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So,
what in the world is a M715?
The
Jeep Gladiator (J series) trucks were the basis of the M715 military
trucks. They came equipped with canvas or metal roofs. The M-715
was the first 'M' series tactical vehicle to use primarily civilian
commercial components. The first contract was awarded to Kaiser
on March 21, 1966 for 20,680 trucks, both M-715 cargo trucks and
M-725 ambulance versions. Deliveries began in January, 1967. Between
January, 1967 and May, 1969, over 30,500 M-715 series trucks were
produced for the U.S. military. The initial contract purchase price
was $4,400 per truck. These trucks were rated at 1 1/4 ton and used
the military version of the "Tornado" 230 I6 engine. This
engine had few parts that swapped with the civilian version. A water
fording kit was also available which pressurized the engine, transmission
and transfer case to prevent water from getting in and included
a snorkel feed for the air cleaner. The front grill and fenders,
hood, doors and cab were stamped from the Gladiator dies, with obvious
modifications to the upper part of the cab and doors, as well as
the fender cut-outs. The cargo box was an entirely military design
and the windshield was similar to that used on the Jeep M38-A1.
The
M-715 series trucks came in the following variations, all built
on the same frame and wheelbase:
- M-715:
Standard 1 1/4 ton cargo truck
- M-725:
Stardard Army ambulance, which used the M-715 front sheetmetal
and an ambulance body which had 4 stretcher racks in the rear.
This was a standard military design which included a surgical
light, air ventilators, double rear doors, gas heater, and a sliding
door separating the driver & co-driver from the rear
- M-726:
Telephone maintenance truck, which used the M-715 cab and a utility
box body. This body differed from the M-724 as it had an open
cargo area in the back and was much lower than the contact maintenance
body. It also included the 8,000 lb PTO winch and a unique spotlight
mounted on the left corner of the cowling.
- 6217
(also referred to as M724 by some):
Cab & chassis by Kaiser, then equipped with a large contact
maintenance body by seperate contarctor. The body was equipped
with a welder, generator and an 8,000 lb winch
Many
M715 series Jeeps have been converted for various civilian use after
military retirement.
M715
6217
Contact Maintenance Truck
M725
M726
Telephone Maintenance Truck
M725
M725
M715
with custom fender flares
M715
M715
M715
M715
M715
M715
M715
M715
with civilian cab conversion
M715
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