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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.
1963 Jeep Tornado engine. The Jeep Tornado engine was the first post-World War II U.S.-designed mass-produced overhead cam (OHC) automobile engine. [1] The 230.5 cu in (3.78 L) hemi-headed straight-six was introduced in mid-year 1962, and replaced the flathead "6-226" Willys Super Hurricane that was in use since 1954.
In 1967, Kaiser Jeep resurrected the Jeepster (in concept; the vehicle was all-new, albeit loosely based on the Willys Jeepster), which had been produced by Willys-Overland from 1948 to 1950. It was available in three models (roadster, convertible, and pickup) and proved to be moderately popular ( see Jeepster Commando ).
In the United States, this engine is often confused with the AMC/Jeep 232 cu in (3.8 L), which Kaiser Jeep purchased to replace the SOHC Kaiser engine 230 cu in (3.8 L) in 1965. The Tornado first appeared in civilian Jeep vehicles in 1963 and was only used until 1965. The US Army M-715 and derivatives used it through the 1960s and early 1970s.
1 ⁄ 4-ton utility jeep M715 series 1 + 1 ⁄ 4-ton 4x4: 1967–1969: 30,553: Ambulance, cargo, utility bodies (Modified Jeep J-series truck) M561 1 + 1 ⁄ 4-ton 6x6: 1968: 14,274: Cargo and ambulance bodies "Gamma Goat" M656 Series 5-ton 8x8: 1968–1969: 3 bodies for Pershing Missile System
The design was inspired by the Kaiser Jeep M715 military vehicle from the late 1960s that was based on the regular civilian production Jeep Gladiator pickup. [26] The Jeep Crew Chief concept rides on 20-inch beadlock wheels, and 40-inch military tires, but is mostly based on a Wrangler Unlimited stretched to a 139 in (3,531 mm) wheelbase. [27]
The Jeepster is an ancestor of the modern Jeep family produced by Chrysler. There are several Jeepster enthusiast clubs across the United States. Willys-Overland, the original producers of the "Jeep" (originally manufactured for military use), also produced a "Jeepster" from 1948 until about 1950. This vehicle led to the later Kaiser productions.
From 1968 onwards, the U.S. military replaced the M37 with the heavier-rated 1 + 1 ⁄ 4 (or five-quarter) ton Kaiser Jeep manufactured M715 family of vehicles. Rather than purpose-built tactical vehicles, these "militarized" commercial off-the-shelf ('COTS') trucks were considered underpowered and fragile compared to the M37. [3]