"Straight" M151 - 1960 to 1964

In the future this space will go into great detail of the differences. It will also go into detail of when slight changes in the "straight" M151 (not A1 or A2) during its production run. There are quite a few things that changed in the early vehicles that will be very hard to detail as to when they changed. So if this feels unfinished.... You're right, it is.

The M151 had 2 different body manufactures (Ford & Fruehauf), and 3 complete vehicle manufacturers Ford, Willys Motors, & Kaiser Jeep Corp. Although Willys Motors & Kaiser Jeep Corp were the same company.  (In 1953, Kaiser Motors purchased Willys–Overland and changed the company's name to Willys Motor Company). You will find "straight" M151s with the above names listed as manufactures on the data plates.

Undercoat applied at factory

There are a few items that are M151 only (not found on the M151A1), and the vehicle having them or not having them will tell you what is correct or what you are looking at. Not all of these are M151 only. Some roll into the M151A1 also.

Top 3 quick M151 only things:

1. Vehicle has no turn signals or mounting spots on the tops of the front fenders.
2. Rear of the vehicle only has openings in the body for the two tail lights, NO provision for blackout marker above right rear taillight.
3. Oval floor drains in driver & passenger floor

M151

• Hood: 3 Ribs, Latch, fording
• Hood Latches (with single finger pull)
• Rims - 2 different variations of the early magnesium rims (Ford contract vs Willys Kaiser) 
• Shovel holder (Body has 2 sheet metal rails to hold shovel handle head in place)
• Footman loops (Bolted to body)
• Grill bolts (4 bolts per side)
• Gas can top strap holder (Body has stamped hole for top strap to go through)
• Spare tire retainer (small round retainer with reflector bolted to it)
• Windshield bumpers (2 U shaped brackets with cotton welting material)
• Front bumper ("thinner" only as deep as the first set of bolts for the lifting brackets)
• Rear floor ribs (center area behind driver & pass seat riveted in)
• Hand brake (ratcheting hand brake with push button release)
• Bellhousing (set up for starter detent adapter)
• Front Seats (large adjustable screw for maximum adjustment forward & back)
• Rear Seat (has 4 footman loops welded to the base for top stowage)
• Heater / Air vents (Dual air vents, both sides of the body on cowl)
• Steering Knuckles & related Arm
• Brake & Clutch Pedals
• Gas Pedal (flat stamped steel)
• Shift knob
• Air cleaner & pre cleaner (Flat top "No ribs for strength)
• Drag link kit
• Driveline U joints yoke (bolts are 12 sided bolts)
• Starter detent (most have been removed, detent bracket usually remains on bell housing)
• Top bow cross brace (Round with flip over stamped retainer)
• Differential
• Horn
• Speedometer 90 degree drive on transfer case
• Oil Drain Plug
• Hub Cap is short dome
• Auto Lite Electrical
• Prestolite Electrical
• Holley Carb. (All straight M151s had Holley carburetors)
• Round support rods from top bow to the windshield frame
• Rear bumperettes larger and bracket riveted to top
• Cowl vent factory installed
• 2 cowl vents, not late M151s
• No slave receptacle
• Heater hot water assy was different
• Very early - Autolite gauges and other electrical components
• No rear view mirror
• Single rubber bumpers suspension
• Differentials
• Wheel hubs
• Clutch operating rod - Early
• Riveted floor plate
• Battery box cover has 4 hold down latches
• Rear floor has separations in support indentations
• 2 defroster vents, also sheet metal for these is not as long