Restoration of an A2 now underway 7/15

A place to post pics and descriptions of ongoing restoration projects

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UpstateSC
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Restoration of an A2 now underway 7/15

Unread post by UpstateSC » August 12th, 2016, 11:19 pm

I picked up this A2 a few weeks ago from a gentleman who had it in his machine building for approximately 15 years. I spent the past few weeks assessing what I have gotten into.

The good- engine which runs
The bad- lots of worn out parts. the truck looks like it was abused for a long time. Body has dents everwhere.
The ugly- everything below bottom 3" of body needs to be replaced, except the longitudinal structures.

http://wartimetrucks.com/ongoing_restorations

I'm not sure if the body can get to the place I'd like it to be. Might always be war weary.[

UpstateSC
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Re: Restoration of an A2 now underway 7/15

Unread post by UpstateSC » August 29th, 2016, 2:07 pm

[img]<iframe%20width="480"%20height="360"%20src="http://s1304.photobucket.com/user/dougi ... "></iframe>[/img]


figuring out how to post pictures.

Making some progress. Trying to access all the mechanical issues. Replaced rear shocks, and bushings. Will need a good source for U-Joints

UpstateSC
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Re: Restoration of an A2 now underway 7/15

Unread post by UpstateSC » August 29th, 2016, 2:10 pm

Image

UpstateSC
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Re: Restoration of an A2 now underway 7/15

Unread post by UpstateSC » August 29th, 2016, 2:14 pm

Image


lets try this

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m3a1
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Re: Restoration of an A2 now underway 7/15

Unread post by m3a1 » August 29th, 2016, 2:21 pm

Welcome! Whether you came because misery loves company or you want a lot of really good advice, you certainly came to the right place. :roll: :lol:

Pics are worth a thousand words so let's see 'em. Get under that thing and snap away!

Cheers,
TJ

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fergrn37
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Re: Restoration of an A2 now underway 7/15

Unread post by fergrn37 » August 29th, 2016, 4:55 pm

Waaay better shape than my A1! My wallet hates me these last couple of months.
Some people are too busy knowing it all to ever learn anything

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m3a1
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Re: Restoration of an A2 now underway 7/15

Unread post by m3a1 » August 29th, 2016, 5:52 pm

Well, I'll tell you what. My goal is always to get things working. Years of hard use and neglect lead mine to where it was when I got it. Under its previous owner, when something broke it didn't get fixed and in my mind, the M151 is little more than a largish ATV; something not to stress over. Few problems are brutal fixes.

Most of the mountains I need to climb are things that merely require the labor to disassemble, clean, repaint and reassemble (allowing for the occasional application of locktite or anti-seize compounds and the inevitable replacement part. Parts are, all in all, dirt cheap...at least by my way of thinking. I spend more money going to the movies than I do on parts which is my personal yardstick for how much spent is too much. That said, I plan ahead and get the parts I need for the projects before I dig in, mainly because I fiddle with these mechanical things more out of a desire for a sense of accomplishment than to make them pretty. Most times I just buy parts a bit here and a bit there so I don't miss the money that much.

Can't wait to see more pics of your rusty areas. Please share!

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fergrn37
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Re: Restoration of an A2 now underway 7/15

Unread post by fergrn37 » August 29th, 2016, 9:26 pm

My problems come from find 'more' the deeper I get into it. Initially need brakes and wheel bearings, found ALL the u-joints bad, cracked spindle shaft, frozen axle shaft, leaking diifs, the front diff is loose on the pass side, blah, blah, blah.

Sooo much fun! Mine will never be a resto though, more of a runabout fix than anything.
Some people are too busy knowing it all to ever learn anything

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m3a1
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Re: Restoration of an A2 now underway 7/15

Unread post by m3a1 » August 29th, 2016, 9:52 pm

Exactly the same with mine...I'm seeking functionality over form.

But look at it this way. When you are doing, you are learning and when you are done you are going to know your vehicle backwards and forwards..something you won't get if you go out and buy a new manufacture 4x4 and never have to pick up a wrench.

Presently I have brake drums that won't let go of the truck (and she's just playing hard to get :P ) so I can't get in there and install my new parts. I was irritated at first but have settled into simply being mildly amused. Why? Because if this wrenching and fixing and thinking was all done, then what? Truth is I have more unfinished projects than brains but that keeps me moving forward.

It's not the destination, man...it's the journey.

UpstateSC
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Re: Restoration of an A2 now underway 7/15

Unread post by UpstateSC » September 18th, 2016, 8:35 pm

Image


Replaced the rear differential and u-joints to see if I can get to the bottom of driveline situation. Appears to be ok, when I take it all apart, I'll change out the suspension bushings

I like it.

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m3a1
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Re: Restoration of an A2 now underway 7/15

Unread post by m3a1 » September 18th, 2016, 11:39 pm

In rust, we trust!

Oh, we also trust in tetanus shots, too.

By the way, these trucks don't leak. They're just marking their territory! :lol: :lol:

Wrench on, brother!

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Re: Restoration of an A2 now underway 7/15

Unread post by Hambone » September 19th, 2016, 7:59 pm

Not seeing the rest of the undercarriage, I would definitely address that rear cross member before driving, I see a rust repair kit in the future. Hambone

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rickf
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Re: Restoration of an A2 now underway 7/15

Unread post by rickf » September 19th, 2016, 9:25 pm

There is no repair part for the rear cross member. The military considered it junk if that part rusted out. That is spelled out in the back of the -20 or -34. One or the other. Doesn't mean we will not fix them but the military kits did not have that part.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

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Re: Restoration of an A2 now underway 7/15

Unread post by Hambone » September 19th, 2016, 9:43 pm

I just realized that, guess I was thinking of the rear cross member, I think Guy replaced that cross member, but then again, what didn't he replace.

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Re: Restoration of an A2 now underway 7/15

Unread post by rickf » September 20th, 2016, 9:18 am

Well, He hasn't done the rear spring pocket area, yet. :roll:
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

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