1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

1954 M38A1 Tail Lights?

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by runmts, Mar 12, 2011.

  1. Mar 12, 2011
    runmts

    runmts New Member

    rexburg Idaho
    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2006
    Messages:
    28
    Hopefully a simple question. How the crap am I supposed to make my m38a1 street legal---with tail lights, when there is a giant spare tire on one side and a gas can on the other? How were the originally? I converted it to 12v, so if anybody could point me to a place that sold the original version 12 v lights I'd love ya!
     
    runmts, Mar 12, 2011
    #1
  2. Mar 12, 2011
    ojgrsoi

    ojgrsoi Retired 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2002
    Messages:
    2,232
    Are you looking for some or do you have some? I think your military tail lights are street legal. If you converted to 12V just put in 12 V bulbs.

    There are a couple on ebay listed below.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mili...tZVintageQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/M35-...itemZ220750682834QQptZOtherQ5fVehicleQ5fParts

    m38a1.com has some images you might check out.
    http://www.m38a1.com/images/Archives/KJeep3.jpg
    http://www.m38a1.com/images/Archives/NitePanther-2.jpg
    http://www.m38a1.com/images/Archives/macleani.jpg
     
    ojgrsoi, Mar 12, 2011
    #2
  3. Mar 12, 2011
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2002
    Messages:
    4,275
    An easy way to keep the military feel of the M-38A1 and still be street legal is to install a second "left side" lense on the right rear side of your Jeep. That way you get two red brake lights. Another good option would be to go with a later style lens on the original housings, something like this:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VINTAGE-MILITARY-SIGNAL-TAIL-LIGHTS-HOT-ROD-RAT-ROD-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem230ee1a2bcQQitemZ150573523644QQptZVintageQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories



    As for the legality, you should be OK since the vehicle came from the factory like that. You can show the DMV pictures from the original Army publications that show how they were configured. It is a less than idela setup from a visibility standpoint, but it should be legal.

    FWIW, you can put 12-volt sockets into the 24v housings pretty easily, although the 24v system components are pretty valuable. It might be worth sticking with the 24v system if it is intact and working. ;)
     
    w3srl, Mar 12, 2011
    #3
  4. Mar 13, 2011
    pete72

    pete72 Retro Aficionado

    Cumming, Georgia
    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2011
    Messages:
    158
    Here's what a 59? M38A? (not up on M38's) had from the factory. It may be of some use at the DMV.

    Good picture of the fabled Jeep In A Crate
    [​IMG]
     
    pete72, Mar 13, 2011
    #4
  5. Mar 13, 2011
    atroesch

    atroesch Member

    US
    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2003
    Messages:
    159
    That's a great picture. I may have to steal it for my wallpaper on my work computer.
     
    atroesch, Mar 13, 2011
    #5
  6. Mar 13, 2011
    ojgrsoi

    ojgrsoi Retired 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2002
    Messages:
    2,232
    X2 Very nice photo.
     
    ojgrsoi, Mar 13, 2011
    #6
  7. Mar 22, 2011
    74Cj5Guy

    74Cj5Guy Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2010
    Messages:
    167
    Seriously cool picture
     
    74Cj5Guy, Mar 22, 2011
    #7
  8. Mar 22, 2011
    waynaferd

    waynaferd Hey, ya'll watch this!!

    That's Bangor,...
    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2010
    Messages:
    224
    I'd move the couch outside and put that baby in the living room if I ever stumbled across one :D
     
    waynaferd, Mar 22, 2011
    #8
  9. Mar 29, 2011
    CJ5aTim

    CJ5aTim 66 Tux

    N.E. Indiana
    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2010
    Messages:
    224
    oh yea!:)
     
    CJ5aTim, Mar 29, 2011
    #9
  10. Mar 29, 2011
    cj6/442

    cj6/442 Sponsor

    Fallbrook, Calif
    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2008
    Messages:
    2,734
    the Man, been stopped me for chirping the tires (not my fault ,,,,I have a locker ), broken windshield , no front plate , driving with the w/s down , and laying jeep sideways on a residental street but,,,,,never for my tiny taillights.
     
    cj6/442, Mar 29, 2011
    #10
  11. Mar 30, 2011
    74Cj5Guy

    74Cj5Guy Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2010
    Messages:
    167
    What does "laying jeep sideways" mean? Like......you tipped it over to fit into a parking spot?
     
    74Cj5Guy, Mar 30, 2011
    #11
  12. Mar 31, 2011
    CJ5aTim

    CJ5aTim 66 Tux

    N.E. Indiana
    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2010
    Messages:
    224
    You drift your Jeep?R)
     
    CJ5aTim, Mar 31, 2011
    #12
  13. Apr 1, 2011
    cj6/442

    cj6/442 Sponsor

    Fallbrook, Calif
    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2008
    Messages:
    2,734
    you know those new cars comercials on tv that show them drifting and sliding into the parking space ,,,,,,,,,yeh,,,,,well old clumsy jeeps with soft suspension and big tires and bad brakes don't slide very well
     
    cj6/442, Apr 1, 2011
    #13
New Posts