From Military Ambulance to Off-Road Adventure: The 1967 Jeep M725 Transformation

1967 Jeep M725 Military Ambulance Turned Off-Road Camping Rig

Photos by Mach1Media

Some of the best builds we’ve come across over the years have been those that have developed over time. While there’s certainly a lot to be said for a magnificent truck built in record time, we like to think of builds that have taken on many different chapters in their existence like a complex movie plot – always changing but enjoyed at every stage.

Nothing could be more true for this 1967 Jeep M725 military ambulance converted into a proper off-road camping rig by its owner, Richard Brandi. Bought  by Richard in 1997 with its original powertrain and running gear, the Jeep has been enjoyed in three very different variations over the years, from nearly stock, to the diesel-powered gem you see here. And thanks to Richard’s skills as a tool maker turned custom 4×4 performance shop owner with Brandi Performance, which he opened in 1986, every rendition has been a rite of passage of sorts, culminating with this fantastic version!

Jeep Turned Diesel 

While Richard opted to upgrade the Jeep with a Chevy 400 after five years of driving it with its stock Kaiser 230.5ci inline-6, another upgrade was in order for more power and better fuel mileage after 15 more years of use. In 2017, Richard pulled the 400 and replaced it with a 1997 5.9L Cummins 12-valve engine. But that’s not where the upgrades stopped.

Fitting the engine with a BD Diesel Super B turbocharger pushing 35psi, and a Banks Power TwinRam intake manifold, Richard gave his Jeep a considerable power increase to 450hp and 810 lb-ft of torque. The fuel system was also completely redone to include an AirDog lift pump, Bosch fuel injection pump with fuel plate and 4000 governor springs, Dynomite Diesel fuel injector, and a 1/2-inch fuel line leading from a 28-gallon steel fuel tank. Spent fuel from the engine is handled by a custom 4-inch stainless steel exhaust system featuring a BD Diesel RV exhaust manifold and a Diamond Eye Performance 4-inch muffler.

Behind the 12-valve is a NV500 transmission with an 1-3/8-inch input shaft and fifth-gear upgrade built by Brandi Performance. The transmission also features a South Bend clutch and a 13-inch pressure plate. A Ford 271 transfer case with a Dodge 29-spline input shaft follows in line, leading to a custom Dana 70 axle in the front with a driver drop, 4.56 gears and an E-locker differential. The rear features a narrowed Dana 80 axle with 4.56 gears and Dana 70 single-wheel spindles and hubs, as well as a Detroit Truetrac locker. Both axles make use of Quigley 4×4 Vans 1480 U-joints.

Planting the converted ambulance to the ground are 20×10-inch Centerline Outback wheels wrapped in 38/13.5R20 Toyo Open Country R/T tires.

A Full Rebuild

Swapping out the Chevy 400 for a Cummins and upgrading the drivetrain weren’t the only things Richard took on in regards to his Jeep starting in 2017. In fact, he opted to do a full overhaul of the retired military vehicle over a two-and-a-half-year time frame.

Starting from the chassis up, Richard modified the frame from the firewall forward, using 2x5x3/16-inch tube. Modified Ford Super Duty coil spring towers were then built to fit custom frame rails while making sure they still accepted 2005 and up Super Duty front coil springs. The front end also makes use of Super Duty shocks.

Out back, the Jeep was fitted with Chevy 1988 to 1998 1-ton, 2-1/2-inch wide springs, as well as Monroe shocks and Air Lift air bags. You’ll also find a 1- 1/2-inch sway bar in the rear.

The steering system for the Jeep was upgraded to a crossover system, featuring a Saginaw steering box. Ford disc brakes with dual piston calipers, and 13-inch rotors were added both front and rear to provide the Jeep with ample stopping power, while the four-wheel disc brake system was further upgraded with a Ford hydroboost master cylinder and custom brake lines.

Beyond Off-Road Friendly 

Built into an incredibly capable off-road rig, the Jeep has also been decked out with many modern amenities when it comes to both the body and the interior.

Outside, Richard fitted the Jeep with a Gladiator hood and grille insert, Billet Specialties door handles, Hummer H2 mirrors, and halogen headlights. The Jeep also features an added Alu-Cab batwing awning for extra protection from the elements while camping.

Custom components on the rig include one-off bumpers, door hinges and latches, LED taillights, and two on-board tool boxes, all built by Richard. The Jeep even features a custom observation platform on the roof of the rear box with a pop-up picnic table, also built by the owner.

