FrankenJeep! Time for another drivetrain swap.
 

It isn't exactly a tuner, but a fun project. Here is a brief history. It is a 1968 Kaiser/Jeep M715, designed for the U.S. Armed forces based on the full-sized Jeep platform. Roughly 30,000 units were produced in 3 different forms: troop carrier, ambulance, and a service truck. Most went to Vietnam never to return home.

I purchased mine in stock formation 7 years ago. It had faded blue paint(U.S. Navy color) with a homemade sheet metal hardtop that was painted red. I don't have any pics of it in that condition.

Soon after I bought it, the stock 6 cylinder was evicted to make room for a fairly radical 406 small block Chebbie. I also busted out the olive drab paint, then brushed and rolled it over the original paint and rust. I cut the centers out of the original split-rim wheels and welded them into some tubeless style rims with some 37" Super Swamper tires.

http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/221/img0175ke0.jpg

http://img428.imageshack.us/img428/1657/img0164db6.jpg

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/8294/img0162zh6.jpg

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/6834/img0177ih3.jpg


I drove it like that for 6 years until Dec '05. 5.87:1 gears+ thirsty small block= 4mpg. I could not afford the fuel anymore, so the turbo diesel transplant started. I opted for a 6.2 Liter Detroit diesel. I called on my buddy George Whitlock, who is a diesel mechanic to build the engine.

The bare block

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/552/eb16kc.jpg

Rotating assembly with 17:1 pistons and custom made stud girdle kit

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/9370/eb20iv.jpg


Prepped for surgery

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/7...swap003az1.jpg

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/6...swap004zy9.jpg


The aluminum headed 406/TH350 combo removed.

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/3...swap006gw0.jpg


After removing the motor/trans, I started to realize that the rust demons owned the truck and I needed to address the situation.

The driver's side of the cowl

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/6...swap007yk4.jpg

Driver's side rocker panel...aka 'Jeepoxide'

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/8...swap011az3.jpg

the remains of the floor

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/8...swap010ql9.jpg


The whole truck went to the media blaster to get stripped

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/6...swap016em3.jpg

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/2...swap015zk8.jpg

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/1...swap019ne9.jpg


The framed prepped with POR-15 rust inhibitor.

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/9...swap020tb7.jpg


New floors and rocker panels welded in

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/5871/tires008rd3.jpg

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/2571/tires006xu0.jpg

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/599...pics004ew8.jpg


Now it is time for reassembly. Here is the engine/trans mounted in the frame

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/9...rage002tn8.jpg

New wheels/tires with a 8" lift

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/828...pics003fg7.jpg

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/212...pics002sz2.jpg


That is it for now.

nice! cant wait to see it completed!

that jeep is freakin sick seriously

Awesome project! Looks like the mini would fit in the back of that thing. :rofl:

that thing is awesome. keep up the goodword.
cant wait to see it done.

So, I haven't been sleeping all winter
 

I took the rest of the sheet metal to the media blaster for stripping and priming. The hood, fenders, rad support, front valance, and new doors are painted in Vietnam era Olive Drab.

Here are some crappy pics of the old rusty doors that I'm hacking up to fabricate into trail doors. 25,000 trucks produced, more than half went to Vietnam never to return, less than 3,000 are currently registered in the U.S., and I just hacked up two doors that only fit these trucks. Anywho, I have to pick up some sheet metal to finish the doors.


http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q...updates013.jpg

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q...updates015.jpg

sweet project.....i can't wait to see it done

Def different as far as projects go, keep up the good work.

Woot!!! I want a ride when it's done. in the mud of course

Love the Grenade shifter knob ;). Atleast thats what I think it is?

measure twice, cut once :) nice going mike...

grenade shift knobs ftw!

That thing is so badass!

If you don't mind me asking, where are you getting the media blasting done?

John Torbert in Newtown. He is very reasonable. PM me for his number.

Used to love seeing that thing driving around. People would stare at it like "what the hell is that thing." It's so freaking big.

whats the progress with this thing?

Awesome project.

I have Minis on my mind.....Once I get all of the paint stripped off of the white Mini and send it to the body shop, I will resume work on the Jeep. I need to recruit a few people to remove the cab with me, then I pull the trans, install flywheel/clutch, put the trans back in, and throw the cab back on. After that, it is literally a matter of assembling the truck with just a small amount of fabrication. I just need a little more money.....and time...and more moneyandtimeandmoneyandtimeandmoneyandtime........ .

I could lend a hand with the removal...dont expect me to know anything, but I can lift stuff and unscrew bolts just fine lol..you should build ramps for it and haul the mini around...or 2...or all of them lol im sure they will fit

You have the most simple but coolest projects ever!