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.
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
Rotating assembly with 17:1 pistons and custom made stud girdle kit
Prepped for surgery
The aluminum headed 406/TH350 combo removed.
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
Driver's side rocker panel...aka 'Jeepoxide'
the remains of the floor
The whole truck went to the media blaster to get stripped
The framed prepped with POR-15 rust inhibitor.
New floors and rocker panels welded in
Now it is time for reassembly. Here is the engine/trans mounted in the frame
New wheels/tires with a 8" lift
That is it for now.