The entire thing is topped off with Axalta Imron white paint, with re-done red emergency cross emblems on the sides of the box as they were originally put on the Jeep back in the late 60s.

Inside the cab, the Jeep features Grand Cherokee seats, along with a matching custom headliner, dash and dash inserts crafted by Brandi’s Performance. In front of the driver, you’ll find a Lecarra steering wheel attached to an Ididit tilt steering column. Auto Meter gauges were chosen for instrumentation, while a 1997 Ford truck center console was placed in between the two front seats for added comfort and storage.

Other features of the renovated Jeep include power windows, air conditioning and a Ford Super Duty stereo system installed by Richard, which features a Pioneer 2000-watt amplifier and four 6×9-inch speakers. Richard also added a number of amenities to the camper portion of his rig, including a flip-down RCA 19-inch TV with DVD player, Espar diesel heater, a two-burner stove, and even a shower enclosure. While not quite modern “glamping,” we’d certainly enjoy taking this capable off-road rig out on trail for a few nights.

They say good things come to those who wait and work hard for them. And if this isn’t proof of just that, well, we don’t know what is in your book! It may not have come to its current state in record time, but this converted ambulance was certainly worth the years it was enjoyed in various stages along the way!

1967 Jeep M725 Military Ambulance

Owner

Richard Brandi
Bridgeport, PA

Chassis & Suspension

• Custom 2x5x3/16-inch tube frame rails and firewall forward built by Brandi Performance
• Custom parallel 4-link
• Crossover steering
• Saginaw steering box
• Custom Dana 70 in the front with driver drop, 4.56 gears and an E-locker differential
• Modified 2005 and up Ford Super Duty coil spring towers
• 2005 and up Ford Super Duty front shocks and coil springs
• Narrowed Dana 80 in the rear with 4.56 gears and Dana 70 single-wheel spindles and hubs
• Chevy 1988 to 1998 1-ton, 2- 1/2-inch wide springs in the rear
• Monroe rear shocks
• Detroit Truetrac rear locker
• Rear Air Lift air bags
• 1- 1/2-inch rear sway bar
• Ford disc brakes with dual piston calipers and 13-inch rotors in the front and rear
• Ford hydroboost master cylinder
• Custom brake lines

Wheels & Tires

• 20×10-inch Center line Outback wheels drilled and tapped to accept WELD Wheel center caps
• 38/13.5R20 Toyo Open Country R/T tires

Engine & Drivetrain

• 1997 5.9L Cummins 12V swapped by Brandi Performance
• 450hp and 810 lb-ft of torque
• K&N air cleaner
• BD Diesel Super B turbocharger pushing 35psi
• Banks Power TwinRam intake manifold
• AirDog lift pump
• Bosch fuel injection pump with fuel plate and 4000 governor springs
• Dynomite Diesel fuel injector
• 1/2-inch fuel line
• 28-gallon steel fuel tank
• BD Diesel RV exhaust manifold
• Custom 4-inch stainless steel exhaust
• Diamond Eye Performance 4-inch muffler
• Custom 180-degree elbow to relocate turbocharger
• NV500 transmission with 1 3/8-inch input shaft and fifth-gear upgrade done by Brandi Performance
• South Bend clutch
• 13-inch pressure plate
• Dodge bellhousing
• Ford 271 transfer case with a Dodge 29-spline input shaft
• Quigley 4×4 Vans 1480 U-joints

Body & Paint

• 1967 to 1969 M725 military ambulance body
• Jeep Gladiator hood and grille insert
• Custom bumpers
• Custom observation platform on roof with pop-up picnic table
• Alu-Cab batwing awning
• Billet Specialties door handles
• Custom door hinges and latches
• Hummer H2 mirrors
• Halogen headlights
• Custom LED taillights built by Brandi Performance
• Custom dual tool boxes built by Brandi Performance
• Two front and two rear chrome tow hooks
• Axalta Imron white paint with standard red cross, laid by Brandi’s Performance

Interior & Stereo

• Jeep Grand Cherokee seats
• Custom headliner, dash and dash inserts by Brandi’s Performance
• Auto Meter gauges
• 1997 Ford truck center console
• Lecarra steering wheel
• Ididit tilt steering column
• BD Short Shift shifter
• Power windows, steering, and brakes
• Air conditioning
• Ford 1973 to 1979 truck door handles
• Ford Super Duty stereo system installed by owner
• Pioneer 2000-watt amplifier
• Four 6×9-inch speakers
• Flip-down RCA 19-inch TV with DVD player
• Espar diesel heater
• Two-burner stove
• Shower enclosure