M38 or civilian frame

[Lance48]

I bought a frame, f head motor, new rear springs & shackles all around, recored radiator that is supposed to be a cj5 frame. I got home & put next to my 1954 M38A1 frame & noticed the shackle mount points on the front are reversed. I believe it is a cj3b frame, but not sure. It has been sandblasted & painted with POR15, a new rear bumper has been installed, the mount in the middle of the front cross member has no hole in it like my M38A1 frame. Can anybody shed light on to this frame for me with just these two pictues? i can take more if needed.

 

[dmetalmiki]

M38A1.COM - Military Jeep History This and other links (googled) should help you out.

 

[BillF]

It is an very early cj5 frame as they had the shackle reversal.

 

[Lance48]

Thanks! That helps me out.

 

[saddamsnightmare]

February 1st, 2015.

And I, who remember little from the M38A series, would note the heavy reinforcements to the rear crossmember. Would those have been present as stock pieces on a CJ5, versus as being present on the M38A which would have been expected to pull a trailer cross country? Those two braces seem to be overkill and are not present in current Jeep design as they would pass through, or over the gas tank.

 

[quickfarms]

The front shackle frame is civilian.

The engine had the civilian ignition in.

The battery mount on the frame is also civilian as all m38a1's had both batteries in the cowl.

The m38a1 had the shackle reversal and the machine gun pedestal base mount.

All jeep CJ or M38 frames had the hitch reinforcing until they moved the gas tank under the back in either 1971 or 1976.

What is the wheel base?

 

[Lance48]

With the frame sitting on the floor, i get 80.25 from the center of each center bolt front to rear, i would imagine that with powertrain & body the wheel base would be closer to 81 inches.. I have checked the frame dimensions and it is an early civilian cj5 frame.
So, if any body needs this frame, it is for sale.