New to the family.....M715! New pics and updates! Now finally finished!

[exhogflyer]

Ok, some more updates on the build.............going to install 18" Flex fan to help cooling as I haven't found a fan shroud. Painted my bridge plate, also blasted and painted my brush guard and battery box. Finished the install of the Selectro hubs, was missing a few small screws that I located. Also getting my 24v starter and alternator ovh'd and will be putting them back when I get them. Excitement builds!

 

[kendelrio]

Very nice job bud! I was tearing into my brakes yesterday and today. Woof.... rust is a mess!

Have you installed your floor switch yet? That was one of the first things I did. What a PITA!

Your build is coming along nicely!

 

[NDT]

I never could find a shroud either, been driving 715 in Texas heat forever without it with the stock fan, no problems with running hot.

 

[kendelrio]

I never could find a shroud either, been driving 715 in Texas heat forever without it with the stock fan, no problems with running hot.

Mine has no shroud either. I'm not stressing it

 

[67Beast]

Yep, been driving my M715 since 2004 without the fan shroud and stock fan and have never had the water temp get above 190 even in slow moving parades where there is not much airflow. Luckily both my M725 Ambulances have complete shrouds, but I'm super careful around them because I know they are very fragile and will likely crumble it handled much.

 

[79 oshkosh 2323]

I have a winch sitting in my parts pile. Come and get it if you want.

You have a bed in that pile… i have a friend looking for a hardtop as well

 

[exhogflyer]

Very nice job bud! I was tearing into my brakes yesterday and today. Woof.... rust is a mess!

Have you installed your floor switch yet? That was one of the first things I did. What a PITA!

Your build is coming along nicely!

Thank you! Floor switch will be installed as soon as I get my cables ( 1 guage custom made)

 

[kendelrio]

Thank you! Floor switch will be installed as soon as I get my cables ( 1 guage custom made)

Good luck!!!

 

[exhogflyer]

Good luck!!!

Hahahahaha! Yeah they suck to install

 

[kendelrio]

Hahahahaha! Yeah they suck to install

They really do!

 

[exhogflyer]

Ok, another update. Got the starter back from the rebuilder and will install it soon. Also overhauled the carburetor, and installed the spider harness on the back of the gauge panel. I'm getting the alternator back this week from the rebuilder and should have my new seat cushions from Beachwood Canvas in a few weeks. Excitement builds! Basically left is wiring, blasting, and paint ( oh yeah and tires)

 

[exhogflyer]

Ok, more progress today but it's on something different..........the steering wheel. Mine is in terrible shape but I can't find one. So I ground out the cracks in a "V" shape, filled them with JB Weld, and I'll sand them to shape ( most likely will need 2 coats). When done I'll repaint the wheel.

 

[SgtMajHarper]

Ok, more progress today but it's on something different..........the steering wheel. Mine is in terrible shape but I can't find one. So I ground out the cracks in a "V" shape, filled them with JB Weld, and I'll sand them to shape ( most likely will need 2 coats). When done I'll repaint the wheel.

When I was "making" my truck right I did the same things with my steering wheel (I didn't make V cuts), just filled in the gaps I had, let dry (and shrink), fill the new smaller gaps, sand and eventually paint it. After @ 6 years, it still looks good and it has a couple of cracks back in that could use a touch up, but it still looks good.

 

[exhogflyer]

Ok, another update. Got the alternator back from the rebuilder and it's installed along with new belts and my Flex fan. And I located a set of correct ignition wires. Yup they were pricey but available stock seems to have dried up and it's not getting better for these old trucks that were never built in great numbers!

 

[exhogflyer]

Ok, latest updates on the build: panel installed and wired, battery box in, batteries installed and wired. She runs!! Just finished painting the bed today and probably spray the bedliner this week. All tires are finally mounted ( beast of a job with those big 325/85R16's).

 

[exhogflyer]

AND she's finally done! Painted, stenciled, and bedliner sprayed

 

[Mullaney]

AND she's finally done! Painted, stenciled, and bedliner sprayed

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Looking mighty fine!