Disassembling M38a1 Headlights?

I have an M38a1 grill on in my CJ5, and the wiring for the headlights is extremely poor, no insulation left and no good wire to splice into, so I want to replace all of the wire, and possibly the headlamps (don't know if they work or not).

I removed the 3 screws that hold the front piece on for each light, but the outside ring it seems to be stuck on. Is it supposed to pull straight out? Should I just pry harder? or does it need clock one way or the other before it will come free?

 

You mean the inner ring, like this? Should come free if you remove the screws.

 

...and then just buy new headlight plugs on Amazon or eBay
https://a.co/d/fO8VNux

 

oh! I didn't realize the wires weren't hard wired into there. Maybe I'll try that before I replace the headlamps.

I mean the outer rings, the very first ring on the outside, I'll try prying against it a bit harder. just wasn't sure how it was supposed to come off, if it just pulls off, or if it twists or something

 

The outer bezel of an A-1 has a flat face as opposed to the chrome rounded version on the CJ. It has a rubber gasket that seals to the retainer shown above. I think the Military vehicles got another coat of paint if the vehicle didn’t move for a month or two. As a result, I’ve had more than one A-1 where the outer bezel was stuck from paint bonding the rubber gasket to the retainer. You might try separate the parts (cut the paint) with an X-Acto knife, if this is your issue. The bezel should easily pull off once the three stainless screws are removed. By the way, there are small wire retainers that keep those retainer screws from coming all the way out and getting lost.
-Donny

 

You need to clarify if you have the OED type 24-volt units. They have hard-wired pigtails.

 

I honestly don't know. I guess I'll know soon enough once I get it dissasembled. I'll try pulling that ring off harder tonight, it might just be stuck

 

Good tip. I forgot that, it has been so long.

 

aaahh, I was wondering why the screws didn't seem to come all the way out easilly, I had to pull them out, rather than them just falling out. I'll pry at the ring and cut the paint if needed

 

The outer head light ring screws are not supposed to be removed. They have retaining clips.

 

had time to remove the headlights today, it was all just stuck together with dirt. A bit of gentle tapping and some prying and the outer rings came off. inner rings came out easy and the lamps and wires came out easy.

From looking at parts online, it looks like mine are the 24v lamps with the large metal connectors (probably original, the wire insulation is just disintegrating). I'm going to order new 12v lamps with the wiring pigtails, rubber grommets and gaskets.

Thanks for the replies

 

I took apart the blackout signal lights below the headlights, and man they are super crusty. Look like they had been filled with water for a long time. I'm going to TRY to reuse them, but remove the inner part leaving just the outside glass, and see if I can get a 2 wire bulb housing in there so that I can run them as running lights and signal lights. both outside screws came out ok on the passenger side, but on the drivers side, both screws snapped off with very little pressure. There looks like there's enough meat in them to drill out and tap them for different screws.

 

Depending on which housings your small signal lights have, there are some M151 Mutt lens covers that make them more street legal.
-Donny