Quote:
Originally Posted by chris vickery
Mike, as I am fairly new to the world of M38 and M38A1 jeeps, please enlighten me as to how the repros are different from Canadian version jeeps.
Would a reproduction bumper not suffice? Reason I ask is that they seem quite reasonably priced if correct and I could use at least 1...
|
Ha ha - I am only about 6 months into this world myself, but here's what I've learned thus far.
For the bumpers no difference, really, that I know of. M38A1CDN's had (I think) a 46 or 48" bumper, while the CDN2 and CDN3 had 54". This change is also reflected in US models, with pre-1954 trucks having the shorter bumper.
Pricing on the repro ones isn't bad, if you can find someone who actually has one in stock. Brian Asbury has been my best source for parts, but he doesn't have any bumpers. Willys Acres advertises them on their website, but I have never actually been able to get a response to the many e-mails and phone messages I have left there. Tried again today, so we'll see what happens.
As for the US dealers, some have them and some don't, but all will end up costing more in shipping plus customs brokerage.
As a rule, I myself try to acquire as many NOS parts as I can, for 2 reasons:
1) I know they are authentic; and
2) I know they will fit.
Not only that, but I have also been told some horror stories about certain repro parts (particularly those made "overseas").
Only other thing I will say is make sure you get the Canadian manuals - the US ones are handy but there
are differences between the models. A couple of different people on this forum can provide reproductions for you. I got mine from Brian, and certainly have no complaints about the quality.
cheers,
Mike