Buying a MUTT on Monday. Anything to be weary of?

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ThorsHammer
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Buying a MUTT on Monday. Anything to be weary of?

Unread post by ThorsHammer » September 4th, 2014, 8:32 pm

So, I decided to pick up a MUTT here in Tucson, AZ. It looks to have been fully restored, but is there anything I should be weary of?
The electrical system was converted to 12 volts.
I'm not a collector, I'm just looking for something fun to go out in the desert with that has some style.

csmith
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Re: Buying a MUTT on Monday. Anything to be weary of?

Unread post by csmith » September 4th, 2014, 8:52 pm

Welcome, do you have photos? Lots of issues to be aware of... post photos if available and tell us more about it and you will get helpful feedback.
1976 M151A2 4 Color Cammo Mutt, aquired August 09
1976 or 7? M151A2 "Miss Sandy" Driver, aquired May 2010
Former owner M151A2 "Miss Saigon" Vietnam Rescue Sold Sept 09
Fond appreciation for the M151 Breed!!

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Re: Buying a MUTT on Monday. Anything to be weary of?

Unread post by ThorsHammer » September 4th, 2014, 9:07 pm

I did not get any photo's. I believe it is a 72', has a snorkel and exhaust for forging, and was painted up with USMC designation. The owner was a Viet Nam vet. I know it has a title here in AZ, and that it was a demilled (cut in half) MUTT, though it looks like they did a great job putting it back together. It's been sitting for awhile under a metal canopy here in AZ, so no rust to speak of, just a lot of AZ dirt.
It did not have a canopy, so I will have to pick one up. I don't need doors or side panels here in AZ for what I plan to use it for.

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Re: Buying a MUTT on Monday. Anything to be weary of?

Unread post by LTDan » September 4th, 2014, 9:17 pm

Are you the same "Thorshammer" on the Audi forums?
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Re: Buying a MUTT on Monday. Anything to be weary of?

Unread post by lpcoating » September 4th, 2014, 9:24 pm

Welcome to the site.

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ThorsHammer
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Re: Buying a MUTT on Monday. Anything to be weary of?

Unread post by ThorsHammer » September 4th, 2014, 9:26 pm

LTDan wrote:Are you the same "Thorshammer" on the Audi forums?
No. I'm Thor's Hammer of Thor's Hammer Custom Leather.

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Horst
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Re: Buying a MUTT on Monday. Anything to be weary of?

Unread post by Horst » September 5th, 2014, 5:20 am

Dan,

What has always worked is taking as many photos as you can, with a good camera or a good phone and post them. We will be all happy to look at them and give constructive (in most cases) comments. If somebody says he has restored a 151 and in the same sentence says it is converted to 12V, this already is a warning flag. You might want to be sure that not too many other things are done wrong, this is where we can help out. Worked very good in the past, but of course just a recommendation. So take photos and post before you buy...
Horst

1972 USMC M151A2 w/ROPS (ex Barstow) and M416
1962 M201 and trailer
1966 GTO,1982 E350 Skoolie, 1987 SJ413, 1987 911
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Re: Buying a MUTT on Monday. Anything to be weary of?

Unread post by rickf » September 5th, 2014, 6:46 am

If it has been used in the desert then the wheel bearings and all 12 u-joints are going to need to be serviced. The biggest problem with M-151's is rust on the underbody. This is a unibody construction so there is no frame and the sheet metal rails underneath tend to rot out. 12 volt conversions can be good or real bad, most of them are the latter because people do not either know what they are doing or do not care. A true 12 volt conversion is going to involve a LOT of work including rewinding the starter. If that was all done then it would be an advantage out in the desert if you needed a jump or had a charging system failure and needed parts. Pictures are the only real way we can give solid answers though once we see it.
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Re: Buying a MUTT on Monday. Anything to be weary of?

Unread post by SEABEE62 » September 5th, 2014, 10:41 am

Welcome aboard......always need an extra " Hammer " around ! :D Seabee
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Re: Buying a MUTT on Monday. Anything to be weary of?

Unread post by Rainman » September 5th, 2014, 11:55 am

First off be weary of anyone that calls an M151 a mutt. I avoid them like the plague. Then lots of things to steer clear of including reproductions, rewelded body, and unibody rust issues. You have a chance to get advice and reviews from some very knowledgeable folks here. It would be a shame not to take advantage of it.
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Re: Buying a MUTT on Monday. Anything to be weary of?

Unread post by SEABEE62 » September 5th, 2014, 2:26 pm

MUTT....MUTT...MUTT...MUTT..MUTT..... :D Seabee
1971 M151A2 MUTT , M416 trailer
NMCB 62, Delta Co.,BU2, Gulfport, MS Home Port
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Re: Buying a MUTT on Monday. Anything to be weary of?

Unread post by raymond » September 5th, 2014, 3:08 pm

The 12 volt conversion is what scares me the most. Hacked wiring can be a nightmare and a safety issue.
Raymond


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Re: Buying a MUTT on Monday. Anything to be weary of?

Unread post by ThorsHammer » September 8th, 2014, 2:34 pm

Went out today and took some photos. Is raining like crazy here.
Got some more information about it. The person who has it restores military vehicles for a living and has several (hundreds actually) around.
The original owner of this one had several restored from the ground up, however this one was done to be a "beater". He just wanted it reliable to drive around in as all his others were mint and he wouldn't take them out except for shows.
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Re: Buying a MUTT on Monday. Anything to be weary of?

Unread post by Horst » September 8th, 2014, 2:38 pm

so far so good. But obviously need pictures of the undercarriage and the engine bay. The not correct single pane wind shield is for sure not an issue for what you said you want to use it. As well as the hub tie downs which shouldn't be used on an USMC truck. Front brush guard is from an A2. Again, just not correct, not a desaster
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: Buying a MUTT on Monday. Anything to be weary of?

Unread post by halftracknut » September 8th, 2014, 3:22 pm

looks really good... :mrgreen:
slowest mutt east of the missippi..

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