Calgary Jeep Association
4x4 Related Groups => General Talk => Topic started by: gsxtacy on June 09, 2006, 12:42:55 PM
-
You know, I really like my Cj-5. It's great, but it's just that...well, owning a CJ guarantees not very much storage room, but great reliability and ruggedness and you get looks from the girls when you're crusing later at night. My job right now is fine with the CJ, and all my stuff fits in the room nicely. My next job, however, will be in the oil patch, thus what I'm looking for needs the ruggedness and reliability to be offroad almost every single day. I thought about my Jeep and decided there wouldn't be enough room, the J2000 and 3000, 20s and 10's but they're not very numerable in decent drivable shape, I'm looking at not just a truck for this job, but an extreme workhorse. A horse that will put up with the constant bashing of cutlines and way out of the way, middle of nowhere work, it must be reliable to the max, and servicable in the field if anything does break. An M715. can anyone tell me what they think? Has anyone on this board owned one at any point? I would really like to do a 6.2 litre GM diesel or a Cummins swap so I can run Biofuels in it. Can you help me out?
Thanx
In case some of you don't know what the heck I'm talking about, here's a pic:
http://www.geocities.com/imfmotorpool/m715.5.jpg
-
How about a H2
-
How about a H2
That's perfect! Looks sweet AND has GREAT offroad reliability!
-
??
come on guys, no bull
I'm throwing this out there honestly, you of all people, TJ54 should know this (from an exec, no less, "lead by example" comes to mind.). and I'm asking that you respect my plight, and at least it's not a FORD i'm considering!
:evil:
so stop it and let's hear some honest stuff come this way.
-
??
come on guys, no bull
I'm throwing this out there honestly, you of all people, TJ54 should know this (from an exec, no less, "lead by example" comes to mind.). and I'm asking that you respect my plight, and at least it's not a FORD i'm considering!
:evil:
so stop it and let's hear some honest stuff come this way.
gsxtaxy... please don't take this too hard. TJ54 is just busting your shops man. :wink:
If you are looking for something RELIABLE ...i would go with something NEW. This is my opinion... I have friends that work on the patch and they all have big fairly NEW deisel trucks (ei. Dodge Ram 3500 crew cab). The Kaiser M715/M725/M726 looks like a freakin tank. :twisted: I would love to try one of these but it's an older truck (produced from 1967 to 1969) and have some older "not so reliable" parts. :roll: Unless time and funds ($) is no limit to you... I would go new. The Kaiser would cost you a minth to rebuilt fairly new and it would take a while to do it too.
I might be wrong.. but that's my opinion. :roll:
Here's a nice one that is use for work,...
(http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3B/Photos/Fire/M715/UnionBridgeBrush85.JPG)
It would be a great project for an off roading toy... :twisted:
(http://jpmagazine.com/featuredvehicles/p65118_image_large.jpg)
with a V8
(http://jpmagazine.com/featuredvehicles/p65121_image_large.jpg)
and a DANA 70 :twisted:
(http://jpmagazine.com/featuredvehicles/p65125_image_large.jpg)
It is a wicked Jeep truck... :twisted:
(http://jpmagazine.com/featuredvehicles/p65120_image_large.jpg)
Cheers,
-
thanx very much singer, i know, but it's just irritating. and you actually convinced me to get one. those pics make it look SUPER rugged. and perfect for the job.
i wrote to boyceequipment.com and asked if they had one that was in top shape and everything else, i have also been looking on ebaymotors.ca and have been finding really nice ones. it seems justifiable that the best would be new, but money is not there. I took a look yesterday at a new dodge ram 2500 short box reg. cab, cummins six speed. it would cost me 60 thousand or more to customize it for the type of work i'll be on, when, with a jeep truck, the truck'll cost about 10 grand total, (including travel expenses to go and get it, title and gas to drive it back) for a really good one. throw on a lift and a set of 35x14.5r16" boggers or 38.5x14.5r15 TSL SX, bolt on some rok rails and that'd only set me back about 15-20 thousand dollars, and it'd be twice the truck that the dodge could ever be. add a 10 000 lb winch and bumper and it'd go anywhere.
thanx singer, you really got my gears movin'...
-
What about considering an FC (http://jeepfc.www5.50megs.com/index2.htm)??
A little different, can come in a lwb, build your own deck on the rear.
Might be a *bit* more noisy in the cab tho, the motor bay is between the seats and a bit behind! :twisted:
-
thanx elsifier, but an fc is out of the question.
although they are cool ,i don't believe them to be the most rugged trucks that jeep has ever built, and besides, i wouldn't want to mar that wicked cool forward control with lift kits and huge tires.
