M718 and Other Stuff.

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ArmySailor
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M718 and Other Stuff.

Post by ArmySailor » Thu Sep 16, 2021 8:46 am

Doing a roundup article on the M151 for Dispatcher magazine and find my resources on M151s very slim in certain areas. I don't have the space in the story to go into pedantic detail, but will mainly overview it. Hoping some of you can help me with a few details. Here is a list of pointed questions on things for which I cannot get a quick, definitive answer in the available resources. Bear in mind that I'm coming at this at the end of my deadline. I didn't expect to have this much trouble nailing down these few things. Thanks for taking the time to read this and here goes:

1-Did the M718 appear with the M151A1 upgrade or was there a M151 ambulance variant as well? The only date I have for the intro of the M718 is 1966 but I don't have multiple sources to back that up. A hard date would be appreciated

2-While the M151A1C is a little more clear cut, I don't have a date when it came to be in service.

3-Along the same lines, were the M718A1 and M825 STRICTLY versions of the M151A2 and did they debut alongside the 'A2, or later?

4- Would like to understand more about the 'A1 ear suspension upgrades. I gather they happened mainly to increase rear suspension strength for heavier loads and directly relate to the M718 and 'A1C applications.Did they address the rear camber issues in ANY way?

5- There used to be a chart, I think by our beloved Muttguru, that detailed all the features/changes that came to the various models. I neglected to make a copy of it when it was online and the Muttguru site seems to be gone these days (hope you are OK Ken!). I think I have a handle on the various changes but a chart like that would give me a good double-check if it's still available somewhere.

6- I am trying to get a feel for things that were proposed to solve the rear suspension camber change issue. Do I have the correct impression that FoMoCo was a proponent of the solid rear axle but were overridden on it? If so, by whom? I also wonder if they tried things like the camber compensator used on Corvairs and VWs, or sway bars?

7- Along the same lines, WTF was going on at Ford during the initial development of the M151? They had to have run across this issue in testing and why wasn't it addressed? Somebody had to know that even though they were "tactical" rigs, they were going to get driven on improved roads and paved highways. Sure this has been debated ad nauseum and I don't want to start a fire, but I wonder if there has been any research done that uncovers this. I understand there were risk tolerance changes that came between the time the M151 was developed and when the rollover problems came to the fore, but it seems a significant enough problem to have been addressed.

8- Finally, for future reference, what reference book(s) on the M151 do you recommend keeping on the shelf. I have a big stack of military manuals on them from 1960-up, plus they are mentioned in many of the MV books I have. Still, I am looking for a meat-n-taters book with lots of reference material. Is Doyle's book in that category? Not enough time on the deadline to get a book now but I was underwhelmed with my in-house references. I pride myself on having a LOT on jeeps in general (and I consider the M151 to be a branch on the jeep family tree) but it's been a long while since I looked at the MUTT's butt ( : < )

Many thanks!
Jim Allen

Keeping the Good 'Ol Days of Four Wheeling Alive


Rickf
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Re: M718 and Other Stuff.

Post by Rickf » Thu Sep 16, 2021 9:10 am

Jim, The person you need to contact is Ken Whowell in England. He is THE authority on anything M-151. He can be reached by e-mail at Muttguru@aol.com or on here at memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=1541. He will be able to give you production dates and variations by memory with all of the paperwork to back it up.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

ArmySailor
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Re: M718 and Other Stuff.

Post by ArmySailor » Thu Sep 16, 2021 9:37 am

Thanks but my last email to him bounced, his website is gone and I figured I'd try here since I saw that he posted recently. Have known Ken since the '90s.
Jim Allen

Keeping the Good 'Ol Days of Four Wheeling Alive

Rickf
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Re: M718 and Other Stuff.

Post by Rickf » Thu Sep 16, 2021 9:40 am

I just sent him an e-mail telling him you were trying to get hold of him and you were looking for info here. It went through so hopefully he gets in touch.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

ArmySailor
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 291
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2004 6:15 am
Location: NW Ohio

Re: M718 and Other Stuff.

Post by ArmySailor » Thu Sep 16, 2021 9:54 am

Thanks. I just now sent one too. So far it hasn't bounced back. Not many people are still using AOL, so I figured he'd changed to something else. Probably ten years or so since we chatted.
Jim Allen

Keeping the Good 'Ol Days of Four Wheeling Alive

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artillerydan
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Re: M718 and Other Stuff.

Post by artillerydan » Wed Sep 29, 2021 8:13 pm

I also have info here.

www.m151jeep.com
43 WLA Harley
43 MB
43 M20 Armored Car
44 M24 Chaffee
44 M19 40mm
62 M114 ARV
75 MC4000 Forklift
96 CUCV II Tahoe
2017 MRZR
M1030, B1, M1 - Motorcycles
M817, M818, M819 - 5 Tons
30-M151s Every variation available
MVPA 7411


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