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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Bridgton, Maine
    Posts
    253

    Default The search for my first 715

    Hi I am new here and was hopingthat someone would be able to help me on what to look for when buying an m715.
    I have wanted one for about 10 years because I like the way they look, I have also owned j truck, wagoneers, tons of Cherokees, and now I think I am ready to finaly buy an m715
    if anyone can help that would be awsome
    thank you for your time
    ps I live in Maine so lots of snow

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 1998
    Location
    North Central Wisconsin
    Posts
    11,520

    Default

    Here is the list...composed some years ago by one of our members:

    Starting from the rear:

    * Check rear bumper for rust on the inside
    * Check for original tailgate (HARD to find on M715s that were turned into fire trucks)
    * Check for rust in floor of bed (EASY to find on M715s that were turned into fire trucks)
    * Check for troop seats and rear canopy bows
    * Check rear wheel cylinders for leakage or frozen condition
    * Check rear brake shoe condition. Take the time to remove each wheel and brake drum BEFORE you buy the truck. These brake shoes AND DRUMS go bad quickly when there is mud and dirt wedged in there. (It'll cost you about $35 per axle to replace the brake shoes--If Front Line Military Vehicles still has the shoes in stock, that is. If not, other source's prices are much higher).
    * Check rear drive shaft/U-joints for security, dents, wear/play. I bent my shaft-$230 for a new one, $166 to rebuild the old one (including new, machined u-joints)
    * Check for leakage from rear differential housing & shaft
    * Check parking brake on transfer case for wear, and to make sure all the parts are there.
    * Check transfer case input and output shafts for leakage (Seals-$12.00 each)
    * Check rubber bushings on transfer & transmission mounts for serviceability
    * Check front drive shaft, short shaft and universal joints for looseness, wear and dents
    * Check transmission mount for serviceability (It's the 6-8 inch long flat rubber and metal piece between the bottom of the transmission and the crossmember that supports the transmission. If this is shot, the 4 WD/2WD selector handle will rub and strike the edge of the access hole in the transmission hump cover inside the cab. You will be in for a very noisy ride).
    * Check the condition of the clutch--Easily done by removing the bottom cover on the bellhousing.
    * While you've got that bellhousing cover off, check the starter gear ring on the flywheel. Replacing this gear will require removal of the flywheel. This is a major operation (at least on my truck)--You must remove the bellhousing to get the flywheel off. You must also have the flywheel off to remove the bellhousing. Get the Idea? I had to remove the entire crankshaft with the flywheel still attached. Fortunately, I was rebuilding the engine at the time.
    * Check the cab corners, pan, and sill (rocker) panels for rust.
    * Check the roll-up windows for good rubber seals and tracks (especially where the roll up window slides up and down inside a track in the fixed window. If this seal/track is shot or non-existent, an annoying rattle will result as the roll-up window rattles back and fourth in the fixed window track.--I still have not found a source for the window track seals.
    * Check all instrumentation for condition and accuracy.
    * Check for seat belts. I had to install generic ones--$35 each.
    * Check condition of cab canvas and snaps.
    * Check condition of windshield seal (between bottom of windshield and hood of truck)
    * Check for rust around where the brake master cylinder attaches to firewall (both inside and outside)
    * Check windshield wiper motors (hopefully converted to electric instead of vacuum)
    * Check operation of the transmission (1st gear and reverse are not synchronized)
    * Check for proper operation of the transfer case-High, Neutral and Low/ 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive. (You may need to back up a short distance to shift from 4 wheel drive back to 2 wheel drive).
    * Check for proper operation of the PTO for the winch. Check to ensure that wodruf (sp?) keys and set screws are in place on all the universal joints on the PTO shaft (except the extreme forward joint, which should have a special shear pin installed on the winch end). Do not allow hardware store bolts and nuts to be used anywhere on this PTO shaft.--It cost me $150 to get pulled out of a mudhole because the guy I bought the truck from didn't spend the $5 to get proper wodruf keys and set screws installed.
    * Check steering for looseness/play.
    * Check engine compression--150 is where a new/rebuilt 230 engine should be. YOU DO NOT WANT TO REBUILD THIS ENGINE--BRING A COMPRESSION TESTER WITH YOU AND TEST EACH CYLINDER TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE GOOD! I can not stress this enough. I did all the work (except the machine work) myself, and ended up spending about $800-$900 to rebuild my engine. Rebuild parts are rare, and extremely hard to find-You therefore pay through the nose for them.
    * Check for oil leaks especially around the timing cover-to-block seal.
    * Check for blue smoke/burning oil. Again, YOU DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO REBUILD THIS ENGINE.
    * Check front engine mount rubber for rot/sagging/damage from petroleum products.
    * Check steering box for leakage.
    * Check all steering ball joints for play/wear.
    * Check front differential for leakage/shaft play.
    * Check front swivel balls (where the front wheels pivot for steering) for pitting and leakage.
    * Check front brake shoes and wheel cylinders-same as rear.
    * Check for a heater--it would likely have been installed from a civilian truck.
    * Check for radiator leakage.
    * Check winch for oil leakage, cable condition and proper operation (the lever on the winch engages the drum to the shaft that runs through the middle of it. By moving the lever toward the passenger's side, the drum will disengage, thereby "freewheeling" so you can pull the cable out).
    * Check front bumper for rust.
    * Check body for overall condition/rust. Pay close attention to the metal channels under the cab where it mounts to the frame. Rust flakes off inside these channels.
    * Check all wiring for cracking/rubbing.
    * Check tires for tread, dry rot, and condition of the rims. The best price I've found for new 9.00x16 military non-directional tread tires is $121 each, from Wallace Wade in Texas. Shipping cost--don't know, because my local tire dealer can get NDTs to me for $135 each.
    * Check front wheel hubs for security by grabbing the top of the tire and pushing and pulling it back and forth as hard as you can several times with the truck on the ground (not on jacks). If any clunking sound is heard or felt, the huge nuts inside the axle hub have backed off or are loose. This is not good, as these nuts hold the wheel onto the spindle.