I'm sticking with the M715, besides, i've already fired off emails to boyce equipment, Surplus city and memphis equipment
thanx for your input
-
Sweet! Let us know how it goes, what are you planning on putting on the rear bed/deck of your new truck? Welder? Steamer?
Good luck!
Chris
-
Here's a more serious link, It's not a jeep but they are tough and they can take a beating. Unimog.
A local dealer
http://www.redcougar.ca/
There is a mog dealer in red deer as well. The freightliner dealer I think. Can't remember the name, but I do have a good contact there. The name will come to me in a while.
Tell us more about this job you have. Oilfield, logging, surveying. There are people here from all kinds of fields and I'm sure someone could make a good suggestion with more info.
Kaisers are way cool but they are getting old now, parts will be hard to find, you will probably end up fabbing parts for it. Which could be a lot of fun, but when the vehicle you are using for work breaks down,then you're not working. If it takes two weeks to order/build parts that is going to cost you alot of work.
I am going to agree with Swampsinger on this one, Buy a dodge diesel, it will be reliable and you can get it fixed by any chrysler dealer in any small town.
-
it'll be up the bush :lol: , pipeline and compresser station/battery NDT with jaunts down logging roads, cut lines, mountains, etc... where ever that pipeline goes, so do i.
and most of the equipment is extremley heavy, very very bulky and the dodge's just cost too much to customize, and can't be trusted with the constant bashing. this truck almost needs to be a rock crawler.
a unimog sounds neat, and i like the idea but $$$$$$ is a factor
and i was looking earlier at this place called Memphis Equipment who specializes in this truck (m715) with next day parts shipping. and they also completely refurbish these trucks too. If i get one, i'm getting it from them, fully refurbished, running strong.
or if i don't get a refurbished one, i'll most likely tear out the engine and trans and replace it with a new crate and a refurbished trans.
thanx for everyone's input thus far
-
If you think the M715 is a mean rig, check these out!
http://www.coldwarremarketing.com/vehicles.asp?s=Soviet
http://www.vermont-unimog.com/misc.html
http://www.4wdonline.com/Man/8x8.html
http://www.exarmyvehicles.co.uk/8x8.htm
-
those 6x6s are really cool, when i was over in russia, i used to work at an airforce base, they had tons of those around. they'll go anywhere. and i love he 8x8 trucks, those are truly wicked, but i found this military vehicle supersite on the web and it's just amazing
there's tons of 715's for sale at great prices, it's called steelsoldiers.com
i found one yesterday that was completley refurbished for only 7500 buxx
only downside is it's in vermont or tenesee or something like that, but mind as well.
thanx for everything guys
-
I think Ian is on to something with the Mog. Parts are still readily available. These things are tractors that can do highway speeds.
The other thing I would take a look at it CFB Suffield may have some bedfords ready to be decomissioned. Check out some of the Edmonton Equipment auctions as I'm sure they'll be showing up soon.
-
what exactly is a bedford?
-
(http://www.armyrecognition.com/europe/Angleterre/War_Peace_Show/2005/pictures/Bedford_Truck_War_and_Peace_2005_ArmyRecognition_02.jpg)
On second thought, they are way bigger then I remember. Just go buy a mog.
-
Maybe i am slow, but what do all the other employees of the world use for this kind of work???
i mean i am having trouble believing that you need what you say you need when i am thinking 100's of others have gotten to where they need to go without doing what you are suggesting. i just can't get my head around the facts. What does everyone else drive???
Tom :)
-
Just get an older F350 single wheel rear axle, 7.3 powerstroke from 96-02.
I just picked up my F350 for 10k. There are a lot cheaper out there. Mines crew cap, hidden goose neck, new tranny (after 360K !!!), long box, linered, fully loaded. You can get a regular cab, normal f350 in those years for 6-9k.
In my experience (logger, siesmic worker, rig worker, etc etc)
Nothing stands up to the Fords in the bush.
In my seismic days we destroyed dodges to no end. The only chev was the pavement princess fuel truck, and the boses cadilac highway rigs. Veritas quite buying dodge because the of the 15 or so they bought, very few made it back to calgary with the suspension attached.
The older Ford powerstrokes are of proven strength and reliability.
No other truck of that day came with diffs it did. Leaf sprung (simple) front and rear.
