willysmjeeps.com

How can you tell the difference in the military M38A1 windshield frame from a CJ5 or is it just the split glass?

If you are truly only looking at the metal frame then there won't be any glass to tell you which it MIGHT be.

I made the mistake of not latching my hood once in the 80's out in South Dakota where I used my 53 M38A1 as a daily driver. I headed down the on ramp to I-90 at Ellsworth AFB and as soon as I hit 40 MPH the hood slammed up like a rocket and shattered both windshield halves. I latched the hood drove on into Rapid City to a Jeep parts lot and bought a used CJ5 windshield. Unlatched the M38A1 windshield, disconnected the vacuum hose and lifted it off and slipped the CJ5 windshield right in it's place with it's one piece glass and electric bottom mounted wipers.

But the early 55 ish CJ5's had top mount vacuum wipers. Also the ventillating CJ5 windshields had split glass and of course the inner frame.


1955 CJ5 Top wipers


1970 CJ5 Bottom wipers

Thanks Wes

One more question if you were in need of a windshield frame would you consider the MD Juan or hunt a original?

I've never used an MD Juan windshield. If it's dimensions, shape and appearance were terribly difficult to ID it as a copy and it was well made I might consider it if all else fails. My preference will always be an original.