Camper Special

Well, if any of you noticed the thread in the "wanted" section M725 Camper http://www.m715zone.com/vb/showthread.php?t=14802
...you'll find my reasoning behind the project.


So today I bought the M725.
http://www.panther4x4.com/images/img174.jpg
http://www.panther4x4.com/images/img180.jpg
http://www.panther4x4.com/images/img178.jpg
I feel proud that I saved this sweet rig from the scrap yard (it was literally in line) so I got a good deal.

This project will be 2 phases, first the drivetrain then the camper.

Next is to find the donor for cummins, tranny, tcase and axles.

That's a great idea. I'd do the same, if I had a need for a camping vehicle and a lot of disposable time and income. It looks like you're starting with a good truck.

Make sure that when you change the inside to a camper save those parts like the liter racks and some of the other amblance parts.

Well, I'll defintely make available the ambulance parts and try to keep the military roots the best I can. I don't know much history on this vehicle aside from the Civil Air Patrol label on the door.
http://panther4x4.com/images/img181.jpg

The key word is recycle. I'm hoping most of the materials and parts will be from what others don't want. Disposible income? Time? This is going to take a while but if plan is reached it will be worth it.

I've owned 2 CJ7's, a scrambler, grand wagoneer and fullsize cherokee but nothing is like this thing! I look forward to learning from you guys about these sick rigs.

Hey, I see you're in MA... I just saw a source pop up on craigslist you may be interested in:

http://worcester.craigslist.org/cto/1424609559.html

Oh, wait... I see it said "had" a cummins... maybe he stripped that out. Nevermind then...

Well, I'm actually looking at that 93 dodge for 1350.
6bt, 727 and I assume NP208?, dana 60 front and 70 rear.

Awesome. It should be pretty close to you (at least closer to than to me), and as long as he hasn't stripped too much you should be able to get everything you need off it.

That should be an NP205. The 727 was the predecessor to the a518. the 205 will bolt up to those. Axles on all cummins first gens were dana 60/70. For 1350, youd be doing real well! 1993 will be intercooled and VE pump.

Sounds good. Keep us updated.

Making some progress here.

I bought the donor truck, just have to pick it up, maybe this weekend.
http://www.panther4x4.com/images/93DodgeW250

You saved yourself quite a bit of money by buying the whole truck versus piecing engine, trans, axles, etc together. That will be a pretty sweet build when it is done.

This is going to be a fun build! Keep us updated!

:popcorn:

This seems to be a very nice project!
Congrats also to save the M725 from the recycler..

Good luck
Jim

Panther,
Did you used to have a silver 1980 Cherokee?

Since I started this project and done some research, it's seems what I'm doing is building an Expedition Vehicle :)
Thanks for input. I'm very excited about the project and am hoping to start soon. I have many ideas on the box, including adding a top pop up for more head room, maybe another tent pop up tent on top of that and maybe a side pop out to extend the sq ft in the box.

But I can't get too far ahead of myself as the drivetrain is a project in itself.

Yes Mikel, I'm Panther as in http://www.panther4x4.com and had to sell the Cherokee in 03. I loved that jeep and miss it to this day. Owning that probably has roots in picking a FSJ for this project. I will at some point start a page on this project once the ball gets rolling. What I have to do is find a garage to rent first, then I can have these rigs towed in order to assess what I'm in for. The dodge is in plainville ma and the M725 is close to new london ct (not sure how close that is to you). In fact if you have a tow rig/trailer, want to join in on the fun and earn a few bucks let me know. Next weekend I'll start getting stuff moved around and what not.

We met at Colebrook dam back in 2003...

Good find!

I've been working on my 725 E.V. for 5 years while using it- have lot's of experience and suggestions regarding mods.

BBC, 4L60, NP208, PDB (4 wheel), PS, 12V, onboard air (electric), etc.

I'm open to suggests on mods. Have you dont anything to the box?

Today marks some progress as I found a garage to work on this project and had the jeep towed there. It was an adventure as there was an escort on fire, several cars on the side of the highay and multiple accidents thanks to Ida. Anyway, made the 120 mile trip from CT safely.

http://www.panther4x4.com/images/img190.JPG

Congratz!! Looks like it will be a fun project. Make sure to take lots of pics and keep us in the loop :-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Panther

I'm open to suggests on mods. Have you dont anything to the box?

