M-151A2 Production Start

1959 - 1978, M151, M151A1, M151A2, Technical questions and discussions, regarding anything related to the M151.
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Star Electric Ordnance
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M-151A2 Production Start

Post by Star Electric Ordnance » Sun Jan 01, 2017 10:13 am

This was originally posted under the M-151 clutch kits for sale and it morphed into M-151A2 production start. Kevin.

In regards to when M-151A2 production started, I think I can narrow it down some. I have a 245 page test report of the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command dated 14 July 1969. it is titled "Final Reports on Product Improvement Test of Truck, l/4-Ton, M-151 Series w/Modified Independent Rear Suspension
(MIRS) System, USATECOM Project Nos. 1-7-4030-25/3." The project testing was initiated in June 1968.

The background notes state "Modified independent rear suspension (MIRS) system featuring trailing arms in place of lateral suspension arms was developed for the M151 series trucks to reduce the incidence of overturning accidents "by minimizing over-steer and jack-up of the vehicle in sharp or high speed turns and increasing body roll to improve driver "feel".

"Tests on the modified independent rear suspension system and 35 other product improvements including such items as two-speed windshield wipers, one-piece windshield, fuel pump, class "A" headlights, deep dish steering wheel, etc., were initiated by request of the Project Manager, General Purpose Vehicles, reference la. Testing was accomplished at Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) and US Army Armor & Engineer Board (USAARENBD) in conformance with the procedures and plans outlined in references la and lb. Suitability for air drop of the M151A1 and ML51A1C was evaluated at the U.S. Army Airborne, Electronics and Special Warfare Board (USAE&SWBD)".

Three M151 series vehicles were received at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland for test under this program. They were truck, utility, M151A1, USA Reg. No. 02C90868, 02C41168 and 02C42668 truck, ambulance, M718, USA Reg. No. 02C92468; and truck, utility, M151A1C weapons carrier, 02C93068.
Standard M-151A1, USA Reg. No. 02C90568 was used as a comparison vehicle.

All this being said, The date of the test report (14 Jul 69) is a start point in that no prodection M-151A2's exist before that. With a completed report, the Army would have to modify the current contract with Ford to change from M-151A1's to M-151A2's. That does not happen overnight. With a new fiscal year starting 1 Oct 69 (FY70 goes from 1 Oct 69 to 30 Sep 70) I cannot imagine an M-151A2 production vehicle before Sep 69. Food for thought. Kevin.

Kevin.Emdee@comcast.net
MVPA #530
U.S. Army (retired)
WC-56/M-274A5/M35A2/M-543A2/1961 M-151
Kevin B. Emdee
Star Electric Ordnance (M-series electric parts)
368 Big Oak Trail
Radcliff, KY 40160
1-270-877-0813 (Fax-5042)
Kevin.Emdee@comcast.net
MVPA #530
U.S. Army (retired)
1944 WC-56/1969 M-274A5/1968 M35A2/1968 M-543A2/1961 M-151/1967 M-151A1


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