Willys M38

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title: "Willys M38" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["jeep-vehicles", "motor-vehicles-manufactured-in-the-united-states", "military-light-utility-vehicles", "willys-vehicles", "military-vehicles-introduced-from-1945-to-1949", "military-trucks-of-canada"] description: "Type of 1 4-short-ton (230 kg) 4x4 truck" topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willys_M38" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Type of 1 4-short-ton (230 kg) 4x4 truck ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox weapon"]

Field	Value
name	Willys MC / M38
image	[[File:Willys M38 JT-23-70 pic3.JPG
caption	A restored Willys M38
origin	United States
type	Quarter-ton 4x4 utility truck
is_vehicle	yes
wars	Korean War
Vietnam War
Laotian Civil War
Lebanese Civil War
other conflicts
manufacturer	Willys-Overland
production_date	1949–1952
number	more than 45,473 produced
weight	2625 lb Empty
length	133 in
width	62 in
height	69+3/4 in
engine	Willys MC
engine_power	60 hp
transmission	3 spd. x 2 range trf. case
suspension	Beam axles on leaf springs
fuel_capacity	13 USgal
vehicle_range	220 mi
speed	60 mph
::

|name=Willys MC / M38 |image=[[File:Willys M38 JT-23-70 pic3.JPG|frameless|upright=1.35]] |image_size= |caption= A restored Willys M38 |origin=United States |type= Quarter-ton 4x4 utility truck |is_vehicle=yes |is_UK= |service= |used_by= |wars= Korean War Vietnam War Laotian Civil War Lebanese Civil War other conflicts |designer= |design_date= |manufacturer=Willys-Overland |production_date=1949–1952 |number= more than 45,473 produced |variants= |spec_label= |weight=2625 lb Empty |length= 133 in |width= 62 in |height=69+3/4 in |crew= |armour= |primary_armament= |secondary_armament= |engine=Willys MC |engine_power=60 hp |transmission=3 spd. x 2 range trf. case |suspension=Beam axles on leaf springs |fuel_capacity=13 USgal |vehicle_range=220 mi |speed=60 mph The Willys MC, formally the -Ton, 4 x 4, Utility Truck M38, or the G740 by its U.S. Army Standard Nomenclature supply catalog designation, is a quarter-ton four-wheel drive military light utility vehicle made by Willys between 1949 and 1952. It replaced (in production), and succeeded the World War II Willys MB and Ford GPW models, with a total production of some 50,000 units—less than one-tenth the number of WWII models built.

The M38 was a military version of the then-current civilian Jeep CJ-3A. It differed from the CJ-3A in numerous ways, including a reinforced frame and suspension, waterproof 24-volt electrical system, sealed vent system for the engine, transmission, transfer case, fuel system and brake system.

Some M38 jeeps served in the Korean theatre of operations, but the majority of units used there were remanufactured World War II jeeps. Approximately 2,300 M38 Jeeps were manufactured by Ford of Canada for the Canadian Armed Forces in 1952, designated as the M38-CDN jeep. The M38 Willys MC was succeeded by the M38A1 Willys MD in 1952.

The M38 windshield could be folded flat for firing, and the body was equipped with a pintle hook for towing and lifting shackles front and rear. The headlights were no longer recessed as on previous models, but protruded with a guard wire in front. The "pioneer" tools (axe and shovel), which were carried on the MB's driver side, were transferred to the passenger side of this vehicle.

Specifications

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/Flickr_-DVS1mn-_53_Willys_Jeep.jpg" caption="Rear of M38 jeep"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/Republic_Of_China_Marine_Corps_Military_Police_M38_Jeep.jpg" caption="Taiwanese marines"] ::

• Wheelbase: 80 in
• Length overall: 132+15/16 in
• Width, minimum: 62 in
• Height overall: maximum 74 in with top up; reducible to 55 in
• Ground clearance: 9+1/4 in at the rear axle
• Empty weight: 2625 lb
• Gross vehicle weight: 3825 lb on road
• Payload: 1200 lb on road / 800 lb off-road.

Engine

• Displacement: 134.2 cuin
• Bore/Stroke: 3+1/8 ×
• Compression Ratio: 6.48:1
• Power: 60 hp at 4000 rpm
• Torque: 105 lb.ft at 2000 rpm
• Main Bearings: 3
• Carburetor: Carter YS 637S, 1+1/4 in downdraft

Powertrain

The entire engine air intake and the axle system were fully vented to allow for operation while submerged under water. Its full-floating front axle (Dana 25) was supported by the wheel hub, rather than the axle itself, and provided greater load capacity. The rear axle (Dana 44) was semi-floating. Its drivetrain was the L-head 134.2 cuin with a T-90 transmission and the Dana 18 transfer case.

A few M38 Jeeps were fitted with a transmission power take-off (PTO) driven winch. This feature was not used in regular production models due to increased weight on the front of the vehicle, as well as additional maintenance requirements. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/11/WillysM38.jpg" caption="M38 with hood and top up"] ::

Electrical system

The electrical system was upgraded to a 24-volt system, which required dual 12-volt batteries connected in series. Its ignition and electrical systems were waterproof; a valuable feature in rainy environments and where deep river fording was necessary.

Operators

Former operators

• CAN
• First Republic of Korea, used by the South Korean police as patrol vehicles during the 1950s.

Notes

Footnotes

Citations

References

General

Technical manuals

References

1. [[#TM-9-804. TM-9-804–{{frac. 1. 4 4x4 Utility truck M38]], p.89
2. "About Willys Vehicles - M38".
3. M38 Jeep Reference Guide, Miller 2009
4. [[#TM-9-804. TM-9-804–{{frac. 1. 4 4x4 Utility truck M38]], p.3
5. "M38-Data-Sheet-1.pdf".
6. [[#TM-9-804. TM-9-804–{{frac. 1. 4 4x4 Utility truck M38]], p.6
7. [[#TM-9-804. TM-9-804–{{frac. 1. 4 4x4 Utility truck M38]], p.109
8. (4 January 2021). "우리나라 경찰차 시대별 변천사! [3D 비교]".

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::