M151A2 in its new home

[maple_leaf_eh]

The shipper delivered the M151A2 Sunday morning. He actually was in town the day before, but we couldn't connect for the drop off Saturday.

Lessons - www.uship.com was a good way to find a shipper. However, two different guys bid on the auction only to back out. Each time, I had to crank up a new ad and readjust my expectations.

- this community very generously shared information and help. Thanks guys!

- although this M151A2 is a runner, it has rough spots in the restoration. I hope to undo these (within my skills) and pass it along to who ever is next owner for his enjoyment.

[rob love]

So Terry, which one are you going to fix first: the M38A1 or the M151A2? (says the guy with 30 projects sitting in the yard).

[maple_leaf_eh]

I need to keep the M151A2 running so I can get the M38A1 out of the shelter! It was plated in Alberta, and i just (!) need to get it inspected in Ontario to put plates on it.

Q to the collective wisdom - an Ontario Historic Vehicle plate is very cheap, something like $18 but there are restrictions and the vehicle must be reinspected every 5 yrs. this puts an additional cost on the annual expense. Similarly, the insurance has limitations on usage. Or, a normal vehicle plate will be a few hundred per year with no restrictions except for those from the insurance company. A normal plate would also let me buy a vanity plate number like, "74 PATT" "M151A2" or "74-099725", etc.

What has been your experience?

[Scott Bentley]

Admittedly, I skulked past your place in my MUTT yesterday and saw your new Tin Can in the yard. We need to get together!

[maple_leaf_eh]

So why didn't you make yourself useful and take the garbage cans out to the curb while you were prowling?

[Scott Bentley]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

So why didn't you make yourself useful and take the garbage cans out to the curb while you were prowling?

I don't even get my own cans out on time

In all seriousness, I didn't get into this hobby to save money. I chose normal plates because I want the ability to drive my Jeep whenever I want, as much as I want, and without additional restrictions. There is always debate about how well the Historic Plate rules are enforced, but the extra $55 is a small price to pay to have the piece of mind about bending anymore rules (you're already driving something that was sold for scrap). Spring the $10 to the Legion for a Veteran Plate. Although I said I wouldn't run one while still serving, I think the Jeep is an exception (my DD still has normal plates). I get quite a few compliments on having a Vet Plate on a Vet Vehicle.

[Andrew]

Are you sure every 5 years? I have never heard this in ontario

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

Q to the collective wisdom - an Ontario Historic Vehicle plate is very cheap, something like $18 but there are restrictions and the vehicle must be reinspected every 5 yrs.

[maple_leaf_eh]

@Rob and Scott - the harmonic on the mirrors during today's test drives did make all three mirrors shake. I had to put a finger on the inside mirror to make sure I wasn't seeing Eric Blair in the rearview.

@Andrew - I am only repeating what I was told at the Ottawa Tulip Festival MV convoy chin-wag.

Yesterday I picked up the Temporary licence plates and paid the 13% Retail Sales Tax. Did some more inspections. This morning, feeling slightly dehydrated after the Mess Dinner but that is another story, I added fuel and removed the spare engine and transmission from the back end. Found the windshield washer switch and tried to get the defroster blowing. Still haven't found the deflector plate behind the heater.

The inspection station was an education. Bruce Anderson (Allright Automotive Repair Inc) is an ex military vehicle tech and Bluebell wrecker crew! We talked Deuce and a Halfs, M37s, M38A1 and 5-tons. He told how he'd been a test driver at LETE. We had a running conversation about the M151A2, like showing the slave cable inlet and what years it served, as he watched his mechanics work.

The garage is a '60's vintage service station that couldn't sell enough gas to stay in business, but now fixes the neighbourhood's cars and minivans. The owner ran the show, a younger woman was doing paperwork in a tiny office, 4 suitably filthy wrench benders were all over cars in 2 bays and out on the yard. A tow truck dragged in a job. A nervious driver limped in another. Working drivers dropping off stuff. A serious operation that got my respect right away.

The M151A2 did not pass the first inspection. Some chatter between the mechanics about rotted cross members, and a grease "leak" from a wheel bearing. The weather cracked tires got some chatter, but they were passed. There are no seatbelts for backseat passenders, so the seat was removed on the spot. But the problem was where the rubber floor mats had concealed gaps in the floor, and rot in the battery box floor. I have 10 days to return to the garage to show my repairs. Bruce told me exactly what he wants to see done.

