Commonly known as a Five-Quarter, given that the payload of these big Jeeps is 1-1/4 tons, they are rugged machines and they played a big part in the Vietnam War. They came after Dodge’s M37 trucks, which ended up being expensive to maintain. The seller has this 1967 Jeep M726 posted here on craigslist in Fairfield, Iowa and they’re asking $4,200. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Roger for sending in this tip!
As with almost every vehicle on Barn Finds, I would love to have this one. This era of Jeep is by far my favorite with this classic small grille, but what would I ever use a 5/4-ton vehicle for? The military ended up using just over 30,000 of these vehicles in the Vietnam War but ended up back with Dodge after the war. This example has some cool 1960s-era controls and features, which may or may not still function but they look great. This truck would be fantastic in restored condition.
There were several models of the M715, including the M724, which was a cab and chassis model, the M725 was a purpose-built ambulance, and this example is the M726, a maintenance truck, typically used for telephone maintenance, with an aluminum utility box on the back. This example appears to be in solid condition but it’s hard to tell from the photos. There’s some gear inside the rear open portion of the box, which is a Hobart welder/generator, according to the seller’s description. Overall, it looks like this truck could just drive off as it is.
There aren’t many interior photos, none that show the seats really at all, or the dash or steering wheel or headliner, etc., sadly. These trucks almost seemed to be rushed to production and they had several critical issues, and failures, which caused them to be pulled after two years. Poorly welded frames were having to be repaired overseas and the Kaiser-Jeep Typhoon OHC six-cylinder engines were lacking skilled maintenance personnel.
In the good news department, maybe not for anyone who would restore this truck back to #1 Concours condition with all OEM equipment, is that at some point the engine has been changed to a Dodge 225 slant-six, according to the seller. This one hasn’t run in five years but it ran well prior to being parked. I have no doubt that almost any Barn Finds reader could have this rig up and running again in no time. Would any of you take on a project like this? If so, what would you use it for?
It’s a cool old rig, nothing tougher than a Kaiser, but not military. The front clearly is, but I think its just a portable welding truck, someone repurposed. One correction, the “Tornado” 6 was a Kaiser-Willys design, I believe, not AMC. A shame it was replaced, they are very hard to find today. Boy howdy, there’s some leeeeevers for ya’. Good ol’ military, pretty straightforward controls. With a top speed of 55, if you dare, I suppose, but used more as a portable welder for building projects, like bridges and stadiums, and such.
100% spot on, Howard. These are tough old birds for sure. And tbh, I don’t hate the “leaning tower of power” swap…it’s a great engine. It’s just too bad the original Tornado isn’t still with it in a shed or somewhere
Thanks for the engine kick-in-the-rear, Howard!
Just glad to be part of the “team”. Besides, you writers have forgotten more than I know.
Ha, not even close, Howard. Thanks, though.
But THE ENGINE!!!! I was waiting for the under hood shot and…Dang. Look, it could be the high output 225,but it’s still sitting under that hood wimpering “Help ME!!!”
Even with it being aluminum, the box alone weighs more than the Dodge Dart that engine used to pull around….
They cut the cool factor by 90% by losing the original engine…..
The Typhoon 6 was OHV, cam in block, not OHC.
Moot, since the original was replaced by the leaning tower of power.
Allen, actually, the original engine was an OHC 230-cu.in. Tornado inline-six. That’s supposedly one of the reasons it failed overseas, mechanics weren’t experienced in working on OHC engines.
I believe there is a bit of confusion here. AMC used the term “Typhoon” for their 290 V8 in ’68. The 232 6, was called “Torque Command”, both OHV. This, as mentioned, had nothing in common with either.
This one would make a heck of a tough service truck for repairing semi’s on the road
Drop in a Cummins Diesel.
For use around the farm or woodlot, the 225 should be more than adequate. A nearby farm had a D500 Dodge dump truck with high sideboards powered by a 225 with a four speed, and a two speed rear axle. It was overloaded unmercifully on a regular basis, never had mechanical problems (lots of rust, however), and could maintain any reasonable road speed except for superhighway driving. This Jeep has low enough axle gearing that I believe it would perform similarly for around town use. The original engine was 230 cubic inches and was no ball of fire (I had an M715, so I know) so I think the 225 would do at least as well, and probably better; the 225 is also more durable and forgiving. If this truck was only closer……………
Could it have been the bullet proof AMC 327 V8? Kaisers were know you us these Rambler engines as well.
Hi Mike, I read, these only came with the Tornado 6. In 1969, the military went with the Dodge M880 as a replacement, and used the 318 V8. A SBC was the usual engine swap here.
OK some research and phone calls. This would have been delivered with the 230 OHC 6. Yes Overhead cam. The 1st US built engine designed that way beating out the Pontiac version by a few months (production dates) I retract my concerns about the slant 6 in there as the Chrysler, in the later “Super 6” configuration, has almost identical HP and torque specs AND if the low compression OHC engine was specified (likely!) The slant 6 has it beat. What it screams for is a 4 cylinder Cummins….
never saw 1 w/the boxes on back. Go do some trail side repair on those shinny ones wid dat welder…