Panther
Scrambler Nut
- City
- Methuen
- State
- MA
Well, if any of you noticed the "New World Cabs" thread that jscherb posted in scramblings you'll see pictures of my M725 project. If moderators want to move this elsewhere that's fine but I figured I'd start a thread on this project if anyone is interested in following.
The goal is to build an Expedition Camper 4x4.
In doing the research I choose the M725 Military Ambulance for a few reasons:
1) It's cool and cheap
2) it's 1 1/4 ton 4x4 platform is a good base to work from
3) it would make a good tow rig for the scrambler
4) they are heavy duty
5) they usually have low miles and aren't complete rust buckets like CJ's
6) the box in the back is 8ft long, 6ft wide and 5ft high
The drawbacks are:
1) it has the aerodynamics of a brick
2) the stock engine is 150hp
3) the 5.89 gears and no overdrive mean top spead is 55mph
4) axles have military spec rims with limited availability
5) the electrical is 24V
6) manual steering and brakes
7) height of the box only 5ft
The idea is to have towing ability and good gas mileage so the entire drivetrain needs to be replaced. I should also add this the project is essentially 2 phases, build the base vehicle with upgraded drivetrain and then build the camper.
In phase 1 I'm looking at a donor 93 dodge w250 with 6bt, 727, np205, dana 60 front and 70rear.
This would all be swapped over to the M725. For the vehicles thus far, I'm looking at getting both for under 2k which I think is good economical start.
Here are some pics:
The goal is to build an Expedition Camper 4x4.
In doing the research I choose the M725 Military Ambulance for a few reasons:
1) It's cool and cheap
2) it's 1 1/4 ton 4x4 platform is a good base to work from
3) it would make a good tow rig for the scrambler
4) they are heavy duty
5) they usually have low miles and aren't complete rust buckets like CJ's
6) the box in the back is 8ft long, 6ft wide and 5ft high
The drawbacks are:
1) it has the aerodynamics of a brick
2) the stock engine is 150hp
3) the 5.89 gears and no overdrive mean top spead is 55mph
4) axles have military spec rims with limited availability
5) the electrical is 24V
6) manual steering and brakes
7) height of the box only 5ft
The idea is to have towing ability and good gas mileage so the entire drivetrain needs to be replaced. I should also add this the project is essentially 2 phases, build the base vehicle with upgraded drivetrain and then build the camper.
In phase 1 I'm looking at a donor 93 dodge w250 with 6bt, 727, np205, dana 60 front and 70rear.
This would all be swapped over to the M725. For the vehicles thus far, I'm looking at getting both for under 2k which I think is good economical start.
Here are some pics: