Need Some Photos

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Thu Mar 04, 2021 10:15 am

I can try and get you dimensions, but mine was crushed flat, and I made two like the left side.

You can use the channel below for scale, but you can see it’s pretty simple. Two flat areas that meet the wheelhouse front, right across the bend, and a V? Shaped bend in the middle with a horizontal flat for the seat frame to sit on.

Post by **wesk** » Thu Mar 04, 2021 10:20 am

This is the point where a photo says a thousand words.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Thu Mar 04, 2021 10:34 am

For comparison, here is my left side M38 bracket under construction.
It is different as it has additional bracing and a hole. The bracing not visible on my part yet is to prevent crushing the part when you bolt the seat frame to the wheelhouse.

The right side is virtually identical as mine at thus point, if you discard the top two flats. From there down the right side looks just like this.

Just adjust the bends to make that flat the seat frame sits on level.

Hope this helps.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Thu Mar 04, 2021 10:38 am

Hi Wes,
Yes, agree. Last post on page one shows the right side bracket.

I still am puzzled as to why the A1 did not have that bracket from the factory.

Post by **wesk** » Thu Mar 04, 2021 11:21 am

You can see the similarities between the front end of both right wheel houses.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Thu Mar 04, 2021 1:01 pm

Hi Wes,
Yes, agree. Last post on page one shows the right side bracket.

I still am puzzled as to why the A1 did not have that bracket from the factory.

Fmbruce · Post by **Fmbruce** » Thu Mar 04, 2021 1:06 pm

4x4M38 wrote:Here’s the M38 bracket:

The seat frame sits on this to prevent landing on the wheelhouse front.

That looks an altogether simpler arrangement. Something tells me my original M38A1 tub, which was January '53 so pre-spring bracket, had this set-up. Sadly it's long gone now, so no way I can go back to look. That would certainly fix the problem and all I would have to do is fix the spring loaded bolt to stop the seat flying forwards when I don't want it to. How wide is the shelf it sits on? It looks to be about 1/2 inch from the picture.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Thu Mar 04, 2021 4:05 pm

Maybe 3/4”? I’m away from my parts or I’d measure it.

If you put that sliding bolt on the tool box top per the Military mod you don’t even have to have the spring jobbbie,

The bolt slides over the foot on the back left leg and keeps the seat frame from tilting forward. Again, an easy fix and an MWO.

I’ll look at the part when I get home if you need, or any M38 owner can measure for you.

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Thu Mar 04, 2021 6:59 pm

I searched high and low in the forum for a photo or sketch of that seat rest with dimensions ---- no joy. Maybe I missed it, because search terms can be tricky, mis-spelled words and all.

Anyway, unless our most gracious hosts of this forum might have that Willys drawing in the library(?), I'd be glad to measure mine (M38) and sketch it for you. Give me a day or two and I'll post it Saturday.

Post by **wesk** » Thu Mar 04, 2021 11:49 pm

Keep in mind the original early M38A1 did not have any support for the seat back. NONE. The shiney painted photo is of the M38's wheel house mounted support shelf. Also keep in mind the distance from the front edge seat mounting pivots to the tab may differ between the M38 and the M38A1.

I'd mount the seat and tilt it aft till the left rear leg just hits the floor solid and then select a mounting point that matches the seat back frame tube you wish to use.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Fri Mar 05, 2021 8:25 am

Thanks Ron. You could measure yours.

At least the width of the horizontal part the frame sits on.

Wes makes a good point. I bet the bottom of the seat frame on both vehicles arrives at pretty much the same point at the bend in the wheelhouse front. You basically want the back to be level across the width.

Use cardboard for a pattern. Cut to width (1”?) and leave it long. Start at the top or bottom ( may be easier), lower your seat frame and block in the right place (height). There’s not much room between the frame and the wheelhouse, just room for the bracket back and a little wiggle room. Definitely not an interference fit.

Bend up your cardboard for the horizontal shelf, then finish the bend back to the wheelhouse. Making it out of cardboard allows you to fiddle with it until you get what you want.

Zoom it out of sheet metal, clean up the edges. Drill a couple of holes for spot welds, and tack it in!

Pictures please when done?

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Fri Mar 05, 2021 2:20 pm

I looked up and down the M38 ORD9 for the passenger seat stop bracket, and couldn't find it listed by itself. On page 296, under WO-673368, it's described as part of Panel, Wheelhouse Rear, Right (welded)(includes inner panel, top panel, and front seat stop bracket). I didn't look in the M38A1 ORD9.

I was able to find the drivers seat stop bracket listed in the M38 ORD9 on page 295, WO-673487, Bracket, Stop, left front seat (welded). I didn't remove my drivers seat to look, but am fairly sure the drivers seat stop bracket isn't identical to the passenger seat stop bracket.

Anyway, here's a couple of photos of my M38 PASSENGER SEAT STOP BRACKET, with a sketch of the dims...hope this helps.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Sat Mar 06, 2021 8:27 am

Beautiful Rob!

Thanks!

We needed that.

Yes the left side is similar but more complicated as it has a hole for the retaining bolt and a crush stop fixture between the part and the tub.

Fmbruce · Post by **Fmbruce** » Wed Mar 10, 2021 7:31 am

4x4M38 wrote:Beautiful Rob!

Thanks!

We needed that.

Yes the left side is similar but more complicated as it has a hole for the retaining bolt and a crush stop fixture between the part and the tub.

Thank you everybody for your help with this. Ron's dimensions will be a great help. I will post some pictures of the end result.