M38A1 vs. CJ-5 Differences?

He could be referring to the extra support gussets and the extra boxing the frame on the M38a1 received. I don't believe the frame is any thicker material. The M38a1 also has an extra strap on the inside of the "C" down the middle on the bottom where the crossmember (tranny) bolts to. There are lots of extra nuts welded to the frame for extra bracketry. There are enough for a couple of brackets on the front frame horns, a couple down each side, and of course the machine gun mount on the floor hump crossmember in the rear. This is just what I've found on the one sitting in my driveway right now underneath my '68 "parts" Jeep, which still has some of the OD paint flaking off of it (the frame, not the body) . Nickmil.

 

What Nick said pretty much covers most of it. Mine are sitting side by side in the back yard.The noticeable differences being the shackle reversal and the extra boxing in the front of the frame, that along with assorted brackets and tie downs. The aforementioned machine gun mount. I believe the frames are the same thickness, I measured it some time back just out of curiosity, 3/16 or 7 ga. IIRC for both the CJ and the M38A1.

 

The grill on the early m38a1's also in hinged like the m38s, the grill is slightly different, headlights are not flush mounted but mounted inward, marking lights are mounted behind grill. No tailgate on the a1, glove box door on the drivers side, dash panel is removable, battery box opens, frame is the same thinkness only diff is the extra boxing up front and the machine gun mount.

 

The differences between my A1 and CJ5 frame are as follows:

On the A1:

Shackle reversal
Frame boxing between front bumper and crossmember.
Weapon mount under rear floor.
Different rear body mounts on frame due to the addition of the weapon crossmember.

The frame strapping for the crossmember is the same on my 52 or 53 A1 and my 63 CJ5. I measure the thickness of the steel used on both frames and it was identical. Maybe I can get busy and get a picture of both frames side by side before my helpers go home for vacation.... :twisted: