[maple_leaf_eh]

As a test of the theory that an M38A1 can't be too different from a CJ5 I took a windshield base screw around to the dealers. From a physical look see and reading the military parts manuals, it is a Phillips head, flat head, torque grooves underneath, 5/16 - 24 pitch about 3/4" long. The Jeep online parts system only goes back to 1984, and isn't very descriptive. My screws were not at one place, but apparently at another. No, out of luck - ghost in the bookkeeping.

But the old guy behind the counter had 2 well thumbed illustrated parts cross reference manuals. Line drawing across the top of the page, four or six columns wide and about 30 rows high. After a dozen CJ2, CJ3 and CJ5 versions, down near the M715, were the M38 and M38A1. Identify what you need, and order (or at least identify) the commercial part number. Everything from pitman arms to jerry can holders and windshield weatherstripping. This should come in handy for some of the consumables like gaskets, bearings seals and electrical bits I may need to replace. I noted the name, toll free number and address of the company. I'll see if anything comes up in a search ... It may be fruitless because that company's consolation to progress was a TELEX address! Does that network even still exist?

I found screws, nuts and toothed washers for $4.50 at the industrial fastener store on Bentley Ave. Allen heads and not Phillips, but I don't really need a full set only 2 replacements. One side will look a little mismatched, and I have some modern spares.