GPW Specs
Engine: 134 cube, four-cylinder Go-Devil L-head enginePower: 60hp @ 4,000rpm; 105 lb-ft @ 2,000rpmTransmission: Ford Model GPW-7000 (copy of T-84)Transfer Case: Ford Model GPW-7700 (copy of Spicer 18), 2.46:1 LowFront Axle: Ford Model GPW-3001 (copy of Dana 25), 4.88 gearsRear Axle: Ford Model GPW-4001 (copy of Dana 23-2), 4.88 gearsWheelbase: 80 inchesCurb Weight: 2,315 lbsHighlights: Nimble, highly sought after, shovel indents on side, full floating axleshafts, headlights flipped backwards to work on engine at night, tons of character.Lowlights: Transmission somewhat weak, 9-inch brakes, small 3/4-inch t-case intermediate shaft, rock hard seats.
1950-1952 M-38
While the WWII-era jeep may be the quintessential flattie in the minds of many collectors, the M-38s are held in high regard by Jeep aficionados everywhere. Built from the CJ-3A civilian Jeep, the militarized M-38 featured upgraded drivetrain components compared with the earlier WWII flatties. There were lots of niceties not found on the CJ-2A and CJ-3A civvy models, like a closed, pressurized vent setup that prevented water intrusion to the diffs, drivetrain, and electrical system, a glove box in the dash, protective headlight guards, and in what would become the standard for the military, a 24v electrical system. Unlike the WWII flatties, the military M-38s had the pioneering tool indents on the passenger-side.
M-38 Specs
Engine: 134 cube, four-cylinder Go-Devil L-head enginePower: 60hp @ 4,000rpm; 105 lb-ft @ 2,000rpmTransmission: Warner Gear T-90Transfer Case: Spicer 18, 2.46:1 LowFront Axle: Dana 25, 5.38 gearsRear Axle: Dana 44, 5.38 gearsWheelbase: 80 inchesCurb Weight: 2,750 lbsHighlights: Tons of cool gizmos, much stronger drivetrain than MB/GPW, better gearing, front and rear Power-Loc limited slips in Marine versions. Some rare models affixed with PTO winch on front bumper.Lowlights: Versions with full tops not very common, rear shafts are weaker two-piece 10-spline variety found in civilian flatties, 9-inch brakes.
1952-1957 M38A1
With what would eventually become the CJ-5 and one of the most long-lived vehicle designs of all time, the M38A1 ushered in the age of the round fender Jeeps. Although it sported a militarized 72hp F-head engine like those found in the CJ-3B civilian Jeeps, most of the drivetrain components remained the same as its M-38 predecessor. What the A1 offered over the M-38 was a bit more interior room, a factory shackle reversal front spring setup, an extra 6 inches of fording depth (to 36 inches), an inch of wheelbase (81 inches), and 3 gallons of fuel capacity (17 gallons). Otherwise, the M38A1 actually offered slightly less gross vehicle weight capacity (3,865 pounds versus 3,950 for the M-38) and worse approach and departure angles.
You can distinguish the M38A1 from a civilian CJ-5 from its dog dish indent on the passenger-side cowl, its driver-side dashboard glove box, and its functional battery box door in the top, passenger-side cowl. Other differences are the sunk-in headlights and lack of headlight trim rings, small military black out lights, a factory shackle-reversal, and a large fuel filler cap on the driver side.
M38A1 Specs
Engine: 134 cube, four-cylinder Hurricane F-head enginePower: 72hp @ 4,000rpm; 114 lb-ft @ 2,000rpmTransmission: Warner Gear T-90Transfer Case: Spicer 18, 2.46:1 LowFront Axle: Dana 25, 5.38 gearsRear Axle: Dana 44, 5.38 gearsWheelbase: 81 inchesCurb Weight: 2,660 lbsHighlights: Cool looking grille and two-piece windshield, shackle reversal setup, lots of military trinkets like tow hooks and waterproof drivetrain/ignition setup.Lowlights: Factory 9-inch brakes, dual battery setup placed one in the cowl and one under the hood for some wasted space, easily mistaken for pedestrian CJ-5.