Restoration of a M38A1-CDN3 106mm recoilless rifle Jeep

[Martin Dauphinais]

You guys are awesome. You are at another level comparing to me. I didn't learn to recognise these vehicles. I was pretty good at the "enemy" vehicles when I was in the anti-tank platoon. I have to shift my interest now!

I will always try to answer to each of your comments, for me, this is the proof that I care about the time you take for answering me. I will never thank you enough for what you are doing.



Here is one of the picture I use a lot to try to figure out what is missing on my Jeep. This is also the picture that make think to put it back in dark gloss green but, one thing at a time... I also like the camouflage version.

Terry;

There is a small box added on the right hand side jump seat and I can see this on more than one Jeep. It looks like to be added by units vehicle tech. I'm looking for a shovel like this at my unit. If I can find one, I'll buy a brand new one and will swap it if possible. The only thing is, the metal bracket that is supposed to hold the shovel blade is not there anymore and I'm curious to know if it's because one is available under the hood?!

I never saw any picture with a 106 Jeep equipped with radio. That's a good thing, one less piece of kit to buy! In fact, I may look for a PRC77, I'm glad that I have to find the 524. I was seek of hear the fan going on when pressing the pressure switch. I'm not looking to get original batteries. Rob was very clear on that point, they are not the best batteries we can find. I will just go on my local Canadian Tire or maybe a specialized shop to make sure I'll get the good sized battery. If I must know something special about batteries, please let me know.

Will try to slowly assemble the EIS when going on yard sale and places like that. The most frustrating is I recall one of our CQ giving this kind of jack 15 years a go because they received new ones. I should have taken one... but I wasn't interested at this time!

[Martin Dauphinais]

Hey... wait a second, am I fool or the Jeep on the previous picture is camouflage too? The rims look on the Jeep are green and the spare one is black. The back of the Jeep looks like green and the middle black too. Also, it looks like to be spray painted.

[Martin Dauphinais]

Rob;

When I say I'm learning a whole new vocabulary, this is the case again... I try to figure out what is "the knob on the dole primer pump". I think I know what it is... Will have to look with Jim what he could have in spare parts with his Jeep. I'm the kind of person who's always looking to be the most historically correct... sometimes I may sound stubborn or a bit stupid but we are like we are. If I can find a lock for the tool box, I will. Now that I know it is incorrect... I will hunt for a correct one! ;-)

Regarding the manuals, Bob is supposed to get back to me with something. We will see what he can find?!

I'm more than happy with Jeep Rob, I really feel I have a rare almost complete truck. I'm very lucky that you agreed doing the talk taking the Jeep from the previous owner without knowing me at all. Your trust is really appreciate. I just hope I will stop after this Jeep will be done, if not, I may ended up single and living in a garage with some old vehicles...

[Martin Dauphinais]

David;

It appears that you were right with the shovel under the hood and the radio connector! Will try it next time I work on the Jeep.

Jim;

I sent you a private message. Let me know when you have two minutes!

Terry;

Thanks a lot for reposting the camouflage pattern, it'll help a lot!

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Martin Dauphinais

Rob;

if not, I may ended up single and living in a garage with some old vehicles...

For some that is what they call Nirvana.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Martin Dauphinais

...

Terry;

There is a small box added on the right hand side jump seat and I can see this on more than one Jeep. It looks like to be added by units vehicle tech. I'm looking for a shovel like this at my unit. If I can find one, I'll buy a brand new one and will swap it if possible. The only thing is, the metal bracket that is supposed to hold the shovel blade is not there anymore and I'm curious to know if it's because one is available under the hood?!

...

The normal shovel fits under the hood, just like the picture. Seeing the side view makes me think the shovel was relocated to the right rear because the barrel would have been over the hood, and / or with the windshield folded down, it would have been very hard to get the shovel. Look for more holes on the body. That might be more correct than the standard M38A1.

That box isn't vehicle kit. Not being a 106 gunner I don't know, but I suspect it could be tools for the gun. It seems like a dangerous place to put valuable stores, but there aren't many other places available to attach anything.