No body said these things would be effortless. Good thing I noticed 3' sheets of stock at Princess Auto for $25 at Princess Auto yesterday.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Just a few snaps off my phone.

[maple_leaf_eh]

ebay.com/itm/VIETNAM-JEEP-Truck-M825-M718-M151-A1-A2-LH-RH-CENTER-Under-Body-Repair-Panels-/181119933643?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories &hash=item2a2b96dccb&vxp=mtr

Is this the sort of thing I should be on the look out for?

[rob love]

Yep. That looks like the front cross-member under the driver and co-driver's floor. That is the first one to rot out.

[Scott Bentley]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

ebay.com/itm/VIETNAM-JEEP-Truck-M825-M718-M151-A1-A2-LH-RH-CENTER-Under-Body-Repair-Panels-/181119933643?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories &hash=item2a2b96dccb&vxp=mtr

Is this the sort of thing I should be on the look out for?

There is someone here in Ottawa I horse traded an entire Large Underbody Repair kit to. I won't put him on the spot, but he may or may not need all of it to fix his. I'll ask.

[maple_leaf_eh]

With a looming calendar date when I have to present the M151A2 for safety inspection, I made a plan to make roadworthy but not concourse-quality repairs. The battery box is under the passenger seat. The batteries are ganged together with cabling. They sit on a cookie sheet tray with is perched over two large oval basins in the battery box floor on top of the right frame rail. Why the designers put so much air space under the batteries is unknown, but all the M151 family seem to have this problem area.

Two days ago I used a pick hammer and 4" grinder to find and remove the worst of the rust. In the process of making sparks I became more familiar with the re-militarization job. The battery box floor had been torched in the disposal, and then patched together in the restoration. Fortunately only the righthand depression was rusted out. I trimmed some 12ga sheet steel salvaged from somewhere to make an 'L' shaped piece and a simple rectangle, each with a 2" 90-deg stiffener. Both pieces bridged between the frame rail hump and the outside skin.

Mindful of my own limits with sheetmetal, I decided not to recreate the basin shape but go flat across. Authenticity will have to wait until a later more skillful rebuilder takes the task. Some dimples on the bottom the battery tray mean it can't fit exactly back in the same spot, but the flat panels are actually a little lower than before. No fear, I will not let the terminals ground out on the cover.

Last night I turned to someone who was properly trained in welding - my brother the retired Ship's Engineering Officer. He ran the 110v MIG wire feed welder while I did the unskilled stuff. He heated the undercoating and paint, I'd scrape and brush. He'd tack, and I'd chip and brush. He'd start a puddle, and I'd adjust the feed. He'd take a breather, and I'd inspect or chip some more.

After four hours on the job and about 48" of weld, stopping only for one pint, we burnt in both patch panels and some unexpected little fillets. The floor is sealed up, and likely stronger than factory! The biggest problem is Bondo body filler concealed several marginal spots along the right sidewall of the body. Burning Bondo has a reek all its own, not to mention roasting nuts when bending over top ...

There are some other gaps between previous patch pieces elsewhere on the floor which were picked up in the inspection. I can unbolt or back out the existing fasteners and surgically wedge patches into place. But last night got rid of the daunting part of the job. Finish grinding and cleanup are still required. Primer, undercoating and outer surface paint will follow, probably the morning of the inspection.

Pix to fol.

And, just an acknowledgement to the forum for motivating me to try something I've never done before.

[Eric B]

Hello Terry

There was a CDN mod for the battery cover where a rubber sheet was glued to the underside to avoid any contact with the batteries.

The USA came out with covers for each of the battery posts and connectors.

I have a part of an underbody kit but require it for my own.

I have also seen shut off switches added to kill the battery. Inside the storage area behind the battery box or in front of it exposed to the passenger.

Battery floors are harder to come by. MD Yuan is suppose to be getting into some M151 parts including those. There is also a supplier in Denmark, but not cheap to ship.

I am also looking so will keep you posted.

The upper battery tray is easy enough to find.

Lots of us CDN's have had issues buying from TNJ Murray. He has most parts but i will not deal with him again.

I had been planning on making a run with a few others to Adams Auto wreckers but that was before we found out about the auction and them closing.

