Each Friday on the Jeep_® Blog, we explore the Jeep brand’s iconic heritage by highlighting a different historical vehicle. This week’s vehicle is the 1967 Jeep M-715.

 

Bringing the military Jeep vehicles of World War II stateside for civilian use was a revelation in what consumers wanted out of their vehicles. The CJ models launched what would become a full lineup of capable vehicles that could be driven for fun and function. But by the time the 1960s rolled around (and Jeep vehicles had cemented their place in vehicle history), the military was in need of a new vehicle.

 

The M-715 was there to answer the call, but the tides had turned: the M-715 became the first tactical vehicle for the military built primarily from civilian components.

 

Civilian components, yes, but we’re talking civilian components that evolved over the span of two decades to redefine vehicle capability.

The 1 ¼-ton military vehicle was an adaptation of the Gladiator pickup truck that featured:

 

–          Six-cylinder I-6 “Tornado” engine

–          T-98 four-speed transmission

–          NP200 transfer case with low range

–          Dana 60 front and Dana 70 full-floating rear axle, with 5.87:1 axle ratio

 

The upper part of the cab and doors and the fender cutouts were modifications of Gladiator dies, while the military designed the cargo box. Thanks to its utility and capability, several variations of the M-715 served the military and other essential government agencies, including fire, forestry, and the fish and game departments. They included the following adaptations:

 

–          M-724 cab chassis, equipped with a welder, generator, and winch

–          M-725 standard army ambulance

–          M-726 telephone maintenance truck with a winch and mounted spotlight

 

Stay tuned to the Jeep Blog as we dig further into the Jeep brand’s storied heritage.