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'53 M38a1 bushings etc...

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Dondo, Jul 6, 2004.

  1. Jul 6, 2004
    Dondo

    Dondo These are my good pants..

    Hutchinson, Kansas
    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2004
    Messages:
    314
    Does anyone know what kind and where to find suspension bushings and various rubber/poly pieces for a 1953 M38a1? I have a couple of catalogs but they only go back as far as 1955 CJ-5's. Mine is still pretty much military stock for that year, 11-1 1/2" springs all the way around with the stock coilover springs/shocks. The rubber bushings in the suspension as steering components look like they all need to be replaces, but I wanted to make sure that I ordered the right things.

    BTW, so far, I've slapped on some new rubber (BFG AT 235-75-R15's) with some stock 5 bolt white Jeep rims, added a brake light switch (kind of jerry rigged, but it works) and am sorting out the electrical on my buggy. The thing has no fuses, just a busbar with everything screwed directly to it. Needless to say, one of my first bolt on's was a fire extingisher... ;)
     
    Dondo, Jul 6, 2004
    #1
  2. Jul 6, 2004
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,585
    I believe most of the bushings are the same for the M38A1 and the CJ5. Most, but probably not all, but i am not totally sure.
     
    DanStew, Jul 6, 2004
    #2
  3. Jul 6, 2004
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
    Messages:
    12,376
    Walck's 4WD is my preference for a supplier. He should have anything you need. 610-852-3110
     
    Glenn, Jul 6, 2004
    #3
  4. Jul 6, 2004
    JAB

    JAB Member

    Genesee, WI
    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2003
    Messages:
    101
    Do the really early M38A1's have the two side-plate type of shackles or the sideways U type? I doubt you'll find anything but stock replacement for the sideways U type. I think you'll already have the shackle reversal on that one, right? The models with the two side plate type shackles should be just like the CJ-5. I have Prothane brand from JC Whitney on my '62 & have had them for years. Much better than the stock type IMHO.
     
    JAB, Jul 6, 2004
    #4
  5. Jul 9, 2004
    willysnut

    willysnut Banned

    Newnan, Ga.
    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2003
    Messages:
    654
    I replaced my U schackles with more modern ones and used the same bushings in the spring eyes and frame holes, still together after 2 yrs.
     
    willysnut, Jul 9, 2004
    #5
  6. Jul 10, 2004
    gte636p

    gte636p Member

    smyrna, Ga
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    492
    JAB, the 53 a1 sitting in my backyard right now has both of what you said.... a u type shackle with a bar across the front of it. the whole setup makes a sort of box for the spring to pivot on. the really big issue i see with the bushings on the 53 is that one side is small (think bolt size) and the other is large (thing willys U-style). i wouldn't be able to tell you for sure if the stock cj bushings would work for the smaller and the stock willys for the larger, but it's something i need to start looking into pretty soon myself. any help on this would be appreciated from me as well.

    as for the shackle i mentioned... the only place i can find it is beechwood. would this shackle be considered a "closed-U" type shackle? it's listed for the cj6 and i believe willys truck, but not for the a1's. of course, i could have something that's not even supposed to be on there, anyone know??

    sorry if i hijacked your thread dondo, just trying to work out some shackle/bushing things myself
     
    gte636p, Jul 10, 2004
    #6
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