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| '55 Willys question. | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Sep 1 2011, 02:53 PM (584 Views) | |
| 53Heep | Sep 1 2011, 02:53 PM Post #1 |
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Forgive me, this isn't about a 3B, but I thought some of you guys might be able to help me. I'm going to look at a '55 Willys Jeep tonight that is supposed to be an M38A1, but I'm a little skeptical. I was always led to believe that the M38A1s had no tailgate, yet this one does. Are there any other identifying characteristics I can look for that might differentiate this Jeep from a plain 'ol CJ that has been modified to look military? Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks! -Marc. |
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| Lawrence | Sep 1 2011, 04:48 PM Post #2 |
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Lawrence
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Nice looking M38A1 http://www.vintagemilitarytrucks.com/1955%...%20Eastland.htm Lawrence |
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1955 CJ3B Family Tradition Decatur, AL ~~"Seen it all, done it all, can't remember most of it"~~ ~~"We cannot direct the winds but we can adjust our sails"~~ http://cj3b.info/Owners/Wade.html http://cj3b.info/Events/SEWillys2017.html http://cj3b.info/Owners/WadeRiver.html | |
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| Bob_webber | Sep 1 2011, 05:27 PM Post #3 |
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well this is my 2 cents. we had once had a m170 that we had dealt off of a friend of ours, and we soon after traded it for a 2a. at that point in time we did not know what a m170 was, but this is beside the point. from what i remember about the m170 (pretty much a stretched m38a1, used as a military ambulance) it was all 24 volt, had no key switch, no title, had waterproof ignition system, sunk in headlamps, blackout lamps, and don't quote me but i remember it to have lots of goofy data plates. i agree with you the tailgate does sound fishy. a lot of the early c5's had the battery box cover on the cowl, but the factory had it welded shut for civilian use. it may be hard to tell, it depends on how many hands have been in it, the m170 we had was almost untouched, and also pretty rough. this is the way i look at it if the jeep has not been restored and it has 24 v system and no key, lots of data plates, someone would have to go through a lot of work to switch all that stuff. if he says he switched to 12v it may be worth asking if he kept any of the old wiring because it may be worth a pretty penny. if it is truly military you will know. anyone can feel free to correct me on anything because i am not a military jeep buff. good luck, looking at new jeeps is always fun!
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53 3b, early cj5 frame (hurricane),2.43 ratio t case 26 tooth with 1 1/4" case (my own creation), late 60's c5 ross steering box, all range od, parts from a welder generator, and parts from about 9 different jeeps and counting. my every last penny and ounce of patients creates what we call the FrAnken B, the jeep that never was bob, north east Ohio | |
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| Larry (TX) | Sep 1 2011, 06:36 PM Post #4 |
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Marc, you're entirely correct as the M38A1's had solid rear panels as did the Ford GPW's and Willys MB's of WWII. It is possible however that someone has cut out the rear solid panel and fabbed in a tailgate on an A1; (pretty easy to view and see if it is a factory made tailgate opening vs. a home made opening). The only military recon jeeps of that era that had factory tailgates were the M38's, one of which I luckily still own. |
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Larry Steed Pearland, Texas '53 Willys CJ3B '52 Willys M38 '86 Chevy M1009 CUCV (K5 4x4 Military Blazer) M100 1/4 ton jeep trailer M416 1/4 ton jeep trailer (2 ea.) M101 CDN 1/4 ton jeep trailer | |
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| HOGHEAD | Sep 1 2011, 07:30 PM Post #5 |
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Old Jeep Fart
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I bought a panal that takes the place of the tail gate looks just like the one in the photos,, for my 64 CJ-5 as i need someplace other than the side for the spare tire,, Its NOS & got it off E-bay... |
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Dargan Md... Death Before 2 Wheel Drive... "On a Steel Horse I ride" AMC Rules. "Journey" not the Destination... 59 Cj3-b (married to a 74 Cj-5 frame & AMC running gear) Willys Overland,, My Build http://z4.invisionfree.com/CJ3B_Bulletin_B...?showtopic=2892 | |
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7:39 PM Jul 10