- Source: Kaiser Jeep M715
The 1+1⁄4-ton, 4×4, Kaiser Jeep M715, sometimes called the "Five quarter (ton)", for its 1+1⁄4 (or 5⁄4) 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.
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 and 33,000 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. 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.
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
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)
Payload 2,500 lb (1,130 kg) off-road / 3,000 lb (1,360 kg) on-road
Net weight 5,500 lb (2,490 kg) without winch / 6,000 lb (2,720 kg) with winch
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:
front: Dana 60
rear: Dana 70 full-floating
ratio: 5.87:1
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
G-numbers
List of weapons of the Lebanese Civil War
Weapons of the Vietnam War
K311 cargo truck
References
External links
The M715Zone
www.steelsoldiers.com
M-715 Kaiser 5/4 Jeep – Olive-Drab
KIA KM450 video
Kata Kunci Pencarian:
- Jeep
- Jeep SJ
- Kaiser Jeep M715
- Jeep
- Jeep Gladiator (SJ)
- Jeep Tornado engine
- Jeep Forward Control
- K311 cargo truck
- Kia
- Dana 60
- Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle
- List of U.S. military jeeps
