M38 headlight ring fit CJ2A/3A headlight?

Does anyone know if a M38 headlight trim ring will fit a CJ2A/3A headlight bucket and grill? I am cloning a m38 on my CJ2A build and was hoping to have the headlights look correct for a m38. It is not really critical as my Jeep is highly modified and not even close to a restored M38 but I do kind of like the look. I was going to add the headlight guard as well. It looks like I could just find some trim rings and bolt them onto my grill. Any thoughts?
Greg

 

yes it would after drilling two holes for each side. I have an orginal m38 grill I would sell you.

 

The M38 light buckets stick further out of the grill than the 2a/3a buckets do.
The M38 rings will fit, but they will not sit flush on the grill like the 2A/3A.
You would have to drill additional holes in buckets for fitment. M38 uses 3 screws, 2A uses 1 screw and a clip on the bucket.

 

Thanks guys. I have a line on a pair and I think I will get them. It doesn't sound like too much trouble to fit them to my grill and headlights.
Greg

 

Use the M38 complete buckets, etc... modify the hole to fit them into the CJ2a grille... They'll look mint ..... ad a set of M38 headlight guards and It'll look cool- BUT- 10 times easier to just bolt in the complete M38 Grill......
The M38 grille will have hinges on the lower corners additionally- You could add a set of male pivots to the frame tops for the full look too........
retro wheeler- cool

 

I have a deal pending on just the headlight rings and I also bought a set of the light guards. I have already modded the grill with an extra set of hinges as well. It would of been nice to buy a complete M38 grill but they are rare around here and I will get the look I am looking for on a budget by using what I have here. Thanks for the help.



Greg

 

Well it looks like your right. I did end up buying the trim rings but they are quite a bit different the the cj setups like you say. I either need to find some M38 light buckets or do some serious mods to these ones to make it work out and look OK. I don't think it will be too tough but I was hoping it would have been a little more straight forward. I need to make the CJ headlight stick out more to be more flush with the outside of the ring. I think I might have a plan though. I will keep my eyes peeled for a complete M38 bucket anyway as I still have lots to do before I get to this.
Greg

 

I have an extra m38 grill with headlight buckets. Let me know if you are interested. I need it gone.

 

Well, I ended up purchasing the complete headlight buckets from Bill F. (Thanks Bill) I just had to grind away some clearance in the grill were CJ headlights screw on that has little indents into the headlight hole. Once I made the clearance the buckets fit right in and I just had to drill the holes for the bolts to hold them to the grill. I also drilled the holes for the headlight guards. I think they are going to look great when it is all painted and assembled for good but here are a couple of pics with the pieces sandblasted and primered.





I am pretty happy with how they look.
Greg

 

Nice work, that cj grill looks like an m38 grill now

 

looks awesome! why do they have a hinged grille like that anyway iv always wondered?

 

the m38 radiator, engine, tranny, and transfer case are designed to come out as a single unit, having the hinged grill was supposed to make it fast to take out.

 

Excuse me for butting in but I am in the process of converting an Indian Mahindra CJ3Bto CJ3A spec (body wise anyway)
I read before that the M38 had a hinged front panel and the radiator was not mounted in the panel, but I've never seen it before
It looks like those hinges are designed so the panel detaches completely once it has been tilted forward, is that so?

Would the radiator be mounted to the chassis or is it on a subframe to the engine unit so it will come out complete without disturbing the coolant?

 

The hinges on the m38 grill are the same as the ones for the tailgate, so yes when you tilt it fair enough you can take it off. The fenders and grill also have slots in them instead of holes where they bolt together. This way you just lossen the bolts and tilt the grill foward. The m38 uses a speical motor mount and has to rods that go from the motor mount to the radiator, you unbolt the radiator from the frame (like an early 2a), but can leave all the hoses attached and pull it out with the engine.

 

Cheers

That has set me thinking about a few cool mods for the Mahindra.
In lowering the hood from CJ3B to CJ3A level the rad needs to go down 3" anyway, but the Peugeot OHV diesel is clear.
I've never liked flip up front ends (too wobbly) but the front panel mod looks good.