M38A1 History?

Casey B · #1 25-08-11, 03:57

Okay sorry to ask this again but as I am new to this forum and to this part of history I would like to know how I can go about researching the history behind the two M38A1's i just bought?
The first is a 1953 M38A1 CDN from CFB Chilliwack (running) CFR No. 53-32490 with matching Sn. F200512
The next is a 1967 M38A1 also from the same base (not running) CFR No.67-08045 Sn. 7105-97312

I'd like to know if they were ever used over seas or moved from a different post etc...If there is a link to help me with this it would be greatly appreciated....and while we are asking about links... a good reputable (by uses and experience) parts supplier. Yes the brakes do not brake and well it is nice to stop once moving! thanks in advance Casey

Michael Greeley · #2 25-08-11, 04:01

I Know they Brought back the M38a1 in 1963 because they were having roll over problems with the mutts. I know isreali Military use alot of them.

Michael Greeley · #3 25-08-11, 04:04

www.debellajeepparts.com
This is ware I got most of my parts from including the paint

Mike Baker · #4 25-08-11, 09:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casey B

Okay sorry to ask this again but as I am new to this forum and to this part of history I would like to know how I can go about researching the history behind the two M38A1's i just bought?
The first is a 1953 M38A1 CDN from CFB Chilliwack (running) CFR No. 53-32490 with matching Sn. F200512
The next is a 1967 M38A1 also from the same base (not running) CFR No.67-08045 Sn. 7105-97312

I'd like to know if they were ever used over seas or moved from a different post etc...If there is a link to help me with this it would be greatly appreciated....

There is an ongoing thread for this - just search for "CFR Request Thread".

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casey B

and while we are asking about links... a good reputable (by uses and experience) parts supplier. Yes the brakes do not brake and well it is nice to stop once moving! thanks in advance Casey

Brian Asbury - a member of this forum: great guy, very helpful, located in Ontario so you can avoid brokerage fees on shipping, and if you can buy something locally he will tell you. He doesn't have a website, but his e-mail is brian.asbury@sympatico.ca. Brian also has good copies of the 3 Canadian manuals which are "must-haves" for people with Canadian contract M38A1s. (In other words, there are some significant differences between ours and US or Dutch built trucks).

John Bizal - also a member of this forum: another very helpful, great guy with good quality parts. His website is www.midwestmilitary.net. Located in Minnesota, so if you want to order from John (or any of the other US dealers) I strongly recommend setting yourself up a mailbox at a UPS Store in Blaine or Bellingham, and going down to pick the stuff up yourself. MUCH cheaper.

Willysacres.com - the other Canadian dealer, he's also located in Ontario. I've never ordered anything from him, as Brian and John have been able to furnish my requirements, but the website is useful.

Where did you get your trucks, if you don't mind me asking?

cheers,

Mike

rob love · #5 25-08-11, 20:01

A few of the currently serving guys have access to a data base within DND which will give you the information and data on your 1967 Cdn2. However , the data for the 1953 M38A1 Cdn should be considered as gone. Basically, whatever markings you have under the layers of paint will be it's only recorded history, unless you luck into some photos showing the CFR numbers somewhere, which is a very long shot.

Post your request on the Cdn2 at the end of this thread: http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=14402

It might be a few days to a few weeks before you get a response, but the data base should include the veh's unit history, it's recorded modifications, and it's repairs over the years.

You could also include the CFR of your other Jeep, but odds are it will not be on the data base.

Casey B · #6 25-08-11, 20:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Baker

There is an ongoing thread for this - just search for "CFR Request Thread".

Brian Asbury - a member of this forum: great guy, very helpful, located in Ontario so you can avoid brokerage fees on shipping, and if you can buy something locally he will tell you. He doesn't have a website, but his e-mail is brian.asbury@sympatico.ca. Brian also has good copies of the 3 Canadian manuals which are "must-haves" for people with Canadian contract M38A1s. (In other words, there are some significant differences between ours and US or Dutch built trucks).

John Bizal - also a member of this forum: another very helpful, great guy with good quality parts. His website is www.midwestmilitary.net. Located in Minnesota, so if you want to order from John (or any of the other US dealers) I strongly recommend setting yourself up a mailbox at a UPS Store in Blaine or Bellingham, and going down to pick the stuff up yourself. MUCH cheaper.

Willysacres.com - the other Canadian dealer, he's also located in Ontario. I've never ordered anything from him, as Brian and John have been able to furnish my requirements, but the website is useful.

Where did you get your trucks, if you don't mind me asking?

cheers,

Mike

Hey Mike got them from a lady in maple ridge who got them from a company who got them from the fellow who bought them from the Crown assets disposal for the then Chiliwack base...Long chain and never registered or run on the road since the were originally bought in 1976 and 85 respectivley. basically LOL off of craigs list!

Casey B · #7 25-08-11, 20:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Baker

There is an ongoing thread for this - just search for "CFR Request Thread".

Brian Asbury - a member of this forum: great guy, very helpful, located in Ontario so you can avoid brokerage fees on shipping, and if you can buy something locally he will tell you. He doesn't have a website, but his e-mail is brian.asbury@sympatico.ca. Brian also has good copies of the 3 Canadian manuals which are "must-haves" for people with Canadian contract M38A1s. (In other words, there are some significant differences between ours and US or Dutch built trucks).

John Bizal - also a member of this forum: another very helpful, great guy with good quality parts. His website is www.midwestmilitary.net. Located in Minnesota, so if you want to order from John (or any of the other US dealers) I strongly recommend setting yourself up a mailbox at a UPS Store in Blaine or Bellingham, and going down to pick the stuff up yourself. MUCH cheaper.

