Web Development on a Stick
08
Aug
2006
1955 M170
Fellow West Michigander “1x1_Speed_Craig” has now ruined my status as the only long wheelbase Universal owner in West Michgan…
Craig has purchased a 1955 M170 to fix up as a trail rig.
Craig writes
Drivetrain is the stock F-head 4-cyl., T-90 3-speed, and Dana 18 t-case. I have a lot to learn here, as this stuff is WAY old school relative to what I have previously owned. It runs, but the gas tank is full of nastiness...I have to drop & clean it before doing much else. I also have a ‘71 CJ-5 offset Dana 44 with 30-spline 1-pc. shafts (matching the current 5.38 gearing) that I’ll eventually install.The frame is really nice, and the body is pretty clean from a rust standpoint. As Cooter mentioned (over and over) to me, the body is “bent”. It just has a lot of dings, dents, etc. I’m not worried, though, as I’m just going to wheel it, and enjoy it.
I also mounted my 34” x 9.5” TSL Super Swampers on it just to see what they’d look like. Cooter also brought me some 2” lift springs that should allow me to clear the TSLs. I’ll be working on the M170 over the Fall/Winter, after I get done getting the CJ-10a ready for plowing this Winter.
August 10, 2006
those tires look like they were meant to be on there.
August 13, 2006
I’ve seen those tires somewhere else on another Jeep, a much shorter one it seems like.
Do look good don’t they?
Congrats to Craig!
August 19, 2006
That’s a fairly rare rig - probably a navy amulance. Are you sure you want to change it into a trail rig? Just as easy to restore it as a MilVeh.
As a trail rig, it will kinda suck - turning radius is WAY too big if my ‘63 CJ6 is any representation of how that one will work...or maybe mine needs work.
Good luck no matter what you choose,
Bill
More M170 info:
http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3B/Poster/M170.html
August 19, 2006
Bill - not sure Craig (the owner) is watching this post, but I’m sure he’s fully aware of the Jeep’s history. He buys and sells quite a few Jeeps and has also owned a CJ8 Postal, and also currently owns a CJ10.
FWIW I don’t like the turn radius on my 6 either, but I wouldn’t let it alone scare me from using it on the trail.
There are lots of rigs just as long or longer, and the radius can be improved —I’m going to try some wheel spacers due to my tire/wheel combo, but a D30 swap wouldnt be that hard either.
September 10, 2006
This Jeep is plenty rough for a resto, but just right to wheel nearly as is. I know Craig has a one peice D44 with 5.38s ready to swap in, and since it won’t be a “hard core” rig, it really doesn’t need more than a couple hundred dollars to be ready for the trail. I was sad to see it go, but Craig is a great friend, and I know he will take care of it. (Plus I needed more room for my third CJ6
)