My M101A1 purchase

[TainoBlanco]

I just purchased an M101A1, not sure it was the best deal but I am happy non the less. I have read many articles, comments, chats as well as posts and all have been very helpful. My self like many others have purchased the M101 without any real qualifying evidence of authenticity. I want to register it and have a Bill of Sale but no VIN#, no registration# to title it, I don't even know who manufactured it or the year! I do want it to be legal so what can I do? Purchased from a farmer, charming fellow and no reason to question his honesty, so with out question I bought it! BTW though the Volvo pulled it nicely it will not be used in the future it was the car I was driving when I saw it. Here are some pics:

 

[juanprado]

Looks nice as it has metal bows and fiberglass sides. The older m101a1 alot of times have wood on both.

Does it have a m101a1 data plate on the tub or a m116a1 data plate on the frame?

 

[TainoBlanco]

It was located on the tub but not much on it. Seems as though someone tried to inscribe an Mfr-Ser No on it that shows 8486. I removed it for now as I will begin to sand it down, prime and paint.

 

[fuzzytoaster]

Since it's under 4500 lbs governed weight it can be registered in Texas with just a bill of sale...and it being previously registered. If the farmer never had tags for it you will have trouble. I have 14 M101A1/2/3s right now and just went through these hoops. It's best if the previous owner goes to register it and then you transfer it into your name or else you will have to get creative. As for an M101A1 go with 1968 as the year, manufacturers varied but here are a few: Johnson Mfg Co., Case, Jeta, Stevens, and plenty more out there. Good luck!

 

[juanprado]

I have bought and sold a few in the same situation. The last one had a beat up data plate with a serial number and no date or manufacture. Sometimes they are stamped and sometimes crudely inscribed. I had a new data plate made, gave it my best guess on a date, used US Army Tank Command as manufacture and registered it in Maine. All done via email with a bill of sale and credit card. Maine will not issue a title on something this old but will send you a perfectly legal registration and plate. Transferable to the new owner and they can register as they see fit.

2 of my keepers roll here with Maine plates.

You can also try the homemade route but I do not know Texas rules.

Greg has the lay out already for a M101A1 or M116A1 data plate ( m116 is the bare chassis) as he has made them for me so there is no set up charge. $25 for a new plate.
http://www.dataplates.net/vehicle.html

 

[TainoBlanco]

I went to the Main web site but the online form asks for a VIN#, was not sure if this can be left blank?

 

[juanprado]

go to https://mainetrailerregistrations.com/

Since you are out of state, you need to go through an agent. I have used these folks and very pleased.

 

[TainoBlanco]

Maine no longer will accpt trailers without VIN#
Update! The process in Texas:
1 - Get trailer weighed
2 - Schedule an inspection with the Sheriffs office (be sure to bring the weight slip)
3 - Get a state inspection
4 - Go to regional DMV with all required forms, they will assign a VIN#
5 - Go to Local DMV they will register and Title it.

Lots of leg work but it will be legal.

 

[TainoBlanco]

My M101A1 wire harness was destroyed by a couple of angry cows. yes I said it 2 cows! Rather than trying to patch I want to rip the entire harness out and replace the lights with LED has anyone done this type of work? If not can someone point me to a replacement wire harness?

 

[aleigh]

Hi. I own a M101A1 and I replaced all the electrical, including the lights, and went to LED. The harness is simple and if you have the skill you can make one yourself. I was going to do that, then found a good original NOS replacement on eBay so I went that route instead. If you want to build a harness you can either just make one with ordinary connectors or butt crimps, or, if you want an original style one, you can easily source and crimp the packard connectors the MVs use. It is even easier if you delete the black-out lights.

There are two harnesses; the one for the lights which goes to the junction near the tongue, and then, the wiring from the junction that plugs into the tractor. They plug together at the junction and metal clips (easy to source) hold them in. There should be a metal cover over all of this but they seem to get lost. A lot of guys just convert the trailer to straight out use civilian plugs.

I kept mine entirely original and went with the 10-32V LED lighting so that I can tow it with both a jeep @ 12V and my LMTV @ 24V. I kept the original military tractor plug (bought a new one) and then built a civilian to military adapter.

It came with a 3-color NATO paint job but I re-did it tan to match the Jeep, then sourced the sides, bows, and a NOS top.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?149250-My-M101A1