WTK M38A1 Radio Installation Power Source

1952 - 1968, M38A1, M170, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the M38a1 series.
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dlevy
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WTK M38A1 Radio Installation Power Source

Post by dlevy » Fri Jan 05, 2018 7:16 pm

Hi All,

Can anyone provide details on how to get power to the radio of an M38A1?

Where do the (+) and (-) leads attach to the vehicle?
Where / how are the cables routed?
I found this picture on an old post. Is this correct? If so anyone have one for sale?

Any help (especially with pictures or TM drawings) is appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave
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Ken Perkins
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Re: WTK M38A1 Radio Installation Power Source

Post by Ken Perkins » Sun Jan 07, 2018 8:51 am

go to the mjeeps site....their in the download section
1951 M38 #22936
1951 M100 DUNBAR
1953 M100 DUNBAR
M416B1
2- M762
MVPA #11788
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Re: WTK M38A1 Radio Installation Power Source

Post by JMZ421 » Sun Jan 07, 2018 11:00 am

Not sure if the same as a M38 but I did just go a check mine. The postive cable goes through the top holes of that side cowl support up into my battery box via a grommeted hole in the battery box, attached right to the positive side battery. The negative is grounded right in the tool box area, lift up the lid and is grounded right near the front vertical area. Again, not sure if the same but I can send picture if you need for the negative and Be careful to attach to correct battery if this is indeed how the A1 is supposed to be. Not sure if this really helped but I thought I would respond :) John

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Re: WTK M38A1 Radio Installation Power Source

Post by Jeeps4Brains » Mon Jan 08, 2018 4:52 am

I have seen the mounting kits around for sale from time to time but not that often.

I connected mine just as John has described. The only different thing I did was not connect the Positive directly to the battery but to a length of wire with a replaceable fuse in line. I could just imagine the radio shorting and causing a fire or some kid at an event taking the cover off and wondering what would this do.
45' MB, ??' MBT, 47' CJ2A, 48' CJ2A,
51' M38 #1, 51' M38 #2, 51' M100,
52' M37, ??' M101A1 (1st Gulf War Vet),
53' M38A1, 53' M211, 65' M151A1, 67' M416,
MVPA #31724

dlevy
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Re: WTK M38A1 Radio Installation Power Source

Post by dlevy » Sat Jan 13, 2018 5:03 pm

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the info. If you could post a couple of pictures, that would be helpful.

I am not sure through which hole in the battery box the (+) cable goes.

Also, unless I have the wrong cable setup, the leads will not be long enough to go from a plug mounting location to side of the floor tool compartment.

Thanks
Dave
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Joe Gopan
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Re: WTK M38A1 Radio Installation Power Source

Post by Joe Gopan » Sat Jan 13, 2018 8:15 pm

Don't forget to apply Scotch Calk to seal the floor panels, Access panels, etc,. It's in the SNL's. :wink:
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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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Re: WTK M38A1 Radio Installation Power Source

Post by Joe Gopan » Sat Jan 13, 2018 8:16 pm

Don't forget to apply Scotch Calk to seal the floor panels and access coverss like the one for the powerplant heater etc,. It's listed in the SNL's. :wink:
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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Re: WTK M38A1 Radio Installation Power Source

Post by 4X4M38 » Mon Jan 15, 2018 7:05 pm

Your positive cable is nowhere near long enough.
As noted the ground goes into the tool box and is screwed to the floor of the box.

dlevy
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Re: WTK M38A1 Radio Installation Power Source

Post by dlevy » Mon Jan 15, 2018 7:14 pm

Hi,

Thanks.

I am still not sure which hole in the battery box the positive radio lead should go through. There are 2 existing holes you can see in the pictures I posted; one on top opposite the (+) battery lead and one on the bottom of the battery box in the middle by the drain tubes.

Any chance you know how long the positive lead should be?

Know where to get the correct cable?

I bought this cable from Midwest Military. I believe that he sold it as a radio power cable, but not specifically for the M38A1.

Dave

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Re: WTK M38A1 Radio Installation Power Source

Post by Jeeps4Brains » Tue Jan 16, 2018 5:46 pm

Here are the photos of the kit installed. It fit correctly and the wires were long enough.

Beside the passenger seat:

Image

Image

In my kit there was a 90 degree connector that fit in the opening on the rear of the cowl battery box. Once in the hole there was a lock ring that held it in place. You can see where I added a fuse instead of wiring directly to the + of the battery.

Image

Alan
45' MB, ??' MBT, 47' CJ2A, 48' CJ2A,
51' M38 #1, 51' M38 #2, 51' M100,
52' M37, ??' M101A1 (1st Gulf War Vet),
53' M38A1, 53' M211, 65' M151A1, 67' M416,
MVPA #31724

dlevy
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Re: WTK M38A1 Radio Installation Power Source

Post by dlevy » Tue Jan 16, 2018 5:51 pm

Hi Alan,

Thanks. That's what I needed to see.

Your (+) cable is at least twice the length of the one I have. I will have to shop around for another.

Regards,
Dave

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Re: WTK M38A1 Radio Installation Power Source

Post by Jeeps4Brains » Wed Jan 17, 2018 8:55 am

Well if the cable you have will reach up under the dash out of sight and you are not worried about it you could add an extension to it. I would use some sort of heat shrink covering over the splices.

Here is the type of connector that went into the battery box.

https://www.platt.com/platt-electric-su ... zpid=65233
45' MB, ??' MBT, 47' CJ2A, 48' CJ2A,
51' M38 #1, 51' M38 #2, 51' M100,
52' M37, ??' M101A1 (1st Gulf War Vet),
53' M38A1, 53' M211, 65' M151A1, 67' M416,
MVPA #31724


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