M151 ¼-ton 4×4 utility truck
| M151 Truck, Utility, ¼-Ton, 4×4 | |
|---|---|
The M151 A2, first introduced in 1968. | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ford, Kaiser, AM General |
| Production | > 100,000 (1959–1988) last production of 1,000 units built for Pakistan (1988) At AM General and line dismantled. |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | ¼ ton truck/personnel transport, four wheel drive |
| Body style | jeep |
| Layout | Front engine, 4WD |
| Related | M422 "Mighty Mite" contemporary |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | inline 4-cyl., 141.5 cu in (2.319 L) 71 hp (53 kW) at 4,000 rpm / 128 ft⋅lbf (174 N⋅m) at 1,800 rpm |
| Transmission | 4-speed + reverse manual transmission single-speed, part-time transfer case |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 85 in (2,160 mm) |
| Length | 132.7 in (3,370 mm) |
| Width | 64.3 in (1,630 mm) |
| Height | 71 in (1,800 mm) with top up reducible to 53 in (1,350 mm) |
| Curb weight | 2,400 lb (1,100 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Willys M38A1 |
| Successor | AM General HMMWV |
The Ford M151, or officially: Truck, Utility, ¼-Ton, 4×4, was the successor to the Korean War M38 and M38A1 Jeep Light Utility Vehicles. Despite being a clean-sheet redesign, it almost completely retained the same vehicle concept, dimensions and weight. But contrary to all prior U.S. 1⁄4-ton jeeps, based on the 1941, World War II Willys designs, the M151 has a unitary body and frame, and pioneered replacing leaf-sprung rigid, live axles front and fear, with all-around independent suspension and coil springs. The M151's four inches (10 cm) increased wheelbase, and 2 inch (5 cm) wider body and tracks, combined with the benefits of its integrated body, gave just enough extra space than the cramped prior jeeps, as well as a more planted stance, with greater side-slope stability.
During its decades long service-life, a considerable number of updates and variants were developed – both to deal with its rear suspension problems, as well as equipping the M151 with special weapons systems, going as far as 106mm recoilless guns, and even a small nuclear missile, but also a field ambulance on the same platform. The M718 ambulance has a longer rear body, taller bows and canvas roof, and became wider due to its spare wheel mounted to the outside of the passenger side, instead of on the back, but rides on the same 85 in (2.16 m) wheelbase as the M151, contrary to its M170 jeep predecessor.
From 1985 into the early 1990s, the M151 and M718 have been replaced by the much larger, heavier, and much more expensive AM General HMMWV (HumVee), both in most utility and logistics roles, as well as in (uparmored) frontline use. The HumVee continued using all-wheel independent suspension, enhanced with geared hubs for much greater ground clearance, but reverted to a separate aluminium body on a steel chassis – the exact opposite of the contemporaneous new 1984 Jeep Cherokee models, where Jeep (formerly Willys) adopted unitary, integrated bodywork, but stuck with rigid, live axles.
With some M151A2 units still in U.S. military service in 1999, the M151 series achieved a longer run of service than that of the World War II / Korean War-era Willys MB/GPW, M38, and M38A1 series combined.