Top Bracket Question

[w30bob]

HI Guys,

While looking online for the top frame brackets for my M38A1 I came across an add for an original middle bracket (the bracket the top frame plugs into when the bows are up), but it said something confusing. It said this bracket was used on all M38s and M38A1s made before 1954. This bracket has the hole in the center with the nut welded on the backside to accept the thumbscrews. It goes on to say M38A1s made after 1954 used a middle bracket that didn'the have the provision for the thumbscrews, meaning no hole or nut welded on the backside. But I don'the see such a bracket being reproduced or any pics of it online. All the middle brackets I see use the thumbscrew. Was the bracket really modified in 1954 to eliminate the thumbscrews? Anybody have a pic of such a bracket or confirm that it exists? How come there are no pics of it out there and no one repops it? My M is a 1955, so I want to find the correct brackets.

Thanks,
Bob

[Joe Gopan]

They do exist, I may even have some in my box of M-38/M-38A1 hardware) and can be recreated with a chisel and a grinder. Most M-38A1 owners are not aware of any differences. Real late M-38A1's (later than yours) do not have the Thumb Screw holes in the body tub sides at that location.
(I could really have fun at the shows)

[w30bob]

Ah......thanks Ben. So he's right about the hardware, wrong about the date. That's good for me........I can now buy the repro brackets with the thumbscrew provisions and still sleep at night.
Whew........that was a close one!



bob

[Joe Gopan]

You can play with the TM's and parts manuals and figure out some of this, but there is a gray area where a few years real life exposure to motor pools filled with plenty of unmodified M-38A1's to compare comes in real handy.

[Cabin Fever]

I have a 1955 M38A1.

The rear slot that the flattened end of the bow fits into has the hole for the wing screw.

However, the front clip that is used to secure the bows when collapsed and stored does not have a hole and welded nut.

[Joe Gopan]

You have the M-38A1 late version brackets, no thumb screws. Note that the hole in the sockets is just that and lacks the "weld nut for a thumb screw. Your body tub may still have the hole for the thumb screw to stick thru, that 1" or so hone in the tub was deleted on later M-38A1 Jeeps.
The kids look at home in the back seat.

[wilfreeman]

USMC Kaiser "contract" 'a1s had the brackets without the thumbscrew hole or nut. I have the main brackets, but need to buy the front bow storage brackets. Anybody have a source?

[Joe Gopan]

If John Bizal cannot help you, I will consider my spare set.

[wilfreeman]

I'll give him a shot - thanks