Willys M38A1


The M38A1 Truck, Utility: 1/4 ton, 4x4, or Willys MD, was a four-wheel drive, military light utility vehicle, made by Willys and Willys Motors / Kaiser Jeep from 1952 to 1971. It was widely procured by the U.S. military from 1952 until 1957, after which it was purchased by the U.S. Marine Corps and exported to foreign governments until the end of production in 1971. The Marine version had minor differences from the units used by other branches. Production totalled 101,488 units. The vehicle saw extensive use during the Korean War, Vietnam War and several other conflicts.

Description

The M38A1 / MD was the second post-war evolution of the World War II Willys MB jeep, and the first Willys Jeep to feature the new rounded fenders and hood body design that would become the distinguishing body style of the 1955 CJ-5, and which was carried through for decades on the CJ-6, CJ-7 and CJ-8 Jeeps.

Drive Train

The M38A1 used the Willys Hurricane F-Head 134 inline-four engine, T-90 3 speed transmission, Dana 18 transfer case, either the Dana 25 or the Dana 27 front axle, and Dana 44 rear axle.

Variants

M38A1 MD

Basic utility version.

M38A1C

Modified version equipped with a M40A1 106mm recoilless rifle.

M170 ambulance

Long wheelbase ambulance version.

Welding M38A1 Unit

U.S. Marines Variant

U.S. Air Force DJ Variant

Other Variants

Dutch

Nekaf Dutch variant, produced in the Netherlands.

Canadian

Cdn Canadian variants M38A1Cdn, M38A1Cdn2, and M38A1Cdn3 produced in Canada.

South Korean

KM-41 and Keohwa M-5GA1 versions produced in South Korea.

Iranian

Jeep Truck copies produced by the firm of Sherkat-Sahami in Iran.

Operators