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Martin Dauphinais

Here is one of the picture I use a lot to try to figure out what is missing on my Jeep. This is also the picture that make think to put it back in dark gloss green but, one thing at a time... I also like the camouflage version.

That jeep you show is camouflaged. You can see the black over the rear right wheel fairly clearly. Since the Jeep is at some kind of display, it may well be that it has been oiled, a common practice back then for parades and displays.

The shovel was likely mounted externally due to the difficulty retrieving it from under the hood with the gun there. If you mount a shovel under the hood, I recall we occasionally had problems if the shovel head was at too great an angle, it would rub and split the heater hose.

The broken mirror is easy to replace. You can get them from NAPA, although you will have to paint it. I could look up a part number if you need.

[Martin Dauphinais]

Rob, you spent way too much time for me with this Jeep. If you start looking up for some parts number, I'll be very embarrassed. However, it could help me a lot with the NAPA guy! If I go to NAPA, which model of Jeep do I have to use? Is it M39A1 or something like CJ3... Does the civilian side of the business use M38A1 as designation or this is only a military thing. If I need an oil filter (do not even know if there is an oil filter... mechanic looks like pretty basic on this Jeep!) which model of Jeep I should use?

I was also looking for some parts over eBay and elsewhere. many of them are coming from the US. I would like to know if it would be possible to get some parts from your favorite surplus yard when you'll go for yourself?

I will wait for Jim's response but if I can buy from people here, I much prefer giving my money to people who need it to restore another Canadian piece of kit instead of a huge shop.

I will need:

- 2x front tow clevis
- 1x spare rim
- 1x light switch (the one I have seem to be broken as the upper selector is turning free)
- Numerous cotton straps (One for the Jerry can, one for the axe, one for the shovel)
- 1 x metal bracket to hold the shovel blade
- 1x original shift knob
- 1x driver's side mirror
- 1x wiper handle (no idea how to call it... the little part that helps moving the wiper when the assy is not working. The one on the Jeep has the little handle broken)

That's pretty much what I need to change so far.

My guess I can do myself the small brackets to hold the straps everywhere on the Jeep? They seem to be aluminum made?

Thanks for your patience guys, you probably answering beginner's questions again...

[Ed Storey]

Glad to see my photograph is getting a lot of uncredited exposure, which is the reason I now watermark everything and post very few images.

[rob love]

The little brackets for the straps are known as footman loops. Not something you hammer out yourself, and there are two or three variations used on the Jeep. Don't know why yours is missing so many.

The light switches are still used today on many military vehicles. If you know of any Iltis/MLVW etc in scrapyards, they will have that same switch. Otherwise, ebay or many of the US dealers will likely be your best source. I'm afraid it's getting a little late in the season for me to be heading out to the scrapyard again...winter approaches.

For the mirror, ask NAPA for a 12072 made by Grote. It will come in black. List price is $34.55, and our trade price is $18.99.

When you go to civilian parts suppliers, do not bother to say M38A1....they will not have a listing. Use the equivalent year of a Jeep, or research the part numbers yourself first. I usually use a 1968 CJ5 for a search on parts....by 1971 the Jeeps underwent a lot of changes, however for your Cdn3, the 71 listings will have the appropriate brake and axle listings.

Civilian suppliers are good for things like seals, bearings, filters, U joints, and gaskets. But for any of the 24 volt stuff, use the part number off your old part, or else go to the military suppliers. Some good suppliers here in Canada include Brian Asbury out of Acton ON, and Willys Acres, also out of Ontario.

[chris vickery]

Salut Martin! Il est possible que j'ai quelques pieces pour toi.
J'ai deux M38A1 Canadien aussi, 1970 et 71.
I will check for you on the weekend when I am home.
Go camo!

[Martin Dauphinais]

Oh well... I've just been told that I should have not use Photobucket to post the pictures. Didn't know that, sorry to have not read the rules... just not enough time to do it!!

I would like to edit the post but apparently I can't do it this way. Next pictures will be uploaded on the server directly.