Oddballs and Weirdoes
There are just too many models to give full stats on each. You may have heard about the CJ-10A 2WD airport tug, but how many know about the M-677 crew cab forward control powered by a three-cylinder Cerlist diesel? Or how about the '42-'43 GPA, aka the Seep? It was a flatfender chassis with a sealed hull body that could navigate water like a boat. Or the MB-L, an ultra-light flatfender built with a largely wooden body for light weight and to conserve valuable wartime reserves of steel? There's some wacky stuff out there, so please forgive us if you don't see your pet military jeep or Jeep.
1953-1957 M-170
Adding 20-inches of wheelbase length onto the M38A1's chassis, the 101-inch M-170 was designed as an ambulance and litter carrier with an extra-wide passenger-side door opening and a tailgate. The M-170 enjoyed all of the military drivetrain trinkets and offerings as the M38A1, but was also available in a rare dual rear wheel version. You don't stumble across an M-170 every day, but the wide passenger side door opening makes it easily distinguishable from the CJ-6 civilian models. Otherwise, identify the M-170 by the same shackle reversal, cowl battery box, and other components found on the M38A1.
M-170 Specs
Engine: 134 cube, four-cylinder Hurricane F-head enginePower: 72hp @ 4,000rpm; 114 lb-ft @ 2,000rpmTransmission: Warner Gear T-90Transfer Case: Spicer 18, 2.46:1 LowFront Axle: Dana 25, 5.38 gearsRear Axle: Dana 44, 5.38 gearsWheelbase: 101 inchesCurb Weight: 2,963 lbsHighlights: Wide door opening for family use, 101-inch wheelbase, slightly higher collector value.Lowlights: Factory 9-inch brakes, dual battery setup placed one in the cowl and one under the hood for some wasted space, overall bulk makes it a poor performer with the stock engine.
1967-1969 M-715
Looking to fill the military's need for a 1 1/4-ton hauler to replace its fleet of aging M-37 vehicles, the Kaiser Corporation militarized its J-truck platform and the M-715 was born. With huge 1.5-inch, 23-spline shafts in the rear Dana 70, a decent closed knuckle 30-spline Dana 60 front, a T-98 transmission, and a durable NP-200 t-case, the M-715 could possibly be the burliest Jeep ever produced. Interestingly, most of the M-715's highlights also point out its lowlights. The 5.87 gears in the 5/4 ton axles give the M-715 incredible pulling power and good crawling abilities, but at normal road speeds the "Tornado" OHC 230-cube inline six-cylinder engine can over-rev and come apart. Also, the huge payload afforded by the thick spring packs meant flex was virtually non-existent and harsh doesn't begin to describe the ride.
Despite these drawbacks, the M-715 offered a heavy-duty bed, generous fender flares flanking massive wheelwells, a fold-down windshield, and a removable top. Like other military vehicles of the day, it sports 24-volt electrics, a waterproof drivetrain and electrical system, and standardized components. So a replacement headlight switch for a '90s Hummer fits right in. There's also an M-725 ambulance version with an integrated, enclosed body and a windshield that doesn't fold down.
Engine: 230 cube, six-cylinder Tornado engine Power: 132hp @ 4,000rpm; 198 lb-ft @ 1,700rpm Transmission: Warner Gear T-98 Transfer Case: NP200, 1.96:1 Low Front Axle: Dana 60, 5.87 gears Rear Axle: Dana 70, 5.87 gears Wheelbase: 126 inches Curb Weight: 5,500 lbs Highlights: Excellent 6.39:1 First gear in the T-98, huge Dana 70 rear, decent Dana 60 closed knuckle front, 13x2.5 inch drum brakes, cool body with fold down windshield and neat grille guard, cheap to buy. Lowlights: Enormously harsh ride, underpowered, under revving engine, closed knuckle front axle (arguable), weird 6x7.25 bolt pattern.
Military Jeep Inforama
We didn't just pull all this information out of thin air. As usual, our source for historical Jeep facts and figures is Jim Allen's Jeep Collector's Library published by Motorbooks International. It's an invaluable tool for anybody into old military or civilian Jeeps and covers tech specs on every model up through the TJ and WJ. But if you're allergic to paper, here are a few web sites you may want to visit
TheCJ2Apage.com - vintage civilian Jeeps with some military coverage. earlyCJ5.com - vintage civilian Jeeps with some military coverage
G503.com - heavy early military jeep coverage
M715zone.com - heavy M-715 and M-725 coverage
Steelsoldiers.com - heavy military vehicle coverage including smaller stuff, but specializing mostly 11/4-ton and larger
Willystech.com - vintage Jeep coverage with some military