1974 M151A2 Project

A place to post pics and descriptions of ongoing restoration projects

Moderators: rickf, raymond, Mr. Recovery

Post Reply
User avatar
m75
1st Sergeant
1st Sergeant
Posts: 499
Joined: April 12th, 2015, 2:01 pm
Location: Antelope Valley, CA

Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by m75 » August 18th, 2017, 5:42 pm

When I get to the point of working on the rear end, I'll advise as to what I find.
Jim Peterson
SGM, 31B Retired 2015
1961 M151 -Sold
1974 M151A2, Working It!

User avatar
m75
1st Sergeant
1st Sergeant
Posts: 499
Joined: April 12th, 2015, 2:01 pm
Location: Antelope Valley, CA

Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by m75 » January 1st, 2018, 7:14 pm

Well, Happy New Year to y'all.

Since the flu shots don't seem to be working, I decided to try a shot of get-off-my-can and managed to reassemble the left side front upper and lower control arms, shock and spindle support. Today I dropped in the passenger side upper and lower, but the ball joint bolts are mostly trashed on the threads so I have to match some fresh ones. Feels good to see the parts coming back together. The passenger side lower arm and ball joint were not exactly matched (these are all new parts) with regards to the hole alignment, and I had to persuade the slight elongation of one hole to allow all of the bolts to pass through. Since most of these things are no longer NOS from original manufacturers, this came as no great shock.

Being New Years Day, not too many places open to source replacement nuts n bolts, so tomorrow I'm a-going shopping. I think a Tractor Supply opened not too far from my place.

Stay tuned!
Jim Peterson
SGM, 31B Retired 2015
1961 M151 -Sold
1974 M151A2, Working It!

User avatar
m75
1st Sergeant
1st Sergeant
Posts: 499
Joined: April 12th, 2015, 2:01 pm
Location: Antelope Valley, CA

Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by m75 » June 24th, 2018, 2:52 pm

Summer 2018.

OK, replacement front differential flushed, re-sealed, painted and re-installed last night. So nice to have the three bolts just drop right through the mount holes, showing those new threads.... ooooohh yeaaahhhh.

Front prop shaft will go on next, cleaned and painted, including the U-joints.

Rear diff will be dropped this afternoon, drained and re-sealed, clean her up and more Rustoleum to head off future rust issues. New bolts to replace the extended ones that were added due to the oversized insulation added by that mysterious former owner.

Fuel tank installed and mostly plumbed. This is an A2 with emissions, so those with non-emissions, count your lucky stars.

All brakes are new except drums and backing plates. New wheels and tires. New lower control arms on all four corners, shocks, steering linkage/pitman, etc.

Rebuilt carb thanks to Rick F. I hope he discovers the secrets of the "locker" differential that came off the front of my truck, after he recovers from surgery. I know a few G838 folks are wondering what lies inside.....

Cosmetically, I'm holding off on all of the bent rocker panels, etc (previously used extensively as a camper trail vehicle) until she coughs to life and takes me off to the local desert for a shakedown cruise. Then I'll drop the POL and refill with new, just because.

I have posted a few threads over the years, asking for advice, help, etc. I have been appreciative of the assistance coming in response, and know that this would have been near impossible without the help of those strange bipeds that share the same interest. Thanks to all!
Jim Peterson
SGM, 31B Retired 2015
1961 M151 -Sold
1974 M151A2, Working It!

User avatar
m75
1st Sergeant
1st Sergeant
Posts: 499
Joined: April 12th, 2015, 2:01 pm
Location: Antelope Valley, CA

Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by m75 » August 31st, 2018, 7:46 pm

Update:

It's Alive! Went to Costco for well-priced 51R batteries yesterday. Checked the electrical connections today, new battery clamps and holddowns. Put the front drive shaft back in, topped off with water (until I'm sure there no leaks, then on to antifreeze mix). Cranked for a short time but no sign of life. A short shot of ether and it fired right up, filling the carb and kept running!! Woo-Hoo!. Adjusted idle down, and messaged Rick F for advice on a hiccup that maybe he can enlighten me about. Carb runs good, just needs the slight adjust that all new installs require.

Now: I've noticed that one side sits a wee bit higher than the other. All new suspension front/rear. New tires and rims. Is there a particular tightening item for the front suspension arms that might have resulted in the uneven set?
Jim Peterson
SGM, 31B Retired 2015
1961 M151 -Sold
1974 M151A2, Working It!

User avatar
m3a1
Lt. General
Lt. General
Posts: 4027
Joined: August 7th, 2014, 6:36 pm

Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by m3a1 » September 1st, 2018, 10:02 am

May well be a weak shock on one of the corners...

Congratulations, by the way. Tiring up a long-dormant engine is one of the best feelings in the world.

