Front grill/radiator support question

Aargh, it's dark and raining (hey, it's November on the coast), but I had to put the gum boots on and check the jeep down in the Quonset. Popped the hood and sure enough, the driver's side rod is both lower and slightly bent. It couldn't have had anything to do with a heater, as the A1 doesn't have so much as a delete plate on the firewall.

Pete's A1 is an early and as mentioned, didn't have the rods. The A1 evolved the first couple years, by the time mine was made (2-54) it had lost a number of unique A1 features like the complete underwater kit (mine has some, just not all of it). I still think the differences in the pass and drivers side rods has to do with the shovel- the rod helps support it should the straps holding the shovel up against the hood loosen up and allow the tool to flop around.

Far as I know, the hinges on the early grill had to do with dropping the grill out of the way to get in there and remove the radiator/engine/trans/TC as a unit for rapid work in the shop or field. The military manuals show pictures of this being done. The radiator detached from the grill and stayed with the engine- there are even specialized rods extending rearward from the radiator and attaching to the motor mounts to help hold the radiator in position as the powerplant is removed. They'd supposedly just drop another powerplant in its place and charge back to the frontline. By '53-'54, maybe somebody figured that kind of speed in maintenance wasn't necessary.

 

Just to throw an extra turd in the pile, only the early M38A1s had the hinged grille.

 

My 1954 M38A1 doesn't have the hinges it has the single bolt rubber isolator for the grill and it has the support rods also and the hood has the shovel mount.

 

This discussion got me wondering as I have seen both versions of the grill support rods. I have assumed the ones with the bend were bent by mechanics over the years. It was interesting to know the bend is correct as a carry-over from the military version. Now with that said, my two '64 Tuxedo Parks both have straight rods on both sides. One of my Tuxes was bought new by my dad, so I know its whole history.
I also have a nos (never installed) m38a-1 grill shell with the Willys paper label dated 1953 and it has the lower frame hinges and no provision for the upper support rods on the upper corners.
-Donny

 

Mighty Mouse ('67 Tux) is straight. Were just the Tuxes straight?

 

My '67 Tux has bends in both rods.

 

<<<<< bent rod

 

it would help if y'all get the terminology correct..ha ha.
" Rod, Dash to Air Deflector"
so...71 and prior uses two rods measuring 27-7/8" long
72-75 uses two rods measuring 32-27/32" long
I suppose this difference in length is for the longer front fenders beginning in 1972.
But, the TUX is unique...
the right rod is 27-9/32" long; the left rod is 27-5/16" long.
So now we have another way to verify your Jeep as being a TUX or not.

 

Not if you consider my "standard" '57 CJ5 apparently has straight rods, as posted above

 

"...the right rod is 27-9/32" long; the left rod is 27-5/16" long."

You must be joking, surely. ("And don't call me Shirley.")

A difference of 1/32" requires two different parts???

As one of my crew once yelled from the roof, "you come up here and SHOW me one F***ing thirty-second!!!"

 

Hey, it's what the parts manual says.
And the parts manuals are never wrong....yea right.

 

well.....??????
toe tapping..?????

 

I guess the next funny discussion will be which is left and which is right ?
I'm going to get another cup myself...this might be good.
and what happens if they get installed incorrectly?
do we re-write the book?