Operation: Gertrude. Kendelrios M715 restoration thread

[67Beast]

I had figured the lollipop lights were a forest service/volunteer fire department thing (mine appears to be former forest service).
I'll have to go back further through my photo files, so far I've found several of M715s with clearance lights on the fenders, but no military 715s with lollipops. I do see a number of post-military ones with lollipops in the same place.

Cheers

Yep I think the lollipop lights were more a fire dept,/ forestry thing as it was an easy way to add 12v turn signals to these trucks. And that spot on the fenders make it about the easiest place to put them and get to them, I imagine that's why when the military added the marker light to them they were placed there. The rear clearance lights were added to the bottom of the rear most stake pocket. Again a nice easy place to get at.

 

[marchplumber]

I'm putting the side markers on for safety as my lady will be the primary driver of this one.

Are you planning on bubble wrap and a violent neon color too? LOL

You gotta take care of her as she's been super nice to you, for sure!! =)

 

[M813rc]

Here are the requested dimensions of the original battery box, measured from my truck that has one of these elbow-whackers.

If I can't find an original for my other truck and have to build one, I'll likely amend the dimension of the new one a bit and add an armrest pad on top.
I'll probably have it open horizontally, rather than on the diagonal.
While the manual shows the box joined with the two short ends together, the clips on my box won't work that way, and I can see no sign of them having been moved.

Cheers

 

[Barrman]

That lid orientation gets debated on the Zone every so often. The best guess is the manual pictures were taken before production or very early in production.

I have seen people make canvas padded covers for the lid that are actually very comfortable arm rest.

I sent you an email Rory.

 

[Guyfang]

Thats where my field jacket went.

 

[kendelrio]

Here are the requested dimensions of the original battery box, measured from my truck that has one of these elbow-whackers.

If I can't find an original for my other truck and have to build one, I'll likely amend the dimension of the new one a bit and add an armrest pad on top.
I'll probably have it open horizontally, rather than on the diagonal.
While the manual shows the box joined with the two short ends together, the clips on my box won't work that way, and I can see no sign of them having been moved.

Cheers

View attachment 888737 View attachment 888739

Thank you sir!

 

[kendelrio]

An update:

Had to replace the soft lines on the brakes as they were completely jammed full of junk, replaced several hard lines and fittings, started bleeding.... and the stinking brand new hydraulic brake light switch started leaking.

Got a new one installed today, finished bleeding, then cleaned and adjusted them all out.

Before:



And I'm happy to say this is how we ended the day!

 

[Guyfang]

The stories that truck could tell!

 

[67Beast]

That lid orientation gets debated on the Zone every so often. The best guess is the manual pictures were taken before production or very early in production.

I have seen people make canvas padded covers for the lid that are actually very comfortable arm rest.

I sent you an email Rory.

The joy of being a tall guy, with my seat moved back 4", it is just the right height for me to not bang my elbow on it when driving. Getting in and out with the soft top frame mounted on the other hand leaves me with knots on top of my dome. I think that's one of the main reasons I run it topless most all of the time. Ha Ha.

 

[M813rc]

I have seen people make canvas padded covers for the lid that are actually very comfortable arm rest.

I sent you an email Rory.

I would like to do the same. For me, it would be the right height.

Email received, thanks Tim.

Cheers

 

[M813rc]

That lid orientation gets debated on the Zone every so often. The best guess is the manual pictures were taken before production or very early in production.

From the pictures in the manual, they were using two rather small batteries then too. No way two larger batteries would fit in the box with the lid sloped.

Ken, sure is great seeing your truck running and stopping. I'm impressed with how quickly you are getting the project done.

Cheers

 

[kendelrio]

The joy of being a tall guy, with my seat moved back 4", it is just the right height for me to not bang my elbow on it when driving. Getting in and out with the soft top frame mounted on the other hand leaves me with knots on top of my dome. I think that's one of the main reasons I run it topless most all of the time. Ha Ha.

I've whacked my head about 18 times so far.....

Fixed the vacuum advance and started tweaking the carb today...

Also replaced a leaking brake line...

Before:



After:

 

[NDT]

Something is way off with the engine, it should sound a smooth as a sewing machine.

 

[kendelrio]

The second part of the video is yesterday before I fixed the vacuum advance. Lemme upload just the video from today

 

[Guyfang]

I've whacked my head about 18 times so far.....

You are not even getting started. I liked to wear my pile cap, all the time when driving them.

 

[kendelrio]

Today was kind of a freestyle day.

I didn't have anything major planned, so I went in with the attitude of "Lemme see what I can do".

I got to looking at the various lines that were disconnected and after a question here and on FB, found out I'm running an aftermarket fuel pump.

I got the intake breather connected





Then I looked around the engine bay and realized I needed a temp and oil pressure sending units, so got those on order, then checked on my tires coming from Eastern, then kind of sat down and thought... and while I was thinking I was looking at the hood.... so... the hood came off for Prepping and priming







Then I took the panel hammer and got rid of a few dings in the rear passenger fender.


And that was all I did today...

 

[kendelrio]

Tires happened today. I am now a black belt master with the duck bill tire tool.



Huge thank you to Bill at Eastern Surplus!

 

[M813rc]

Nice! What tires are those?

Cheers

 

[kendelrio]

Nice! What tires are those?

Cheers

The ones at Eastern Surplus.

 

[kendelrio]

One month tomorrow from recovery.