1952 M38a1 Build: Not For The Purists

[jeepljeff]

Got the floors back in. Anyone know of a cheap source for the caged nuts? KW wants $3 each. I've got to replace half a dozen. First startup and the fuel pump was leaking like crazy from the seam. I don't know why the bolts like to back out all the time. I need to pull it and seal the two halfs properly. Otherwise it's great. In the drive video, I have a rattle. I left some vice-grips attached to one of the caged nuts and it was tapping the exhaust.

 

[Buildflycrash]

Cage Nuts.
Jungle website for the win.

https://a.co/d/bUstLXa

 

[givemethewillys]

Mcmaster Carr also sells cage nuts, but you'll likely spend the same amount for a pack of 25 or 50 as you would for a half dozen from kw, but then you'll have extras!

 

[Dave Deyton]

Worked on my dad's 77 Blazer. Fixed the rust around the spare tire carrier. Repainted the area and sent him off. Weeks later, getting new tires, it was on the lift. I looked up and there was my Craftsman ratchet with a long extension and socket still on the rear bumper bolt. It had made several off road trips to the beach. How it stayed, I'll never know. Your Jeep is looking good.
Lot's of work making it reliable. Nice Job.

Dave

 

[Dave Deyton]

Had gotten some 1/4 - 20 cage nuts some time ago. Amazon has them, Mcmaster Carr also, about $14 for a box. Local hardware store in Raleigh Wilders had the best price.


Dave

 

[jeepljeff]

Cage Nuts.
Jungle website for the win.

https://a.co/d/bUstLXa

Perfect! Good price too!

 

[jeepljeff]

The 29th Vintage 4x4 Expedition - 2026 Trip Report

 

[jeepljeff]

Well, that was unexpected. Checked my email and saw a pic of my Jeep. It's being featured in this months Kaiser Willys Newsletter and Community Blog

 

[fr8dog61]

Nice!

 

[Dave Deyton]

Very Cool! Your Jeep is now a celebrity!

Dave

 

[givemethewillys]

I love that! It seems Kaiser Willys is trying hard to be part of the Jeep community, and I commend that.

 

[jeepljeff]

So, would this be correct for my '52? Of course 31000 are out of stock everywhere I look. Is there a Gabriel equivalent?

On my trip, I had some serious death-wobble front the steering which I'm sure has to do with the shocks not controlling the bound and rebound very well.

 

[jeepljeff]

I got tired of looking at the pink dash. Ended up only breaking off only one bolt and one of the Dzus clips for the gauge panel. It was already broken but now it's in multiple parts. Tried to sand out as much as I could to get down to the original paint. Then I smoked it over the areas that needed more convincing. I've been using Forest Green Camo paint. It actually kinda matches the original pant which you can see where the Data Plate sits. I want to eventually get a repop Data plate. Wish I could have got the one from the '53 donor. The 2430 Forest green (darker green) doesn't match either colors but that's okay. I'm going for the patchwork theme as it's impossible to match and I don't want to wipe out the original paint. Then I went through my box of stickers that I've been collecting forever. I've had some so long that the companies don't even exist anymore.

 

[Dave Deyton]

Love that patina! The half cab is so cool! The decals are looking good.

Got to be a blast to drive.

Dave

 

[Ol Fogie]

I got tired of looking at the pink dash. Ended up only breaking off only one bolt and one of the Dzus clips for the gauge panel. It was already broken but now it's in multiple parts. Tried to sand out as much as I could to get down to the original paint. Then I smoked it over the areas that needed more convincing. I've been using Forest Green Camo paint. It actually kinda matches the original pant which you can see where the Data Plate sits. I want to eventually get a repop Data plate. Wish I could have got the one from the '53 donor. The 2430 Forest green (darker green) doesn't match either colors but that's okay. I'm going for the patchwork theme as it's impossible to match and I don't want to wipe out the original paint. Then I went through my box of stickers that I've been collecting forever. I've had some so long that the companies don't even exist anymore.

Much better! like your jeep, especially the half cab.

 

[jeepljeff]

Love that patina! The half cab is so cool! The decals are looking good.

Got to be a blast to drive.

Dave

Thanks. I like patina because I don't like doing body work or new paint. I'll eventually patch some of the rust holes. though. The project was supposed to be cheap. And now I'm at the point where I'm throwing money at it but it's all practical. One of the things I've been torn on is if I want to put a lift on it or not. I have a lifted Jeep and didn't really want another one. I like how it's easier to get in and out of. I like the stocker locker look and don't really want to spend $1300 for a lift. It is fun to drive though. Should be better with the Saturn in it. I've got that on order and will have to stop procrastinating and rebuild my spare civi T90a to a T90c and put Tera gears in a new D18 case before I can install the OD.

Much better! like your jeep, especially the half cab.

Thanks! I'm not a fan of red in general. Oxidized red is worse.

 

[compostwerks]

Have you figured out how the Saturn will work with the stock e-brake setup...? Pete

 

[53A1]

I'm doing up a patina A1 also. I also hate body work. Great job.

 

[jeepljeff]

Have you figured out how the Saturn will work with the stock e-brake setup...? Pete

Initial thought is to just not use the parking brake. One of my D18s is a later model and had no parking brake. I'd just leave it in gear as I usually do. I could aos do a electric parking brake but I'm not sure if I want to ditch my rear tracker brakes for Fusion calipers. I'd need new brackets and that's just more work. Theist option is to use a flexible cable and use a P-clamp to the case like what the M170 did.

 

[jeepljeff]