Willysacres.com - the other Canadian dealer, he's also located in Ontario. I've never ordered anything from him, as Brian and John have been able to furnish my requirements, but the website is useful.

Where did you get your trucks, if you don't mind me asking?

cheers,

Mike

long storey but here goes

Casey B · #8 25-08-11, 20:12

Hey Mike got them from a lady in maple ridge who got them from a company who got them from the fellow who bought them from the Crown assets disposal for the then Chiliwack base...Long chain and never registered or run on the road since the were originally bought in 1976 and 85 respectivley. basically LOL off of craigs list!

Mike Baker · #9 25-08-11, 23:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casey B

Hey Mike got them from a lady in maple ridge who got them from a company who got them from the fellow who bought them from the Crown assets disposal for the then Chiliwack base...Long chain and never registered or run on the road since the were originally bought in 1976 and 85 respectivley. basically LOL off of craigs list!

Ha ha - not much different from my own story, actually. Just make sure the woman who sold them to you gave you a bill of sale, otherwise you will have a heck of a time getting ICBC to register them.

Mike

maple_leaf_eh · #10 26-08-11, 04:29

Alex Blair used to have the Canadian manuals, but he sold the masters to someone else. Not sure who, but he is friendly ...

The first Cdn series was the 1953 prefix. Then the Cdn 2 contract was 1967 and 68. The last, but different enough to be a PITA was the Cdn 3 contract in 1970-71. These are not the same as USMC jeeps, even though there are some similarities.

Brian Asbury is a good source for Cdn series parts. There are guys here with parts jeeps who will help out if they can. The tough part about markings and histories is most of those records have been purged. There are a few guys (other than parts guys) who have privileged access to military maintenance records. Be patient, but post your numbers on the other link mentioned above.

Casey B · #11 26-08-11, 05:02

No kidding just back from the ICBC agent and while I did the search and thankfully came up with not hits on either of them...I now have to have them inspected...Another gouge out of the wallet and since one is well in pieces that will not work and the 53 that runs well it needs brakes and a lot of little things to get it to pass before even a registration! talk about rediculous...as we can't even insure them during this time frame...! Things have changed mainly they said because of the influx of the used japanese right hand drive things people are bringing in to canada by the boat load How about you did you have to inspect...?

Casey B · #12 26-08-11, 05:06

[QUOTE=maple_leaf_eh;151918]Alex Blair used to have the Canadian manuals, but he sold the masters to someone else. Not sure who, but he is friendly ...

I was given a operators manual by a friend Thanks Harry! so it helps but I am going to have to get a manual for repairs I saw a haynes manual but they are hit and lots of miss sometimes. maybe the Libraray...? I know a good librarian!

Mike Baker · #13 26-08-11, 08:59

[QUOTE=Casey B;151920]

Quote:

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

Alex Blair used to have the Canadian manuals, but he sold the masters to someone else. Not sure who, but he is friendly ...

I was given a operators manual by a friend Thanks Harry! so it helps but I am going to have to get a manual for repairs I saw a haynes manual but they are hit and lots of miss sometimes. maybe the Libraray...? I know a good librarian!

You won't find these in any library that I know of, and the Haynes manual is probably for a CJ5, not an M38A1 - very different vehicles even if they look the same on the outside. I would not even recommend using the US Army or USMC manuals (which are available free to download online) as there are enough differences to make you beat your head against the wall without the correct manual. If you have the cash, buy all 3 Canadian manuals. If not, at least get the Canadian service manual (the others are the operator's manual and the parts book).

Mike

Mike Baker · #14 26-08-11, 09:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casey B

No kidding just back from the ICBC agent and while I did the search and thankfully came up with not hits on either of them...I now have to have them inspected...Another gouge out of the wallet and since one is well in pieces that will not work and the 53 that runs well it needs brakes and a lot of little things to get it to pass before even a registration! talk about rediculous...as we can't even insure them during this time frame...! Things have changed mainly they said because of the influx of the used japanese right hand drive things people are bringing in to canada by the boat load How about you did you have to inspect...?

When I got mine it was the same as your CDN - runs but no brakes. Unlike yours, mine had been previously registered in BC (it is also an ex-Chilliwack truck), but the previous owner was a defunct company (the owner of which was dead), and it took me about 10 months just to get it registered in my name. I did not, however, need to get it inspected. It is still not roadworthy, in fact, but it has plates and I could theorhetically walk into ICBC, pay for insurance and legally drive it. Crazy, I know.

Mike

Casey B · #15 26-08-11, 20:18

Yesss I know the pain of the cash grab right to the....wallet LOL and you thought I was going to say B@lls ! ha well i made a last attempt to beg and plead and worm my way to a very nice sounding lady who asked me for the original forms that showed that Chilliwack actually and indeed did own the vehicle and sold it...I gave them that copy but like the provincial and federal gov's they really never speak to each other so one dept, one floor up does not have access to the file that I created and they are the next step in the insuring process?
So she actually said she would walk downstairs to see the file and the documents I have left there...wow! LMAO! so I am waiting with fingers and anything else crossed that she will accept it then it's a sitghting of the SN and viola I pay more money tax transffer and vintage plates! It's nice to dream and costs nothing to do so...LOL have a great day! I should move to HOPe cause that's where i am most days...? LOL

Casey B · #16 31-08-11, 21:47

Got it done! Yes she's registered finally and with out pulling too many teeth! So now the real work begins trying to get it real roadworthy before Rememberance Day Would like to drive it to the cenotaph in my last uniform to pay repects!

So now the Brakes! Should be fun as Rob said the fun never stops bearings seal brake shoes drums...LOL on and on worse than the list from the spousal unit!