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put a push/pull fan RV vent in the top- (removed 24V exhaust fans and put speakers in those triangle covers) I do a lot of desert camping and need the ventilation as it's my 'tent'. Bought a couple sliding tinted trailer windows- have to get the nerve to cut the sides to install 'em. Found two 'gypsy rack' US gov. contract Humvee roof racks on e-bay awhile back- 4x6 foot each- can fit both fore and aft of the roof vent, have to fabricate some mounting system for them. Inside back basically stock with one of the upper litters intact. Surgery light still there. Hi Lift jack bolted under one bench. Made a metal/wood insert between the lower benches, put a mirror image camera out the back window and another under truck showing front axle view with a 10" monitor so's I can see what's behind and in front of me. Found a gov't mil. vehicle add-on windshield fluid pump/reservoir unit and installed that yesterday- 12 volt wipers. endless possibilities-

That's a good idea for those corner covers in the cab, perfect speaker boxes.

I have some work to do before I get to the box but plans are to remove just about everything. Behind the drivers side rear door, I'd cut the floor lowering about 5-6' for a shower/toilet. Next to that would be a cabnets for propane stove/sink with a window, then frig/microwave.

For added space I'm thinking about 2 pop ups. First cut out the roof to raise it another 1.5 to 2 feet for standing room. Second cut out the passenger side wall approx 4" by 6".

The wall would hinge at the bottom laying flat when opened, this would be enough room for the bed and raised be the backing of a couch. A tent would have to be made like the side pop out campers that would open up as the wall is lowered. Sorry for the poor quality graphics but attached is a drawing of this idea.

http://www.panther4x4.com/images/sidepopup2.JPG

Nice rig, sounds like a good build, I'm just finishing up my 715, I installed a 6.2 diesel, cheap and fairly easy didn't require a spring over or engine mounts.

pretty ambitious Panther- hope you don't lose some of the structural integrity by cutting out the vertical and/or horizontal reinforcement pillars between the insulated walls.
I did find a duplicate side compartment door (the little one on pass. side) Going to make an identical compartment on the driver side. Other than the sliding windows (46" x 14"), which will fit behind the half-way-back vertical beams in the box, I don't think I'm gonna cut anything else.

Well today marks the official start of the project!
First here are some better quality before pics instead of the cell phone.
http://www.panther4x4.com/images/DSCF0024.JPG
http://www.panther4x4.com/images/DSCF0031.JPG
Here's a 37" MTR next to it stock height.
http://www.panther4x4.com/images/DSCF0029.JPG
This the tire I'm thinking about running but it depends on availability.

I'm very impressed with the condition it's in for how old it is.
http://www.panther4x4.com/images/DSCF0033.JPG
The rust you see is just surface and there no rot to speak of.

I cant say enough how cool this rig is, this project is an absolute blast!

There's some much stuff I'm I have to learn but the Dodge gets towed tomorrow so more updates then.

Mmmmmmmmm...fresh project. I love seeing a truck ready to get overhauled.

I know you're going with the Dodge powerplant, but are you going to go auto or manual trans?

Panther,

Congrats on the great find. I love the exchange of ideas from fellow 725 owners. i'm still in the basic drivetrain upgrade mode. I'll be swapping in
axles from a chevy 4wd dually running on H1 hummer wheels, a hydroboost
m/c and power steering for now. I have a few ideas for the camper part of the
build as well. I'm thinking of adding a couple windows at the rear of the box and maybe having only one rear door in the middle of the rear to create corner space on either side. I think a Thetford c4 casette toilet will be a perfect fit in rt. rear corner between the wheel well and rear door.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/THETFORD-C4-R%...61610001r28440
I'm watching craigslist and ebay for a used flippac roof tent.It is the only roof tent that provided the head room to standup while allowing someone to be sleeping at the same time. Check out: http://www.flippac.com Just chop off
the pick up shell part of it, cut a hole in the roof and graft it to the roof. Much like the Earthroamer Jeep. Kitchen, sink, and cabinets on the driver side rear. Rear side seating on the passenger side. outside shower hatch.
If you haven't found it already checkout http://www.expeditionportal.com and whatever you do don't subscribe to the Expedition Journal magazine
unless you plan on spending hours on the can reading it from cover to cover.
Jokes aside it has great reviews,stories and equipment comparisons.
Well thats my 2 cents for now.

-Charles

That's a good point about structural strength, I'm noticing the thinkness of the walls is more than I was expecting.

Were the walls and doors intended to be bullet proof?

One thing with the roof pop up and wall pop out is that I would keep the sheetmetal in place, when closed they would fit flush with the body. I wouldn't drive with them open but I may have to the area at the pass side barn door.

Randy, I'm sticking with the whole dodge set up at this point, the 727/205 and the axles which I'm guessing are 4.10s. Overdrive would be great but I dont think this would be a bad ratio for the cummins and 37's, calc says 2600 rpms.

I think that should make an excellent combination. I am getting ready this winter to go diesel, so just soaking up some other ideas myself.

