Question about installing top bows

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Bryan45
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Question about installing top bows

Unread post by Bryan45 » April 8th, 2015, 8:08 pm

I've had my M151A1 for 12 years now as of last month. I got a trailer full of parts when I bought it, but not until tonight have I tried to fit the top bows to the jeep. My 151 is desert camo, and the top bows have an old tan paint job too, so I figure they've been together quite some time. It looks like I have everything needed with exception of whatever bracket is mounted to the windshield frame for the support rods to attach. Does anyone have a close up picture of these brackets? My windshield frame has two holes on each side I believe where they attach, but no brackets.

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Mr. Recovery
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Re: Question about installing top bows

Unread post by Mr. Recovery » April 8th, 2015, 8:36 pm

This is what they look like except that these have been bent to use for the top support rods of the 718 Ambulance.

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1960 M151 Run 1
1963 M151 Willys DoD 10-63 in Baltimore
1989 Alley Cat. "work in Progress"
NRA Life Member
American Legion Post 275 Fl
US Army 6 years 2nd Armored Cavalry Bindlach Germany
Colorado Army Nat. Guard 5 years
Md Air Guard 15 years active duty on C-130's

csmith
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Re: Question about installing top bows

Unread post by csmith » April 8th, 2015, 10:49 pm

Bryan,

Great looking 151 you have there, can you tell us more about it? Love the desert camo paint.
1976 M151A2 4 Color Cammo Mutt, aquired August 09
1976 or 7? M151A2 "Miss Sandy" Driver, aquired May 2010
Former owner M151A2 "Miss Saigon" Vietnam Rescue Sold Sept 09
Fond appreciation for the M151 Breed!!

csmith
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Re: Question about installing top bows

Unread post by csmith » April 8th, 2015, 11:07 pm

Hope these help.

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1976 M151A2 4 Color Cammo Mutt, aquired August 09
1976 or 7? M151A2 "Miss Sandy" Driver, aquired May 2010
Former owner M151A2 "Miss Saigon" Vietnam Rescue Sold Sept 09
Fond appreciation for the M151 Breed!!

Bryan45
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Re: Question about installing top bows

Unread post by Bryan45 » April 9th, 2015, 6:04 am

Thank you both, Gentlemen. That helps considerably. I found a set on Ebay last night with a vague description and thought that might be what I needed. I figure I may as well get the hardware and buy a soft top while NOS are still available and not too expensive.

Bryan45
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Re: Question about installing top bows

Unread post by Bryan45 » April 9th, 2015, 9:56 am

Found a NOS vinyl top on Ebay for $93 shipped.

I've sent an email to FLMV and Surplus City Jeep Parts for the brackets. Thanks for the help guys. I'm kinda excited to put a top on the old M151 for the first time since I've owned it.

Bryan45
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Re: Question about installing top bows

Unread post by Bryan45 » April 10th, 2015, 9:03 am

Strike one and two on Surplus City and FLMV on the brackets.

Anyone else have a source? Or even better, want to trade a NOS vacuum wiper switch for two brackets?

ErEyal
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Re: Question about installing top bows

Unread post by ErEyal » April 10th, 2015, 9:54 am

I think i have a set , i could check on Monday if you'll like .

Bryan45
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Re: Question about installing top bows

Unread post by Bryan45 » April 10th, 2015, 12:58 pm

That would be great if you don't mind. Thank you!

halftracknut
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Re: Question about installing top bows

Unread post by halftracknut » April 10th, 2015, 4:07 pm

Bryan45, I have a pair in my hand....I removed today from an early 151 frame....send me a PM with your address they are yours........htn
slowest mutt east of the missippi..

Bryan45
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Re: Question about installing top bows

Unread post by Bryan45 » April 13th, 2015, 7:24 am

Guys, I appreciate all the offers for assistance. An email I sent out end of last week to the only other guy I know in my county with a M151 also netted a positive response. He had a set of the brackets and I'm going to meet up with him this week. He has a beautiful early '60s M151 and it will give me a chance to look it over also.

Thanks again to the guys that offered brackets to me.

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Re: Question about installing top bows

Unread post by Bryan45 » April 21st, 2015, 8:48 am

I had an enjoyable visit with a local military vehicle collector on Saturday. We chatted about old green iron for a couple hours, robbed the needed brackets off an old windshield frame he had, and I bought a replacement horn button and some lamps from him.

When I got home, I got the brackets installed, top bows put on, and the vinyl over the top of my MUTT. After driving this thing around for the past 12 years with no top or doors of any kind, I'm surprised how much quieter it is under 35 just by cutting down some wind noise. The top fits a little loose, but I figure after it warms up and I park in the sun, the heat should at least get some wrinkles out.

As with all things old though- after getting these other things addressed, now it seems I have a problem with the 3 lever light switch. It doesn't feel like it's allowing the "unlock" lever to go up enough to actually unlock. Of course, it stuck when the lights were ON, so I have the batteries unhooked until I can get back to work on it. Replacements are cheap enough from TNJ Murray, but has anyone taken these apart before? Will I be assaulted by all manor of springs and electrical contacts?

And a little more about the Mutt for those that asked- I bought this in 2004 from a retired Marine. He hauled it back to KY from California in 1994. From '94 to '04, he put 28 miles on it. The faint remains of bumper markings indicate ARNG was it's last purpose in the service. There are a few other pictures of it in the "Mutt Parade" forum. Here's one of when I brought it home, complete with the bread-box. (hard top)
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salt6
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Re: Question about installing top bows

Unread post by salt6 » April 21st, 2015, 2:27 pm

Some of the 3 lever switch can be repaired but ............

Any three lever switch will work. So don't just focus on 151s. I replaced mine with one off an old 5 ton that had sat in a salvage yard for years. It was several years older than the one that came off but it still works. Nice thing was the guy let me have it for free.

salt
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"I once was one of those men."

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Re: Question about installing top bows

Unread post by salt6 » April 26th, 2015, 2:05 pm

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

George Orwell
-------------------------------------
"I once was one of those men."

salt6

http://www.mg42.us

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