Vinyl seats again

[TomM]

There was a good thread on this back in the Spring but still no concrete conclusion that I can see.

Do we have any understanding of how the manuals were produced that might help with timelines?
Specifically, there are not any good interior pictures in TM9-1804A or 1804B (June '51 and July '52). Most photos and graphics used early vehicles for creating the documentation as the mechanicals have the early bellhousing, early venting, early steering, horn button, dash plates, primer etc.
By the time TM9-8012 Jan '56 was published, there were changes to the documentation that show they used a later vehicle to produce the book. Later front bumper and lifting shackles, no primer system, later venting, later dash plates, sealed bellhousing are represented.
Also there is no reinforcement on the rear body corner.

The seat on P135 is clearly vinyl. I do not have an earlier version of this manual. Maybe someone else does.

Do we know how they chose vehicles to create the graphics for the documentation? Were they production vehicles? It is unlikely Willys used "delivered" vehicles to create their documentation. This would point to vinyl being at least one of the available "factory" materials. But, I do not have concrete proof.



Tom

[wesk]

Hello Tom,
I don't see any definitive answer to be found in any of the M38's Army manuals. The figure 135 you refer to on page 316 of TM 9-8012 could easily be vinyl. It could also easily be a later M38A1 rear seat since they are exactly the same part number and completely interchangeable. Based on the date of the manual it could aslo easily be a field recovered seat. The seats pictured in figure's 135 and 136 on the preceding pages are clearly canvas. I can only say for now that a judge would have to accept either cover at a competitive event.

I think the real answer to your question is in Willys factory archive data that needs to be found and opened for the public to judge. Perhaps Keith Buckley could help us here?

I'll post the part numbers here for keith to peruse.

Driver's seat assy with trim WO#673578 ORD# 7697533 Same in both 51 & 55 M38 ORD 9's & 53 ORD 7. None listed in M38 ORD 8.

Driver's seat assy with trim WO# 680156 ORD# 8328489 in 56 M38A1 ORD 9 None listed in M38A1 TM 9-2320-208-20P (59 or 66).

Pass seat assy with trim WO# 673579 ORD# 7697534 Same in both 51 & 55 M38 ORD 9's, M38 53 ORD 7 and 56 M38A1 ORD 9. None listed in M38 56 ORD 8 and M38A1 TM 9-2320-208-20P (59 or 66) .

Rear seat assy with trim WO# 673580 ORD# 7697535 Same numbers in 51 & 55 M38 ORD 9, 53 M38 ORD 7 and 56 M38A1 ORD 9. None listed in the 56 M38 ORD 8 & M38A1 TM 9-2320-208-20P (59 or 66).

Please note that the trim referred to here in the above descriptions is the seat cover material.

Trim, front seat backs WO# 672012 Same numbers in 51 & 55 M38 ORD 9 and 56 M38A1 ORD 9. None listed in the M38 ORD 7 & 8's & M38A1 TM 9-2320-208-20P (59 or 66).

Trim, front seat cushions WO# 672016 Same numbers in 51 & 55 M38 ORD 9 and 56 M38A1 ORD 9. None listed in the M38 ORD 7 & 8's & M38A1 TM 9-2320-208-20P (59 or 66).

Trim, rear seat back assy WO# 673581 Same numbers in 51 & 55 M38 ORD 9 and 56 M38A1 ORD 9. None listed in the M38 ORD 7 & 8's & M38A1 TM 9-2320-208-20P (59 or 66).

Trim, rear seat cushion assy WO# 673587 Same numbers in 51 & 55 M38 ORD 9 and 56 M38A1 ORD 9. None listed in the M38 ORD 7 & 8's & M38A1 TM 9-2320-208-20P (59 or 66).

Cushion, front seat assy(both) WO# 672000 ORD# 7375008 This number is found only in the M38 56 ORD 8 & 53 ORD 7.

Cushion, front seat assy (both) FSN 2540-786-9237 This number is only found in the Jan 66 TM 9-2320-208-20P (M38A1)

Cushion, rear seat assy WO# 673586 ORD# 7697499 This number is found only in the M38 56 ORD 8 & 53 ORD 7.

Duck, cotton, plied yarns, numbered, olive drab, weight per sq. yd. 17.55 oz., width 36", No. 8, hard, (driver's seat back cover (1 YD), driver's seat cover (1 YD), pass seat back cover (1 YD), pass seat cover (1 YD), rear seat cover back cover (1 YD), rear seat cover (1 YD)) (yd) This entry is only found in the M38 56 ORD 8.
_________________
Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100

Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=Wes-Knettle&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php