Restoration of a M38A1-CDN3 106mm recoilless rifle Jeep

[Martin Dauphinais]

What are the best batteries I can buy for this Jeep? Does it worth paying for high quality battery or normal quality is fair enough?

If you could have some details about the battery you guys are using, it could help me a lot to find the good ones!

Thanks,

[chris vickery]

Martin

I will get you the number from my batteries. They are standard Interstate brand and fit the battery box nicely.

Chris

[Martin Dauphinais]

Thank you Chris, much appreciated!

[maple_leaf_eh]

Agreed Interstate are good to deal with (my place to go in uniform and save 20-30%).

A google search says Group 51R for the M151, which I think is the same as the M38A1s. Centre ports to top up the fluid, and both posts on the front corners. There is a dog-bone connector between the two batteries.

More Googling:

If you are not bothered about originality, then go for two good-quality 12V auto batteries with "round-post" terminals. The original batteries are rated at 45-amp-hours.

Just make sure that the positive terminal (+) of the battery is in the bottom right-hand corner of the battery and the negative terminal (-) of the battery is in the bottom left-hand corner of the battery.This is known as Terminal Placement (pole position) O.

Whatever you buy, make sure that the size of the battery does not exceed the following:-

Length - 10 and a 1/4 inches 260 mm
Width - 5 and 5/16 inches 135 mm
Height - 9 inches (to top of terminal lugs) 230 mm

For the USA, there is a very similar civilian battery which is a "22NF", which was used on the Triumph TR-7 (78-82).

NAPA battery 5022NF measures:-
Length - 9 and 1/2 inches 241 mm
Width - 5 and 1/2 inches 140 mm
Height - 9 and 1/16 inches 245 mm
As you can see, the height of this 5022NF is slightly taller than the original battery, so you may have to use a foam insulator for the battery-box lid.

NAPA also sells a battery for the 1993 Honda Civic Del Sol (5051R)
NAPA battery 5051R measures:-
Length - 9 and 5/16 inches 237 mm
Width - 4 and 15/16 inches 126 mm
Height - 8 and 11/16 inches 221 mm

[Martin Dauphinais]

Hi Guys,

Happy New Year and lots and lots of military vehicle opportunities!

Long time without giving some news... was just too busy!

I'm waiting to see if I can get all the manuals I need for my Jeep. I badly need them because I'm far to be a good mechanic and I really hope they are idiot proof because I am at this level...

Also, I'm still gathering bits and pieces of what I need to, at least, completing the Jeep's IES. I'm unsure of what I need exactly and don't know if I will find out the answer one day.

However, I would like to know if there is any of you that knows how the ammunition stowage straps work? I do not know if I have to buy them because I do not know if they were in use with the Canadian Forces or if we were using normal cotton straps? If you have answer, please let me know.

Here are the straps I would like to buy...

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/G758-M38A1C-M...pXatk~&vxp=mtr

Also, I'm still looking for some parts;

- Spare rim or with tire on it if you have one available,
- Special bracket to hold the shovel blade on the side of the Jeep,
- ANSUL extinguisher;
- Green fabric tool pouch;
- Light switch, (the one on the Jeep is broken because it turn free, I can't select any of the position.

I'm waiting to hear from you guys! Thanks for your time and advices!

[rob love]

Martin

The early canvas tool pouches were later made with the ripstop nylon. You will want the early canvas one. Here is a link to NOS ones on ebay for a very reasonable price: http://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-US-ARMY...fLlUhrrKnlv9Qg

There are plenty of the 5 pound Ansul extinguishers on ebay as well, but the blue colour ones are special to DND. The red ones will be identical other than the colour.

I can't say I have ever seen those straps in Cdn service. The manual does show some straps pn A379303, but does not give much detail.

The shovel bracket is the same as the M38 Jeep. PN is 7375162 and are fairly common on the repro market: http://midwestjeepwillys.com/7375162.html

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by rob love

Martin

...

There are plenty of the 5 pound Ansul extinguishers on ebay as well, but the blue colour ones are special to DND. The red ones will be identical other than the colour.

...

Ditto to Rob's comment about the straps. Those are far too fancy for the ordinary soldiers. Don't forget the Forces was doing things as cheaply as they could in that era. Two sets of combats per man, one pair of boots, a combat jacket and liner for most seasons, and v-neck t-shirts on exchange only.

The blue extinguishers are supposed to work better in the cold. Any that are sold off are likely to have failed inspection or are time expired. A red one with a spray can coat of blue will pass all but the most critical of inspections. But, it is safety equipment that has to work when needed, so I would be happier seeing a functioning extinguisher vs a pretty one.

[Robert Bergeron]

Terry, you forgot to mention the godawfull rainsuit that made you more wet than if you didn't wear one . The one we stored in a small pouch meant to carry the two piece aluminium mess tins . A soldier's comfort was far from important people's minds in those years... ( ,,,,) .

[Wayne Hingley]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

The blue extinguishers are supposed to work better in the cold.

I don't think it was just the blue ones that were designed for cold weather use. My red one is listed as functional from -65F to 120F (see bottom line in the first photo). I suspect as Rob said above, there is no difference other than the colour. These were probably the standard because of the high range of operating temperatures.