M38 Jeep Restoration

Hawkshadow

Hawkshadow

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There appeared to be some interest when I posed in the April Purchases thread regarding my new M38 acquisition so I figured that I would give her a thread of her own!

To review, I recently came into my own M38 Jeep which I'm intending to restore. She's a 1952 M38CDN built by Ford. Been sitting for around 3 years outside since last running. So far as I can tell, still in full military configuration with all military parts.

I haven't attempted to turn her over yet, as I want to go over everything and make sure it's all good to go first. The oil shows no signs of water, the engine can be hand-turned and all appears good at this point in time. Right now the tranny is stuck in a gear (not sure which one), and doesn't want to disengage. The clutch works so she'll roll no problem. I'm hoping that rocking a bit may free her up, or it needs tranny fluid, but I'm definitely concerned about this. The tub is in rough shape and it is going to be a debate between patching or sourcing a new one.

She's my first and I'm admittedly quite excited. I know that there are several guys on here who have the experience, and I welcome any and all help, advice, stories, shared experiences or the like!

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Reply to the last thread: Bearhunter the electrical is 24v. I suspect that antenna was a fabbed add-on at some point in time.
 
Safety hint #1. Get some good ear protection. I can still hear the high pitched howling of the transfer case when you got them past 50 MPH. Between them and the rough and ready days on the range wearing a steel hemet and no ear protection no wonder the high incidence of hearing loss.

Safety hint #2. They have a short wheelbase and no rollbar or seatbelt and are very prone to losing control to rear end sway if driven too fast on a washboard road. I learned this the hard way and knew a few people who were killed or crippled in them.

Other than that have fun and volunteer to drive slowly in the local parades with the windshield down, canvas off and the local beauty queen in the right seat.
 
Thanks for the advice Purple. You may have to remind me of it later as I'm thinking that it will be a while before she's running, let alone driving!

Haha sorry to disappoint Grizzly Adams, this is definitely more involved than a mosin! Although I'm finding it's just like working with a really big and complex rifle with MANY more parts.

On to a status update! It's been quite a productive couple of days. I'll start from the beginning.

After cleaning out all of the leaves, dirt and such I started to get a better idea about the condition of my tub. It's certainly not great, but not horrible either.
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A keen eye kudo goes to the member who noticed that she's sitting on a slight angle. I didn't mention it before, but one of the other tasks is going to be fixing my left rear leaf spring. At some point in time the Rebound Clip (I believe is the name) appears to have broken, and the bottom section of leafs twisted out to the side, bending the U shackle as well. I'll try to get some good pictures later.

Next came the removal of the driver's seat and the fuel tank to pour out the tank's contents. When I tried to open the drain #### on the bottom of the tank I found that it no longer existed! Where the drain should have been I found only a sealed nipple. This leads me to believe that the tank has been re-lined in some sort of fashion at some point in time. Anyway, I removed the tank and poured out the brown substance that may have once been gasoline. Once the tank was removed I was able to see the full extent of tub damage that laid underneath: :eek:
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After the fuel tank was emptied, I moved on to the coolant system. I removed the hose at the bottom of the radiator and let it drain. After the coolant drained (and was collected) I flushed the rad with water. It began as a dirty brown but soon ran clear. Next I opened the coolant drain #### on the right side of the engine and let it drain. Once again I flushed with water, and this time all that came out was clear.

Next came an engine de-greasing. I also removed the driver's side fender to facilitate better access. After a whole can of de-greaser she's starting to clean up nicely! Some of the data plates and stamped wording are seeing daylight for the first time in years! Once again, I will try and get some pictures.

Today I also determined that the gear she's stuck in is reverse. We tried rocking her to get it to release with no luck. I'm not sure if there's anything I'll be able to do about this without complete transmission dis assembly... Any ideas? Am also concerned about the transfer. The shifts between ranges are very loose and are nowhere near "definite."

That's all for now, thanks for following along!
 
Best of luck with your restoration, It looks like a great project. Please keep the pics coming, I always thought a jeep would make a cool daily driver.
 
I have never restored one, but used them when they were still in service. In fact it was what I learned to drive standard with.

I remember during instruction, the instructors had pushed it over on to its side so we could see the under carriage and then pushed it back onto the wheels and drove off. This was in Vernon in 1985.

I'd love to get one myself and look forward to more posts on your project.
 
Use Amsoil 90w in the TC It helps with the noise and keeps the heat down. Also you do know that a real jeep marks it spot(ford jeeps as well). Mine always leaked. Also check out www.G503.com all kinds of knowledge and advice. And remember Google can be your friend
 
Thanks for the comments everyone! There will be more pics coming the next time I get the chance. It's definitely going to be a labour of love that will be heavy on the labour (as well as the bank account).

Recce, I definitely believe that could be done - these things are 1/4 tonne tanks!

Millwright, that she does! You can see the diapers in the first pic.
 
lots of parts out there still

I have a 1946 willys cj2a and rebuilt it with NOS parts

try willys acres http://www.willysacres.com/ here in ont marcus is a good guy to deal with

http://www.mullinsjeepparts.com/

seats http://www.odcloth.com/products.html

http://www.debellajeepparts.com/index.htm

https://www.armyjeepparts.net/

http://www.g503.com/forums/index.php

http://walcks4wd.com/


there are a few i used to start
 
Good thing you didn't get one of the M38A1s that were modified to mount the 106mm RCL. That would have been a real chore, especially locating a 106.;)

Talk about big balls. Those were our main infantry anti-tank defence system prior to the TOW missile. 800 metres max range and fired off the jeep or dismounted. Either way the backblast created a huge firing signature and meant a hasty move after each shot.:eek: We figured on 2, maybe 3 shots, before you got whacked. I forget how many rounds the trailer used to carry, but we didn't think you would last long enough to need a re-supply anyway.
 
Wow! Good on yeah for this, love a M38

Not to derail this thread but wanted to share a true story, not second hand stuff.

A buddy and I worked out in Nisku, AB for a seed coating company. Down the road was an auction company, Osman or Richie Brothers I can't quite remember.

On a slow day we headed over to see if anything interesting was rolling through. Well after watching the auction for a while and crusing through the lanes we stumbled across a unicorn ;)

Low and behold there was a M38 in mint and I mean MINT condition! It was complete from the like new canvas top to the slightly cracked but still holding air tires. Amazing, there wasn't even a scuff mark on the operating pedals (painted as the rest of the vehicle was).

We never found out where it came from but one of the guys said it was found tucked away and forgotten at the local army warehouse.

Didn't have any money just finishing school so couldn't even bid on that beauty. Damn I regret not hitting the parents up for some cash :(
 
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