Dear Listers....... here are a few additional points about the Mutt
questions that were raised.....
<< The undercoating and rust proofing of MUTTS was also done at the
depot level and below. There was a TM issued that gave the procedure for the
jeep and other vehicles.>>
Yes indeed... this is covered in TB43-0213 (Chapter 4).
<< ......There were also some galvanized jeeps (lower portion only) but
those were few and were mainly for export and experimental towards the end.
AMG realized they had a rust problem for years and were trying to do
something about it........>>
In 1975, a report was produced by US Army Materiel Systems Analysis Activity
(Aberdeeen PG) which was entitled "Vehicle Average Useful Life Study" and the
vehicles covered in this 441-page report were the M151A1, as well as the
M35A2and the M39A2. Essentially, it was a computer-modelling of the expected
lifespan of these trucks, taking into account corrosion, area of operation
etc etc.
In February 1978, another report was produced (for the same Dept), this one
entitled "An Evaluation of Rust Condition of Truck, 1/4-Ton, M151-series".
Several recommendations were made including storage, cleaning, rustproofing,
better drainage from floorpans etc.
Just as interesting (for Anoraks like me !!), is the US Army's Materials
Technology Laboratories "The Corrosion Digest" (no kidding)... and in issue
12, a report describes the "Environmental Exposure Test of M151 Jeep Bodies".
These tests were carried out on mutt bodies at Cape Canaveral over a period
of 24 months 1986/88 and various suface treatments were tested, including
bodies galvanised to Specification G-90 (0.8 mil thickness). Also tested were
paint coatings..... CARC, acrylic and alkyd. Although the galvanised bodies
did well, it was found that a CARC coating applied to correctly prepared
metal would last for at least 7 years (that's what they said !!!). By this
time, however, the Hmmwv was under scrutiny (the Hmmwv framerails were
beginning to develop corrosion problems) and the Mutt was on its way out
anyway.
<< ........The bodies had a body tag on the front-center firewall which
serialized the body only for production reasons but was meaningless as a VIN
number........>>
<< I believe you are confusing the replacement bodies with the BUDD
built ones here. Only the bodies built by Budd Co. had a tag on the
firewall. You are correct that the BUDD # on the firewall was just a body
number and not the SN# of the jeep.>>
Correct, but not the full answer......... the dataplates of
Willys/Kaiser-built Mutts showed "Manufacturer's Serial Number" which was NOT
the same as the US Military Registration Number. However, the Manufacturers
Serial Number on Ford-built trucks was generally the same as the US Military
Registration Number.
<<Through the history of the 151, four >manufacturers made the body tub.
(Ford, Budd, AMG and I forget the other)>>
<<Ford Motor Co. did not manufacture the bodies for the MUTTS. All
production bodies for Ford were made by the Budd Co.>>
This is incorrect, I'm sorry to say. The first batches of the M151 model had
bodies built by Fruehauf, and I have photos of the Fruehauf body plate (which
was NOT located between the hood hinges) to prove it...... they clearly show
Fruehauf as the manufacturer along with the contract number and body number.
<<drainhole on the side of the 151 A2 as the earlier production didn't have
it. I'm not sure if AMG made it both ways or did all production with the
>drain hole.>>
The louvered drain-hole in the side of the footwell was introduced by AMG on
1973-built models... their first lot did not have them.
<<Ford made the A2 for a very short period and don't know if they did the
drain hole any or at all.>>
Ford built Mutts did not feature the side-louver drain holes. However, Units
were advised to drill a "forward" drain hole at each side, to help the egress
of water, and I have the instructions somewhere (!!!) in the archives.
Hope this helps...
Kind regards....
Ken
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Tue Oct 24 2000 - 20:55:34 PDT