• Steel Soldiers now has a few new forums, read more about it at: New Munitions Forums!

  • Microsoft MSN, Live, Hotmail, Outlook email users may not be receiving emails. We are working to resolve this issue. Please add support@steelsoldiers.com to your trusted contacts.

 

M151A1 suspension again

berniematic

New member
2
0
0
Location
poy sippi, WI
Hello
New here and new owner of a '66 A1. I've been reading the suspension posts. Lot of good stuff but raises my first questions. One of the posts suggests welding a chain inside the rear springs to limit the suspension travel and ultimately prevent the spring from departing from the assembly. Has anyone actually done that? Wouldn't the shock absorber act as a limiter when it gets to full extension? Or would the spring pull it apart?

Question #3 - The front 'frame' members on either side of the rear engine support and directly under the front floor have been cut out. Does anyone make something like stamped metal replacement chassis pieces?

Thanks a lot for any help
 

m38inmaine

Well-known member
2,090
44
48
Location
Maine USA
The military made a under body repair kit to repair all of those areas, they seem to be harder to find now. I drove an A1 for quite some time unmodified and never had any problems, speed and inexperience are what cause accidents.
 

nattieleather

Well-known member
1,884
134
63
Location
Cleveland, OH
The chain idea was some peoples attempt at stopping roll over, but it didn't really work. The best thing in a M151 is to not take turns 75 deg. or more above 20 mph. When I was more involved with M151s I use to tell people if a dog runs out in front of you don't swerve to miss the dog...run it over because that quick jerk of the wheel is what will cause the problem. When taking a curve try to find the straightest line through the curve and take that. Don't bother with the chain idea it's not worth the time and effort that goes into making it.

As for the hat channel under the floor board. You might check with the folks making replacement parts to see if any one is making one. Keep your eyes open for the uni-body repair kit, but as M38inmaine said they are getting like hens teeth, or make your own if you have a metal brake and some fab skills.

Good luck and post up a pick of your ride.
 

hambone

Well-known member
288
508
93
Location
El Dorado, Ar
Welcome Bern and congrats on your A1 purchase, you don't need the chain mod, just drive with common sense, Red river Parts sells the front underbody repair kit for $139, talk to Blake or Justin.
 
Top
AdBlock Detected

We get it, advertisements are annoying!

Sure, ad-blocking software does a great job at blocking ads, but it also blocks useful features of our website like our supporting vendors. Their ads help keep Steel Soldiers going. Please consider disabling your ad blockers for the site. Thanks!

I've Disabled AdBlock
No Thanks