This is my 1953 M38A1. I was looking for a CJ to restore and found this one instead. We used a CJ windshield frame, but otherwise kept most of the body parts stock. It is converted to 12v with an alternator. The blackout light canisters have been converted to 12 volt and wired for park lights, stop, and turn signals. I still have a set of unmolested blackout lights. The PTO is in the garage and a Saturn Overdrive is installed in its place. This was a two year, frame off restoration, everything is either new, rebuilt, or replaced. We kept her as close to what she was as possible while civilianizing and prettying her up. My wife picked the color, and I think it was a great choice. We are looking forward to running the back country this summer in our little Willys. Kaiser Willys supplied a huge amount of replacement parts for this project and they were most helpful in bringing her back to life.
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Michael Parker
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Glad to see an old soldier get a new lease. Good job.
i’m wanting to purchase a 5 bolt 15″ steel rim for a 42 jeep, does not have to be period, just need a wheel will find proper one later.
There was an adapter made to go between the overdrive and PTO.,A pto winch cannot be bested by anything electric. Even the winch dealers will tell yo this. Also what did yo do with the 24 volt components. Restorers would love to have them. Any amount of water in the alternator will ruin it immdiately. Dave
I have two M-38s in the process of restoration. I believe I owe it to history to leave at least one of these in the original US Air Force Strata Blue and 24 volt electrical. For safety I respectfully recommend a roll bar for any
Jeep. -Bruce
Congratulations! I really love the color! Currageous not to keep it in olive drape, still elegant and somehow related to 4×4 fun due to the earth color tone.
I did o repaint of my ex-swiss army MD last year and chose a diy camouflage color pattern because i didn’t just want a ‘new’ army jeep. It’s my beloved forrest tractor and soon also my fun snow plow and it’s looking very cool. If i had chosen to do another color sceme your MD was most likely THE source of inspiration for me. Love it!
Great paint. She looks good in “civvies”. Nice clean engine job, too. Don- ’50 M38
Great work! Can you post a picture with the top up? We have a 1955 CJ5 that needs a top and we’re not sure which way to go.
Thx!
Beautifully restored jeep!
I’m restoring a 1952 M38A1 with my grandson to USMC original. We are about two years into the process of a frame off and it is going well. We are on the uphill portion of the fun now.
We’ve been able to repair or replace everything, including all of the blasting and refinishing. We even have era specific working military radios, I had to take and pass the amateur radio licensing to be able to use them. I’d love to find and locate original PTO and winch assemblies. No look with that, yet.
Thanks Kaiser Willys for allowing us to show and discuss the vehicles. Great inspiration for those of us still along the way!
man this M38A1 is BEAUTIFUL!!!! I am green with envy.
Congratulation!! great work But i never shall have remove the electrical System MS 24V!
Beautiful job, but I’m partial to Army Green and kept my M38A1 original.
Great restoration job! I have a 1952 M38A1 myself, and have stalled on its restoration. My health is not as good as it was, and weather and allergies have played their part, but it’s close to being complete. I’ll share pix when I’m done.
Jim
I have a 1952 M38 that I put a 198 Buick V6 in over 40 years ago…its got a Ramsey underwind pto winch from a intl Scout I put on @ the same time…its correct that there is no comparison with eletric…I have winched out vehicles 5 times my size by chaining the Jeep to a tree…its my baby…
Dear Sir,
Regarding the M38A1 restoration, there was a way of adapting the power take off to the back of the overdrive by removing the rear cover of the overdrive and adding a special washer. It worked well on my CJ-2A for years. If you decide to put a PTO winch on the front there is no comparison w/electric. I used my PTO ramsey winch for hours without hesitation.
As for the black out markers if you do not want them try the Kaiser-Wilys dashboard. Many restorers would be glad to have them.
Dave