USMC M170

[softskin_driver]

Hi everyone I have a 1962 M170 that is a Marine Corps Jeep the "person" I bought it from Civil Air Patrol had it for 22 years and purchased it from MCAS Yuma in Arizona.
I have been told it was never used as a front line ambulance that it was used to move flight crews around and it has troop seats in the back and what looks like a CJ tailgate with out the holes in it for the stretcher handles to protrude through. Anyone have or seen any proof that the M170 was ever used as a light troop carrier?
I found a couple of matchbooks in the glove box from Twenty Nine Palms.
I want to clean it up and keep it the way it was used by the Corps. You can see the USMC and Yellow reg numbers through the Airforce blue the CAP put over the Marine Green. It has all the fording kit parts except the exhaust and snorkel extensions and also has the heavy rear bumper and heavy shackles front and rear.
Any Ideas?

[Mike W.]

While I don't have any 'proof' at hand what you mention rings a bell like I have seen this before somewhere. The Navy and Marines didn't have a problem with modifiying a vehicle to better suit their needs, especially a one off or a small group of similar modified vehicles.

[softskin_driver]

Just got an email from Dan on the east coast that in the book All American Wonder #3 Fred Crismon talks about the M170 being used as a light troop carrier and aircrew transport.
Also they are mentioned in the standard catalog of US military Vehicles
Now I got to go buy a copy of these I guess.

[CBCHIEF]

Navy Seabees used M170 as communication jeeps. USMC used the as
fast attack and comm jeeps.
I saw them in Nam.

[softskin_driver]

Thanks Chief...

I have had several off line reply's from Vets with the same recollections as yours.
I believe from what I am hearing and the fact I recently discovered my M170 has lockers in the front and rear and my tailgate was tossed as well as I have a fully functioning fording setup that my Jeep was not used as an ambulance.
There are several holes in the fenders by the tool box that maybe for radio mounts.
I have found two sets of reg numbers so I need to wet sand the hood and bumpers soon to get more info.

Thanks for your service