M-715 Kaiser Jeep 1 1/4-ton 4x4 Truck

The Kaiser Jeep Corporation M-715 "five quarter" truck was built for the U.S. military based on the civilian Jeep Gladiator. The M-715 was the first attempt by the U.S. military to buy commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) based vehicles instead of fully specialized military designs. The M-715 family saw service in Vietnam, but was considered underpowered and fragile when compared to purpose-built tactical trucks like the Dodge M-37 it was intended to replace.

Truck, Cargo, 1 1/4 Ton, 4x4, M-715 in Army maintenance area.

Kaiser Jeep Military M-715 Series 1 1/4-ton (5/4) Truck (G-890)

Restored M-715 1 1/4-ton truck. Photo courtesy of Scott Brandt of www.MotoeXotica.com

In 1965 Kaiser Jeep Corporation designed and developed the M-715 1 1/4-ton series truck, often called the "five quarter," based upon a performance specification rather than a full specification as had been the past practice. A two-step Invitation For Bid (IFB) was used to solicit bids from industry resulting in a contract award to Kaiser Jeep on 31 March 1966. Under terms of that contract, first production quantities were delivered within ten months of the contract award. The first month's production quantity was subjected to engineering and user testing for determination of compliance with performance specifications in the contract. Upon completion of these tests, the new vehicles were released to user organizations within the Department of Defense.

Kaiser Jeep Military M-715 Vehicles and Variants

The M-715 was intended to replace the Dodge M-37 series of 3/4-ton trucks. Delivery of over 33,000 vehicles was made in 1967-1969, with four models:

• M-715 Truck, Cargo, 1 1/4 Ton, 4x4
• M-724 Cab and chassis
• M-725 Truck, Ambulance, 1 1/4 ton, 4x4
• M-726 Truck, Maintenance, 1 1/4 Ton, 4x4, Telephone, w/winch

Find additional photos and hi-res versions of the Kaiser Jeep M-715 Series 1 1/4-ton trucks at the Olive-Drab Military Mashup.

The M-715 series trucks were built on a common frame and wheelbase, but with different bodies. Both the Contract Maintenance truck and the M-726 Telephone Maintenance truck were built utilizing the M-724 Cab and Chassis.

To create the M-715, the civilian Jeep Gladiator was modified with military features, including:

• Open, canvas top cab with fold-down windshield
• Military exclusive cargo box which will accommodate all communications shelters used with the M37 plus the S-250 shelter
• Deep water fording capability
• 24-volt electrical system employing a 60 ampere alternator
• Arctic operational capabilities and a truck bed

Other variations were created using the M-724 Cab and chassis or the M-715 Cargo with a different body. For example:

Truck, Cargo, 1 1/4 Ton, 4x4, M-715 with maintenance truck body. Although it resembles the M-726 Truck, Maintenance, the dataplate of this US Navy CB vehicle says M715. Located at the Historic Aircraft Restoration Project (HARP) hangar, Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, NY. Photo courtesy of Phil Gilson.

In 1967 Kaiser Jeep Corporation reorganized and formed the Defense and Government Products Division devoted exclusively to the research, development and production of Government vehicles. In 1971 that division became AM General, who later developed and produced the HMMWV.

M-715 Series 1 1/4-ton 4x4 Specifications

Manuals for the M-715 Series 1 1/4-ton 4x4 trucks will be numbered TM 9-2320-244-xx where the xx represents the maintenance level.

Thanks to Timothy L Dennison for help with this page.

Kaiser Jeep M-715 Internet Resources

One Internet site stands out for this vehicle: The M-715 Zone caters to the needs of M-715 owners and afficianados. All aspects of the "greatest 4x4 on Earth" are open to discussion including, technical questions, history, specifications, swaps and of course putting 'em through their paces!!! Includes chat room, message board, links.

Find More Information on the Internet

There are many fine websites that have additional information on this topic, too many to list here and too many to keep up with as they come and go. Use this Google web search form to get an up to date report of what's out there.

For good results, try entering this: kaiser m715 or m-715. Then click the Search button.

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