1974 M151A2 Project

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m75
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1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by m75 » May 26th, 2015, 10:47 pm

Hi everyone. Starting to address the multitude of sins that this 1/4 ton possesses since I purchased it.

The truck was described as a trail runner and had the assorted dings and crumpled rocker panels, etc that go with such activity. Nice part was that it was currently regeistered, and the seller even renewed the tags when I took possession. Has full vinyl enclosures/doors, ROPS and some spare parts as well.

When unloading I discovered that the brake pedal went to the floor; thank goodness for the e-brake! Since then I have replaced the master cylinder, serviced the brake/clutch pedal assembly while it was out of the truck. I figured that replacing the wheel cylinders and hoses would be a no-brainer, since stopping the darn thing is every bit as important as getting it scooting down the road.

I popped off the L/F wheel and brake drum, to discover a likely source of the lack of pedal. The cylinder boot was torn, brake fluid was everywhere, soaking the two apparently low-mileage shoes as well, making them trash as well. Well, as you know, it only makes sense to keep looking deeper while you're already there, and found light-brown rust/mud liquid in the cylinder after removal. Good decision to replace.

Now, having restored a '61 M151 ten years ago, I was familiar with the wheel bearings, and felt that the brake condition made it a necessity to inspect the wheel bearings as well. Yeah, time to replace those as well. Essentially, the left-front corner of the truck is telling me that I can expect the right front to be the same in condition.

So, pulled the spindle, cleaned the brake backing plate, U-joint end of the propeller shaft and spindle, painted a rust-proof semi-gloss black and am looking forward to re-assembly of this corner before moving on to the right front. As with most of you, this is a part time gig for me, and has to be approached while balancing the other household things as well. Sound familiar?

By the way, did I mention that the upper/lower ball joints are shot as well? Between Fed Ex, UPS and the mailman bringing me mysterious boxes, most of the wear-and-tear items will end up replaced before I even get to rebuilding the carb. And the control arm bushings as well as shocks........ I'm thinking these replacements should last as long as I own the truck.

Question: This was an emissions jeep originally, with the vent bowl assembly, air cleaner with extra vent hoses, etc. The gas tank has the proper fittings for the emissions, but for some reason the 10-inch diameter cover plate that is bolted in to most M151 vehicles is not present on mine. There is the proper indentation to accomodate the various lines and fittings, but that depressed area is part of the tank itself, not a separate part that is bolted in. Seems odd to me, and outside the -20/-34P illustrations for emissions A2s. Ideas?

And, any sources for getting a fuel tank cleaned/coated that are close to Los Angeles?

I will post photos as I progress, but knowing how to add them to the post will help.

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

Fil Bonica
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Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by Fil Bonica » May 27th, 2015, 9:30 am

What you have is an emissions style tank.
Depending ng on its condition it may be cheaper to replace rather than coating.
Check with Red River in Texas for prices. Before you recoat.
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frenchman
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Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by frenchman » May 31st, 2015, 1:01 am

i bought a new gas tank for my a2 from red river parts it was very cheap not worth try to fix the old one that was 2years ago they maybe out of stock now talk to blake
frenchman

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m75
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Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by m75 » May 31st, 2015, 12:38 pm

Thanks for the info. I'm looking ahead to that part of the build, but focusright nowis on brakes and front suspension/steering.
Jim Peterson
SGM, 31B Retired 2015
1961 M151 -Sold
1974 M151A2, Working It!

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m75
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Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by m75 » June 3rd, 2015, 10:24 am

Well, good morning!

Yesterday brought a few hours of opportunity to get to the garage. Still working on the left-front wheel station, but the work serves as a learning curve for the other brakes, etc that are awaiting my attention.

The ball joints are replaced, spindle cleaned and painted, new wear sleeves, races and bearings installed. Unfortunately I found that the upper and lower control arms just flopped, and the bushings were "toasted". So I pulled the control arms and ended the day with their preliminary cleaning. I'll have to order new shocks and control arm bushings now. I have a friend at a local shop who can swap the bushings with his press.

Progress, but not at the rate I'dlike. But then, that would take more money and someone else doing the work.
Jim Peterson
SGM, 31B Retired 2015
1961 M151 -Sold
1974 M151A2, Working It!

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Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by Fil Bonica » June 3rd, 2015, 10:28 am

Patience my friend!!!

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RCA827
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Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by RCA827 » June 4th, 2015, 11:03 pm

I know how you feel it's been 3 weeks that I have been working at my front suspension, but good restorations take time, all worth it in the end. :wink:
The bushings were a real pain to change.
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Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by RCA827 » June 4th, 2015, 11:09 pm

A 35 ton press could not remove my bushings they had to be cut out ,also the new bushings had to be turned in order for the press to push them back in. :shock:

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m75
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Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by m75 » June 5th, 2015, 10:51 pm

Well, I certainly hope that the local shop has better luck pressing out the old bushings!

Image
Image
Image

I'm trying to add some images of the truck as I received it. The rocker panels are pretty beat up, but there isn't much rust at all throughout the vehicle, just bent/battered sheet metal. There were Monroe shocks on the front (I suspect the rear as well) which raised the ride height about 2-3 inches.
Jim Peterson
SGM, 31B Retired 2015
1961 M151 -Sold
1974 M151A2, Working It!

RCA827
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Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by RCA827 » June 6th, 2015, 1:04 am

Great to see some pic's Jim. Just a heads up on replacing the bushings we used a 30 ton press that only pushed the bearing out about 1/4" they stopped in fear of bending the control arm.
They decided in the end to burn the rubber out, and being very careful cut the remaining outer sleeve enough to crimp it and remove what was left of the outer shell of the bearing.
Pressing the new bushing in was not possible at 30 ton the shop had to remove material from the bushing, I am not sure how much but he told me enough that the press could push it in without damaging the control arm.
I was told that originally the bushings may have been set in place with the use of liquid nitrogen,

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rickf
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Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by rickf » June 6th, 2015, 8:24 am

I have replace those bushings using a vice. Last ones I did was with a quickie home made installer made out of threaded rod and some nuts, washers and sockets. Did they lubricate them? Taking them out I can see the problems but not putting them in. If they had used nitrogen the rubber would have shattered.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

armybuck041
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1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by armybuck041 » June 6th, 2015, 9:00 am

rickf wrote:I have replace those bushings using a vice. Last ones I did was with a quickie home made installer made out of threaded rod and some nuts, washers and sockets. Did they lubricate them? Taking them out I can see the problems but not putting them in. If they had used nitrogen the rubber would have shattered.
I agree. I replaced mine with basic hand tools. I'm wondering if the bushings were reproductions or something.
Scott Bentley
M151A2 CDN, SN 43813, CFR 74-09195
Gone but never forgotten: Sgt Shane Stachnik, Killed in Action on 3 Sept 2006, Panjwaii, Afghanistan

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Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by Fil Bonica » June 6th, 2015, 12:27 pm

Have a whole set of A arms for sale reasonable:
Would save a lot of work:

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Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by RCA827 » June 6th, 2015, 6:30 pm

Good point Rick your right the rubber would have exploded .I am not sure how you guys managed to get yours out with simple hand tools and a vice ,Mine would not budge :lol: Now as far as the bushings that went back in my control arms they may have been repos, they did all have to be turned down to have them to go in their place with grease also. :?

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Re: 1974 M151A2 Project

Unread post by rickf » June 6th, 2015, 7:20 pm

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.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

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