NOS Tail lights and other bizzare things

always possible a po used NOS military replacement parts. at one time they where cheaper than new. have seen old ads (late 70's/early 80's) that listed NOS M38a1 tubs for $50.

 

It is, without question, an M38A1 frame. Front bumper to rear crossmember, bolted pedal pivot and gun mount and all! It is stamped with the appropriate numbers for my Jeep, in the civilian location. As Howard had mentioned some time in the past, they just snuck them in at times.

 

Your teasing me again...pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

My '56 CJ5 has factory reverse shackles, s/n 36141. But I'm with you Howard, I think these are the "correct" style. If it's a proven fact that this style works better, then why did they make the majority of them backwards, with the shackles in front? I've never heard anybody saying they liked them in front, but lots of people talking about changing them to "reversed".

 

I am sure that the design change to have the shackles in the front was due to the same problem that many rock crawlers have with their "shackle reversals". Upon suspension droop, with shackles in the rear of the spring, the axle pulls down and forward, causing the potential, and often times the result, of having the slip yoke pull off of the drive shaft. With the shackles in the front, this problem does not occur. Of course, the "reversal" makes for a smoother ride and better handling due to the nature of how forces are applied to the axle, and subsequently the frame, during normal driving. Toss up really.