A little trivia!

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[KogyBear]

Why does the Truck, Utility: 1/4 ton, 4x4, M151, (aka MultiUse Tactical Truck, or MUTT) have horizontal radiator openings when all its predecessors, the M-1 and M-38, and its successor the M998 series, have vertical radiator openings?

[djones520]

Keeps debris out better?

Just a total shot in the dark, I really got no clue.

[dottie]

I wondered that also... since they're made to be able to travel through relatively deep water?

Then I thought maybe it was easier to shoot into the radiator with vertical grilles. 

[hammar]

Probably something trite, like design infringements as the new "design" was by a different manufacturer than the original design by Willys............

[debk]

It gives it a "happier face".....

[Long Thrust VI]

Deb, your answer is probably as good as any!   Kogy, I  checked 4 military vehicle books & couldn't come up with an answer. 
(I did learn that at least three models of M-151s were built -- all with horizontal grill bars.) 

[KogyBear]

Hammar is correct.

By October 1941, it became apparent to the Government that Willys-Overland could not keep up with production demand and Ford Motor Copany (second place finisher in the original 1/4 ton truck competition) was contracted to produce them as well; they would produce 43% of the M-1 Jeeps made from 1942 to 1945.

Ford designed a simplified grill for the Jeep made from a single piece of stamped steel instead of a welded grill.  Willys also adopted this type of grill after making about 25,000 vehicles with the welded slat grill.  After the war, Willys trademarked the vertical opening grill, but reduced the number of openings to 7 from the original 9 openings Ford designed.

So, when Ford got the contract for the M-151 in 1951, they could not use the vertical opening grill.

Early Willys welded bar grill:



The seven opening grill and round headlights is now a registered trademark of Chrysler.  When the M-998 was designed AM General owned the "Jeep" trademark.

[Long Thrust VI]

Good stuff, Kogy!  Where did you come up with that?

Here's another military vehicle trivia question:

Post-WW II GMC M135, 2.5 ton trucks included what radical departure from previous generations of military vehicles? 
(Hint:  Old Cold War guys will easily recall the answer.)

[Eupher6]

Good stuff, Kogy!  Where did you come up with that?

Here's another military vehicle trivia question:

Post-WW II GMC M135, 2.5 ton trucks included what radical departure from previous generations of military vehicles? 
(Hint:  Old Cold War guys will easily recall the answer.)

multi-fuel engine? Specifically, no more gasoline engines?

[Long Thrust VI]

Good guess, Euph, but no cigar.
M135 had an AUTOMATIC (GM "Hydromatic") TRANSMISSION, which was very evident to troops riding in back.  Generations of "Deuce-and-a-Halfs" that preceeded & followed M135s had standard transmission variants. 

[KogyBear]

They had an automatic transmission and a 24 volt electrical system.

Both were firsts.

The first multifuel truck was the M35A2 series that followed the M135.  The M135 also was the first truck not to be fitted with a muffler.

Just as another bit of trivia:

What was the maximum payload weight for the M135 and it's sucessor the M35?

[KogyBear]

Well, I see no one bit on my trick question:

What was the maximum payload weight for the M135 and it's sucessor the M35?

The maximum payload for the M135 and M35 deuce-and-a-half was actually 10,000 pounds, or 5 tons.

(It was rated for 10,000 lbs highway and 5000 lbs (or 2-1/2 tons) off-road.

The LMTV, M1078 Standard 2-1/2 ton Cargo Truck, the replacement for the venerable M35A2, is only rated to 5000 lbs, both on and off road.

[DragonSoldier]

Here's the real trivia... According to the dash 10, in the Operating under Special Conditions chapter, what's Step One of the cold weather starting procedures for Truck, Cargo, 2 1/2 ton, 6X6, M-35A2?

[KogyBear]

TM 9-2320-209-10-1

CHAPTER 4, SECTION III. OPERATION UNDER UNUSUAL CONDITIONS

4-22. OPERATION IN EXTREME COLD WEATHER.

Extreme cold weather will cause:

a. General.

 (1) Lubricants to thicken or get hard.
 (2) Batteries to freeze and keep from supplying enough current for starting.
 (3) Electrical insulation to crack and cause short circuits.
 (4) Fuel not to vaporize and mix with air to form a combustible mixture, for starting, that will burn.

b.  Related Publications. Refer to the following for information relating to operation of a truck in cold weather conditions.

FM 31-70 Basic Cold Weather Manual
FM 31-71 Northern Operations
FM 90-6 (HTF) Mountain Operations
FM 9-207 Operation and Maintenance of Army Materiel in Extreme Cold Weather (0° F to -65° F)

WARNING
FM 9-207 contains general information which applies to all Army materiel. This information must be considered part of this manual.
Approved practices and precautions must be followed for safe cold weather operation so that personnel will not be injured or equipment damaged.

c.  Winterization Kits. Special winterization equipment is provided in kit form when protection against extreme cold (0° F to -650 F) is needed.

(1) Refer to para 4-16 for hot water personnel heater kit operating instructions.
(2) Refer to para 4-17 for artic winterization kit operating instructions.

CAUTION
After shutdown for long periods of time, lubricants harden and brakes and tires may freeze fast. Take each condition into account before moving truck so that equipment will not be damaged.

NOTE
Check that PMCS that apply to operation in extreme cold weather have been done.

1. Start engine. (Refer to para 4-6c), and let it warm up thoroughly.

4-6c Cold Weather Starting Below +20°F.

(FRAME 1)
1.  Step on clutch pedal (1) , press it all the way down, and hold it down.
2. Pull hand THROTTLE (2) out half way.
3. Step on the accelerator pedal (3).  Press it down two-thirds of the way. On trucks with floor mounted starter button (4) , using same foot, step down on button.  On trucks with START button (4) on instrument panel, press START button.


(FRAME 2)
CAUTION
Do not operate manifold heater unless engine is idling or being cranked.  Engine can be damaged.

1. While engine is being cranked, turn MANIFOLD HEATER SWITCH (1) to ON.  The engine should start and run within 30 seconds.
2.  If engine does not start in 30 seconds, turn MANIFOLD HEATER SWITCH (1) to OFF and stop cranking engine.
3. Wait two minutes and do steps 1 and 2 again above.

NOTE
If engine misses or does not run smoothly after starting, turn MANIFOLD HEATER SWITCH (1) ON for 30 seconds, then OFF.  Wait a few seconds and do it again until engine runs smoothly.

2. Step on clutch pedal (1) and press it all the way down.
3. Place FRONT TRANSMISSION gearshift lever (2) in position 1.
4. Place TRANSFER CASE gearshift lever (3) to LOW (DOWN) position.
5. Let clutch pedal (1) up.
6. Drive truck at lowest speed possible for about 100 yards. Be careful not to stall engine.  This should heat gears and tires for normal operation.
7. Stop engine. (Refer to para 4-6e.)

[DragonSoldier]

Actually, it's a trick question, K-bear...  The answer is the same for all conditions: Adjust the drivers' seat..