FrankenJeep! Time for another drivetrain swap. - TriStateTuners.com :: Home of Tristate Auto Enthusiast

poolmike · 10-31-2006, 12:17 AM

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.

Dave · 10-31-2006, 03:59 AM

nice! cant wait to see it completed!

BlackBulletTSi · 10-31-2006, 05:21 AM

that jeep is freakin sick seriously

Honest_Bob · 10-31-2006, 06:51 AM

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

ggmr610 · 10-31-2006, 09:05 AM

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

poolmike · 01-23-2007, 12:02 AM

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.

robman7835 · 01-23-2007, 12:12 AM

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

Shockwave179 · 01-23-2007, 12:28 AM

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

R33P3R007 · 01-23-2007, 12:36 AM

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

Cutlass372 · 01-23-2007, 12:43 AM

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

**TROLL** · 01-23-2007, 12:46 AM

measure twice, cut once

nice going mike...

dickerdieter · 01-23-2007, 12:59 AM

grenade shift knobs ftw!

88TSI_Rob · 01-24-2007, 09:00 PM

That thing is so badass!

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

poolmike · 01-24-2007, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88TSI_Rob

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.

LSHatch · 01-24-2007, 11:21 PM

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.

CleanNeon98 · 06-17-2007, 09:07 AM

whats the progress with this thing?

Danronian · 06-17-2007, 12:56 PM

Awesome project.

poolmike · 06-17-2007, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CleanNeon98

whats the progress with this thing?

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........ .

CleanNeon98 · 06-17-2007, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poolmike

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

Vypurr · 06-17-2007, 09:59 PM

You have the most simple but coolest projects ever!

10-31-2006, 12:17 AM	#1
poolmike Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Richboro Member #543 My Ride: '68 Kaiser M715/ '37 Ford truck/'47 Dodge truck iTrader: (0)	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. 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. __________________ 2012 Honda Accord Touring 1968 Kaiser M715 FrankenJeep 1947 Dodge 1.5 Ton Resto-mod 1937 Ford pick-up 1950 Crosley Farm-o-Road Last edited by poolmike; 01-30-2010 at 12:19 AM.

10-31-2006, 05:21 AM	#3
BlackBulletTSi Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: L~Town Member #224 My Ride: 99 Eclipse GSX iTrader: (3)	that jeep is freakin sick seriously __________________ Check my music out at To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. Recently joined record label Strike Division, new tracks to come soon. New DJ community being built, To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. COMING SOON!!

10-31-2006, 06:51 AM	#4
Honest_Bob TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Easton, PA Member #1179 My Ride: 05 WRX Wagon iTrader: (2)	Awesome project! Looks like the mini would fit in the back of that thing. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

01-23-2007, 12:02 AM	#6
poolmike Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Richboro Member #543 My Ride: '68 Kaiser M715/ '37 Ford truck/'47 Dodge truck iTrader: (0)	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. __________________ 2012 Honda Accord Touring 1968 Kaiser M715 FrankenJeep 1947 Dodge 1.5 Ton Resto-mod 1937 Ford pick-up 1950 Crosley Farm-o-Road

01-24-2007, 09:00 PM	#13
88TSI_Rob Tri-State Aficionado Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NE Philly Member #547 iTrader: (1)	That thing is so badass! If you don't mind me asking, where are you getting the media blasting done? __________________ 2005 Subaru LGT 1988 Chrysler Conquest TSI 1987 Dodge Raider Turbo

10-31-2006, 03:59 AM	#2
Dave Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Cherry hill, NJ Member #633 My Ride: Shelby Z, ZJ, NSX, CBR954RR, Hawk GT iTrader: (0)	nice! cant wait to see it completed!

10-31-2006, 09:05 AM	#5
ggmr610 Tri-State Aficionado Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: atown Member #552 iTrader: (0)	that thing is awesome. keep up the goodword. cant wait to see it done.

01-23-2007, 12:12 AM	#7
robman7835 Tri-State Training Wheels Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: York PA Member #3042 My Ride: 2002 Subaru WRX iTrader: (0)	sweet project.....i can't wait to see it done

01-23-2007, 12:28 AM	#8
Shockwave179 Tri-State Training Wheels Join Date: Jan 2007 Member #3454 iTrader: (0)	Def different as far as projects go, keep up the good work.

01-23-2007, 12:43 AM	#10
Cutlass372 Tri-State Aficionado Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Doylestown, PA Member #2379 My Ride: 1972 Cutlass, 1972 Datsun 240z iTrader: (0)	Love the Grenade shifter knob ;). Atleast thats what I think it is?

01-24-2007, 11:21 PM	#15
LSHatch Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sin City Member #260 My Ride: G3Fizzle iTrader: (0)	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. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

06-17-2007, 09:07 AM	#16
CleanNeon98 TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Philadelphia Member #2029 My Ride: "Honey Badger" Turbo Miata iTrader: (8)	whats the progress with this thing? __________________ 2004 MAZDASPEED MX-5 : 328whp / 308wtq / 2500lbs 2012 Toyota Prius 2 : Daily Driver

06-17-2007, 12:56 PM	#17
Danronian Tri-State Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Boyertown Member #1826 My Ride: 1995 Honda Civic Vx, 1975 Malibu iTrader: (3)	Awesome project.

06-17-2007, 09:59 PM	#20
Vypurr Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Philadelphia, Pa Member #58 My Ride: 06' SGM STi / 05' ZX-6R iTrader: (1)	You have the most simple but coolest projects ever!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
1997 Subaru WRX STI Ver. 4 Drivetrain/Swap COMPLETE	highmilehatch	(Past Vendors)	3	09-05-2009 08:37 PM
STI Drivetrain swap double check	06WRBScoob	Subaru Talk	14	03-27-2009 02:46 PM
Philadelphia Modifiers Old Time Drags Show Swap Meet at Atco	Spocknasty	Upcoming Events	2	10-12-2007 10:12 PM
finished the EJ205 swap time for something new	UnderPoweredRS	General Car Related Chat	21	01-06-2006 09:20 PM