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Willys M170, " Sad Sack"

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by bigbendhiker, Apr 29, 2020.

  1. Apr 29, 2020
    bigbendhiker

    bigbendhiker Member

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    So about 3 weeks ago I rented a truck and trailer, and along with my dog "Olivia," drove to Indiana and brought back to Texas a 1955 Willys M170. I had originally been looking at purchasing a CJ6, but most of the ones I saw were either in real bad shape, had been extensively "bubbafied," or too expensive. I found a 1973 CJ6 that I really liked, but the seller wanted $15k for it and wasn't accepting offers for anything less. This was according to the broker. It was very original, but had more rust than I wanted to deal with at that price. Here's a link if your curious. Used 1973 Jeep CJ6 For Sale ($15,000) | Classic Lady Motors Stock #A139
    The broker sent me additional pictures of some rust on the underside.
    Back to the M170. It's mostly original from what I can tell. The body has surface rust and a few very small holes in the floor, but no major rust to deal with. Both front fenders have some dents and both rear corners are pretty beat up. The rear bed area has been pushed down. Looks like it was made to carry more weight than was intended at some point. In case you're not familar with the M170 it's comparable to an M38a1 just like a CJ6 is comparable to a CJ5. Although Sad Sack was a World War II cartoon and the M170 is a Korean War vehicle the name seems to fit. The M170 also saw service in Vietnam. They were mostly used as ambulances and sometimes radio vehicles. This Jeep is one year older than I am and my Dad served in the Koreran War so there's that. Here are some pictures.


    My plans are to get it running and hopefully be able to take it to Colorado and drive one of the milder trails between a couple of towns in the mountain. I'm going to convert it to 12 volt and add a rear seat, but not take it too far from original in case someone wants to restore it.

    Here's the engine.


    It was missing the generator, the starter, and the distributor, all which were 24 volt. The wiring was fairly brittle, so I have removed the wiring harness from the dash forward. That was a job. Even after soaking with PB Blaster for a week I had to drill out a number of the rusted screws to the clips securing the wire harness. I have also removed the gauge panel from the dash and removed all of the 24 volt gauges from the panel. I have already ordered and received a 12 volt starter, distributor, and a Painless wiring harness along with some other parts. Stuff like spark plugs, spark plug wires, oil filter, gaskets, and fluids. Oh and it is missing the fuel pump and vacuum wipers, so I ordered a fuel pump but without the vacuum pump. I will install electric wipers when the time comes.
    My mechanical experience is somewhat limited so I will be asking for help from you guys and gals. On my JK I have installed a trailer hitch, a brake controller, a transmission cooler, and a ham radio. I also replaced an idler pulley. On the Jeepster Commando I replaced the steering column, installed some 12 volt outlets in the rear for a fridge, and installed a ham radio. That's about the extent of my experience. I'm fairly comfortable with electrical and wiring, but not so much with the mechanical. I'm posting here instead of one of the military forums because most of the components are not too different from the civilian versions and I'm not interested in restoring due to issues of time and money. This is also a great active forum.
     
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2020
  2. Apr 29, 2020
    Iandavidh

    Iandavidh Member

    California
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    Sep 24, 2018
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    Dream Jeep right there!
     
    bigbendhiker likes this.
  3. Apr 29, 2020
    Muzikp

    Muzikp Active Member

    Sacramento Ca.
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    Now that is a cool Jeep (y)
     
    bigbendhiker likes this.
  4. Apr 29, 2020
    bigbendhiker

    bigbendhiker Member

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    After removing a bunch of red clay from the transmission and transfer case area I pulled the cover to the transmission. Well first I had to remove the access panel that covers the transmission and transfer case. Most of the bolts were missing and most of the rest either sheared off or had to be removed with a grinder. Here are some pictures of the transmission inside. Besides the obvious rust, moisture, and very little gear oil, does anybody see any other issues with the gears, etc? What's the easiest course of action or am I destined for a rebuild?


    Here's the shifting forks.


    Here's a picture prior to cleaning.


    Stamped on the side is T90A-1. I guess I didn't upload that picture from my phone yet.
     
