1967 Ford M151A1 MUTT (Jeep)

To better represent the Vietnam era in our history displays, it was decided that we needed to acquire a few vehicles.  We started off with our Quad .50 Gun Truck, then acquired this 1967 Ford manufactured M151A1, and finally, a 1968 Kaiser M725 ambulance.  Sadly, we had to sell our Quad 50 Gun Truck due to a variety of reasons.  We are still working on restoring the ambulance.  This article, however, is about our M151A1.

Here's the vehicle shortly after we picked it up in Oklahoma.  We acquired it off E-bay.  A quick trip up and back, and it was ours.  What we had was a "slightly" used M151A1 that had joined the military in July 1967.  It had multiple layers of paint on it.  More importantly, it had not been cut.  And it came with a reinforcing kit!  Did it need some work? Yep.  It got sandblasted to remove multiple years' worth of paint layers.  The sandblaster thought it would only take a couple of hours.  It took almost the whole day!

One of the photos shows a windshield assembly leaning against the vehicle.  That was acquired to replace the A2 windshield that was on the vehicle. Somewhere in it's life it had gotten the A2 windshield and a few other "improvements."  Most of those were removed to take the vehicle back to 1967.

Our M151A1 does feature an M4 pedestal which is technically incorrect for a Vietnam era vehicle. Most were using the M31C pedestal mounted further to the rear. The M4 didn't come out until very late, so it is assumed that few made it to Vietnam. However, we had the pedestal with all the pieces and decided to use it.  Originally, the vehicle was modeled after the trucks used by the 504th Military Police in Vietnam.  The 504th transitioned to the German / Soviet border in the 1970's before coming back to Texas (Fort Hood), where they are now. Eventually, markings will get put on showing what unit, etc.  

Here's some tabulated data on the truck:

1967 Ford M151A1

• Length: 11-ft 2-in 
• Width: 5-Ft 4-in 
• Wheelbase: 85.0”
• Weight: 2,400 lb  
• Payload: 1,200 lb (highway) 
• Range: 300 mile w/o towed load

The Ford M151 series of vehicles (Truck, Utility, ¼-Ton, 4x4), including the M151A1 and M151A2, was the successor to the 1950’s of light trucks (M38 and M38A1). Despite being a total redesign, the concept remained the same, including dimensions and weight. Primary differences were the previous vehicles used a chassis and attached suspension, body, etc., to that. The M151-series used an unitary body, attaching everything to the body itself, giving a lower silhouette and a higher ground clearance. In addition, the leaf-sprung rigid live axles of previous designs were replaced with all-around independent suspension and coil springs. The result was a more stable stance with greater side slope capability and a better ride. Plus, it wasn’t quite as cramped.

• Manufacturers included: Ford, Kaiser, and AM General
• Numbers produced: > 100,000 Build years: 1958 – 1988
• Engine: Inline 4 cylinder, 141.5CID (2.32L), 71hp @ 4,000 rpm
• Transmission: 4 speed +reverse manual, single speed, part time transfer case