1953 M38A1 assistance

[frasyo]

Hello everyone! I'm new to the forum here. I recently came into possession of a 1953 M38A1 and see that this forum will be a great resource for me. I don't have a lot of information about the jeep but was told that is was running a few years ago before it was parked. We were not able to start the jeep but were able to jump start it and confirm that it does run and drive. Now my goal is to go through it a bit to make sure everything is in order.

My first questions are around the electrical system. I have seen that many of these jeeps have been converted to 12v although I'm not exactly sure how to check that.

It came with an extra starter which is an Auto-Lite 24V-DC, Spec No. MIL-S-3785. I assume that this is the same model that is installed on the jeep now but I need to confirm that. I also notice that there is a large (about the size of the starter itself) box that says "Auto-Lite" that is wired in prior to the starter. Does this confirm that the jeep is running 24V or not necessarily?

My first goal is to get this thing to start reliably but I want to make sure I am not causing electrical issues.

Any help or advice would really be appreciated!

 

[Saberr]

Pictures. Bats go in series. jeep not car . If it has 2 bats, then its 24v. From firewall it goes starter, then voltage control box, then generator.

 

[frasyo]

1953 M32A1 Help

Pictures. Bats go in series. jeep not car . If it has 2 bats, then its 24v. From firewall it goes starter, then voltage control box, then generator.

Great, thank you! This is a good start. Fixed the 'car' part. Attached are a few pics.

Also - I was told that the previous owner thought that this was an M38 but I haven't confirmed that. Can you tell from the picture? I'll look for a vin when I get back to it.

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[swbradley1]

Fixed model number in title for you.

 

[TGP (IL)]

Great, thank you! This is a good start. Fixed the 'car' part. Attached are a few pics.

Also - I was told that the previous owner thought that this was an M38 but I haven't confirmed that. Can you tell from the picture? I'll look for a vin when I get back to it.

It appears to be a M38A1

There should be ID tags on the starter,Generator and Voltage Reg. box check and see ?
They will indicate 24Volts if there original.
If not may indicate 12volts.
Pictures of the engine will help.
Welcome!
Tom

 

[dmetalmiki]

Welcome to the site hobby friendships and events to come. It will not take too long to restore your vehicle to the (green) military look. Keep it original and 24 volt. better starting and battery longevity. Try to post up some pictures direct to the site.

 

[Saberr]

Yes, that is an m38a1. You CAN NOT mix an m38 and m38a1 up. The m38 has flat fenders, and angles sharply inward body right before engine bay, basically it looks like ww2 jeep. Just to help with vin, the only place left for you would be on the tire well, right behinds the passanger seat, only other place may be the engine block behind fan, on the flat block piece, they may not match if engine been replaced. Also if you going original, you have to replace your fenders, wrong year. Also looks like it's been mod for a key start. Looks good though, looking forward to pics of the engine bay.

 

[frasyo]

Awesome, thanks guys. I'll report back and try to post some engine pictures.


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[Coffey1]

This is my M38A1

 

[Saberr]

The queen has and awfully big trailer, won't even chance backing it off a trailer aye ?

 

[frasyo]

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[frasyo]

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[frasyo]

Starter:

Generator (can't make our writing):

Voltage control box:

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[frasyo]

1953 M38A1 Help

I posted engine pictures above. The starter says 24v. I haven't quite been able to make out the writing on the voltage control box or generator yet.

There is also a small box bolted on the firewall on the right side, you can see this in the pics and I took a close up of it. It looks like it says 12v on one side.

Any idea on if this thing is wired as 12 or 24v?

It didn't come with any batteries and the previous owner wasn't sure. If it is 24v, which batteries would you recommend buying for this?

Thanks again for all the help here!

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[NDT]

You have correct original 24 volt Auto-lite starter, distributor, 25 amp generator, and voltage regulator. No idea what the white thing is. I think group 51R is the only battery that will fit in the battery box which is designed for the military 2HN battery.

 

[frasyo]

You have correct original 24 volt Auto-lite starter, distributor, 25 amp generator, and voltage regulator. No idea what the white thing is. I think group 51R is the only battery that will fit in the battery box which is designed for the military 2HN battery.

Awesome, thanks. So two 51R size batteries wired in series?

The white thing looks like it goes to the radio and accessories. Not sure why it says 12v.

When we first got it, we put a single 12v battery in it. It wouldnt start on its own but it did bump start while towing it and it drove after that, so I know it runs. So now, if I get the two batteries in wired in series, and it still doesn't crank on its own, what should I check first?


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[Blake]

The white thing is a non original 24v to 12v ceramic resistor to feed your 12v accessories.

 

[NDT]

Awesome, thanks. So two 51R size batteries wired in series?

The white thing looks like it goes to the radio and accessories. Not sure why it says 12v.

When we first got it, we put a single 12v battery in it. It wouldnt start on its own but it did bump start while towing it and it drove after that, so I know it runs. So now, if I get the two batteries in wired in series, and it still doesn't crank on its own, what should I check first?


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It will crank with two 12 volt batteries in series for 24 volts. 12 volts is too little. I bet that single 12 volt battery was bubbling real good after being charged with 24 volts!

 

[Coffey1]

I am running mine on one 24 volt battery.
It fits right right where the two 12s go

 

[frasyo]

1953 M38A1 Help

Appreciate all of the help guys!! I will report back with how it goes. Excited to get this thing back on the road.


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