Builds 68' M715, AKA "Smokey" (Can I post this Jeep on MUD?) (1 Viewer)

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Joined
Feb 21, 2012
Threads
37
Messages
2,026
Location
Snohomish, WA
Go ahead, flame me if you wish. After completing a very original frame off chassis restoration on a 66' FJ40 for a customer in California, it's time for a little something different. Yes, it's a Jeep. Let's be realistic though, the only "Jeep" part left is the frame and sheet metal bits....this could be any longer wheelbase Toyota. Owned by my longtime friend Mark, this'll prove to be an interesting build.

Specs:

1968 M715 1.25 ton truck. Bone stock, 40K, spent it's entire life in interior Alaska (think Fairbanks)
2001 Tilden Motorsports 8.1 liter Vortec
Ranger OD
GM SM465
Off Road Design Magnum Box
NP205

Front Axle:
Dynatrac ProRock 60, RCV 300M shafts, ARB, Reid Knuckles, 35 spine hubs, etc

Rear Axle:
GM Dana 70 HD, stock shafts (until they twist and break), ARB, disc brake conversion

The end plan is to run a full linked and coiled suspension on at least 40's. Why the nickname "Smokey" you ask? Because the 8.1 liter is going to turn good rubber into white smoke. Simple, stay tuned.
 
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Towing it back from AK. This was taken at 11:30 pm last solstice. If you haven’t experienced AK at that time of year you certainly should

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Taken outside Tok, AK

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Stuck in traffic for 5 hours outside Whitehorse, Yukon

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Making friends with my 69' FJ40
 
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Prepping to pull the stock drivetrain

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Out with the old "Hurricane" inline 6 cylinder

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Cleaned up and washed
 
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Quite a bit of time elapsed while waiting on other projects however now the M715 is up. Here's Mark and I next to his diesel (International HS 2.8 liter) FJ60

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Checking fitment on the 8.1 liter

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Pulling the bed, it easily weighs 500lbs

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Full tear down now...
 
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Mix and match Jeep parts, plus two naughty Shepherds!!
 
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Drivetrain mock-up. I'm using empty cases (SM465/NP205) to save on weight

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Cleaning the frame of all the old brackets

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This is really awesome. Assuming you’ve seen the “j-tank” build by The Flop Shop?

Looking forward to this build. The 8.1 is such a great motor, my dad has used and abused his 2500 suburban with that motor and everything around the motor has failed but not the motor itself. Keep up the good work!
 
Looking great, Ross! My profile picture is terrible and I have done tons more reading/taking--over the years--on MUD than giving, but it's good to see you contributing and showing us the progress! I'm sorry I can't work on this stuff with you, being so far away, but now at least I won't be in many pictures so people won't notice that I ALWAYS wear that brown shirt...it works out.
 
Going to love this build!

Can't believe there's traffic in Alaska, and 5 hours worth to boot, holy crap.
 
This is really awesome. Assuming you’ve seen the “j-tank” build by The Flop Shop?

Looking forward to this build. The 8.1 is such a great motor, my dad has used and abused his 2500 suburban with that motor and everything around the motor has failed but not the motor itself. Keep up the good work!
Hmmm, I haven't seen that build but I'll look it up now, thanks!
 
Going to love this build!

Can't believe there's traffic in Alaska, and 5 hours worth to boot, holy crap.
Yeah, I think it was something really bad, like a fatality. When that happens up there (I got the feeling from the locals also stuck in traffic) that the road just completely closes until they are ready to re-open. There's no bypasses, so you just wait.
 
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Spent the morning cutting off the wonky front frame braces. I think they must have been an "M715 Only" thing as they clearly looked added on to the frame. By the look of them, they added very little in terms of structural support. I'll likely used DOM tubing later once I know how the engine is going to sit.

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Without knowing it, I nearly cut off the frame VIN. It was hiding under a bunch of surface rust on the passenger side frame gusset. It's obviously hand stamped and no where near straight, adorable. Wiki says 33,000 M715's were produced which makes this one a very late production model.

Since I wasn't planning on keeping the welded on tab, (but I am now) I'll TIG the grinder marks to fill them in and then sand them smooth at a later date. Hopefully this Friday, I'll be able to tow the whole chassis into a media blaster so that all the welding/fabrication work can be done on a clean slate.
 
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Excellent Ross. Kind of cool to now get to watch someone else's build. Marks M715 is going to be awesome to watch the progress.

Jason-
 
Excellent Ross. Kind of cool to now get to watch someone else's build. Marks M715 is going to be awesome to watch the progress.

Jason-
Yeah, it's going to be fun. Totally different direction on this build. The frame is scheduled for blasting at 7am this Friday, after that, let the fabrication begin
 
Awesome build. We have a bunch of old vehicles in are family and a few are very old power wagons. I want to build one of them into a modern tow vehicle. Keep this going man. Love it.
 
Goodbye crusty chassis....

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