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Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2017 6:26 am
by w30bob
Hi Guys,

Well......my 55 A1, which is my first military jeep (or any kind of jeep) arrived last night and I got to drive one for the first time. I'm 6'1" and 185 lbs. I felt like I was driving from inside an ATM machine! You guys actually drive these things for more than 10 or 15 minutes at a time? My hat's off to you. First order of business, once I get it to stop puking lubes all over my nice clean driveway, is to move that seat back. I've read it's pretty impossible.......but it's going back. I haven't dug into this in detail, but I think I can move the sheetmetal seat back from the front of the frame to the back of the frame and pick up an inch or two to start. I'll pull the cover off later. I won't destroy my original seat frame, I'll pick up a junker or an Omix at one of the meets in a few weeks. I also have to re-route the fuel sender wire, as right now it catches my foot entering and exiting. Other than that it's a "cozy" driving position for sure.

regards,
bob

Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2017 5:46 am
by Jeeps4Brains
Awh... come on! I am 6'1" and 220lbs and it is cozy but perfectly fine to drive. You learn to step in first with your right leg and slide behind the steering wheel.

You should sit in and drive a M38 or MB. Then you will think the M38A1 has lots of room. :lol:

Alan

Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2017 8:23 am
by Joe Gopan
A lot of us fit Jeeps way back when during the days of the "lean mean fighting machine". :wink:

Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2017 7:40 pm
by Joe Gopan
Driver and Asistant Driver used to swap seats while driving when they got tired.
Even done it a few times as the Battalion Motor Officers driver.

Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2017 7:09 am
by w30bob
I know, I know.......I'm a pussy. :roll:

I didn't say it was impossible to drive, just not optimal. I sure won't fall asleep driving it, I can guarantee that. Looking at it a bit more I can see how I can move the seat back a few inches. Offset adapter plates for the right side seat frame mounts and on the left I'll have to modify the seat bottom frame and put a small dog-leg in the seat back tube on the left side......but it can be done. Now installing that reclining mechanism........................... :mrgreen:

Hey........on the positive side I'll never complain about the driving position of my M37 again, now that's comfort!!

Happy Easter everyone!

regards,
bob

Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2017 9:30 am
by Joe Gopan
I've never had M-38/M-38A1 kits that sucked as I have been lucky to have bought a stock of OEM Carters made thru the 80's. I did loan out several of M-38 and M-38A1 OEM Carters to use as patterns for the quality kits now being marketed.

Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 2:57 pm
by dpcd67
Just chop out the wheelhouse and put a real seat in there; M38A1s are common enough so a little modification won't matter.

Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Posted: Sat May 13, 2017 5:56 pm
by w30bob
Ouch! Someone in 20 years is gonna be pissed you suggested that. :x

I bought another seat frame a few weeks ago and this weekend I picked a used bottom half of the driver's seat frame to play with. A small dog bone in the left side upper frame and moving the sheetmetal backing to the rear should do the trick. I was also looking at how roomy the M151's are this weekend.

regards,
bob

Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2018 4:11 am
by aguas
im 6'2" and i figured out how to more comfortably slump to see under the top of the windshield frame. dont have issues hitting the canvas top though.

have to wear regular shoes or less aggressive boots when i drive so i can reliably hit only one pedal at a time!

and the starter switch under the dash behind the shifters....oh boy.

Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2018 4:42 am
by Joe Gopan
"Short or small, big or small, M-38A1 fits them all"
The M-38A1 was the best 1/4 Ton fit available during its active military period.

Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2018 6:17 am
by g.keating
I would have to say the M170"s fit and ride beats any 1/4 ton in its day.

Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2022 7:16 am
by Maverick1701
I'm 6ft 6in and I fit in my M38A1 just fine

Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2022 9:57 am
by acudanut
Is that steering wheel digging into your stomach ? I went M151 and never looked back. Cheers

Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2024 7:51 am
by SKIVVYNINER1
Looking at '63 M38A1. I'm 6'3" 230...looks like I'll fit.. :lol:

Re: Tall guy in M 38 A 1

Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2024 9:25 am
by dpcd67
You guys need to forget these toy jeeps and get an M37. They will fit.
Sklv; first post I see; welcome to the forum.