State of the M-151 hobby

a place to discuss anything of interest to owners of M151 jeeps

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m3a1
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Re: State of the M-151 hobby

Unread post by m3a1 » December 31st, 2017, 1:23 pm

Well, I'll acknowledge what Rick is taking so long to say. YES, the M151, as a hobbiest's choice of vehicle is in decline and will continue to decline, particularly if you are a person who wants more than one.

I think if you are satisfied with one, having to acquire an expensive coil or set of plugs isn't really all that daunting a prospect. I dare say it also makes the prospect of salvaging a derelict (one that has some of those key parts) a bit more palatable.

As has already been said, it is (probably) the longest serving design in existence. That comes with consequences.

Getting down to the nuts and bolts of the matter, let us take the coil as an example of what needs to happen. If you want the price of NOS coils for the MUTT to go down, you have to create options for the buyer (which is, unfortunately, a rather small market.) If the sole issue is the offset contact point on the top you can't convince me that a person couldn't figure out how to modify a "straight" 24v coil to work in a MUTT. It sure isn't the mounting tabs which are a simple matter to create.

I have a NOS coil that has a broken lead wire to one of the contacts as a result of having been dropped (No, it wasn't me who dropped it...it came with my truck) and the plastic surrounding that particular contact broke away. Well, I still have that coil. It can be repaired with some of the high tech over the counter plastic resins available. As I began looking at it I noticed there was one helluva lot of plastic in that thing, which lead me to the idea that a standard 24V coil (particularly one that started out just a bit shorter in height) could probably be modified to accommodate an offset high tension conductor. Poo-poo that idea if you will, but this isn't rocket science. There are 3D printers out there to help create such a thing that could work. But there is only one reason why it hasn't been done already and that is because people would still rather pay the high price for one. We are our own worst enemy. Create a reasonably priced option for the NOS 24V coil and the M151 owners will beat a path to your door.

So, I have laid the gauntlet down on New Year's eve. Who is going to step up?

CentraSpike75
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Re: State of the M-151 hobby

Unread post by CentraSpike75 » December 31st, 2017, 2:38 pm

Every time we drive our 151s and talk to all the people that ask questions and say hi we further the hobby
Corpsman, even Marines need heroes
1965 M151A1
M151 A1 parts vehicle
1951 M37
2010 M-Gator A1 Sold
2003 M-Gator Sold
M100 Trailer Sold
M105A2 Trailer Sold

halftracknut
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Re: State of the M-151 hobby

Unread post by halftracknut » December 31st, 2017, 6:28 pm

If you guys think jeeps parts are hard to find try Halftrack junk.....the stock pile is located on the moon so :mrgreen: the prices and shipping is out of this world.
slowest mutt east of the missippi..

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m3a1
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Re: State of the M-151 hobby

Unread post by m3a1 » December 31st, 2017, 7:11 pm

Yeah, you'd think half track parts were gold plated. Glad I got mine when I did.

Fil Bonica
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Re: State of the M-151 hobby

Unread post by Fil Bonica » December 31st, 2017, 8:06 pm

May sound like a show off but just sold three!
Still have a complete NOS distrbutor and one NOS coil.
At age 76 this should last me for the duration!

Fil Bonica
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Re: State of the M-151 hobby

Unread post by rickf » December 31st, 2017, 9:29 pm

There are a couple issues with repairing coils and like I said, I don't want this to become a technical thread. They are full of toxic oil and they are 24 volts. How many 24 volt gasoline vehicles do you know of that you can grab a coil from? Especially in this country. I have never seen an external coil that short. And comparing them to halftrack parts just reinforces my point.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

CentraSpike75
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Re: State of the M-151 hobby

Unread post by CentraSpike75 » December 31st, 2017, 11:00 pm

Rick,
It sounds like you have your mind made up about the future of the 151. Why post asking a question when you already have your mind made up?
The Mutt is a one of those vehicles that will always have built in challenges. I have read many of the topics on this site over the past two years, many times you have steered people to CJs ect when looking to modify their 151s. Maybe you should head that direction, many plentiful and less expensive parts. You are a wealth of information and are a valuable member, I hope you continue to stay with the Mutt. If the hobby no longer brings you joy though....
I have owned CJs, Broncos and Toyotas among others. I enjoy the challenge and uniqueness of the Mutt.
Corpsman, even Marines need heroes
1965 M151A1
M151 A1 parts vehicle
1951 M37
2010 M-Gator A1 Sold
2003 M-Gator Sold
M100 Trailer Sold
M105A2 Trailer Sold

Rossco
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Re: State of the M-151 hobby

Unread post by Rossco » January 1st, 2018, 12:55 am

Happy New Year to all out there.

