My new 1954 M38A1

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Maverick1701
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Maverick1701 » Tue Aug 11, 2015 6:43 pm

Update for the day:
I installed my top bow brackets. I ran over them w/a wire wheel and painted before installation due to some rust.
I also finally finished up the rear axle (brakes and new pinion seal).
I also knocked out the front pass side brakes. All I have left is the front drivers side.

I need to replace the front pinion seal (the yoke is stuck in the diff), the two rubber brake lines under the body, master cylinder, and fix some wiring (no working brake light).

After all that I should be (knock on wood) ready for a vehicle inspection.
Chris
1954 M38A1


Maverick1701
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Maverick1701 » Sat Aug 22, 2015 3:28 pm

update for today.

I installed my new (used) bumper. The bumper came primer brown on one side and OD on the other. I painted and knocked out the install thursday afternoon.
I ran into a few issues during the install. The PO had installed a winch plate (and I am assuming a winch) which over the years caused some bending of the front frame horns. I had to enlarge some of the holes on the bumper so everything would fit. I gave all the hardware a nice coating of anti-seize and bolted everything back together.

I am working on the last few parts of the brake system (soft line). I may end up having to replace all the hard lines as well...a lot of the connections were rusty and twisted the lines while attempting to disconnect the old lines. I am currently fighting the soft line/hard line connection under the rear of the jeep...man that is a bugger to get to.

I also noticed that my drivers/front hub requires significantly more force/effort to rotate vs the others. I am thinking that I need to pull it apart and see what I have going on inside the hub.

I was in houston for a week for some training. I found a guy selling jerry cans @ $20 each. I picked up six. I am going to bring some back to life and use a few for some other projects. Hopefully I can clean and re-seal the interior of the cans before paint.

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Chris
1954 M38A1

Maverick1701
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Maverick1701 » Fri Aug 28, 2015 5:04 pm

So I have been super busy this week. My brake job is on hold until next week. I am stuck working a jury trial all this week.

I have been using what little time I have to knock out a quick wheel repaint. Here is an example of my wheels at the start and the end results. So far I have finished one....three to go.

I hit it with sandpaper, a wire drill brush/wheel, etc to knock down the rust. I then hit the wheels with several coats of spray-paint rustoleum paint/primer combo in flat black. I am pleased with the end result.

Started with this:
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Final Result:
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Chris
1954 M38A1

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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Joe Gopan » Sat Aug 29, 2015 4:00 am

Good job, hard work pays off.
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Maverick1701
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Maverick1701 » Thu Sep 10, 2015 7:29 pm

Progress has been slow these past few weeks. I spend one week working a murder trial, the next week was spent working a major hazmat spill on one of our major highways. I am just now getting caught up...hopefully I will have some free time this weekend.

I did catch a good deal on a set of top bows. They arrived tuesday. Normally I see them going for around $200 with another $100-$150 for shipping. I found a place that had a deal going for free shipping so I jumped on it.

I also scored a CJ5 style sport-bar from craigslist. This will allow me to either run just the military top (once I get the canvas), or bolt in the CJ bar (2...maybe 3 bolts) for a wrangler bikini style top. I get the best of both worlds without having to keep the cj car constantly installed (which I did not want).
Chris
1954 M38A1

Maverick1701
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Maverick1701 » Wed Sep 30, 2015 3:29 pm

Well big news on the project front.
I scored a parts 1954 M38A1 off craigslist. It looks mostly complete from the pictures which is super exciting. I am hoping that having access to all the various parts including those small bits/pieces will save me some money in the long run vs having to buy new replacement units.

I am going to pick it up tomorrow (10/1). Pictures will be posted ASAP because as we all know...pics or it didn't happen!!

Here are two teaser pictures from the craigslist ad.

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Chris
1954 M38A1

Maverick1701
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Maverick1701 » Thu Oct 01, 2015 4:39 pm

So I got the new rig home and wow... the idiom "a fool and his money are soon parted" holds true.
I should have walked away from the deal but I had Jeep on the brain. I am so angry with myself for not seeing it for what it was.

As I ran through town, I stopped by the coin-op car wash place for a good cleaning and vacuuming (I wanted to see what I had before totally kicking myself). Unfortunately I was not impressed by what I saw. This thing is really far gone (and to top it off, most of the parts I needed were already gone hahaha) I doubt I can even part it out for what I paid for it. I am hoping to flip it on craigslist in hopes I can get back at least what I have in it....but I have a sinking feeling that this will be a net loss for me.

