M151 Rock Buggy Build

[muttman]

Nice overall project.....just "really" over the top !

I'll take that as a compliment.

[toptiger]

Got it know, thanks.
Sure is nice work.

[Crusader_22]

I am a "purist" when it comes to MVs, I like my stuff to be as militarially correct as possible down to the last little detail - but I sure can appreciate your work! The MUTT you started with was just too fargone to bother restoring (or just driving).

Good job, very creative, and excellent fab skills!

We have som nationally known trails here in Tucson (Chivo Falls, Charouleau Gap), trailer that thing out here!

Jeff

[csmith]

Muttman, your fabrication skills are awsome For sure a lot of thought and work went into this project. Thank's for sharing

[muttman]

Here's the latest on the buggy; it's really getting close to completion now.

Adjustable drivers seat mount..... so the wife can drive too . It slides foreward/back and pins in 3 positions.



Steering valve mount with quick disconnect wheel; the wheel has to come off to get in/out.



I made this shifter extension because of the drastic change in seating position, and the multiple pivot bolt holes allow for long/easy shifts (for the wife) or short/fast shifts for me. I also reversed the e-brake handle so it folds down towards the rear for easier access.



Here's the mounts I fabbed up for the radiator/electric fan; everything is mounted on rubber shock bushings to dampen vibration.




I cleaned up the pedal assembly, but instead of ordering some more rubber pedal bumpers that will just dry rot like the originals, I used some heavy conveyor belting cut into strips, doubled over and bolted down in the original holes.

[muttman]

Here is the suspension set at full compression for the fabrication of the bump-stops and shock mounts.


Front polyurethane bump-stops mocked up.


Rear bump stops.


Rear shocks had to go through the fenders to get the full 14" of travel out of them.



Front shocks, with the lower mount turned to allow unrestricted articulation.


Here are the leaf spring packs I pieced together from junkyard springs. The roller clamps on the ends will keep the main leaf from bending, and the thick overload springs will help cushion hard hits/jumps.



Here is the front bumper/reciever hitch mocked up.



I finished up the driveshafts; the 2 peice rear shaft has a carrier bearing to support the middle.

[cstaup]

I can't wait 'till you finished. Looks great!

[gpready]

Really cool man. Straight out of Extreme 4x4! Some great, well thought ideas.

Joe

[muttman]

Thanks guys, it's been a long time coming, but I'm finally on the home stretch. Now that I'm moving back to Alabama, I'll actually have good places to go wheelin.

[rickf]

They have rocks in Alabama?

Rick

[muttman]

They have rocks in Alabama?

Rick

Heck yea, North AL has a bunch of private offroad parks; they have some of the most hardcore rock trails in the country. Rockcrawling in the southeast is made even more difficult by mud on the rocks, which guys out west don't have to worry about - this basically means full throttle assaults on the trails.... and lots of broken parts .

Here is just one example, this trail is called Bents and Dents at Grey Rock ORV park, just north of Birmingham.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uotw_ct1yHo

[aceecaus]

That's lookin SWEET!!!!!
Nice work and mods!

[Doc.Klie]

I like all of your fab work, nice! I have always loved the 151 and MVs but I have only owned a M37. I have owned and built 4 late 60s Cj5s for running hills and mud in southern Ohio with a mix of military and civ. parts so I really like your hybrib MV

[muttman]

Thanks for the compliments guys.
Here's some pics to update everyone.

Working on the passenger seat mount.


Both seats finally mounted.


This is what the magnesium Humvee run-flats look like after being cut down; now they will only act as beadlocks (for running 2-3 psi).


Modified clutch linkage.


Adding a few more braces on the belly.


Finishing up the rear tube fenders.


Laying on her side getting finish welded.

[muttman]

Here's the chassis fresh from the sandblaster.




Nice clean wheels ready to have the rock rings welded to them (keeps the rim from getting all bent up).


Here I am doing a little cleanup on a few spots the sandblaster missed.


Here she is with the first coat of primer.








With the sheetmetal on it.




I also made some hi-steer arm reinforcements - just need to get some 3/4" bolts for them now.