Thanks
Eric

[Scott Bentley]

To pile on to Eric's comments. This is my take on 151 parts:
I departed ways with a lot of money restoring mine, and hindsight is 20/20. The biggest thing I learned was to plan ahead and order in quantity/variety from Front Line MV (FLMV), and then have it shipped to Ogdensburg UPS Store. Drive down and collect.

There are others such as TNJ Murray and Army Jeep Parts who will ship to Canada, but TNJ is painfully slow and expensive, and AJP is quicker, but very expensive. Not to mention, the associated shipping and broker fees etc. As a side note, AJP recently bought all of Saturn's 151 parts (and marked them up significantly). Saturn was my original usual 151 parts shop, but FLMV is a good outfit.

There are also few pockets of parts in Canada. I know Brian Asbury has a bunch of parts and I believe Ralph down in Niagara Falls also has some as well. Unfortunately, neither have a webpage to order parts. So its a phone call/email to find out if they have what you're looking for.

As for Batteries and Body Parts:
I think I'm the last guy in Canada to pull off getting a Battery Box Floor from Jeep Panels Plus. My original was similar to yours. Between the rust, an acetylene torch, and then the booty-fab re-weld job, it was a complete mess. I've seen guys just pull the whole thing out and put a flat panel in it. Works, but you need to look hard at the batteries (height).

I ended up going with Honda Civic batteries (size 22R I think). Maint free, twice the cranking amps, and cheap. I think they were $55 a piece from Walmart in the USA. Probably a bit more here. I'm betting half the reason why those battery floors were all rotted out were from the original maintenence type batteries. I also did a Master Switch (LSVW style). Only difference was I chose to put it on the front of the Battery Box Bulkhead/Seat Riser between the Passengers heals.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Over the last three weeks I built an extension to the snow shelter to make room for the M151A2. I made two more lumber arches, slid a flimsy poly' tarp in between the room layers and laced in another modular tent centre section. Braced and levelled, it looked pretty good. If you have been keeping count, that is four 8' sections. The house lot is too narrow for a permanent garage with bylaw specific edge set-back and electrical right of way clearance, so I forced to use temporary shelters.

The neighbours generously helped hold the door high enough to clear the square cornered windshield, and I drove the M151A2 in. I'd lashed a tire to the bumper to push the M38A1 CDN2 further back. We stopped in line with the rear door, with about a foot between bumpers. The M38A1 is now up off the floor on jackstands. The M151A2 will get lifted when I put it to bed for the winter.

Knowing that moisture will migrate up from the gravel, I repurpose Corplast election signs and ripped poly tarps as flooring. The new and used Jeep parts were restacked along the outside wall in various sized plastic containers and sitting on plastic shipping pallets. There is a freight yard nearby and I can prowl for broken ones.

The batteries need to come out. The gas tank will probably come out to be inspected, descaled and the interior coated with anti-rust compound. I have a pair of 1950's metal jerry cans to be coated. I rediscovered my 'other' M38A1 gas tank and think I'll get it coated so that when I manage to get the old one out of its fibreglass "patch job", it will be good to go. The guys at the Cold War Collection recommend a particular radiator shop in town; I'll see if I can negotiate some kind of a two and two package deal.

[maple_leaf_eh]

After the excitement of the first season in 2013, I settled into a happy routine with the Jeep of getting it on the road in springtime, driving in Gunner Mike's Dominion Day parades where I was sometimes the roadmaster, and other trips and displays until the fall when she'd go back into the shelter. Even my RSM incorporated the Jeep in a unit Change of Command parade, where I emerged from concealment in a woodline to take the out-going CO and family off the parade square!

In November 2018 I was enroute to a veteran's parade and the Jeep developed a tremendous clatter and knock. After some non-mechanical intervention, including oil sludge treatment and thinner replacement oil, the noise went away. It came back in 2019 when I was doing some driver training teaching standard. Thinking through the problem and consulting The Brain Trust, I resigned myself that the engine had to come out for inspection and repairs.

Then other things seized my focus:

• the hospitalization and death of my father;
• his estate administration (Canadians will recognize that Quebec cannot do anything like the rest of the country, so I have become good professional friends with the town notary);
• I had to find a way to extend my military service for bitterly selfish (ie pension income) reasons;
• I changed offices;
• the pandemic struck;
• those who could were sent home to work;
• I needed minor surgery;
• the pandemic was still with us;
• I needed a 6-month administration extension;
• the household was keen to get our shots; and,
• my father's house is 298kms distant and I'm still the Executor.

