Restoration of a M38A1-CDN3 106mm recoilless rifle Jeep

[maple_leaf_eh]

Yes, the fitting under the hood is for a short handled, round nose shovel with a D-handle. We had a variety of military issue and commercial purchase ones. As long as it has the right curve to fit under the hood and over the engine, you're OK.

The cotton straps are correct. There is a lot of dust on yours, but those are right. If you find a roll of that 1" cotton webbing and some heavy green cotton thread, you'll be OK. The unit Mat Techs are probably busy as it is making rifle cases and luggage bags on the side to help. They might not want to change thread either, because the modern thread is much stronger.

I don't have original batteries in my M38A1 or M151. I just measured the size and went to my local battery dealer. I happened to be doing that errand in uniform, and the guys gave me a trade discount. (Lesson learned, always ask for a military discount.)

The M38A1 EIS from memory was really very limited: a shovel; a spout, flexible i.e. "horse cock" for the jerry can; a 12" long chrome tire pressure gauge; a short tire wrench; small bottle style jack and folding jack handle; and maybe a 12" crescent wrench and straight blade screwdriver. The period correct bag is a grubby green canvas tool pouch with a flip over flap that looks like a postal envelope. Some units SOPs would have added an axe, a pick and a machete in a black plastic sheath.

I had forgotten about the 24v slave cable relocation to get away from the spare tire. The loops pointing down are unknown, but possibly the answer already given is for aircraft tie-down.

I'd be suspicious about guessing if this vehicle had an installed radio. The chassis is already at capacity with 4 crew, their weapons and gear, the 106 and a couple of rounds. An RT524 and IKEE adds weight that isn't much use. The average infantry radio net is also low powered and localized. If it had a radio, I think it would have been a PRC25 or 77 set slung where ever it didn't get in the way. The normal improvised location is suspended over a seat back, but yours fold down.

The data plate might be upside down on purpose. The 106 carrier was just different enough from the standard vehicle to have other weights and dimensions. Did the CF make new plates or just warn the crew to memorize the changes?

[rob love]

The lock on the tool box is not correct. It looks like the original latch was missing, and someone welded on a washer to the front to act as a hasp.

The upside down data plate is just one of those things. I have never seen another, and it looks like it was done at the factory.

From the CFTO modification instruction for the M100 trailer (Installation of tie down ring kits), it mentions the reason for the tie down rings: "for air transportation of the vehicle". I'm afraid I don't have the instruction for the 1/4 ton vehicle, but it will say the same thing.

I note you are missing the knob on your dole primer pump. The original shofter knobs were just press on, and when they got older, they tended to fall off the shifter, so when you went to do your next shift, you would get the shifter poking your palm. I would routinely remove the dole primer knob, cut the shifter a little shorter to where it had enough diameter to support the knob, and then thread the shifter and install the knob onto it. Odds are I did that to the very Jeep you have back in the early 80s, when I worked MSS at Minto Armouries.

Glad you are hapy with the truck, and hopefully you will feel the same way on those late late nights when you are working underneath the jeep with dirt in your eyes, blood running down your fingers mixed with the grease, and nothing is going right.

[jim fraser (RIP)]

congratulations martin. i saw the jeep first hand when rob came thru arnprior.absolutely an awesome jeep.all original like that is very rare today.i have a 106 jeep i will be dismantling for parts.regards jim fraser.613 623 6156.

[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.