willysmjeeps.com

Hi like the rest of you I am a jeep a holic
I have a 1955 M170 Frontline Ambulance that I am kinda restoring.

So far I have striped it down to the frame and that has been sent off for sandblasting

Hello Chuck,
Welcome!

Hi Chuck, thanks for saving another! Pics?

Hello Chuck welcome to the site

Bretto wrote:Hi Chuck, thanks for saving another! Pics?

I have yet to figure out how to post pics on this site.

It's easy! Do you have a photo page? If not, request one
from Wes and he'll attach instructions.

The more I see of these M170's the more I come to realize I am missing to may parts to get it back to what id should be.
Guess I will have to be happy with and old jeep that is kinda the way it once was.

Don't be in a big rush.Half the fun of a restoration is the hunt. I have some of the parts you need for your M170.Best part is they are local(less than a hour from you) and no shipping.
Chuck

Ruger,

Don't give up too soon. You don't have to go ambulance with it. You have another choice. The Marines used a large number of them for radio jeeps. MRC-80 series.


This was an early experimental communications jeep based on the m170.

This is not giving up and I will be coming to Nashua to get whatever parts I can Chuck. This is the realization. that I do not have a M38 and can't just buy whatever I need at any ol jeep parts store. LOL

Wes on that radio jeep would they have boxed over the spare tire well in the passenger compartment?
On mine the spare tire well was boxed over, a regular seat installed, and the spare tire was mounted on the rear fender. Also the tailgate does not have any of the whole in it. But I am also not the first person to monkey with this jeep.

I am not sure if they did any steel reworking but as you can see the spare mount moves to the rear and none of the caging is used.

There is some history of M170's being used simply as personnel carriers. With the cushions on the wheel wells it could carry 7 passengers. if you reach the point in your restoration of having a safe, road worthy M170 in basic form you will have a vehicle that is still very rare. The M170 is probably the best riding jeep out there due to its softer suspension and stabilizers front and rear and wheelbase. The drivers seat and leg room allows for drivers of any size. it can carry more payload and you can sleep in the back. Whats not to love!!

Its true there are not many specific parts for the M170 out there but parts do show up at times so just keep an eye out on ebay or publications etc.

Don't worry about returning the M170 to any of its "original uses". Get it cleaned up, safe and roadworthy, and enjoy it.
It will attract a lot of attention where ever you take it.

Just had a realization. I know it's been 60 some years and things change. but my tailgate doesn't have holes in it for the litter handles.
Whis there was an easier way to find out where it came from. But without the holes in the tailgate I am starting to like the radio truck possibility.

This picture is out of a Jeep book titled "Jeep The Unstoppable Legend" published in 1994. Its a good example of how the M170 was utilized ( or might have been ) while in service. It doesn't even have a tailgate!!