Since then the borders have been reopened, Her Majesty and I have said our last goodbyes, the pension cheques are on direct deposit, and I emptied his 1200-sq ft bungalow. Five days after listing I accepted an offer to purchase. The real estate agent and I are pressing ahead with the paperwork to keep momentum on the sale.

So, now back to priorities - 48-hrs ago the Jeep was flatbedded to the country workshop of my friend Dave. He'd previously agreed to take on the mechanical diagnosis and fix, and to remove all the rot and patch panels. It is exciting to see progress, even if that consists of parts coming off the Jeep. More to follow!

[maple_leaf_eh]

The 74 Pattern has been with Dave for two weeks now. He's removed just about all the mechanicals, and we're now giving the sheet metal work the 12" inspection. As expected it has rotten panels covered with patch panels, self-tapping screws, and Walmart's best olive green Krylon paint. I have about 10-lbs of aluminum diamond plate which will go to the recyclers. I'm responsible for some of those repairs when the road safety inspection was pressing. And, I always knew the underlying damage had to be addressed.

Dave and his helper swore new words after unbolting, more accurately breaking all the bolts, that hold the roll cage on. By a quirk of geometry, the light switch had to be removed for clearance on one leg. But the rot and rust under all six the mounting plates shouted its ugliness when exposed to bright sunlight, and now it cannot be ignored.

Dave has previous experience with fabricating another M151A2, so as pieces came off and components were moved, he's remembering all the labour he put into the other one. Fortunately, despite its problems, mine is in much better condition that what he started on. We've already decided which panels to buy new reproduction, which get rebuilt with new flat stock, and which get repaired.

[maple_leaf_eh]

The project proceeds at Dave's garage. The body has been stripped, braced, and flipped. The 18-ga steel arrived. Saturday's progress was repairs along the frame rail and a new box for the hi/low switch.

front flip frame.jpg bottom side 2.jpg

bottom side 3.jpg

rear flip frame.jpg 20210911 underside repairs.jpg

[maple_leaf_eh]

Winter has arrived in Eastern Ontario. The ABS on the car chattered a few times at intersections.

Today I drove to deliver parts from three helpers and got to put my hands on the Jeep today. A NOS grill and many many gaskets and internal engine seals etc from Brian Asbury. Some rubber boots and cups from Fil Boneca. And, some 12v battery terminal protectors from Jacques here on MLU. It is good to have friends.

The two rear fender tops have yet to arrive from Guy at Cameron Fabricating.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Today was the day after Canada Day, and Dave gets to work on my Jeep on weekends. A good reason for me travelling was to bring back a lot of extra M151A2 parts Dave won't be installing. It clears his work area, and he's made enough progress that things are just getting in the way.

Today's work was to rerig the battery lines, the battery cutoff switch, and think about better tie-downs than two rubber bungee straps. While I bagged take-off parts, Dave reinstalled the rear differential. It has four U-joint mounts and three mounts. So theoretically, up / down / north / east / south / west possible installations. Knowing the vent would always be on top was important to picking which mounts to bolt up. Drained and replaced all the fluids with some of the new bottles I brought last trip. We got to use the specialty M151 drain plug socket and short flat open-wrench. By the time we were through, the drain pan was a lovely combination of colours.

Watching Dave's shortcuts and explanations will make my user-maintenance better and help keep the jeep living longer. My shopping list is shorter after this trip, but going to be just as much fun!

And the very best part - with the batteries hooked up, the ammeter flickers. There is good spark. With carb cleaner in the air intake and me pressing the starter button, the engine turns over and coughs! It will live again. We did a manly fist bump of happiness.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Hard to believe I started this journal eleven years ago. The vehicle was taken off the road just before the shutdowns, and entrusted to a truck fabricator friend. He is a member of a closeknit crew of volunteer drivers and demonstrators for a vehicle collection in Ottawa. My smartest two decisions on this project were, a) realizing I didn't have the skills or set up to do the Jeep justice, and b) trusting a kindred spirit to do the job properly. And yes, I am paying the man for his time and talents. The back half of the M151A2 had a serious attack of the tin termite compared to the front half. But the loud knock was the decision point.

