CJ-5 vs. M38A1, how to distinguish (was Jeep)

i just noticed a couple of threads on a m38a1 and a CJ5 im a little confused i am rebuilding a JEEP almost finished but i just noticed it does not have JEEP on the front the other one im using for parts does what years did they have JEEP on them Also it has glove box on driver side but also has tail gate. I want to restore as close to orginal as possible. no title to go buy.

 

Yes it does have shackle reversal not for sure what you mean by apu on the side , also sprind are about 2" longer than the CJ5 I have with about 12 leafs.I thought M38A1's did not have a tail gate.

 

APU is a power plug set in a dish on the right side of the Jeep. I've seen them with just the dish, and no plug...but AFIK, all M38A1s had the dish. Also look at the dash...it should have a military multi-gauge cluster (or a cutout for one) not just a round speedo. There's lots of other things...blackout lights, hinged grill w/recessed headlights, 24V electrical (could have been converted though).

If you post pics, someone here should be able to identify it.

 

Don't all the M38A1 frames have machine gun mounts? That's distinctive...

 

All the ones I've ever owned. Had them with and without a tailgate even knew of one once with a single gauge dash. Once in the motor pool many things can happen.

 

The M38a1 dash could have been installed in a CJ-5 or vice verse. Look for all that was said plus battery box in the cowl with a removable lid. Nickmil

 

the early M38a1 have a hinged grill (it flips forward). later ones have the single mount CJ style grill (with the black out lights). Both styles of M38a1 grills have a cutout with a welded on shelf to mount the black out lamps.

 

Here's a pic of an M38A1 frame I have. You can see the steel rectangular machine gun mount on the rear crossmember. If you have that, it is more than likely an M38A1.

 

M38A1's all had the round "porthole" indent in front of the passenger side door opening as well. My A1 is pretty much unmolested (except for the paint). Let me know if you'd like any pics and I'll e-mail them to you.

 

Oops! Also forgot to mention the M38A1 had the military spring packs and the reversed spring shackles. Check your running gear.

 

The first few years of CJ5s share the same running gear...my '55 is set up the same as an M38A1. Frame lacks the MG mount, and pintle attachment point though, so it's easy to spot as a CJ frame.

With a old Jeep, just about any combination of mish-mash Frankenjeep is possible...it certainly wouldn't be the first one that's a mix of military and civvy parts .

 

another point thats easy to spot is the frame rails are boxed in,where the front bumper bolts up,and to the best of my knowledge cj's were not,see the dish in the side of my jeep in the avatar,that is what was mentioned early in the thred,cj's did not have it

 

The fuel tanks were also different between the CJ and M38a1. The M38a1 had a larger under seat fuel tank with a sump that hung lower than the rest of the floor and has a large diameter filler neck and cap.

 

Regarding the tailgate...

M38A1-C had an "open" rear tub for the 106mm rifle and ammo racks. A standard CJ5 tailgate will exactly fit in the opening and may have been retrofitted.

An M38A1-C will also have right-side mounted gas can and spare tire, or show the bolt holes where they once were. Ax and shovel mounts also differ from plain A1's.

Have fun, regardless.

Pete

 

PLEASE HELP! Perhaps someone can tell me what year mine is, and whether it's a CJ5 or M38A1. I'll show a few pictures here, but the link below will take you to a library of pictures.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/9Fu2ABenmJAZyiAeA

Here are the odd-ball features that keep me guessing.
- hinged grill (folds flat)
- welded tailgate
- rear gas tank with rear fill-cap on passenger side (no evidence of it ever being under the driver seat)
- Rectangular front turn signals under the round recessed headlights in the grill
- Shovel Mount under the hood
- Shackles on rear bumper
- Floating axel in the rear Dana 44
- Un-explained square tube welded to bottom of outer windshield
- no evidence of side spare tire carrier
- front tow bar mounting bracket (might be aftermarket)
- full cage, removable, appears to be from factory
- The engine and tranny are from a 69 camaro, but it has the Dana 18 T-Case and an overdrive

Someone told me they thought it came from Howard Hughes here in So Cal. Maybe an M38A1 with civilian features, special built for towing planes and equipment...or the other way around (CJ5 with M38A1 features).

I need to point CHP in the right direction in order to get a VIN number assigned and make it street legal again. Help please. Thanks!

 

Others will chime in with more details, but it looks like an M38 hood, grill, and fenders, and chassis (I think I see reversed shackles in the front) with a 70's vintage AMC body, roll bar (with cage extension added), and rear gas tank added.

It's a bit of a mutt. Also there was never a factory equipped full float rear 44. It's most likely a Warn conversion.