Howdy from Texas, our 1962 Ford M151 series Jeep project

My son Nate (15) daughter Micki (16) and I would like to say Howdy to everyone here in the Jeep Forum.

We would like to introdue our current project our 1962 Ford M151-LC Vietname Era Combat Jeep.

If you don't know much about the M151 series Jeep, they began Prototype production of this model in 1952.

This is the oldest XM151 prototype ever built, this rig had solid axels and a body tub, notice the Grill was a cross beteen a Willys Jeep and a M151 grill!



The first mass assembly production began in 1959 and the first M151 series Jeep was delivered to the military in Febuary 1960. These early models were similar to the late stage prototype and were listed as (RUN #1)by 1962 the design had been worked out for the basic uni-bidy and frame design.

Their were 3 production models of the M151 series Jeep also known as a MUTT.

The M151 1960-1964, the M151A1 1965-1969 and the M151A2 1970-1985.

The M151 was a shared Militarty contract vehicle built and designed by Ford, Willy's kaiser and later AM General. American Motors also work on a several Military prototype models. The current owner of the M151 series Jeep vehicle is American Growler.

Our project is based on the American Motors M151A2-LC prototype, designed and built by retired Ford and AMerican Motors Tech designer Mr. Ken Lee now of Canada who is a close and dear freind of mine and shared all the tech date on this awesome prototype with me and my kids.

The following pictures are the original Factory photos of Ken Lee's XM151A2-LC.




As you can clearly see this XM151A2-LC has solid rigid axels not IFS and IRS.

My kids and I decided we wanted to build a LC so we began searching for a Uni-body. We could not locate or afford a real nice M151A2 but we did find a early model M151 that was not torched or crushed (DEMIL) she wasn't much to look at but had it where it counted she was intact.

Here are pictures from day one of our 1962 Ford M151-LC Projeect. The tear down.








After pulling the IFS and IRS, the power pack and the 24V wiring, and removal os the front bumper we began sanding and heat stripping the uni-body and Uni-frame. The uni-body had many problems, the flat fenders were torn and crushed, The passengerside panel and front floors had both forklift punchure damage and rust issues it was a real up hill battle to do all the repairs without to much stock design modifications to preserve the vehicles unique design style.

The decision was made to modify the damaged front flat fenders with a set of M151A2 drop fenders, Nate and I had also designed a new 1/4 inch steel enclosed front bumper, and we also wanted to a add roll cage.

We decided to go with a set of ROPS "Roll over protection system" the ROPS was not a stock Item on a M151, only on the M151A2, we found a whole ROPS for $100.00 so it was cheap and was designed to fit a M151 series uni-body.

Here you can see the ROPS, new front pumper and drop fenders installed on the 1962 Ford M151-LC.





Before we welded the rops mounting plate, Nate, Micki and I welded in the new front floors with 1/4 inch steel plates, this also allowed us to tie the side panels directly into the uni-frame as well as add the reinforment for the eye hole leaf hanger plates, this is called a weld lift support.







The weld lift support allows for unibody flexibilty and added strength, all body mass is shifted to center and also illiminates uni-frame/body body vibration.

Nate and I at the end of the Tear down and welding phase, it was now time to work on some of the smaller items like the windshield frame.



Our 1962 Ford M151-LC project is anything but stock, we have used the M151A2 drop fenders and ROPS, our windshield frame is from a M151A1, our front leaf springs came off a J-10 pick up truck, and our rear Leaf springs and dash handle are both from a WWII 1942 Ford GPW. Then our axles are a set of Dna 30 and 35 from a Wrangler, we could not afford to buy a set of DANA 44's OOPS.

I live on a fixed incom my Military Pension, so project money comes in small wife devulged installments...LOL

The windshield, sanding, prime and paint and glass installation.






Where the M151 series Jeep was a Military NON-SCRIPT vehicle, Nate and I went to our Local scrap yard and found some great "BLUE OVAL" emblems to super glue on.

Here are some side front and rear pictures of the M151-LC with her new paint job, and blue ovals and a fe other items like a 4x4 emblem we took off a Jeep Cherokkee, and yes the now world famous Trail Rated badge. Also here you can see where the A2 drop fenders were installed and where the fork lift damaged side panel was repaired.












Here you can see some fun we had on deciding a paint sceme for off road compition on one of our spare grills.



This picture is the last picture of the project for now and shows a set of M151A2 D-Rings we added to the front bumber.



We are currently searching for a AMC 150 IV 2.5L and a SR4 0r T-176 transmission pre 1986 from a CJ-7 as we want to run this rig with a carb.

If not any late model 4 cylinder engine with matching tranny will have to do, that is if we can afford to buy the power pack.

Hope everyone liked our post on our 1962 Ford M151-LC Project...questions or commnets are always welcome.  

nice.........how about posting that on Jp magazine, all jeep forum? there are some who will apreaciate that build.

http://forums.jpmagazine.com/active-posts/index.html  
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see me at robsoffroad.com

wow, that's really cool. i'm surprised they let you roll off with it with the ifs/irs still intact. when i was stationed at ft ord, ca, they auctioned them off, but the suspesion had to be trashed before the purchaser could leave with it. i drove one for a bit, fabricated a roll bar, and put a pintle mount on for an m-60. then they took me out of it and put me into a new (at the time) m1009 (blazer)only 35 mi on the ticker.  
I work to support my Jeep

that is an awesome build thread! thanx for sharing and i cant wait for more! even tho we're not all jeeps here we appreciate it too. keep it comin!  
STAND ON IT!!!

man, awesome restore/build pics...and its great youre getting your kids involved w/ the build.
i have two little girls (4yrs-8yrs) and am going to do the same w/them...teach em everything i know. keep having fun  
IT WASNT ME, IT WAS THE ONE ARMED MAN!

Awesome build man! I love it! Thanks for posing!  
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WOw Thanks Guys, I don't know why it only posts as a thin line on my page, I tried to find away to get everything to show at once. Maybe I am missing something...LOL if you have kids yes get them involved in all aspects of a project vehicle, from tear down to build up and then take them to the trails as the ultimate reward.

I took Nate out to learn to drive off road when he was nine years old in his 1950 CJ3A I bought for him as his reward for working in our shop. After Nate got the feel for the clutch that morning, he became a very capable driver by that afternoon.

I am a retired USMC Master Tech and worked on every ground cobat support vehicle the Marine Corp operated over the years, and the M151 series Jeep was my favorite vehicle to work on and to drive. I dreamed of buiding a trail rig out of one back in my youth, and now with my two youngest kids that dream is coming true at long last.

We also own 3 stock M151 series Jeeps, our very rare 1960 Ford (Run #1) M151, and we compete off road in Nate's 1963 Willys Kaiser M151 and my own 1967 Ford M151A1. We Tons of pictures at different events

All of these Rigs were in just as bad or worse condition when we found and bought them, and none cost us more the $250.00.

Thanks for the great feed back Nate and Micki will love the replies.