Front Dana 60 hp, manual hubs, manual t-case. No pushbutton electronic t-case or automatic hubs to fail on you at the wrong times. Rear is a simple sterling 10.25 full floater.
The Ford is the lighter of the big three deisels in those day. The Dodges sink because of cummings weight, and the chevs because of suspension.
If you are truly going to hitting the cutlines, as hard or harder then seismic hands, then Fords are your realistic choice.
Just take a look at the few the 100 plus seismic yards around town and see what they are running. Or ask what they always ran in the years you are looking at as some have moved to dodges, but they are still a front end sinking tank in the bush.
At least ford nothing. Im not a ford man, i wouldnt spit on most ford cars if they were on fire. But they know how to make a simple, strong, reliable, and affordable work truck.
Ever drive in BC much? Ever notice what 90% of the trucks are? Yep, Ford. Cause they work in the bush. Whether you hate ford or not, thats just how it is.
Not to mention, buying an old f350 is cheap enough for you to keep your cj for when you come home and want to wheel.
good luck
-
thanx bnine
as realistic as it sounds, and it does pretty well, can i get lifts to the size i want to run?
(6-10")
and a stick?
everything else sounds gravy
oh, and tom... i'd like to have fun with this truck as well
-
thanx bnine
as realistic as it sounds, and it does pretty well, can i get lifts to the size i want to run?
(6-10")
and a stick?
everything else sounds gravy
oh, and tom... i'd like to have fun with this truck as well
Absolutely. F350's are already SOA, with lift blocks in the back. Every spring company out there makes add a leafs, lifted spring packs, etc etc you name.
Stock with a 29 inch tire they are already as high as a jeep with a 4 inc lift on it. 10 lift would create a monster truck imo. They clear 33's stock with no mods, 35's with a bit of trim. The 5 speeds from that year are a solid tranny with a close to granny first gear, and a good reputation.
-
wow, wicked awesome
ya, i'm lookin to make a monster truck
and to drive the poo out of it
:twisted:
ford it is, and because it is newer, i can find parts!!!
cool
-
oh, and tom... i'd like to have fun with this truck as well
Gotcha :wink:
-
i've looked all over the web today and i can't find high or low of this truck, so i went to the dealer... 2002, 15000 km on it, 20 grand with the auto
bnine, it's everything you said it'd be
but where'd you get it?
the song "escape" from "the patriot" soundtrack matches it so well
could you just see a massively lifted rig running a cutline with that music.
it's beautiful
-
As of last year the 2 seismic companys I worked for used ford f350's and they stood up to all the punisment we could give them.
try looking here. http://canadatrader.com/search/advancedSearch.aspx
-
92 Ford XLT F350 5 spd diesel, 4WD, pw, a/c, 2 tone blue, 380,000kms, $7500
how's this?
-
Not to bad.
That is most likely a mechanical diesel. Old school before the powerstroke. I've never had one, but hear they are simple as hell to work on and parts are dirt cheap. Problem is there isnt a turbo on them, and they are pretty gutless compared to the powerstroke. But if you put a few bucks into a turbo and some other various upgrades, they can be made pull pretty hard.
I got mine through a freind of a freind that runs a concrete company. He owns 3 new ones and this was his oldest, so it was time to put her to pasture. I got a steal of a deal, but there are others out there.
You just want to make sure you are looking for the right things when shopping for old deisels tho.
You can go to sites like deisel stop, ford truck, or pirate in the tow rig section and get all kinds of advice on what to look for.
I was thinking 3/4ton before I found this truck. Then I found out from one site that the 3/4 doesnt come with the true d60 or as simple a front end as the 1 ton.
Lots of sites to help ya out with little things like that.
-
ya, i was thinkuing about that. i saw an f250 on the lot and i was like WOW, that's be perfect, but the dana 60 pumpkin didn't look the same.
i would for sure like a powerstroke and i would like it cheap, is there any equipment auctions i should know about?
thanx
tom
-
The good news is. If you go with a F250, the dana60 F350 axle is a direct bolt in swap.
Something else I learned when I was sourcing my truck. That was my plan until I found the 350 I was looking for. Get a 250, then source a front d60 from somewhere like clarks and bolt it up.
-
ya, for sure... i was also thinking about getting a ittly bitty sonoma, dropping in a 454 bbc or a 400 sbc and putting big tires on it, but i think that'd be a tad more work. ford sounds good
thanx for everything guys, now only to find the truck...
-
Hey gsxtacy, WHAT exactly would you be doing in the oilpatch to need a monster truck for?
