Brought Home A "1950 Flatfender"

Bought this right before New Years



Thought it was minorly messed with CJ-3A. L-Head 134, T-90, Dana 18, dana 25, and Dana 41. Was shoved in a garage for 30 years.


Frame is in super good shape, thought it looked oddly like an early 5 frame. Pretty sure its an M38A1 frame. Shame on me for not doing better research. Never messed with flat fenders before.






Also has an MB motor in in with MB-382xxx serial number. Also has a Koenig PTO winch with a front/rear output PTO.


The tub is fairly rough, but I have a title for it.

Question is what to do? Run it as is? Find a 3A/3B/M38 frame and make it an actual flat fender again? Use the M38A1 frame for an M38A1 or early 5? Already have a '71 Renegade II.

 

Wheel it! Lots of cool stuff there.

 

Just drive it and enjoy.

 

You don't have to make it anything. The A1 frame is arguably the best universal frame ever made. My 3b is on an A1 frame. Get it running, makes sure it stops and then drive it.

 

I do need to get it running. I would at some point like a correct flat fender. I know the M38A1 frame is the best frame pre '72.

 

So, is your aim a resto project or are you simply wanting a "nice" flatty?

The resto gives two choices.
Replace the frame/running gear.
Or
Replace the body.
Choose which way you want to go and start building your Jeep.

If you are looking for a "nice Jeep", then you have a lot more options, since you aren't constrained by accuracy.

Personally, I would opt for a "nice" jeep and get started on making it roadworthy.

 

As always, what do you want to use it for?? In a lot of ways, a blank sheet of paper with some desirable parts. I know what I would be doing but that is just me----

 

As stated, it's kind of perfect. Get it running, driving and stopping.

 

My vote is to just get it running and drive it. Kinda cool. Maybe all different parts, but they are all Jeep.
I tend to take them all apart for a major rebuild and then it sits, and I wish I was driving it. From now on, I will be working on running, driving, vehicles.

Dave

 

I'm say get it on the road and drive it a bit, make that your goal 1st, then revisit the "what should I do with this" pole.

It's nice as is, no reason to tear it apart in my opinion.

 

Heck yeah! I dig the safety features of the roll bar and rear bumper!

 

Thanks all. I will probably get it running first. I’m assuming it was converted to 12 volt. All the gauges are aftermarket.

What I would like eventually is a nice flatty that is all flatty parts, not necessarily a correct flatty. I got to thinking since the M38A1 frame is so awesome I could do an early 5 “my way”. My Renegade II has turned into correct is the only way, and I think it would be neat to have one how I want it since it wouldn’t be rare or anything

 

I would get it running,stopping and steering well first off. If it was mine I would leave it as is and use it for off-roading. If you make it too nice you won’t want to take it wheeling.

 

New guy here (not new to jeeps or old car and trucks, just this forum)...I agree with others about having a little fun while you think about it's future. For me I'd build it to match the title...nothing raises more red flags than a vehicle that clearly doesn't look like what the title is calling it. With that said, Jeep's are one of the few vehicles that buyers don't care to much about that kind of stuff.

I'm sure there are M38A1 guys that would love to have that frame with the PTO winch attached.

Mike B77