saving. So, any jeep could be a radio jeep. Larger radio sets needed extra electrical power and a 100 amp generator and voltage regulator replaced the 60 amp standard units. Field conversion could be done as needed. One thing that was standard on the M38A1 was the frame mounts for a machine gun pedestal.

[Shug4]

I appreciate the info. My m38a1 has a volt meter or small guage in the dash next to the data plate. Is this normal. Also does anyone have the paint number for the tan paint and a picture of it.

[skyjeep50]

The typical M-series volt meter will have 4 color coded ranges in an arc under the needle tip, from left to right - red, yellow, green and red. Plus the word "Volts" All of the gauges were in the removable center panel. If your gauge is in a cutout in the sheet metal next to the gauge instrument panel - it's probably a "bubba" mod. Or it could be a civvy gauge of some sort. Can you post a pic?

[Shug4]

The more I ask questions and think about things I come to a lot of conclusions. I don't know if they are right or not. I found out that the paint is not a military paint job because the frame and axles are still an OD green. The jeep was sent to the Marine Corps. I think that it was going to be a radio jeep because of the volt meter that was put next to the data plates. Then it was in a storage yard and never used but was eventually purchased by a civilian an repainted a tan color. I am going to paint it the OD color.