Cheers,
TJ

User avatar
m75
1st Sergeant
1st Sergeant
Posts: 499
Joined: April 12th, 2015, 2:01 pm
Location: Antelope Valley, CA

Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by m75 » September 1st, 2018, 12:18 pm

I know buying a part doesn't guarantee it's a good one, but all shocks are new.
Jim Peterson
SGM, 31B Retired 2015
1961 M151 -Sold
1974 M151A2, Working It!

User avatar
m3a1
Lt. General
Lt. General
Posts: 4027
Joined: August 7th, 2014, 6:36 pm

Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by m3a1 » September 1st, 2018, 6:23 pm

Hmm. Are the springs all correctly seated in their pockets?

12Bravo
Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Posts: 115
Joined: May 15th, 2018, 7:49 am

Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by 12Bravo » September 5th, 2018, 4:48 am

Same issue, all new bushings front and rear ,new springs up front and shocks .Right front side was 1/2" taller. In the rear it measured 3/4"difference between bumperettes. Looked like a 600 lb woman sitting in the rear. Took both springs out and put old back in and leveled back out. Both new springs measured 11". Did that before I installed. Vendor was happy to exchange the one spring. Now to reinstall the springs again. Figure one was China or Taiwan for it was gloss black and the other was OD NOS with storage wear . Black one was the stronger spring.

User avatar
rickf
General
General
Posts: 19738
Joined: November 26th, 2007, 1:28 pm
Location: Pemberton, NJ.

Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by rickf » September 5th, 2018, 9:36 am

New springs would be black and not OD, the OD would be painted on later after installation. Unless maybe from the very first straight 151's which might have had green springs. The biggest mistake I see with suspension installation is tightening the swing arms and control arms while still suspended on jack stands or a lift, The bolts should be put in the arms and just the nuts just run up to the bushing but not tight, then the weight of the vehicle needs to be on the tires before actually tightening the bolts down to spec. Suspension bushings do not rotate in the housing, the rubber twists inside the bushing. So once you tighten the bolt it is locked into that position even if it is in a raised position, which is very bad for the bushing. It needs to be in the neutral position at ride height and THEN tightened, this way there is no stress on the bushing rubber when sitting normally. This will allow all of the springs to sit at there normal height.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

12Bravo
Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Posts: 115
Joined: May 15th, 2018, 7:49 am

Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by 12Bravo » September 5th, 2018, 11:41 am

Did it that way. Had the weight of the vehicle on the suspension before I torqued down the nuts. Per specs. Put old springs back in and it was same height as before. I measured both sides off concrete floor before starting on the project to see how much ride height new springs would give. The OD spring was NOS not a take off. It was from a good vendor that everyone here has nothing but good to say about.

User avatar
rickf
General
General
Posts: 19738
Joined: November 26th, 2007, 1:28 pm
Location: Pemberton, NJ.

Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by rickf » September 5th, 2018, 4:06 pm

It is very possible for springs made from different batches of steel to have a hair different spring rate. This is not something that would be of concern in a production or especially a service replacement situation.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

User avatar
m75
1st Sergeant
1st Sergeant
Posts: 499
Joined: April 12th, 2015, 2:01 pm
Location: Antelope Valley, CA

Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by m75 » September 6th, 2018, 11:47 am

Rick, your reply about the suspension adjustment above was just what I was asking you about the other day. I'll try loosening the bolts, lowering the truck to the floor on the tires and then re-tightening.
Jim Peterson
SGM, 31B Retired 2015
1961 M151 -Sold
1974 M151A2, Working It!

User avatar
m75
1st Sergeant
1st Sergeant
Posts: 499
Joined: April 12th, 2015, 2:01 pm
Location: Antelope Valley, CA

Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by m75 » November 13th, 2018, 9:08 pm

Image
Imagefree screenshot
Imageimage bbcode

Selected body panels that will require work to either replace or repair.

I have no current welding experience or equipment. There are a lot of holes (fording kit, various radio installs, in addition to the miscellaneous dents and dings.

There are portions that will require removing and replacing, such as the rusted-out rear panel by the floorboard, and the rocker panels/fender flares.

I know that Guy has the pieces I will eventually need to do this properly.
Jim Peterson
SGM, 31B Retired 2015
1961 M151 -Sold
1974 M151A2, Working It!

acudanut

Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by acudanut » November 14th, 2018, 12:38 am

rickf wrote:I don't even try to press them out, I drill the rubber in several spots and punch out the rubber and the center bushing and then score the metal bushing and chisel it out.
Rick, How many M-151's do you have. ???

User avatar
rickf
General
General
Posts: 19738
Joined: November 26th, 2007, 1:28 pm
Location: Pemberton, NJ.

Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by rickf » November 14th, 2018, 9:15 am

acudanut wrote:
rickf wrote:I don't even try to press them out, I drill the rubber in several spots and punch out the rubber and the center bushing and then score the metal bushing and chisel it out.
Rick, How many M-151's do you have. ???
One running, one cut and rusted roller and one flat crushed.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

Post Reply