  5. Apr 29, 2020
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
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    Pretty cool jeep, keep the pics coming!
     
    bigbendhiker likes this.
  6. Apr 29, 2020
    bigbendhiker

    bigbendhiker Member

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    Not pictured in the previous pictures is the front seat. It did come with one, but no passenger seat. From what I've read they only built somewhere between 4100 and 6500 M170's over a 10 year period. I've seen different numbers reported, but mostly I've seen 4100+ to 4500+, so finding a passenger seat won't be easy. I may have to come up with something else.


    Oh, it'll probably need to be reupholstered.

    It does have both data plates with matching serial numbers which should help when I go to get it titled. It came with a bill of sale.


    Here are the 24 volt gauges before I removed them.


    And I thought this was interesting. Someone at sometime wrote down the cylinder compression test numbers. I don't know when this was or if anything was done as a result. Probably not. They are low, but not terribly so, at least I don't think so. I'll have to retest to see where it is now.

     
    Twin2 likes this.
  7. Apr 29, 2020
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    when it was used as a ambulance . no passenger seat
    just a medics seat behind drivers seat
    I'll be watching this thread . looks like a really good start
     
    bigbendhiker likes this.
  8. Apr 29, 2020
    Cowboyjeeper

    Cowboyjeeper Member

    Show low az
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    Looks cool cj6 are quite intersting
     
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  9. Apr 29, 2020
    fhoehle

    fhoehle Sponsor

    Harford Township, PA
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    Really nice Jeep.
     
    bigbendhiker likes this.
  10. Apr 29, 2020
    bigbendhiker

    bigbendhiker Member

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    Here's a picture of the passenger seat. It's pretty narrow since the spare tire and a jerry can live in the slot on the passenger side. It's designed to fold forward and strap to the dash when an injured soldier is on the stretcher.

     
  11. Apr 29, 2020
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
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    I find the spare tire location interesting. Wasn't the point of the larger door opening in the m170 so that a stretcher could come in that side? Wouldn't the spare tire get in the way of that?
     
    bigbendhiker likes this.
  12. Apr 29, 2020
    Dave Deyton

    Dave Deyton Member

    Fuquay-Varina, NC
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  13. Apr 29, 2020
    bigbendhiker

    bigbendhiker Member

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    They loaded the stretchers from the rear so the spare tire couldn't be mounted there. Here's a couple of pictures. This one shows the tailgate with openings where the handles on the stretcher stick out.


    And this one shows two stretchers on the passenger side. The view is from the front drivers side looking towards the rear.

     
  14. Apr 29, 2020
    Muzikp

    Muzikp Active Member

    Sacramento Ca.
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    When I first saw that I thought it was an IP Address, I need to spend less time on the computer and more time on the Jeep :oops:
     
  15. Apr 30, 2020
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
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    So what was the point of the big @$$ opening in the passenger side? Surely it wasn't for ease of accessing the spare?
     
  16. May 3, 2020
    fhoehle

    fhoehle Sponsor

    Harford Township, PA
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    Not trying to hijack the thread, but could you post those pictures anyway, maybe under off topic, I would bet most folks on here would like to see them.
     
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  17. May 3, 2020
    Dave Deyton

    Dave Deyton Member

    Fuquay-Varina, NC
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    I second that, would love to see pictures. Love those old military Jeeps.



    Dave
     
  18. May 3, 2020
    Cowboyjeeper

    Cowboyjeeper Member

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    same here
     
  19. May 5, 2020
    aallison

    aallison 74 cj6, 76 cj5. Has anyone seen my screwdriver?

    Green Cove...
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    I'd like to see more pics of an unmolested M170. I never knew the tailgate had holes in it. I guess it helps lock the stretchers down. But I did think the opening on the side was to move the stretchers in from the side of the jeep. I've not seen the spare in that location before either.

    As far as the transmission goes, If all that is just surface rust, I'd say give it a try. If you have to, rebuild it but unless you have chipped teeth or deeper rust, give it a go.
     
    bigbendhiker likes this.
  20. May 5, 2020
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Châtillon en...
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    Very i teresting Jeep and welcome from France (y). Lot of work and money to make a young Jeep from this veteran. But it must be good to have it as a collector and an historic car. Good luck and take your time :beer:
     
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