Kaiser Jeep M715

The 1+1⁄4-ton, 4×4, Kaiser Jeep M715, sometimes called the "Five quarter (ton)", for its 1+1/4 ton payload rating, is an American light military truck, based on the civilian Jeep Gladiator (SJ). Design and development for the M715 began in 1965, intended to replace the Dodge M37. In a departure from its purpose-built predecessor, the M715 was the first "M"-series U.S. tactical vehicle to use primarily commercial components; the first in a series of militarized commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) vehicle procurements.[2]

Kaiser M715
Overview
ManufacturerKaiser Jeep
Also calledFive Quarter
Rastrojero M715 (Argentina)
Production30,500[1]–33,000 [2] (1967–1969)
AssemblyToledo, Ohio
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size pickup truck
LayoutFront engine, four-wheel drive
RelatedJeep Gladiator (SJ)
Powertrain
Engine230 cu in (3.8 L) Tornado I6 (gasoline)
TransmissionWarner T-98 4-speed manual
Dimensions
Length209.75 in (5,328 mm)
Width85 in (2,159 mm)
HeightAt bed (with cargo cover installed): 87.7 in (2,228 mm)
At cab 75 in (1,905 mm), Reducible to 59 in (1,499 mm)
Chronology
PredecessorDodge M37
SuccessorDodge M-880 series
K311 (KM450) series

Variants

Aside from the basic M715 cargo/troop carrier, the M715 series included the M724 bare cab and chassis, usually combined with a contact maintenance utility tool body, M725 ambulance, and M726 telephone maintenance utility tool body variants, all 1+1/4-ton, 4×4. From 1967 to 1969, between 30,500[1] and 33,000[2] trucks were produced at the Toledo, Ohio, plant. The M-715 family saw service in the Vietnam War, but was considered underpowered and fragile, compared to the purpose-built Dodge M37 tactical trucks it was intended to replace.[2] From 1976 onwards, the U.S. military replaced the M715 series with the Dodge M880 series, again a 1+1/4-ton militarized COTS truck.

Kia currently produces an M715-type vehicle named the KM450 for the South Korean Army on license from the U.S. government. India's Tata/Vectra is also entering an M715 type vehicle as a candidate for the Indian Army's LSV requirement.

There is also a variant made by AM General AM 715.[3]

In 2010 Mopar developed the concept vehicle Jeep NuKizer 715. It was a tribute to the original M715. For the 2016 50th annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, FCA (Chrysler) showed the Jeep Crew Chief 715 concept truck, again a nod to the Kaiser 715.

Service record and issues
1968 Kaiser Jeep M715
M715
KIA KM450

The M715 family saw service in Vietnam, the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and European bases.

The overhead-cam six-cylinder engines were not very reliable due to lack of knowledge on the overhead cam design and lack of maintenance. They had been dropped from civilian models by 1968. The M715 series also suffered from excessive oil consumption. The M715 vehicles that had front winches were dangerous in rough cross country use because the winch drive shaft would sometimes separate from the winch, the shaft would then foul the truck's steering, causing loss of control . The 1968 Models sent to Korea also had improperly welded frames causing the frame to break . This led to the vendor hiring a Korean company to repair several hundred trucks held in depot stocks. By 1970 most of the 1968 models in Korea were in cannibalization yards, being used as a source of parts, to keep the later model trucks running .

Specifications
  • Length: 209.75 in (5.33 m) without winch / 220.75 in (5.61 m) with winch
  • Width: 85 in (2.16 m)
  • Height:
    • At bed (with cargo cover installed) 87.7 in (2.23 m)
    • At cab 75 in (1.91 m), Reducible to 59 in (1.50 m)
  • Weights:
    • Gross weight 8,400 lb (3,810 kg) [1][4]
    • Payload 2,500 lb (1,130 kg) off-road / 3,000 lb (1,360 kg) on-road [4]
    • Net weight 5,500 lb (2,490 kg) without winch / 6,000 lb (2,720 kg) with winch [1]
  • Engine: Inline 6-cyl, 230.5ci overhead camshaft Tornado
  • Horsepower: 132.5 hp (98.8 kW)
  • Transmission: Warner T-98 four-speed, synchronized manual
  • Transfer case: New Process NP200 two-range, 1.91:1 low range
  • Axles:
  • Electrical system: 24 volt utilizing two 12 volt batteries in series
  • Brakes: Hydraulic, 4-wheeled drum
  • Fuel type: gas
  • Fuel capacity: 28 US gal (106 L; 23 imp gal)
  • Top speed: 55 mph (89 km/h)
  • Turning radius: 28 feet (9 m)
  • Tires: 9.00 × 16 8-ply

See also

References
  1. Doyle, David (2011). Standard Catalog of U.S. Military Vehicles - 2nd Edition. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. pp. 72–75. ISBN 9781440225727.
  2. M-715 Kaiser 5/4 Jeep – Olive-Drab
  3. "AM715_Jeep_Military_Truck". www.vintagemilitarytrucks.com. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  4. TM 9-2320-244-10 Technical & Operator's Manual - Truck, 1¼-Ton, 4x4, Cargo, M715 / Ambulance, M725 – Headquarters, Department of the Army, 1968
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