Re: [MV]M-151 Jeeps - History Channel

From: jim gilmore (jgilmore@oeonline.com)
Date: Wed Jul 19 2000 - 12:39:06 PDT


    Previously posted,
>............In 1956, new prototypes were again produced, with the XM151E1
>being a
>conventional steel construction, and the XM151E2 being aluminum.
>
>In 1959, the E2 was adopted for production..........

    The Aluminum bodied XM-151-E2 was not put into production. The
aluminum uni-body was not strong enough to take the abuse that the vehicle
was to be subjected to in service. It also had a much greater weight than
the steel one. There is at least one of these test units still in
existence here in Michigan.

>.........The first production contract was awarded to Ford Motor Company
>in 1960, and
>the M151 was put into production!........
>
>In 1964 the M151A1 was put into production with a new suspension.......

          The M-151-A1 suspension was not new but a minor modification of
the M-151 including different spring rates.

>In 1970 the M151A2 was put into production with modifications to the rear
>suspension, dual brake system, collapsible steering wheel, two speed wipers
>and modified lighting.

      It was the A2 version that had the new type suspension. I am not
aware of the dual brake system being used.

>Variants include:
>
>M151A2LC- 3 speed transmission with a two speed transfer case

     This was the experimental version with the solid axles. I believe
this vehicle still exists in Tennessee.

>M107/108 - Communications vehicles.

      Can you elaborate further on what these vehicles were?

>M718/M718A1 - Ambulance versions.
>
>M825 - 106 Recoilless rifle/TOW

     The M-825 was the A2 version. The recoilless rifle version of the
M-151-A1 was the M-151-A1C.

>XM384 - 6x6 vehicle

       The XM-384 is the 8x8 which was built up from XM-151 components by
the Detroit Arsenal. It was later re-built into an amphibian and still
exists here in Michigan.

>XM408 - 8x8 vehicle

      The XM-408 was the 6x6 version built by Ford S.M.V.O.and several
still exist.

            Jim Gilmore MVPA # 5843

Member Ist Michigan AOD Chapter MVPA
                Great Lakes Chapter MVPA
                Ohio Motor Pool Chapter MVPA
                Red Ball Chapter MVPA
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                Midwest Military Vehicle Assocation
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