New member and M151A2 owner...

[mike_v]

Hello Everyone,

Been lurking for a few months, bought a MUTT recently and finally figured out the registration "issues" and now I am aboard!

Little about me: Retired military (USA and USAR) Field Artillery and Logistics; former Fuel Transport Driver (Pilot / Flying J fuel hauler) and currently building a second house connected to our old house. Live on 5 acres in the country and own a lot of military CUCVs, various trailers, GENSETs and a 1986 M925 w/w 5 ton.

When I was active duty at Ft. Campbell (1976-79) and with A 2/320 FA (M102 towed howitzer - 105mm), I was the section driver - M561 Gamma Goat. We also had Deuces, 5 tons and M151s.

I drove the M151 a bit at Ft. Campbell (before ROPS were installed), saw a few roll-over aftermaths and thought highly of the little jeep. For years I always wanted one, but never pursued it.

While I was lurking and learning, I went and looked at one in mid TN. It was a 1971, uncut and the seller wanted $6k for it. It did not have a data plate on it, tons of rubber undercoating underneath and although "complete" with extra parts, it was too much of a project for me plus the missing data plate bothered me, so I passed.

The MUTT I bought last month was on eBay. I contacted the seller, we discussed and I bought it from him. Came with a M416 trailer and extra parts.

Here are some pics:

[Hambone]

Welcome to the forum Mike, that's a fine looking jeep you found, a lot of helpful members here, we like pictures and ask all the questions, I have an itch for a M1009. Hambone

[rickf]

Welcome Mike, I see another snow recovery, i have some horror stories about one of those.

[m3a1]

Congratulations and, WELCOME!

Instant credibility for making a foul weather recovery!

Now, if you've come here for therapy, you're in the wrong place. We, here on the g838, are what most people refer to as 'enablers'. Not only do we provide support for terrible habits, we actually encourage them.

Cheers,
TJ

[mike_v]

Thanks everyone for the welcome replies!

Yes, I have some stories about this purchase and recovery... will share soon.

Also, more pics will be uploaded as we all "like pictures"...

[SEABEE62]

Welcome aboard Mike.....like the Government,....we are here to help ! SEABEE

[rickf]

At least you had 4 wheel drive! Duallys are not wort a damn in the snow, especially wet snow that was not supposed to happen.

[m3a1]

I like the 'snowmoflage'. It really blends in well!

Too bad you didn't put a snowman in the front seat.

[m75]

Hmmmm, and one wonders, what of the afore-mentioned M1008/M1009 CUCVs?

[lpcoating]

Welcome to the site.

Guy

[rickf]

I wish I had used my 1008 that day!!! Or my F350 which I actually planned on using but wanted to try this out on a longer run since it was fairly new me at the time. The tires on it were crap in the snow, added to the inherent dually lack of traction in snow and that was a fun ride. That was in October if I remember correctly and the trees still had leaves on them. The place where I picked it up had maybe a half inch when I got there and not more than 45 minutes later when I was leaving there was 6 inches!!!! The branches were dropping all over and all I wanted to do was get back on the interstate where there were no trees. The two lane that took me there went up a long steep hill and I was just about to the top when I started spinning and all I could do is lay into it and hope for the best. Just barely made it to the top of the hill and I figured I had it made since the exit to the interstate was right around the bend................................... And blocked by a fallen tree! The one freakin' time I did not have my chain saw with me. Another 20 miles on the two lane to get to the next exit and finally got on the interstate. Drove all the way southeast to the eastern part of the state to get on the turnpike and the roads were all closed and blocked due to accidents! Spun around and went back across the state and picked up another interstate and came back across the state and finally got on the NJ Turnpike after coming through the Rutgers stadium area during the beginning of a huge football game matchup. More gridlock, but at least this far east the snow was more freezing rain than deep snow. The further south the less snow and even the rain stopped. By the time I got home the sun was starting to come out as it was setting. 11 1/2 hours to do a 3 hour recovery. Of a rusted out hulk of a vehicle that at the time I planned to cut up for body parts. Then Guy called me and asked if I thought people would buy body parts if he made them. Well, we know where that story went. I still have that 151, as a matter of fact I just moved it and it's crushed brother Monday to make room to drop a huge tree. I will get a shot of them tomorrow.

[mike_v]

Welcome to the forum Mike, that's a fine looking jeep you found, a lot of helpful members here, we like pictures and ask all the questions, I have an itch for a M1009. Hambone

Hambone,

Thank you on the compliment - yeah, I'm kinda "proud of my new MUTT"...

Steel Soldiers and Craigslist are good sources for M1009s. A tip for finding CUCVs nationwide: type searchtempest.com (go there). then type M1009 or CUCV in the search box, set your search parameters (distance from your zipcode, etc) and "whala" - you will see all the Blazers (M1009s) or CUCVs listed... I use searchtempest to find everything MUTT related - I type M151 for the search. Be advised, you will get unrelated results, but "by owner" filter will reduce the results "clutter".

I bought my first M1009 on 2000 from a surplus seller in Chicago. I paid "top dollar" for it ($6500), but it was an '86 model with nearly 50k miles, original and not rusted out with a great interior. This was before the gov started surplussing them out to the public.

When I was a battery commander in Chicago, I used to borrow my battalion commander's M1009 to pick up my "Special Weapons" team members on the weekends. They "built" nuclear rounds in the back of a M109 van. My battery was composed of four 8" (203mm) M110 self propelled howitzers. Before I got my direct commission, I was a gunner, then a section chief on the same artillery platform. That meant my section chiefs could not "b.s." me on anything M110 related...

I got "off topic", but driving that M1009 in Chicago's winters told me I wanted one. It was a "Cadillac" compared to the M151s in that it had a heater, power steering, and was a "beast" on Chicago's expressways (this was before the SUV "explosion").

The pic of the towed 1986 M1009 is my last CUCV purchase. It has a Banks Turbo (my "first") and needs to be reassembled. Previous owner stripped the interior to bed line the inside, ran into electrical issues and stopped working on it. Came with extra parts too. I got it for $2000.

Some pics of my CUCVs:

[mike_v]

Congratulations and, WELCOME!

Instant credibility for making a foul weather recovery!

Now, if you've come here for therapy, you're in the wrong place. We, here on the g838, are what most people refer to as 'enablers'. Not only do we provide support for terrible habits, we actually encourage them.

Cheers,
TJ

Thanks TJ and your post made me laugh...!

[mike_v]

Welcome aboard Mike.....like the Government,....we are here to help ! SEABEE

SEABEE62 - you mean like my "buddies" at the IRS...???

Every year lately, I have had to "pay" on top of what was taken out for taxes...

I guess I haven't learned the ropes on how to itemize and "claim everything"...

Hat tip to you SEABEEs - I was "too chicken" to join the Navy... (scared of "going down" in the middle of an ocean... )

[mike_v]

At least you had 4 wheel drive! Duallys are not wort a damn in the snow, especially wet snow that was not supposed to happen.

Wow rickf, I'm a "piker" compared to your pics. I thought my MUTT was going to look like yours (it warmed up after leaving Canada and it just rained as I headed back southwest to TN.

My pics: