Mystery Shifter in M38A1CDN2

[Mike Baker]

Another mystery regarding my M38A1CDN2 (probable 67-07840):

As I have limited experience with these vehicles, I went up to the Ashton Garrison Museum this morning to take a look at their M38A1CDN2, and took note of a couple of significant differences that I cannot explain. Thus, if anyone can explain these, it would be appreciated:

1) Mine has four shifters - the one for the transmission, the two for 4wd, and another one in between them which has a yellow-painted knob on it. I will try to post a photo when I get home, and hopefully this weekend I can get underneath to find out what it's attached to. But if anyone has any ideas between now and then, please let me know.

2) In mine, the e-brake handle is the same as in most cars today - handle at the front and lever at the rear. The museum version is opposite this. Does anyone know which was standard and why it may have been changed? This could also be related to #1 above.

3) I have the standard rifle rack inside the passenger door, but I also have what appears to be another rifle rack in between the seats, which the museum version did not. Was this a standard feature?

Thanks in advance,

Mike