Bravo2Uniform
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- McMinnville, TN
I was very close to my Father, who died earlier this year. We had talked a lot about his Marine Corps days just prior to his death. Among the many stories he told, was that as a senior NCO, he once had a brand new 1953 M38A1 assigned to him. This was a big deal in the USMC of the '40's and '50's - usually the Marines got hand me down equipment and, as he told me, they wouldn't operate a piece of equipment if it wasn't leaking hydraulic fluid! I would call my Dad several times a week and ask him questions from the sublime to the ridiculous; it might be how to remove glow plugs from my CUCV or a question about business ethics. As I said, we were close. After he died, although I knew the end was near, I was bereft. He was my last living parent and my anchor.
A few months after his death I ran across a 1953 M38A1 that someone had begun restoring but they ran out of money. On more than a tiny impulse, I bought it. I had been going to buy my son and myself a 4 seat all terrain vehicle - which retails for about $ 15,000 - so I justified the Willys purchase as being much, much cheaper than an ATV, even when restored. My goal is to build it into a hybrid - mostly original, but with disc brakes, a winch, etc. I want my son and I to be able to use it around the farm like an ATV - but an ATV with some character (like my Dad). After all, this one had been converted to 12v - so later on in life I'm going to restore one to completely OEM. This is my learning one
What I have discovered working on the M38A1 is that it is expensive - but cheaper and more fun than therapy. I work on it and think, "I wonder if Dad would know how to fix this..." or "I'd bet Dad would find that funny!" This work has really brought me closer to being at peace with his death. As the title indicates, this is a therapy rebuild. Anyway, every time I look at the cost spreadsheet, I tell myself this is about my Dad, my son, and me - not about the tons of money it's costing me.
I am completely rebuilding the steering system and doing a minor rebuild on the transmission and transfer case. I didn't have the room or skill to do a frame - off rebuild, but now that I'm hip deep in it, I really wish I'd just figured out a way to pull the tub off.
Now for the part you've been waiting for - pictures! I will post more over the months as this project moves along. Also, I can't figure out how to caption them, so you'll just have to guess what's going on!
!
A few months after his death I ran across a 1953 M38A1 that someone had begun restoring but they ran out of money. On more than a tiny impulse, I bought it. I had been going to buy my son and myself a 4 seat all terrain vehicle - which retails for about $ 15,000 - so I justified the Willys purchase as being much, much cheaper than an ATV, even when restored. My goal is to build it into a hybrid - mostly original, but with disc brakes, a winch, etc. I want my son and I to be able to use it around the farm like an ATV - but an ATV with some character (like my Dad). After all, this one had been converted to 12v - so later on in life I'm going to restore one to completely OEM. This is my learning one
What I have discovered working on the M38A1 is that it is expensive - but cheaper and more fun than therapy. I work on it and think, "I wonder if Dad would know how to fix this..." or "I'd bet Dad would find that funny!" This work has really brought me closer to being at peace with his death. As the title indicates, this is a therapy rebuild. Anyway, every time I look at the cost spreadsheet, I tell myself this is about my Dad, my son, and me - not about the tons of money it's costing me.
I am completely rebuilding the steering system and doing a minor rebuild on the transmission and transfer case. I didn't have the room or skill to do a frame - off rebuild, but now that I'm hip deep in it, I really wish I'd just figured out a way to pull the tub off.
Now for the part you've been waiting for - pictures! I will post more over the months as this project moves along. Also, I can't figure out how to caption them, so you'll just have to guess what's going on!
!
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I think your dad would happy with the project, keep us updated!!!