In no particular order the following repairs and replacements have been completed:

-furnace filter grill guard per CFTO
-replacement hood - dented
-replacement grill - holed in many places from a previous owner's bumper mounted winch
-plug welded dozens of holes on all four fender lips from a previous owner's rubber mud guards
-replacement motor - the installed one ate a few piston rings; the supposed spare was worse
-most of the working parts of the old engine swapped over because we know they all worked
-repaired the radiator after I broke off the overflow tube
-replaced the freeze plugs with Amazon's finest
-wired the slave cable plug
-cleaned all the paint off the windshield rubber
-filled several specious holes in the dash
-repaired the battery box floor
-new build battery hold down - significantly safer and smarter than 2 bungee cords and some J-hooks
-sealed the gas tank and banged the flange flat-ish
-replaced several parts of both front floors
-replaced left and right body sides - poorly rewelded when reassembled
-replaced left and right rear wheel well tops and the 45-deg brace
-replaced all cross members and hidden supports across the back wall
AND
-installed NOS underbody reinforcement hat channel kit

-the engine starts and runs with fuel out of the tank.
-pressure is 31 - 32 PSI at idle.
-voltmeter is charging and shows in the green.
-the roll cage is sitting in the right place, just needs the application of some English to sink into the six sockets. Exterior bolt holes line up.
-probably 18 or 20 spray cans of Krylon camouflage olive green so far - word to the wise. US and Canadian Krylon formulations are not a match. The primer is a high specification two-part paint/surface sealer that came (legally) out of the fabrication shop's paint locker. Leftover from a client's contract and not ordered destroyed.
-rubberized undercoating on underside.

The reassembly continues, and yes I am anxious to drive!

[maple_leaf_eh]

Today with 99% of the parts reinstalled, we turned it over and I backed the Jeep out of the garage under its own power! Dave took it for a test run up and down his country road. A few issues, but no show stoppers. Yay!

[maple_leaf_eh]

I'm getting excited! Was at Dave's on Sunday, and we did several small tasks. I found the never-installed front licence plate. Dave identified why no one had mounted it before. There is a broken bolt in one hole on the bumper. Then he very diligently measured, cut, radiused and tapped a new holder from a piece of 1" bar stock. I cleaned the vinyl top and matched seat cushions to frames. No point in giving a labour job to a skilled worker. Robert did green touch up paint on the exposed hardware all over. The two of them read and troubleshot the pin connectors for the trailer wiring. Gotta love the USGI electrical connection commonality standards. With the tarp on and the doors hung, it was easy to see where the remaining footman loops had to be placed. But, the fire extinguisher mounted on the tranmission hump fouls the passenger seat.

Showing far greater experience with handheld stamps than I would ever muster, Dave stamped:
manufactured by AM GENERAL
US contract DAAE-07-71-C-0103
Canadian contract CD 3613100
VIN AB456590 / 45111 for the serial number of my representation CFR
delivered 01/1974
Inspector Dave and Robert's initials.
He's obviously stamped many plates before, because he masked off the lettering to expose only the spaces, and taped the plate to a 1" steel plate. No warping! Just before supper tonight he sent me a picture of the plates reinstalled with 1/8th poprivets.

The registration was renewed (free vehicle registrations in Ontario, although I did have to buy the Veteran vanity plate originally), but Hagerty took $432 for insurance.

All I need is to road test, take delivery, pay Dave, and road test it daily before the 1 July Canada Day parade!

[maple_leaf_eh]

Friday night a flatbed tow truck drove out from Ottawa to Dave's place and we loaded the Jeep for its return to my driveway. Not quite 4 years since I had it home. The driver paid me a compliment (I think), I led in my car and chose a route parallel to the obvious road which avoided lots of potholes, construction and traffic. When we go to destination, the driver said, 'You push good gas'. Which I accepted as a compliment from a guy who is on the road every day.

Two faults were found in the test drive. First, Dave took the thermostat out and it boiled over. I'll put it back in tomorrow.

Secondly, the generator is not charging the batteries. This is the same component swapped onto the Bob Phillips engine. I have always had charging issues with this vehicle. One phone conversation suggested there may be a faulty noise filter coming off the main supply. There are no obvious boxes inside the engine compartment before going through the firewall. Would there be a noise filter on this vehicle? and would it be behind the dash?

Bob's ex Fort Drum 141.5 Cubic Inch engine ran beautifully too. Thanks Bob. But, the vehicle is not ready for Mike's Canada Day parade (unhappy face). I posted on FB that I'd still drive out to meet the paraders before they departed. Just to see old friends.