M38 CDN GEARBOX CROSSMEMBER

1950 - 1952, M38, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the M38.
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Rod Rushton
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M38 CDN GEARBOX CROSSMEMBER

Post by Rod Rushton » Thu Dec 21, 2017 1:02 am

Hi Guys, Whilst replacing the brake system, I noticed the clutch cross shaft - from the gearbox casing to the frame rail - is at a steep angle.
I suspect it had maybe been replaced at sometime with one from an MB/GPW - Can anyone tell me if there is a difference please?
Rod Rushton - Winner 2013 MVT Wilkinson Sword Trophy
Exeter Devon UK
FORD GPW 202055 DoD 5 - 22 - 44 Serial# 20534360
MBT # 25553 DoD 4 - 43
Piper Cub 1944 L4H 480015 G-AKIB

1942 CHEVROLET G506 CARGO. #2NM 213219
1943 AUSTIN LIGHT UTILITY M6448770


Joe Gopan
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Re: M38 CDN GEARBOX CROSSMEMBER

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu Dec 21, 2017 4:35 am

MB/CJ-2A Cross member is attached to brackets out side the frame, M-38 Cross member is attached directly to the bottom of frame rails by bolts that go up thru the frame.
If your cross shaft is at an angle where it is toward the front and toward the rear, that normally indicates that it has a different transmission. The T-84 is 1" shorter than a T-90 and that will cause the ball studs for the cross shaft not to line up across from each other. Has your M-38 been modified with another transmission?
The CJ-2A cross member is identical looking to MB, but it is made to locate the transmission lower.
Interesting. :wink:
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Rod Rushton
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Re: M38 CDN GEARBOX CROSSMEMBER

Post by Rod Rushton » Fri Dec 22, 2017 7:36 am

Hello - Thank you for your reply to my post. As far as I can tell, the original engine has been retained, but looked very close to the floor pan.
The engine seemed to have a definite upward slope, the starter button was always difficult to depress, the exhaust was touching the transfer box and the rear prop. shaft joint looked to have quite an angle on it.
Today the cross member was lowered by 3/4" which solved all the problems. The question now is whether the cross member is original or off another Jeep?
Much as it is against all my engineering principles, it looks like a simple packing piece will cure the problem, as finding alternative rear cross member here in the UK could be tricky or nearly impossible.
Wishing everyone The Seasons Compliments,
Cheers R
Rod Rushton - Winner 2013 MVT Wilkinson Sword Trophy
Exeter Devon UK
FORD GPW 202055 DoD 5 - 22 - 44 Serial# 20534360
MBT # 25553 DoD 4 - 43
Piper Cub 1944 L4H 480015 G-AKIB

1942 CHEVROLET G506 CARGO. #2NM 213219
1943 AUSTIN LIGHT UTILITY M6448770

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: M38 CDN GEARBOX CROSSMEMBER

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Dec 22, 2017 8:49 am

Any way you can post a view of how the crossmember is attached to the frame?
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Rod Rushton
G-Captain
G-Captain
Posts: 787
Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2011 8:40 am
Location: South West England

Re: M38 CDN GEARBOX CROSSMEMBER

Post by Rod Rushton » Wed Dec 27, 2017 6:42 am

Hello, The cross member was bolted directly to the bottom of the frame rail with three 3/8" unc bolts.
As can be seen from the photos, the casings are nearly touching the floorpan.
Lowering it by 3/4" does the trick, and for the time being have made up spacers to bolt the cross member back onto the frame rail.
Compliments of the Season to all,
Cheers R
Rod Rushton - Winner 2013 MVT Wilkinson Sword Trophy
Exeter Devon UK
FORD GPW 202055 DoD 5 - 22 - 44 Serial# 20534360
MBT # 25553 DoD 4 - 43
Piper Cub 1944 L4H 480015 G-AKIB

1942 CHEVROLET G506 CARGO. #2NM 213219
1943 AUSTIN LIGHT UTILITY M6448770

Rod Rushton
G-Captain
G-Captain
Posts: 787
Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2011 8:40 am
Location: South West England

Re: M38 CDN GEARBOX CROSSMEMBER

Post by Rod Rushton » Wed Dec 27, 2017 6:44 am

Oops! forgot to attach photos:
P1010002.JPG
P1010002.JPG (128.65 KiB) Viewed 956 times
Rod Rushton - Winner 2013 MVT Wilkinson Sword Trophy
Exeter Devon UK
FORD GPW 202055 DoD 5 - 22 - 44 Serial# 20534360
MBT # 25553 DoD 4 - 43
Piper Cub 1944 L4H 480015 G-AKIB

1942 CHEVROLET G506 CARGO. #2NM 213219
1943 AUSTIN LIGHT UTILITY M6448770


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