M151A2 Frame Rebuild Help!

feel the need to change or modify your mutt? This is the place to discuss it.

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DirtBob650
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M151A2 Frame Rebuild Help!

Unread post by DirtBob650 » November 17th, 2016, 3:04 pm

Hi Folks. I have been trolling the internet trying to find answers on what to do with my Mutt.
I bought one sight unseen only to discover it was cut/welded back together/rusted terribly/ then propped back up with rivets and home made braces. (Good thing I only paid $350 for Mutt and (6) 55 gallon drums of parts!)

I'm here hoping to get advice on how to rebuild or re work it to be more of a typical frame instead of the unibody. Just about every part of my unibody is rusted beyond repair. About all I'm left to use is the drive drain and rear shock towers. Body from the Engine bay until the rear axle is beyond salvage.
There is no way this is going to be a parade ready era accurate M151...
So I'm wondering if anyone has dealt with this problem and can share any advice.

Thanks In Advance!!!

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muttguru
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Re: M151A2 Frame Rebuild Help!

Unread post by muttguru » November 17th, 2016, 4:25 pm

DirtBob650 wrote:m here hoping to get advice on how to rebuild or re work it to be more of a typical frame instead of the unibody.
Bob, even if you build a frame, you are still going to need a body. You can buy several body panels from Guy on this board but there will still be panels etc needed which Guy may not have started producing yet.
The key to it all is.... "how good am I with metal fabrication and welding etc?" along with "How much money do I spend and will the finished product be worth the cost and effort?"

Just as a by-the-way, several US-based companies built replacement bodies (search for Encore, Alley Cat, Growler) and the French company Poncin used a separate chassis for their version of the M151....here's what the Poncin chassis looked like:-

Image


ps... posting some photos of your vehicle would help us to give better advice !
ken
Last edited by muttguru on November 17th, 2016, 4:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Kind regards....
Ken

Always wanted - Details and pictures of M416 Trailer data plates & M151 data plates & body-tags for my research. Thanks!

Contact address - - muttguru@aol.com

Note for 2023..... Ken..."Less Stress - More Exercise!"

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rickf
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Re: M151A2 Frame Rebuild Help!

Unread post by rickf » November 17th, 2016, 4:28 pm

Not much we are going to be able to tell you short of the fact that you are going to have to fabricate an entire vehicle frame from scratch. That is what the Encore and all of the other aftermarket bodied M-151's did. The front half is easy since the front suspension is a separate unit and bolts on but the rear you will have to know what you are doing because the suspension is going to be tied into the frame.

Well, Ken beat me to it but his picture should give you an idea.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

DirtBob650
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Re: M151A2 Frame Rebuild Help!

Unread post by DirtBob650 » November 17th, 2016, 4:44 pm

Thanks so much guys! I'll get some pictures posted asap.
I'd definitely a better welder/ fabricator than I am at designing and drafting what needs to be welded.
(Naively I was wishing someone had done this already and had specs or plans on what to fabricate)
I guess I'll just have to weigh the cost and see if a new reproduction body is worth it.

Fil Bonica
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Re: M151A2 Frame Rebuild Help!

Unread post by Fil Bonica » November 17th, 2016, 5:34 pm

Make you jep a donor vehcle:
Go out and find another jeep in better condition.
You will be far ahead that way.
Happy Hunting!
Fil Bonica
K1ABW

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rickf
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Re: M151A2 Frame Rebuild Help!

Unread post by rickf » November 17th, 2016, 7:24 pm

There are no new reproduction bodies, They have not made the Encore since 99 and that was the last one. And they did not sell just the body, they only sold the whole vehicle. If your body is that bad it is not worth spending money on. If you got that many parts with it then just find another 151 but look at that one first before buying.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

DirtBob650
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Re: M151A2 Frame Rebuild Help!

Unread post by DirtBob650 » November 18th, 2016, 2:46 pm

Here are some pictures of what it looks like now that removed all the riveted sheet metal patches.


http://imgur.com/a/Z7zOX

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rickf
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Re: M151A2 Frame Rebuild Help!

Unread post by rickf » November 18th, 2016, 5:03 pm

It's rough but I have seen much worse. There was a post on here earlier about a Encore for sale with some underneath pictures. If I can find it I will post a link, the Encore uses a solid frame.

Here is the link to the Encore for sale, check out the frame under it for ideas.

https://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/cto/5870045063.html
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

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m3a1
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Re: M151A2 Frame Rebuild Help!

Unread post by m3a1 » November 22nd, 2016, 9:37 am

I don't have much to add other than the fact that if you really intend to fabricate a new frame, you have a template right in front of you on your present body. I would think with some careful measuring you would be able to replicate the original "frame" as a new, stand-alone frame fairly accurately. That would even present you with options to create something even more interesting.

But if you are stuck on the idea of having one of these little trucks, it is important to remember that there is no vehicle too far gone that it cannot be brought back from the dead by replacing ALL the parts. All you need to accomplish that is 55 gallon drums of cash.

Anyway, you may have bought yourself a parts donor. There's certainly nothing wrong with that and it sounds like you laid out a very modest amount of money for all those parts and the learning experience that goes with it and that sounds like a winning deal to me. Clear away the wreckage and start refurbishing what you do have. You'll be ready when a better one comes along.

Cheers,
TJ

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Horst
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Re: M151A2 Frame Rebuild Help!

Unread post by Horst » November 22nd, 2016, 11:45 am

As said already. Use it for parts and don't throw any more money at it.
Horst

1972 USMC M151A2 w/ROPS (ex Barstow) and M416
1962 M201 and trailer
1966 GTO,1982 E350 Skoolie, 1987 SJ413, 1987 911
Gone: 2xM35A2c, Unimog 404S, Hanomag AL28, DKW Munga

DirtBob650
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Re: M151A2 Frame Rebuild Help!

Unread post by DirtBob650 » November 22nd, 2016, 12:35 pm

Thanks For All The Information Guys!
All the different perspectives helped.
Luckily I sold a spare distributor and plug wires. Some I'm already ahead by $20.I really have no strong desire to own an original spec M151 so I don't think I want to try and find another and use mine as a donor. I guess I'll slowly sell off my spare NOS parts, but keep enough to maybe one day fab up a frame for a buggy type hunting camp vehicle. (should be cheaper than a new side by side!)
Thanks Again Guys!

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m3a1
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Re: M151A2 Frame Rebuild Help!

Unread post by m3a1 » November 22nd, 2016, 4:20 pm

Don't forget to use the FOR SALE SECTION of the G838!

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