A Tuned M715

'Wheeling in Monteagle, T...        read full caption 'Wheeling in Monteagle, Tennessee.

A few other trick parts Chad...        read full caption A few other trick parts Chad worked in include the ARB snorkel, custom-made half doors for the summer, an aluminum stock car radiator, and an aluminum 33-gallon gas tank.

Yee-Haw! A spring-over on...        read full caption Yee-Haw! A spring-over on the original springs with two leaves removed keeps the T-Man custom 10x15 wheels holding 39.5x16 TSL Swampers (front) and 39.5x18 Boggers (rear) out of the fenders.

Nice swap! A fairly stock...        read full caption Nice swap! A fairly stock LT1 from a Trans Am plus a 700R4 adds a lot more go to the Kaiser than the original straight-six/four-speed combo.

The 2.25-inch dual exhaust...        read full caption The 2.25-inch dual exhaust connects to three-chamber Flowmaster mufflers just south of the stock twin-sticked NP200 T-case.

The interior of the Jeep has...        read full caption The interior of the Jeep has been enhanced slightly over stock. The seats were recanvassed with a little more stuffing, Auto Meter gauges were added, and a steering wheel out of a late-model Suburban adds a modern touch. Note blown airbag.

The bed of the M715 was shortened...        read full caption The bed of the M715 was shortened at a factory seam by 12 inches to increase the departure angle.

The rear Dana 70 spins 5.87:1...        read full caption The rear Dana 70 spins 5.87:1 cogs and is locked by Detroit.

The factory made these things...        read full caption The factory made these things with some seriously strong axles. Chad has added a Lock-Right and some trussing to the 5.87:1-geared Dana 60 front. The bumper holds a 9500 Platinum winch.

These Jeeps also came with...        read full caption These Jeeps also came with a handy place to store your Hi-Lift Jack and some spare driveshafts.

Check out the original info...        read full caption Check out the original info plates.

That’s what Chad Molitor did back in 1997. Chad was looking for an M715 for a few years when he heard about one with a blown head gasket near his Woodbury, Tennessee, home. Putting his bartering skills to good use, Chad handed over the keys of the Scout in exchange for the Kaiser, and despite the blown head gasket, the old soldier limped back to its new home where an intensive four-month buildup would occur. Out went the Hurricane six with the bad gasket, and in went a fairly stock Trans Am LT1. With some help from friend Travis Hickman, Chad’s Kaiser was further enhanced by some trick sheetmetal fabrication. The result: A former army Jeep that would make any Hummer look stupid.