1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

A few question about my first jeep

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by 57willyscj, Dec 5, 2006.

  1. Dec 5, 2006
    57willyscj

    57willyscj New Member

    Milledgeville, GA
    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2006
    Messages:
    23
    Okay here we go...
    Last week I bought a 1957 willys cj5, the other day, I was stripping it down to do a new paint job and I noticed that the base coat of paint was OD green. There were three layers of paint on it, blue, white, red primer and the base was OD. Were there m38A1's that were orriginally made for military use and then converted to civillian use? The only badge on it is the serial number on the firewall, but it used to have a plate behind the passenger seat that is not there anymore. Any insight would be great.
    This is my first jeep and my first post, I'm sure there will be many more to come.

    ~Thanks for any insight
    Kurt
     
  2. Dec 5, 2006
    jayhawkclint

    jayhawkclint ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

    Oklahoma City, USA
    Joined:
    May 18, 2006
    Messages:
    2,622
    Hi there. Welcome from KS!

    Can't answer you're question directly, but pics pics sure would help out your cause here. Especially some of the dash, grille, and any data plates.
     
  3. Dec 5, 2006
    toolbox

    toolbox If you get bored, I've got the projects.

    Hamilton, Montana
    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2006
    Messages:
    347
    Post some pics, and we can tell you if it's ex-military. There's a few dead giveaways...on the outside--M38A1s don't have a tailgate, have a cutout for an APU on the right side near the fender, functional battery box in the cowl, recessed headlights...inside, they'll have a full gauge set, 3 lever light switch (or a big oval hole for one), 24V electrical, blackout lights, etc. Once you know what to look for they're pretty easy to spot. Seems like every Jeep ends up with an OD green paint job at some time in it's life (guilty...:oops: ). Most likely someone just gave a coat to look like an army Jeep. But, post some pics and we can tell you for sure.

    Welcome aboard! I've got a '55 CJ5 I'm working on :) .
     
  4. Dec 6, 2006
    57willyscj

    57willyscj New Member

    Milledgeville, GA
    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2006
    Messages:
    23
    I'll get those pics up as soon as I can. I know that the whole wireing system has been replaced so it's all 12 volt now. The dash has also been replaced, so the guages are not the same. other than that it's all original-for now. either way, for the pice i got a good deal for a running 50 year old jeep.
     
  5. Dec 6, 2006
    Kodiak12060

    Kodiak12060 Sponsor

    Beacon NY
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2002
    Messages:
    465
    The tag behind the passenger side seat would probably make it a M38A1. Only they had that. The gauges were in a removable panel and it had glove boxes both sides or am I thinking M38 on the boxes? The cowl cover should have some hold down clips. The grill may also be hinged at the bottom, Bill
     
  6. Dec 6, 2006
    TigerShark

    TigerShark Sponsor

    St. Louis, MO
    Joined:
    May 27, 2004
    Messages:
    333
  7. Dec 6, 2006
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    Yes, many M38A1s were painted other colors in the civilian world.

    They were surplused to other government agencies first, and I believe other countries also. Fire departments, Search and Rescue, Highway Departments, etc. painted them in their own colors.

    Next they were gradually liberated to civilians, who also painted them. And don't forget the wannabees who painted CJ5s ("Civilian Jeep") in military OD.

    Mine was Civilian Air Patrol blue, our Fire Department had a white one.

    If you sand very very gently you may be able to discover the military markings and hood numbers.

    Enjoy.

    Pete
     
  8. Dec 6, 2006
    trickpatrick

    trickpatrick Done? LOL

    North Idaho USA
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2006
    Messages:
    838
    When i lived in Sacramento the jeeps that guys got from the Airforce base's there were Orange.
     
  9. Dec 6, 2006
    dohc281

    dohc281 It is what it is.

    Laurel Springs, N.J.
    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2004
    Messages:
    605
    Hello from NJ.
     
  10. Dec 7, 2006
    Strider380

    Strider380 Can I have a zip tie?

    New England
    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2006
    Messages:
    1,117
    Hey Kurt. I have a 57 M38A1. They're beastly looking vehicles. The glove box is too the left of the steering wheel, but since your dash was replaced, look for a patched up hole for a filler neck next to the passenger seat. I assume if you wanted to, you could take out the tool box and put a second gas tank under the passenger seat. PeteL, thats a great idea trying to sand down to the markings on the hood.
     
  11. Dec 7, 2006
    tango59

    tango59 Member

    Memphis Tn
    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2006
    Messages:
    98
    My 75 has OD green in alot of places that normally don't get painted. Looks original. Iv'e wondered what the deal was but I don't think the millitary used that year CJ.
     
  12. Dec 12, 2006
    57willyscj

    57willyscj New Member

    Milledgeville, GA
    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2006
    Messages:
    23
    Yeah I was looking at the pics of the m38a1's on here, I have the filler neck on the side by the pasenger seat. There once was a hole on the right fender that has a plug. The grill is not a flip down grill, nor does it have recessed headlights. I will get pics up as soon as possible though...
     
New Posts