I look forward to watching this one materialize.

I've thought about a 725 as a camper and considered doing a "pop-up." Buy an old camper and rob it of the tent portion and lifting mechanism, cut around the entire circumference of the ambulance top and grafting the lifting poles/tent to it. The support poles for the slide out ends could be put into a bracket on the front/rear corners of the box. You'd lose a couple inches of head room when it was stored but gain 2 queen sized sleeping areas when extended.
Of you could skip the camper thing and just do the lift with some tenting materiel to give you head room. 6" lift would only hang 3" of materiel down inside when closed.

Charles,
Thanks for posting, I'm glad someone else is doing an EV with the same M725, that's great and you'll have to let me know how the camper comes along. Do you have a build thread?
I like that toilet and will have to watch out for those. I'm on expedition portal as "sojourner" (the name of this rig) and am reading up on ideas for the camper. If your able to pull of the flic pac, I might go the same route.

Right now I'm working on rust prevention and drivetrain.

here's a photoshop of the windows I have yet to put on the truck.... avoids all structural areas and fits above the litter rack.

http://members.cox.net/ebaypix666/winders.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by M725baja

here's a photoshop of the windows I have yet to put on the truck.... avoids all structural areas and fits above the litter rack.

http://members.cox.net/ebaypix666/winders.jpg

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Nice project and nice window choice!

Wow! Is that a Forward Control in the background!

Baja, I like the exhaust. That is exactly how I did mine.

If you don't mind my asking (and hijacking Panther's thread) where did you find that style window? I am working on an S250 camper conversion and want to use something similar. I haven't really looked around much yet.

Baja, do tell more about the set up.
Shackle flip rear, SOA front? Tire size?
That's a great looking rig.

No hijacking here, just exchanging ideas, that's what I was hoping for.

Donor dodge arrived today.
http://www.panther4x4.com/images/DSCF0036.JPG

Man, we need that drool smiley here..........

I always enjoy seeing a 6BT going into an M715, or 725 in this case.

Found the windows on e-bay, some place in the midwest- was looking for tint and the right dimensions. Think I paid $80 for both. They're for a trailer with thinner walls so I'll have to adapt 'em.

Yeah- that's a '58 FC170, and a '65 Wagoneer and a couple '70 Jeepsters hidin' in there somewhere. More projects than brains.

Spring over on both axles. D60 front and 14Bolt (with disc) rear, 5.13 gears with lockers. 38" MT Baja MTZ's. Rear sags a bit since conversion- gonna have new springs made at some point to level it out.

I love those windows here is a link showing what I wont to do with the rear
barn doors; http://www.land-rover-ambulance.net/...d=26&Itemid=63

I think it will create more useable space inside.

interesting rear door mod- or you could leave the stock doors intact and still add the rear bulkheads, or just seal one door shut and use the other...

That is interesting what he did to the rover.

My thought is to use the door on the passenger side as a main entrance. The steps would then be moved over to that side. On the drivers side would be a stall for shower and toilet directly behind the rear door. To make more room for the shower, I'm thinking of lowering that section of the floor 4-5", there's room underneath. Then the shower head would be in the very corner. The idea would be to have an outdoor shower as well. Simply open both doors, pivot the shower head outside and there ya go an outdoor shower. You could even extend a curtain between the doors for privacy and make a step to stand on.


So I had a chance to pull the T98 and NP200 to start clearing space for the swap.
http://www.panther4x4.com/images/DSCF0039.JPG
I do like the e-brake on the tcase and may try to use one on the Np205 later on.
I have some POR15 on order to clean up the rust and dropping the gas tank will probably be next.

On thing I found out that I thought was pretty cool was the fact that the seat mounts swivel!
I was thinking about doing this anyway but whoever put the seats in used a universal mount that has a swivel latch. :thumbsup:
http://www.panther4x4.com/images/DSCF0048.JPG
What I'll probably do as add a small fold down tray on the door to the box. Then you could easily enjoy meals in the cab. There's not a lot of room but enough to pull it off.
http://www.panther4x4.com/images/DSCF0042.JPG

Panther you lucked out man, usually the little surprises we find in vehicles this old are not good. I'll be on the lookout for swivel seat mounts.
here are a couple of links from when i was thinking to buy a Land Rover 109
ambulance. /www.ambulancetreff.de/pages/events/2008/ambulancetreff.php
Some good camper ideas.
On this 2nd link the check out the cabinets in the second to last photo
http://www.ambulancetreff.de/pages/e...lancetreff.php

It would be cool to see a stock land rover 109 ambulance vs. a stock 725 put
through an off road test. yeah we know which would win.