So my question is, apart from the 24 volt coils what other Chinese made parts should we be aware of buying?
As parts for M-151 are non existent in this part of the world, New Zealand. I have to purchase any parts for my restoration from overseas suppliers - mainly US based. So it would be helpful to know what parts to avoid/be wary of buying?

Roscoe
1973 M-151A2
1960 Seagrave LAFD Hook and Ladder Fire Truck
1953 M38A1 Jeep
1998 Ford Escort XR3i
2007 Ford Focus ST 2.5

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Re: State of the M-151 hobby

Unread post by Horst » January 1st, 2018, 7:51 am

Let's relax a little bit on those coils. If you have a spare one, for most of us this will be good enough for the rest of our ownership. That's why I also am a fan of the old style points style ignitor, there is practically nothing in there going bad. The condensor can be replaced any time. The electronic modules might go bad over time. I run a Swiss Control but my spare ignitor is a points style one.

What I had to buy already a few times are wheel brake cylinders as repro parts. Some of them would not perfectly fit and needed some trimming with a dremel. I bought them because I had immediate need, but they are also still available as NOS. The gaskets itself are standard size parts anyway.
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

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Re: State of the M-151 hobby

Unread post by rickf » January 1st, 2018, 10:34 am

CentraSpike75 wrote:Rick,
It sounds like you have your mind made up about the future of the 151. Why post asking a question when you already have your mind made up?
The Mutt is a one of those vehicles that will always have built in challenges. I have read many of the topics on this site over the past two years, many times you have steered people to CJs ect when looking to modify their 151s. Maybe you should head that direction, many plentiful and less expensive parts. You are a wealth of information and are a valuable member, I hope you continue to stay with the Mutt. If the hobby no longer brings you joy though....
I have owned CJs, Broncos and Toyotas among others. I enjoy the challenge and uniqueness of the Mutt.
You are right, it did sound like I was trying to steer people away from the M-151 so I took out a lot of what I had said in that post and kept it to the facts at hand. I do still have a CJ-7, It is modified to the point that it is not really fun to drive anymore. The body is gone. It will go anywhere I point it but it was designed to go there quickly and I am just getting too old for that. Yes, in the past I tried to steer people towards the CJ as a trail vehicle since the 151 is not really as good off road as it is made out to be. It is adequate but not a fantastic off road vehicle. CJ's are getting ungodly expensive themselves now so I guess there are other choices.

I am curious, How many of you are buying one for off road use and how many are buying it to use as a historic military vehicle? When I think of the M-151 "Hobby" I think of restoring them for use as a restored military vehicle to represent what it was and did in it's real life. Using one to bash around the rocks is kind of a different hobby.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

paracord
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Re: State of the M-151 hobby

Unread post by paracord » January 1st, 2018, 11:03 am

Drive mine every day. Put about 850 miles on it last month. Mine is not restored, original paint, great patina. This is my last one ,age and health has caught up like a lot of us. It 's not getting a paint job. It is what it is. It has empty water bottles in it, dried mud on the floor boards and no rubber floor mats. I'm going to enjoy it.

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Re: State of the M-151 hobby

Unread post by Fil Bonica » January 1st, 2018, 12:53 pm

Keep in mind that the same 24 volt coil is ysed in a series in military vehicles
M37, 38, 38A1 , PE 95 generators.
In fact there are 12 volt versions for them.
Probably not too common but I have seen them iut there over the years. There should be plenty of good stuff out there.

Rick, when you are ready I will come down with cash in hand to buy your NOS parts stash!

Fil Bonica
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Re: State of the M-151 hobby

Unread post by Hambone » January 1st, 2018, 1:18 pm

Fil Bonica wrote:
Rick, when you are ready I will come down with cash in hand to buy your NOS parts stash!

Fil Bonica
I will go in with you Fil, may have some CJ stuff I can trade in. :lol: Happy New Year, Rick. :mrgreen:

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Re: State of the M-151 hobby

Unread post by rickf » January 1st, 2018, 1:53 pm

When I sell I will be selling at market rate just like you Fil. As long as you are willing to pay the going rate. :twisted:
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

Fil Bonica
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Re: State of the M-151 hobby

Unread post by Fil Bonica » January 1st, 2018, 2:11 pm

Come on
Spread the wealth!!!

Fil Bonica
K1ABW

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