What are y'alls thoughts? Should I attempt a part-out? At this point I am leaning towards the "sell & walk away" plan.

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Chris
1954 M38A1

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USASA
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by USASA » Thu Oct 01, 2015 7:57 pm

What did you have to pay for this?
Looks like you've got some salvageable items if you part it out. Windshield, fenders, dash, etc.
Compared to mine - even the tub's worth saving.
Gene
'54 M38A1
'67 M416

Maverick1701
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Maverick1701 » Thu Oct 01, 2015 8:12 pm

USASA wrote:What did you have to pay for this?
Looks like you've got some salvageable items if you part it out. Windshield, fenders, dash, etc.
Compared to mine - even the tub's worth saving.

I am ashamed to admit this but I paid 1K for this parts rig....I know...*hangs head in shame* hahahahaha
Chris
1954 M38A1

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rob w
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by rob w » Wed Jan 13, 2016 6:31 pm

Maverick,

NIce job picking up the parts rig, that'll be nice to have....

You've been making some decent progress on your A1, keep it up...

Can't help but notice your original rig has the slave receptical hooked up....

Can you show us some pictures of how it is wired up, and routed......this has been a topic on the board before and most A1's do not have a wired receptical.

thanks,

rob

Maverick1701
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Maverick1701 » Thu Jan 14, 2016 7:11 am

rob w wrote:Maverick,

NIce job picking up the parts rig, that'll be nice to have....

You've been making some decent progress on your A1, keep it up...

Can't help but notice your original rig has the slave receptical hooked up....

Can you show us some pictures of how it is wired up, and routed......this has been a topic on the board before and most A1's do not have a wired receptical.

thanks,

rob
not a problem. it might be a few days before i can post....work gets in the way. Ill be able to knock it out this weekend for sure.
Chris
1954 M38A1

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rob w
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by rob w » Thu Jan 14, 2016 6:29 pm

Thanks Maverick....

Looking forward to em.

Rgds,

Rob

Maverick1701
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Maverick1701 » Sun Jul 17, 2016 7:45 pm

rob w wrote:Maverick,
Can you show us some pictures of how it is wired up, and routed......this has been a topic on the board before and most A1's do not have a wired receptical.

thanks,

rob
Man guys.. I have been slacking majorly on the jeep progress (life/work gets in the way...it kinda stinks being an adult at times).
Rob I have not forgotten about your wiring question. I will see if I can knock it out this week...but it depends on what kicks off at work

Updates have been minor since my last post.
I was able to sell the parts jeep for a minuscule profit (after covering the uhaul rental, fuel, etc) via eBay. So it ended up not being one of those expensive lessons...just a lesson that was learned.

I am still jacking with my front axle pinion seal replacement...the yoke won't budge (nut/washer removed). I am also slowly knocking out the brakes. I am stuck at a joint located under the rear bed of the jeep (where the soft line connects with a hard line...my hands are too large, jeep body in the way, and rust is making the job a bit difficult to unscrew the line. I may end up having to replace the whole thing if I can't get it un-done (or damage it trying)
Chris
1954 M38A1

Maverick1701
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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Maverick1701 » Mon Jul 18, 2016 4:31 pm

rob w wrote:Thanks Maverick....

Looking forward to em.

Rgds,

Rob
Only a few months late...here are the pictures you requested.

Looking towards the front of the vehicle under the pass dash
WP_20160718_19_20_42_Pro.jpg
WP_20160718_19_20_42_Pro.jpg (109.3 KiB) Viewed 5058 times
Under-hood routing of the cabling
WP_20160718_19_21_44_Pro.jpg
WP_20160718_19_21_44_Pro.jpg (105.5 KiB) Viewed 5058 times
Chris
1954 M38A1

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Re: My new 1954 M38A1

Post by Maverick1701 » Sun Feb 05, 2017 2:38 pm

Today I started bringing back to life some 5-gal fuel cans. I am using the "hit it with a wire wheel & then soak in a tote of vinegar" method.
The wire wheel knocks off the loose paint, and the vinegar bath takes care of the rust. I'll report back with the results.

-chris
Chris
1954 M38A1


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