The Jeepsterman For Jeep Parts

Above, the new mirror and arm. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is not too often these days when quality products along with great customer service (at resonable prices) can be found.

But both were provided to me by The Jeepsterman.

I had purchased a new side view mirror and arm for my 1952 Willys M38A1 to replace a rather cheaply-made one that got damaged when it met up with some juniper branches while off-roading. I called The Jeepsterman last Friday afternoon and he had one that would fit my Jeep. He said that it would go out in the mail on Monday (three days ago).

Yesterday, a package arrived from UPS and it was the new mirror and arm. It was a better made item in comparison to the one I formerly had and its pre-drilled holes at the base matched perfectly with the ones on the Jeep. The former mirrors and arms had to be "Mickey Moused" to be able to be mounted. I didn't have to do anything extra. I just screwed it on and it only took a few minutes.  A perfect fit! I may paint it at a later date to match the Jeep's color.

So if you happen to be a vintage Jeep owner needing replacement parts, I would highly recommend The Jeepsterman.

The Jeepsterman's website can be accessed by going here.

Perusing Willys Jeep M38A1 Parts & Accessories

Above, the Willys Jeep at home. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For the past half hour or so, I was perusing around different Army surplus vendor websites and Willys Jeep specialists for what parts and accessories are available for my 1952 Willys Jeep M38A1.

There's plenty of places out there. There was one that caught my attention last month as I was driving to Swan Valley, Idaho. As we were driving through Idaho Falls, I spotted a huge surplus store, Army Surplus Warehouse alongside of Interstate 15.

Although I didn't have the Jeep then, I was still tempted to stop in to look around for the fun of it. It saddens me that I didn't. But, at least they have a website for purchases.

I found this information on the Jeep at Midwest Jeep Willys:

M38A1 1952-1966 - F-Head Engine - 2 PC. Windshield - No Tailgate - Originally 24 Volt Ignition System - Serial No. Located at Right Side of Wheel House 

F-134 "Hurricane" 4 Cylinder Engine | Spark plug gap: 0.030 in. (0.762 mm) | Spark plug torque: 25-33 lbs. ft. (34-44 Nm) | Firing order: 1-3-4-2 | Distributor rotation: Counterclockwise | Point gap: 0.020 in. | Dwell angle: 42 degrees | Ignition timing: 5 degrees BTDC | Bore and stroke :3 1/8 in. x 4 3/8 in. (79.37 mm x 111.12 mm) | SAE Horsepower: 15.63 | Weight: 470 lbs. with fluids | Max. Horsepower: 72 @ 4000 R.P.M. | Torque: 114 lbs. ft. (15.7 kg-m) @ 2000 R.P.M. | Compression pressure: 120-130 psi (8.4-9.2 kg-cm2) | Compression ratio: 6.9:1 (7.4:1 high altitude option). 

In 1950, the first post-war jeep, the M38 (or MC), was launched, based on the 1949 CJ-3A. In 1952 it was quickly followed by the M38A1 (or MD), featuring an all new "round-fendered" body in order to clear the also new, taller, Willys Hurricane engine. This jeep would later be developed into the CJ-5 launched in 1955. Similarly, its ambulance version, the M170 (or MDA), featuring a 20-inch wheelbase stretch, was later turned into the civilian CJ-6.

I am considering getting a Jerry gasoline can for when I take a drive through places like Six Mile Canyon in Cibola National Forest, near Jamestown and Fort Wingate, New Mexico for extra fuel. The Jeep does have 2 carriers. I would need to get hold-down straps for it. 

Prestige Mustang

When a vehicle gets older, it generally gets harder and harder to find parts for it.

After several years, vehicle manufacturers cease to make replacement parts and they aren't available from aftermarket part makers or dealers either. If that happens to be a case with a part one needs, the next best route is to buy from an auto salvage business.

This is happening to me on a more frequent basis. I recently had to replace accelerator/cruise control combo cables for my 1989 Mustang. During this, I found that I also needed to replace the accelerator/cruise control servo "canister" that the cables attach to. Unfortunately, my mechanic was unable to find these parts locally.

One may wonder why I would continue to maintain a 1989 vehicle. Well, it is partly sentimental for me to maintain it as it was my dad's last car. Plus, it is a popular model. I have found several notes from people asking if I were interested in selling it.

Being retired and having plenty of time on my hands to do a search, I located a business who specializes in Fox Body Mustang parts.

What's a Fox Body?

From Dust Runners Automotive Journal:

A Fox Body Mustang is a Mustang produced anywhere from 1979 to 1993. It doesn’t matter if it’s a coupe, convertible, or a hatch. It also doesn’t matter what engine is has either, or transmission. As long as it’s between the ages of 1979 and 1993, it’s a Fox Body. 

Why is it called a “Fox Body”? I know, it’s a really weird name to give to a car. But, it’s called a Fox Body because it’s on the Ford Fox platform. Ford designed the Fox platform as a unibody chassis and used it across a wide range of Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles. Ford’s main objective with the Fox platform was to downsize the massive cars they made in the ’70s.

Another reason to maintain it: It's a classic!

From Dust Runners Automotive Journal:

If it’s older than me, it’s probably a classic…. right? The Fox Body is now wandering into the 25+ year-old range depending on what year you own, which means it’s starting to become a “classic”. When cars start to be considered classics, their prices go up. CNN Money even mentioned the Fox Body Mustang in their “Top Ten Investment Cars under $5,000“. On top of it becoming a classic, it’s also facing a similar issue to the 240sx’s “Drift Tax”. Youngsters getting into hot rods are scooping up Fox Body Mustangs left and right, causing the prices to go up even more.

I called several Mustang parts suppliers and none of them had the parts I needed. Luckily, one of them recommended Prestige Mustang of Monroe, Georgia. I called them and found that they specialize in salvaged parts from Fox Body Mustangs (along with Mustangs from 1964 to 1973) and they had the parts I needed. Additionally, they were reasonable in price and were speedy in shipping.

So, if you happen to have a Fox Body Mustang and need parts for it, I would definitely recommend Prestige Mustang. Their website is at www.prestigemustang.com.