I've been some pretty nasty places in the past few years and believe me, comfort and on road manners are a bigger concern. Some days I wind up driving 750kms of pavement to get to the lease road that maybe 10kms long.
Enlighten us please........
-
well...i'll be doing ndt so i go wherever they need me.
plus, like i described to tom, i'd like to occasionally have fun with this truck
and i need space and provisions for very heavy equipment and i need this truck to be indestructable because un-routine maintenance means down-time, and down-time means no cash flow... thus, a monster truck style rig would be best. i would like something small, but not too small, and able to take massive amounts of abuse because, well, that will be its chosen duty in life.
let's recap
M715: Wicked awesomecool but no parts make this kida tough
Dodge:$$ plus, cummins is too heavy
Mog:$$$$$$$$; unless i get a second hand one, then that would kick bunz
Chevy: $$ plus suspension is junk
Ford: Perfect, not too expensive plus, good suspension and can clear 35s with little cutting, I'm sold!
(there were more trucks suggested intermittenly but i chose to disreguard them because they were jokes, or were british.)
the sonoma idea was me n' a buddy thinking happy thoughts. may come true, you never know.
peace
-
Where is your NDT taking place I'm assuming we're talking of non-destructive testing?
Maybe you'll make enough cash to buy a work truck AND all your dream rides........Old Flatfender Willys....Mahindra Jeep.......Full Size Jeep pickup.......and a MONSTER TRUCK :D :D :D :D :D
BTW you're way off base with the Dodge/Cummins, it's not significantly heavier than any of the other diesel powered rigs and has a shelf life of 500,000kms before a major O/H is recommended.
We have three 01 and 02 Ram 2500's with 250,000 to 425,000 kms on them and they're just as bulletproof as the Fords and far and away more dependable than the GM's
-
My neighbors Dodge crew cab short box cummins is 1000lbs heavier then my f350 crew cab long box. Front end being well over half of that.
My front scaled at 2000kg, his at 2300. Most of that is motor.
-
That's cuz' the Ford has tinfoil all around it for a body :shock:
Follow this link and you'll be a Cummins believer forever :D :D :D
http://inlinediesel.com/deathmatch/
-
Actually its due to the cummins being almost half as much heavier then a psd or DM.
The rest is due to heavier frames in the last few years compared to the mid 90's.
I would never take anything from the cummins it is bar none the biggest, strongest deisel put in to domestic trucks.
But unlike most dodge owners, the rest of the world buys a truck, not a motor.
A ford or chev guy will refer to his truck as a ford or chev. A dodge man says he drives a cummins....lol
Hit the deisel boards, they do it all the time. Its pretty funny :D
Anyways, not here for a brand war. Personally I have never seen a diesel one ton work better in the bush then a ford, and neither has any of my consultants.
He is asking for a bush truck, so Im relaying my experiences. There is always someone loyal to some brand for one reason or another.
-
mts, i believe in the engine, i love the ability to lug the hell out of a cummins. my dad had a cummins dodge '87 or something like it and you could hear each individual cylinder fire climbing a hill we used to go have fun on, i just don't believe in the dodge. like bnine said:"A dodge man says he drives a cummins"
and mts, the mog will be all the fun i could've had with any of the other rigs except for the mahindras...
they're junk
plus...i'd be too dangerous with my modding on a flatfender
i talked to redcougar, bnine, he said he could set me up with a mog 437 series for cheaper in exactly what i'm looking for.
900 km range with a tourquey (2nd vid explains) smooth engine
and for all of the rest of you, i think you'll find these movies amusing:
Unimog vs. bronco:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6876880683204121249&q=unimog
Unimog promo vid:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6084804848968005206&q=unimog
Fun in the sand:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6602152506380877027&q=unimog
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3961750704886288589
i've made my decision. the unimog is my choice, it won't be very inexpensive, but it'll be very, very hard to kill.
thanx for everyone's help and comments. Mercedes did it right.
-
"comment recanted"
-
apex...i'm just about as nutz as they come.
redcougar in cochrane will supply parts with a single day overnight shipping policy... you could also just take it to a Mercedes Benz dealership who knows Unimog, there's a couple in Calgary here... so it's no biggy.
my neighbour even has one and i asked if i could borrow it for a day...he said sure so i testdrove it...loved it very much. (it was an older one tho, so i'm wondering if that's the nostalgia factor) they're surprisingly easy to drive and if you can handle a big doolie dodge or chev you can easily handle a mog.
it's what i'm looking for...diesel, indestructable with go-anywhere capabilities.