M38A1 Rear View Mirror(s)?

1952 - 1968, M38A1, M170, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the M38a1 series.
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w30bob
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M38A1 Rear View Mirror(s)?

Post by w30bob » Wed May 24, 2017 2:49 pm

Hi Guys,

I see all the normal vendors and eBay list what they call "rear view mirror" for the M38A1. I'm not talking about the little 5" round mirror on the arm that mounts to the cowl on the driver's side.....I'm talking about a rectangular mirror that mounts on the upper inside windshield frame, right in the middle, like in your car. Did the M38A1 ever have such a mirror originally? Is this an M151 thing that people install on the M38 and M38A1? I can't find a second rear view mirror listed in the ORD 9, but it sure seems like everyone thinks there should be one. Can someone please clarify?

thanks,
bob


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Re: M38A1 Rear View Mirror(s)?

Post by Joe Gopan » Wed May 24, 2017 4:49 pm

Trust your ORD9. Factory mirrors during M-38/M-38A1 Era were 5" round. The small rectangular Mirror started appearing late on Jeeps, 3/4 Ton as replacements.
M-38A1 has that raised pad on the LH Cowl only. CJ-5 mounted mirror arm on Pre drilled lower drivers windshield Hinge. Optional drilled RH Hinge was available to mount two 5" Mirrors.
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skyjeep50
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Re: M38A1 Rear View Mirror(s)?

Post by skyjeep50 » Thu May 25, 2017 5:29 am

Jeeps are meant to be military tactical scouting vehicles - the fewer shiny parts to attract attention, the better. With the M38A1's canvas top up, the view through the small rear window is very restricted making a inside rear view mirror all but useless. With the top off - well soldier, just turn around and look - the view is unrestricted!

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Re: M38A1 Rear View Mirror(s)?

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu May 25, 2017 12:40 pm

I got sidetracked, and will finish this up.
Jeep made an Inside Rear View Mirror Kit for the 55-71 CJ-5, it consisted of a Drawing, 4 Bolts 1/4"-20NC, Two Nuts, and 2 Lock Washers. WILLYS and JEEP Part No. for the kit was 671167.
I might still have an Inside Rear View Kit in a box, will put it on my M-38A1 next time I see it.

As far as the small rear window in the Jeep Canvas, the CJ-3A, CJ-3B, and CJ_5 with Canvas Top all had that small rear window and I have many happy thousands of Jeep miles with them.
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Re: M38A1 Rear View Mirror(s)?

Post by Joe Gopan » Sat May 27, 2017 5:02 am

Sean Collins was advertising inside rear view mirror brackets in recent years, he had them made up. There is a difference in CJ-2A (fit MB/GPW) and the CJ-3A, CJ-3B, and CJ-5. CJ-3A-thru 71 CJ-5 are the same Willys part number. If he still has any, you can count on them being correct. Thanks for the wake up on inside rear views, I would be interested also. I have over 60 years of looking back over my shoulder in Jeeps.
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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
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Re: M38A1 Rear View Mirror(s)?

Post by Jeeps4Brains » Mon May 29, 2017 4:46 am

I got an M151 rear view mirror bracket and it matched right up to the bolts that hold the hood catch on.

I painted that and an offset post round mirror and mounted it. Works great! http://www.rapcoparts.com/m15122-7.html
45' MB, ??' MBT, 47' CJ2A, 48' CJ2A,
51' M38 #1, 51' M38 #2, 51' M100,
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53' M38A1, 53' M211, 65' M151A1, 67' M416,
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