Willys
Willys M38
The Willys MC, formally the 1⁄4-Ton, 4 x 4, Utility Truck M38, or the G‑740 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.
Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Predecessor: Willys MB · Successor: Willys M38A1
All Willys M38 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →
Specifications
Wheelbase: 80 in (2.03 m) Length overall: 132+15⁄16 in (3.38 m) Width, minimum: 62 in (1.57 m) Height overall: maximum 74 in (1.88 m) with top up; reducible to 55 in (1.40 m) Ground clearance: 9+1⁄4 in (0.23 m) at the rear axle Empty weight: 2,625 pounds (1,191 kg) Gross vehicle weight: 3,825 pounds (1,735 kg) on road Payload: 1,200 pounds (544 kg) on road / 800 pounds (363 kg) off-road.
Engine
Displacement: 134.2 cubic inches (2,199 cc) Bore/Stroke: 3+1⁄8 in × 4+3⁄8 in (79 mm × 111 mm) Compression Ratio: 6.48:1 Power: 60 hp (45 kW) at 4000 rpm Torque: 105 lb⋅ft (142 N⋅m) at 2000 rpm Main Bearings: 3 Carburetor: Carter YS 637S, 1+1⁄4 in (32 mm) 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 cu in (2.2 L) 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.
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 === Canada Greece Indonesia South Korea, used by the South Korean police as patrol vehicles during the 1950s. Taiwan United States
Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.
Specifications
Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.
More photos
Sources
- Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4020257CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willys_M38CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1323548146 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Willys_M38_JT-23-70_pic3.JPGCC0 · Photo: AlfvanBeem · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.