atavuss
Adventurer
My son and I went to a Military Vehicle get together and show at Tower Park Marina near Lodi, California over the weekend. one of the vendors had a clean 1969 M274a5 military mechanical mule for sale so I jokingly emailed my wife a picture of it and asked her if I could buy it. when she replied if I wanted it to get it I did not need to be told twice! early versions of the Mule had a magnesium alloy deck and portal axle housings. later versions were all aluminum. early versions were 4 WD and 4 wheel steering. mine is 4WD with a two speed transfer case for 6 foward and 2 rear speeds, and 2 wheel steering. I have always wanted a Mule, we will take it when we go camping and use it to run around off road. I tried to get it stuck in a marshy area of the Marina and was not successful. after a few minutes of instruction on how to shift a manual trans my 14 y.o. son was off and running (I sat on the canvas pad shown in the picture). these Mules are not fast but what a blast to drive! the engine is a 2 cyl. 14! HP Hercules generator engine. early versions used a Willys opposed 4 cyl. parts are readily available as NOS.