M-715 Pickup

[Chariots of Fire]

Now that the WC projects are done I've started a new project to build an M-715 pickup from the '60's.  The Jeep Honcho kit is the donor for the frame and front end.  It turns out that the frame is 10" too short so it will have to be lengthened.  The body is military style and the fender openings are just sheet metal.  No fancy grill either on front.  Just the typical military grill guard.  Here's where we are so far.

Cab top has been cut loose and a piece of sheet stock is glued to the back.   The Honcho body was one with the cab so the cab had no back panel.  Now it does.  The cowl has been modified and the new windshield has been cut to shape.  The part in the middle will be cut away leaving a very thin edge for the windshield glass to fit against.

Not a good picture but you get the idea of the windshield rubber gasket.  Made of 0.020 sheet stock rounded at the outside edges.  When the middle is cut away the inner edge will be rounded as well.  After painting, a black marker will be run around the gasket.  Better than paint as the line can be made very smooth with the marker.

Windshield is cut open and mounted.  The old rear view mirror mounting holes have been plugged.  The mirrors for the build are on a single mount.  The fenders are strips of 0.020 stock glued in place.  I'll cut away those awful door latches as well and substitute some resin castings that are open.

[SSNJim]

Very cool project. The fire department in Lucketts, VA used to have one as a brush truck. It was awesome. I haven't seen it in years; the city quit holding their annual fair and I don't get out that way much anymore. I'm assuming this build will be a military version.

Good luck. I'll be following along.

[NOBLNG]

Looking good already!? What’s the plans for the drivetrain??

[David G.]

Most interesting. This looks to be a fun build.

David G.

[hct728(Bob)]

Nice work so far! Looking at the 1:1 photos, these were pretty primitive mods to the stock pickup, yours are likely to look better than factory! 

Always liked these military pickups, having seen later GMC versions, I recall hearing them called 'Milverados', LOL

Thanks for the building tips, too

[Chariots of Fire]

I've compared the military spec for the M-715 wheelbase and found that the Honcho kit wheelbase is 10" too short.  I had to cut the frame and lengthen it with a splice on each side.  Glue is drying now.  When it's done pics will be posted.    That's the military box on back.  Even at this angle you can see that the rear axle is not under the center of the opening.

[NOBLNG]

2 hours ago, Chariots of Fire said:

I've compared the military spec for the M-715 wheelbase and found that the Honcho kit wheelbase is 10" too short.  I had to cut the frame and lengthen it with a splice on each side.  Glue is drying now.  When it's done pics will be posted.    That's the military box on back.  Even at this angle you can see that the rear axle is not under the center of the opening.

Measure those rear springs too Charles. I think they scale out to nearly six feet long.?

[Ben269]

This is one of my favorite Army trucks, I am glad to see someone replicating one.

 

[Chariots of Fire]

On 1/9/2022 at 7:28 PM, NOBLNG said:

Measure those rear springs too Charles. I think they scale out to nearly six feet long.?

Unfortunately, Greg I don't have a full workup on the specs so you are probably right.  It won't affect the wheel base, though so I will stick with what I have.  Here is the latest.  The body is on the lengthened frame. and a couple of details added to the windshield.

[redneckrigger]

Looking great Charlie! Those are neat trucks. The 230 CI OHC 6 cyl. Tornado engines in them were problematic. Had one in a 1965 civilian Wagoneer panel van...........was a dog from day one! You have already nailed the look with those fenders. Beautiful!

[Rusty92]

Very nice work so far! I’ve seen your other builds so I’ll be following along on this one. 

[Chariots of Fire]

11 hours ago, redneckrigger said:

Looking great Charlie! Those are neat trucks. The 230 CI OHC 6 cyl. Tornado engines in them were problematic. Had one in a 1965 civilian Wagoneer panel van...........was a dog from day one! You have already nailed the look with those fenders. Beautiful!

I hear ya, Tom.  Our local FD had one that they turned into a brush truck.  They changed out the Tornado for a Chevy V-8 but kept the 4 spd transmission.

[hct728(Bob)]

Amazing how primitive the mods and box are, it looks like the low bidder did the conversions or even done in-house! A contemporary utility box would have looked much better, this one's worth building just for its novelty. Nice progress!

[Chariots of Fire]

Here are more pix.  I did up the tailgate with the "JEEP" stamp in the middle.  The kit tailgate had it so it got incorporated here.  One small compartment box is done also on one side but it may change some.  Not convinced that I like it at this point.

[hct728(Bob)]

My compliments on the precise cutting and assembly, lots of little pieces to that box! The compartment is an interesting little detail, built right into the box, for a tool kit maybe
 

By coincidence, I just fnished my latest Jeep build last week (have started a few kits but never seem to get too far), this was  a Christmas present…

[Chariots of Fire]

That's pretty cool!?

[stavanzer]

I had an M-43 Ambulance. That Straight 6 Dodge Flathead was rated (according to the tag) at 37 HP. 

The Jeep Pick up must have had similar issues. Mine Had Gobs of torque, but was geared so low, that 40 mph was the fastest I could get on the hiway.

I have always wanted an M-715. Glad to see your work on this one, Charles.

[Chariots of Fire]

Thanks, Alan.  The M-715 had the Jeep Tornado OHC 6 cylinder engine.  Was not much on power or speed.  Our local FD had an M-715 built into a brush unit and the changed out the Tornado for a Chevy V-8 and kept the four speed transmission.

Here's what the tailgate now looks like with some hardware added.

[heepey]

Following this. I started a build like this based on my 1:1 M715. Both the model and the 1:1 builds are stalled at this point. The Honcho is close but has some real short comings. This looks great so far.

[Jim B]

Nice looking M715.  Great progress.

Apparently these are still being made in South Korea by Kia.

[Chariots of Fire]

Got some casting done today.  Tires and wheels are the same as on the WC projects I worked on.  So 4 more mud/snow non-directional tires were cast along with the wheels.  I need to change the lugs from 5 to 6 but that is no problem using some wire and some ceramic hex nuts.

With those done the rear axles were set up for the inner wheel pieces.  The Honcho kit wheels snap on a very flimsy plastic axle stub which I never liked.  So a piece of 1/8" diameter brass tubing was slipped over the outer portion of the axle and the center was drilled out for a small screw and washer.  The inner wheels were opened up for a bushing that slips over the brass axle.  The screw and washer act as a retainer for the wheel so that it will not slide off the axle.  The outer wheel will be glued on after all painting is competed.

 

[Dave72]

This build is looking great! Love the look.

[Chariots of Fire]

I think the body is done on this build.  The tie down hooks are in place, the fuel tank was filled in and the filler tube was added.  On to the front end to get some steering for the front wheels.

[1930fordpickup]

Did the military go with soft top trucks for transportation over seas.  

[Chariots of Fire]

15 hours ago, 1930fordpickup said:

Did the military go with soft top trucks for transportation over seas.  

Yes, they were constructed with soft tops, Windshields that would fold down and had steel tubing ribs that held the top in place.