VW 181 Facts & Figures

Option Codes

VW used modification or M-codes which to denote extra equipment fitted. Like most vehicles, the 181 has a variety of optional extras, and the following list identifies the more common of them. These codes appear in the microfiche, and on the Vehicle Data Sheet, but are rarely translated. Military type 181s had the M-codes painted in white on the fan housing, others had them on metal tags common to other VWs.

Code	Description
M20	Speedometer in miles.
M26	Activated carbon container for absorbing fuel vapour (Mexico). From 183 2346 525.
M27	Compliance with US (West Coast) exhaust emission standards (USA). From 184 2219 789 to 184 2818 496. California state safety regulations: these included all-rubber bumper overriders for the VW Thing (VW part no. 181 807 151 A).
M30	Headlamp flasher with licence-plate illumination (Austria). Until 182 2482 840.
M32	Lockable Fuel Cap.
M34/I	White parking light and warning lamps (Italy). Until 184 2805 543.
M34/II	White parking light and warning lamps, without emergency lights (Italy). From 184 2805 544 to 186 2115 080.
M34/III	White parking light and warning lamps, without emergency lights, with left and right convex mirrors (Italy). From 186 2115 081 to 186 2115 959.
M34/IV	Without emergency lights, with left and right convex mirrors (Italy). From 186 2115 960.
M37	Without emergency light system (Italy, France). Until 184 2805 543.
M46	Side-mounted flashing indicators (Denmark, Norway, Italy). From 183 2346 525.
M47	Back-up (reversing) light on bumper. Until 183 2346 524.
M50	Dual circuit and hand-brake warning light. Until 182 3200 000.
M51	Prepared for second generator. From 184 2423 795.
M60	Petrol heater. From 184 2219 789.
M63/I	Special (military) equipment, consisting of: blackout lights, rear fog lamp, speedometer with 1/10th km reading, fully suppressed and watertight equipment, starting handle, laminated windshield, petrol heater. Until 184 2219 788.
M63/II	Special (military) equipment, consisting of: blackout lights, rear fog lamp, speedometer with 1/10th km reading, fully suppressed and watertight equipment, starting handle, laminated windshield, without petrol heater. From 184 2219 789.
M69	Rifle brackets.
M74	Rear Mud Flaps.
M89	Laminated windshield glass.
M105	Stiffer rubber mountings for transmission. Until 182 2583 721.
M123	Specially suppressed parts (France).
M124	Yellow headlamps and safety rear view mirror (France).
M129	Additional third mounting-point for front seat-belt (France).
M142	Special equipment Bundesgrenzschutz (border guard): M63.
M153	Filter system with two oil bath air cleaners.
M157	Exhaust emission control system and activated carbon container for absorbing fuel vapour. 48-hp engine, code AM (USA).
M160	Revolving warning light and high-volume horn.
M165	Painted instead of chrome parts.
M183	Rear seat belts. From 189 2020 500(?).
M185	Lap belt front and rear (USA). From 183 2346 525 to 184 2818 496.
M187	Headlamps for left-hand traffic.
M208	Electric installation for trailer operation.
M220	Limited-slip differential.
M231	Reclining seat for passenger.
M240	Engine (code AF) with recessed pistons for low-octane fuel.
M267	Modified transmission ratio, 8:35 instead of 8:33. From 183 2346 525 to 184 2818 496.
M335	Compliance with exhaust emission standards (Austria). Engine code AL.
M549	Lap belt front. From 184 2000 001.
M552/I	Without heater (petrol). Until 184 2219 788.
M552/II	Without heater (exhaust system without heater boxes). From 184 2219 789.
M553/I	Sealed-beam headlights, flashing indicators with side marking lights, red taillights, back-up lamps in taillight, but without headlamp flasher and steering lock (USA). From 183 2346 525 to 183 3026 058.
M553/II	Sealed-beam headlights, flashing indicators with side marking lights, red taillights, back-up lamps in taillight, city horn, but without headlamp flasher and steering lock (USA). From 184 2000 001 to 184 2818 496.
M571	Rear fog lamp.
M610	24V alternator, engine code AL (with M51 and M63).
M660	The Acapulco Thing to 184 2818 496 (Mexico, USA).

Source: Ian David Harrison (e-mail of 97-06-06); Arnd Klinkhart (e-mail 96-02-03, 96-08-17); Shawn Sitar (VW Thing mailing list digest 1.13.97); home page of the VW Kübel-Klub Germany.

Links

Also see the page Sonderausstattung of the VW Kübel-Klub Germany.

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