M38A1 for Trail

I am glad I found this site, I know I will learn alot here about the early jeeps. I just sold my Scrambler and K5 and have to have another rig to ride with my buddies. I have a Rubicon, but, going to keep it stock and let my son have it while going to high school then keep it for me. I need opinions on how the M38's work as trail rigs, Pro's and Con's. I don't want to put 1-ton axles etc. under it, I have been there before. I want to build a light, very capable sleeper rig, maybe 35-37's max tire. The one I am looking at is a 54 and seems to be fairly solid except for a little rust in the toe board of the floor pan. The guy is asking $1750 for it, is this a fair price?

Thanks,
Jess

 

Hard to say without pics. 35s or 37s are asking a lot of a mostly stock M38. a '54 should be a m38A1 and should have the F-head in it. 70 horses isn't a lot. I would think about maybe sticking closer to 33s witht he axles in it and you should be fine.

 

My uncle owns a salvage yard and has several complete Scouts, J trucks, cjs, Waggys, chevy k10-20's etc. I had 60front and 14Bff, LT-1, 700r4 and Dana 300 to put in my Scrambler, but, sold it because it was just too nice to make a trail rig. I will be starting from scratch again. What about 44 front and rear w/ crom. axles. I want a light but torquey engine and use gear reduction through tcase. After watching a Suzuki at Tellico, It gave me the itch for a light and small rig, just a jeep.

Thanks
Jess