alosix : M725 project, your thoughts...

M725 project, your thoughts...
Post by alosix on Jul 25, 2006, 7:23am

We're looking at picking up a M725 for the shop to pull parts hauling and tow rig duties.

the M725 choice is simple, they are odd looking old Jeeps that bring a bunch of attention at shows. Great for getting people into our tent to see our wares. (At least thats what my Canadian M101 trailer and Jeep TJ seem to do).

Now the the fun part. We'll probably only need the truck a few times a month. Most shows aren't real far away, but some are and require some highway time. The M725 we're looking at seems to be in good shape with less than 40k on the clock. Needs brake and fuel tank work.


We also need this to be done on a pseudo budget (If I had 40k to budget for a truck, I'd go buy a 1 ton truck )

So, let me know if this doesn't sound too nuts:

Step 1: Goal is brakes, tires, highway speed.
1.) Swap in D60/D70 from 1989 Dodge 12v 350. (4.10 ratio I think)
2.) Add 8 lug wheels
3.) mount up some 37" Toyo M55s.
4.) Possible Vette MC swap or other brake help. (maybe even the one from the 1989 Dodge we are cannibalizing)


This should get us:
a.) Maintainable brakes
b.) More available bolt pattern for wheels.
c.) Highway top speed without killing the engine/t-case.
d.) No towing in this round. Just filling the back full of Jeep parts.

Questions:
1.) The tranny has a fairly low 1st gear. I figure it should be able to move the truck with 4.10s in it. It might not go real fast, but I'm figuring that in 4th gear on flat ground it might be able to do 65 mph. 4.56 or 4.88 would probably be better, but not so much for step 2. Though 4.56 might be a very good middle ground.


Step 2:
1.) Install 12v CTD from 1989 truck. (I make that sound so straightforward don't I).
2.) Install the rest of the drive train from the truck (tranny/t-case).
3.) Spend all winter trying to make everything fit right.

This should get us:
a.) a 'real' 5/4 truck capable of hauling parts + 2 Jeeps on a trailer.


Step 3:
1.) Probably install some Firestone AiRide bags front and rear with a linked suspension. Just to soften the ride when unloaded and to let me adapt airbags to one more vehicle .

Sorry for the long post. Any thoughts/criticisms would be appreciated.

Jason

Re: M725 project, your thoughts...
Post by binfordm715 on Jul 25, 2006, 8:12am

Add a swap from the NP200 to an NP205 t'case.

Re: M725 project, your thoughts...
Post by alosix on Jul 25, 2006, 8:39am

Likely to pull the whole drivetrain from the 1989, including the chain drive 241 that's in it. For the service this vehicle is going to have it should be adequate. We've got the 'baby jeeps' for wheeling.

Jason

Re: M725 project, your thoughts...
Post by alosix on Jul 25, 2006, 8:44am

Oh,
And is there much demand for the drivetrain for these things among 'purists'? I'd hate to scrap a perfectly good drivetrain just because we're pulling it.

Jason

Re: M725 project, your thoughts...
Post by elwenil on Jul 25, 2006, 8:54am

Swap everything from the Dodge. Good stuff there and would serve your purposes well in the 725 body. Not much call for the old drivetrain, there are so many out there for sale and they are such a pain to ship that they don't have much value. You might find someone locally that will want the stuff, but other than Doug and a few others needing spare axle shafts and odds and ends there isn't a huge demand for the old stuff.

Re: M725 project, your thoughts...
Post by compexp on Jul 25, 2006, 9:01am

There is some demand for running motors, but not much for the tranny and xfer case.

Sounds like a good plan on the swap - I run a chebbyd 350 with stock tranny and xfer - runs 3000 rpm at 54 mph!

Different gearing (4.10 or so) should be fine. The stock T-18 is a 6.7:1 first I think.

Post pics if you have them, love to see other ice-cream trucks on the road!

Re: M725 project, your thoughts...
Post by alosix on Jul 25, 2006, 9:21am

Sounds cool. I don't mind parting out the axles , engine, or anything else. Not looking to make any $$ back on them. I just know how hard it can be to find some of those parts. I wouldn't want them ended up in a scrap yard if someone could use them.

Jason

Re: M725 project, your thoughts...
Post by rpgdeity on Jul 25, 2006, 9:29am

Welcome aboard, it sounds like you have a very cool project ahead of you. Where are you located?

Re: M725 project, your thoughts...
Post by gimpyrobb on Jul 25, 2006, 10:23am

I agree, where are you? We need to post the link to the member locator map. Its nice to know if m/g is in order.

Re: M725 project, your thoughts...
Post by alosix on Jul 25, 2006, 10:31am

Abingdon, MD.

Still don't have the truck yet. Need to go and pick it up. Just trying to make sure the plan is reasonable.

Jason

Re: M725 project, your thoughts...
Post by tacomainoh on Jul 25, 2006, 11:10am

when you do the CTD swap, do it right and CUT THE FIREWALL. It will save you a lot of time/trouble trying to get stuff to fit right. Also be aware that you may need to go to an under-dash heater (a Flexalite Mojave or similar) if the turbo hits the heater box. I am doing a Chevy-Cummins swap and I need to mod the heater box on it, and there is more room there than in a Jeep.

4:10's are great, esp. w/a CTD. If you're going to drive it, that's a great combination. I"ve found that most people are recommending 3:55's w/the CTD.

Re: M725 project, your thoughts...
Post by wrecker on Jul 25, 2006, 11:24am

With as much as you're using off the 89, have you considered a body swap? A little wheel base issues and firewall and body mounting fab might be easier than adapting everything to the 725 frame. Just a random thought.

Re: M725 project, your thoughts...
Post by alosix on Jul 25, 2006, 11:59am


Quote: <TABLE class=bordercolor cellSpacing=1 width="90%"><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%"><TABLE class=quote cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">With as much as you're using off the 89, have you considered a body swap? A little wheel base issues and firewall and body mounting fab might be easier than adapting everything to the 725 frame. Just a random thought.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Not a bad Idea, but we're picking up the 89 for a reasonable price mainly because its rusting apart. The drivetrain is good, but the rest isn't much.

Jason