Restoration of a M38A1-CDN3 106mm recoilless rifle Jeep

[Martin Dauphinais]

The aim of this thread will be to show a restoration of a Jeep M38A1-CDN3 recoilless rifle. The process might be a little bit longer than it appears and this is mostly because I'm totally new to this hobby. I'll be asking for help and tricks and parts during this journey. Many of my questions will sound like a total beginner which I am.

I'll try to take as many pictures as I can. I would like this thread being a good starting point for someone like me, that has no mechanic knowledge. I hope this will be inspiration for others who are thinking like me that doing this kind of magic is something impossible.

My learning curve is very steep right now but I'm highly motivated.

Why did I choose the Truck Utility 1/4 ton 4X4 M38A1-CDN3 106mm Rcl Rifl? That is pretty easy. I served 6 years in an anti-tank platoon. I did not use the the 106mm rifle but the TOW missile. The way that I'm collecting stuff is some kind related to my military career. So, I was machine gunner, I try to assemble a machine gunner outfit. I was in the anti-tank platoon, I find out it was a bit hard to find all the anti-tank outfit from WW2, so I decided to look for something younger and I found this awesome Jeep.

Let's start with the beginning, when I took possession of this Jeep, on the Hammond Barn ground and where I met some real gentlemen.

So please, feel free to make comments, to give advices, to share tricks and knowledge about anything and everything related to this Jeep. Don't be fear to stole the thread if you feel you can learn something from someone else. Sharing and having a great discussion is the good way of using social media. Alone we know only bits and pieces and in group we know almost everything. Let's this happen on this thread!

[Martin Dauphinais]

First pictures of the Jeep's arrival. I can't describe how excited I was and I have to say, I never saw the Jeep before buying. This is called "trust" and this is nothing but a complete confidence I had in the gentleman who knew where the Jeep was, who did the talk with the owner and told me everything he knew about it. Then, I sent the money, he got the Jeep and transport it to the Hammond Barn in Eastern Ontario where I took delivery of this beautiful jewel!



This is how she made the trip.



My first look at her…



Then she was mine. My first ever military vehicle. The journey began...

[Martin Dauphinais]

Then, after almost three hours of driving, she finally arrived to my friend's place where she should slowly get back to life. At this point, I didn't know she was going in the heated garage for all the winter. I'm really please about this fact. The Jeep is coming from Manitoba where the rust didn't damage her too much. Knowing the humidity we have in Quebec Province, I was expecting a hard winter on the iron parts but I'm very lucky to have the Jeep in a dry heated place. It starts very well…

Here are few pictures I took from her, just before removing it from the trailer and letting her sleeping in the garage for a week.



These numerous "D-rings" on the frame make a lot of possibilities. Some are pretending that the Jeep may have been sent overseas for mission, some are thinking it might have been there to tie it down in a Hercules airplane for airborne operations. Please, share what you think about it!



The vehicle is a genuine, almost 100% complete 106mm recoilless rifle Jeep. All the anti-tank braketery is present on the Jeep and only few little parts are missing. Here is the reinforced suspension, all complete and strong.



A perfect view of the special features of a 106mm Jeep. Rail for the canon's wheel and racking for the ammo. Most important, both jump seats are there and the clamp to tie down the barrel when moving.



The last owner of the Jeep, the reserve unit of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada.





CFR 71-08950 and 18 869 km.



The perfect windshield!



The passenger's seat is a bit rusty but the cushion is in perfect condition.



The data plates are all there… one has been installed up side down. Sometimes, this is the Vehicle Tech's sense of humor I guess…



This conclude the transport of my new Jeep and the new project of restoring it.

[Martin Dauphinais]

The Jeep is not close to me, so I have to plan working on it during week-ends only or I bring some small parts that can be done on my place.

The next pictures are randomly taken picture that show the general condition of the Jeep. I realized that I can post only 10 pictures per post, so will proceed with few bunch of pictures. Usually, I place the picture's description below the picture. The text above is not necessarily related to the picture itself!







These pictures are mostly to help me how the seat belts work. They are a bit dry now and probably will need to be changed but with the max speed of this Jeep, I'll try to keep them original. Just not sure if they will pass the test?! Are there any treatment I can do the make them a little more flexible?



Here is the compartment under the passenger's seat. Don't really know what they placing there. The tool kit I guess? I would love knowing what was the EIS of the vehicle at this time!



That's the lock of the passenger's seat and I don't know what is this electrical connection. What was the purpose of it?! Even the lock seems to be not working appropriately. Will have to find out what's wrong with it!





I need two front tow clevises

[Martin Dauphinais]

Next group of pictures are miscellaneous. If you can help me finding the missing parts, please do not hesitate to leave a comment!













I need a spare rim to get the spare tire. I have a very stupid question… which nuts should I take? Any common nuts or those made for the Jeep?



This is what the engine looks like.



The most difficult choice will be to determine the final color. Do I keep it camouflage, which is my first choice or do I paint it with the original color like under the hood? I really don't know. Also, I would like to know what is supposed to be strapped under the hood?



Battery compartment. Which battery should I take?

[Martin Dauphinais]

The windshield up… it's already looking good!







A cracked mirror… Where should I find one?



I'll need numerous cotton straps. I do not know if they still available. The ones we use today are some king of synthetic fabric and they are not good to old stuff in place.



Nice serial number plate. I just hope I'll be able to remove the green paint to get the plate in original colors which I doubt it is possible.



Windshield washer pouch… with "original" windshield washer in it!



Headlights with wiring.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Martin Dauphinais

Next group of pictures are miscellaneous. If you can help me finding the missing parts, please do not hesitate to leave a comment!

...




The most difficult choice will be to determine the final color. Do I keep it camouflage, which is my first choice or do I paint it with the original color like under the hood? I really don't know. Also, I would like to know what is supposed to be strapped under the hood?

...

That is the factory paint colour under the hood. Semi gloss "hard" green paint. As has been spoken about many times here on MLU, about 1978 there was an order from FMCHQ, what was Army HQ at the time, to camouflage paint the vehicles. I put that date on the record as I scroll back my memories of the armouries in Sherbrooke. There was some end of the fiscal year money and guys like me played hookey from school to get an extra day's pay brush painting the Jeeps. The plan was simple. Swipe a piece of chalk from the classroom, walk across the drill hall with the camouflage and concealment manual, and copy the outlines of the M38 diagram on a freshly washed M38A1, then turn the Troopers and Corporals loose with brushes and gallon paint cans. Whatever paint peeling or flaking is the after effect of that level of surface preparation.

The attached diagrams have been posted here before, and could be Rob Love's.