How to get into Military Jeeps

I just sold my CUCV which has left me without an MV and I am itching for my next fix. I am not stranger to old CJs and what to look for when buying one but I am lost on the military ones. It seems like most of the military jeeps are either big projects or fully restored and big money. I am looking for something in between in the 2-4k range. Are they out there? If so where should I be looking and what should I look for if I am looking at one? I really want an M38a1 but they seem to be even harder to find. Craigslist is letting me down on the military jeeps and there is nothing up on these classifieds either. Thanks for your help.

They are out there just take your time and look. You can find M151 Mutts from 2 to 4 thousand in orginal condition. With them look them over real good for rust damage. I have one i paid $400.00 for and got it running for about $300.00 more. It took a lot of welding underneath to rebuild the rust damage but I have been driving it for 10 years now.

If you get a m38a1 check thw frame by the drivers side front spring rear hanger they rust out there!

Look over ewillys.com. They compile Jeep ads from all over the country.

sigo said:

Look over ewillys.com. They compile Jeep ads from all over the country.

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Thank you. That is a dangerous web site. I can tell you were the time I was supposed to be productive with for this week just went

Dude.

We LOVED our M38A1. It was so awesome.

I would have driven it every day as a daily driver IF I could have afforded the $1K for the overdrive kit. With the 5.38 gears, you are pretty limited in terms of cruising speed.

But, they get great mileage, they are super easy to get in and out of, easy to park, cheap to ensure, parts are cheap (and a lot of stuff is the same as CJ5 so NAPA can take care of it) and they are cheap to insure.

I would highly recommend the M38A1.

There are 2 sites that have a lot of Jeep traffic- www.g503.com and Willy's Military Jeeps

I hate to recommend sites other than SS, but those 2 sites just have soooo much Jeep info.

Maybe you can get some of the Jeep guys to come over here...........

I have always liked the M38A1, and they were still available back 15 years ago or so. That was my first military Jeep, and first restoration. I completely disassembled it, every part sandblasted and primed/painted. 5 new NDT's., etc.

I'd part with it if you are interested. Needs a little TLC to have a nice jeep. Located in Central Wisconsin. Pm me if interested.

Mods: delete this if illegal.

Scott

tigger said:

If you get a m38a1 check thw frame by the drivers side front spring rear hanger they rust out there!

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Thanks for the pictures, that is some pretty serious rust. I that fixable or scrap at that point?

Definately buy something that is fairly complete - I've been buying parts for my 'A1 for the past 12 yrs - they are still out there, but getting more and more expensive (as with most HMVs). Same with the wiring - I paid $375 for a new harness 10 yrs ago with the turn signal harness built in - just the harness now will run you around $500 (without the turn signals).

How to get into Military Jeeps? Well, I like to enter through the driver's side cut out... Sorry I couldn't resist...


I noticed a rather nice (uncut) M151A2 for sale in the classifieds. That's a good price for a running uncut mutt. Here's the link; http://www.steelsoldiers.com/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=9957


Did you have a particular type of "Army jeep" in mind? I've owned/restored three different G838s (one M151A1 and two M151A2s) so I'm partial to them. A good site for all things g838 (M151) is www.g838.org Good group of guys over there. In fact, several guys from over there are members on here.

Matt

Watch GSA, several M38A1's and M37's just sold here in WY. They were rust free and complete. Last I looked they were all under 2K.

L1A1 said:

Did you have a particular type of "Army jeep" in mind?

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I would be happy with any but my top three are the M38a1, M38, and GPW in that order. The mutt in that add looked good but a little out of my range.

Another great jeep if you can find one is the M170 ambulance. Same front as an M38A1 only with a longer wheelbase and a nice ambulance ride. They have much more room for camping gear or kids.

They are a little less capable off road and you don't want to damage the unobtainium gas tank.

jeeplvr247 said:

Thanks for the pictures, that is some pretty serious rust. I that fixable or scrap at that point?

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I got a 6 ft piece of good frame and a friend that builds rock buggies cut it out and welded the new piece in. . Had the jeep at the rally this year and it held fine!

armytruck63 said:

Another great jeep if you can find one is the M170 ambulance.

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I have looked at some but they seem to be even more expensive. I am on a pretty limited budget. I see you can get CJ5s with military headlights and paint pretty cheap but I would like a real military one if possible. Too bad they never put the buick V6 in the military versions though, that was a great engine.

Zout - How many of the parts on the a1 can be swapped with the CJ5, I have a good source of jeep parts at very good prices but he has mostly civilian stuff. I had a CUCV so i was spoiled by having all the parts at the local o'reilys no questions asked.

How to get into Military Jeeps ?? buy one

another site to find jeeps, g503.com they have classifieds for military jeeps, and old cj's

As far as parts I have found most items at NAPA, it just helps to have a parts number cross reference sheet

Mike

I’m wanting a good condition army Jeep, like the one they had on Mash

I’m wanting a good condition army Jeep you know the one that they ran around in on mash that’s in good condition that won’t break the bank.

I would settle for the M38 or the M38A1 they are both okay and I’d like to get a driver. But don’t really know what I’d be into it for?

MB/GPW (which was correct for Korea, but not Vietnam), M38, or M38A1. Big difference in the three. Use Google to figure out which one you want. I just reviewed google images to make sure that all three were present in filming, and they were. So, you need to decide. Personal size (yours) is also a factor. If you're a big dude, recommend M38A1.

I had a m38a1 also m151,151a2.The best jeep is the 38a1 but i did sell it but at a loss.45--50mph is the best speed.