The Willys M38A1 was produced from 1952-1971, with a production total of 101,488 (80,290 domestic / 21,198 foreign sales). The M38A1 was the introduction of the first rounded fender Willys Jeep which predates the civilian version CJ-5 (1955) of the Universal CJ series. Following the retirement of the flat fender M38, the M38A1 was redesigned with round front fenders, a contoured hood, two-piece windshield, top mounted windshield wipers, and outfitted with the 4-134 F engine and T90 transmission. The M38A1 (MD) was stronger than its civilian counterpart (CJ-5) with a stronger frame, suspension, reversed springs shackles and a 24 volt waterproof electrical system.
Other identifying features of the M38A1 are: blackout lights on fenders and grille, spare tire located on the back, sunk in headlights with no headlight trim rings, 4 1/2″ large fuel filler located on the drivers side, and a large circular indention on the passenger side body panel. The battery box is located on the passenger side cowl under the windshield and the glove box is located on the driver side dash board.
Weight: 3,865 lb. (Gross), 2,660 lb. (Curb) Length (overall): 138-5/8” Width (overall): 60-7/8” Height (maximum): 73-3/4” Ground Clearance: 9-5/16” Tire Size: 7.00 x 16 Tread: (Front) 49-1/8”, (Rear) 49-1/8” Transmission: T-90 Transfer Case: Dana 18 Front Axle: Dana 25 (1952-1960) or Dana 27 (1961-1971) Rear Axle: Dana 44 Wheelbase: 81” Fuel Capacity: 17 Gal. Other: 2-Piece Windshield, 24 Volt Electrical |
4-134 F Head Motor (475) (All Years) Engine Type: 134 CID (2.2L) F4-134 Hurricane 14 Number of Cylinders: 4 Cu-In. Displacement: 134.2 cu. in. (2199,53 cm 3) Horsepower: 72@4000 rpm Torque: 114 lb-ft. (15,7 kg-m.) Compression Ratio: 6.9 to 1 Valvetrain: F-Head |
To learn about other Willys Jeep models visit our All About Willys Jeeps page, filled with the history and specs of these vehicles. Have an M38A1 or want to get one? Check out willysforsale.com and the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA).
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I have an M38A1 with serial number 57148-92674 what year is this jeep. what does the 57148 designate?
Hi Teresa,
The thing above the steering wheel you ask about is the 3 position light switch. Made so that a soldier doesn’t accidentally turn them on in the dark, when they need to drive under blackout conditions. From what I understand, it has either a 15 or a 20 amp breaker built in to the switch. You can’t run twelve volt lights through the switch because of this reason. (24 v systems and lights are lower amperage). I am currently restoring one in Air Force colors. It is already 12 v, so I plan to run LED lights. (Lower amperage than 24v standard bulbs). All these jeeps pictured are inspirational in my restoration project, thanks.
I have a 46 willy’s
I want to know what the thing on my dashboard is above the steering wheel
it is a trangelish shaped box with three levers one on top and two on each side
there is one on the above photos: Robert Aran’s 1959 Willys M38A1
I bought a 1954 M38a1,was told it was a lone survivor from Fort Campbell KY. Serial # is 74030, after reading several posts about different questions and answers I’m wondering if mine is what they said. I know they can be made up as original but with no Government build sheet I’m not sure. (Maybe there was no build sheet on these jeeps) but mine has a single front windshield not a 2 piece. Also it has a plug in the fording hole in dash,so apparently didn’t have that option, I was also told it had a 30caliber Machine gun when it was on the Army base.
Thanks
Mike
I have bought a 1954 hard top m38a1 jeep with the floor heater in it for a project to restore and i can’t seem to find the hood numbers on it because of all the layers of paint. Is there another way to find out the hood numbers of the jeep? Also did some of the jeeps have a radio and the machine gun in it because mine has the holes for the gun bracket and it has holes on the back that looks like the the radio antenna should go there.
I have an M38A1 that came without the canvas rope channel on the windshield frame. I have a NOS replacement but need to know how far down from the top edge of the windshield frame the channel gets mounted. Could somebodygive me an idea of the distance?
I have a 1961? Willys M38A1 Marine Crops Radio Jeep. The old girl has positive traction front and rear with the sealed belt housing. the hood has USMC 240673 painted in yellow. I bought the old girl as a basket case with the idea of making a Clone with all the real parts, also have a pre 53 M38A1 tubed (solid)CJ5, back to the Crops Unit, got her home and started looking her over good. put the old girl back together and Walla. A real un-screwed with M38A1 with Willys Plate with the right wheels and all. I drive her everyday on my farm and I love this Jeep. She never had a back seat, who do you know, a two seat M38A1. I drive her to the store to get gas and everyone wants to look at her and or buy her. She is not for sale. Oh yes, she still has the Radio plates with numbers on the dash.
The indentation on the right side is the slave cable receptacle. There is no way to boost start a military vehicle easily, because often the battery box is hard to access. The solution is to design a 2-pin connector that goes from the outside of the vehicle to the batteries. Jeep hard to start? Slave cable to a running vehicle.
The first style were 2 pins and then a single pin with an external ground. They are not compatible.
Hi Thomas,
The indention is a slave receptacle (auxiliary power unit) to hook up to for jumping off vehicles and powering equipment.
Hi Marty,
The indention is a slave receptacle (auxiliary power unit) to hook up to for jumping off vehicles or powering equipment.
I just purchased a Willys Jeep and have been trying to find out what model and year it is. Things it has is two piece windshield, no tailgate, gas can holder on left rear, cubby hole at right side of dashboard, overhead windshield wipers, large round speedometer with gauges mounted under dash.
Mine is the FIRST picture………. Love it… Drive it to work 2x per week ( I live nearby)
Peter
Mine is the one with the M880 in the back ground.
Those are two different M38A1’s in the photo’s…. Some M38A1 owners elect to convert their electricals to 12 Volt for several reasons, one of which is that a critical component of the 24 Volt system is the coil. After market 24V coils sourced from overseas vendors are highly unreliable… dont ask my how I know….. A hot tip is that the coil from a later vintage M151 Mutt is one and the same. There are motor pool rebuilt M151 distributors available that include NOS US made coils. Scarce as heck but available if you know where to look. Strong little jeeps !
Dear Sir,
Are there two different MD M38A1’s pictured? Normally they had 2 small 12 volt batteries in the compartment in the cowl and an oil bath air filter where the battery is in another picture. Is the vehicle with the battery on the passengers side of the firewall conveerte to a 12 volt electrical system? Other than that I revel in the thought of I wish I could own one myself.
Sincerely,
Dave Jones
What was the indent for on passenger side for? river fording equipment?
thank you,
Thanks for the information, but I have a question. What was the reason and purpose for the circular indentation on the passenger side of the M38A1?
Thanks,
Tom
Hello: the m170 is a variant of the m38a1.