    I paid $3500 for my truck and it suffered from many of the above mentioned problems. I paid too much for my truck, considering what it cost to correct the problems. The only way I justify this cost is that I also got 4 spare wheels, an extra Dana 60 front end, an extra Dana 70 rear end, a spare transmission (dogged-out), a good spare transfer case, and a few boxes of spare parts. It's a great truck when properly repaired, though.

    If the truck you're looking at passes all the tests above, I'd pay up to $4000 for it (if it looked and drove good). This is only MY opinion, however, and others will have different opinions. One important lesson learned: If the owner claims to have rebuilt the engine, DEMAND to see the receipts. The rebuild parts are so expensive that only a die-hard M715 fan would rebuild it. A die-hard M715 fan would also save the receipts. Anyone else is probably lying (like the guy I bought my truck from).
    Lord send your Holy Ghost into our hearts and make the desire of our hearts Your Will.

    Pro-choice, that's a LIE, babies don't choose to die!!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Bridgton, Maine
    Posts
    253

    Default

    Thank u so much for your help the truck I am looking at is in mass on craigslist for 3800 but I have talked him down to 2700 it has a fiberglass top cj seats and he said that someone changed the mastercyl over
    needs rockerpanels an exaust and has something wrong with brakes the linkage for transfer case is loose and e brake cable is broken but he said it runs great and I can drive it when I go down next week
    it has a fiberglass top which I have not seen on other m715 is this rare?
    Thank u again for all your help

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Alexandria KY
    Posts
    482

    Default

    The aformentioned list is pretty comprehensive. Don't forget to consider the paperwork issues. Be sure thata clear title is part of the deal. Be sure to verify that the VIN matches the paperwork. Be sure all outstanding taxes have been paid. Check to see what forms will be required to transfer the truck. Here we have "Value of Consideration" forms, Sheriff Inspection, and out-of state transfer paperwork.
    '67 M715 '42 GPW '45 MB

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Methuen, MA
    Posts
    323

    Default

    Is it this one?


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Bridgton, Maine
    Posts
    253

    Default

    yes i have looked at it and am shure it is a great deal i am going down this weekend to pick it up

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Bridgton, Maine
    Posts
    253

    Default no jeep

    well seems someone stoped bye yesterday with some cash and picked up the jeep before i could get to it sat but i am not giveing up if anyone knows of one for sale i am still looking id like to keep it pritty close to new england
    thanks for all your help

  8. #8

    Default

    Sorry to hear that...I wish to find a better one instead !

    Good luck

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