Jeep rebuilds a vintage ambulance for the SEMA Auto Show

Jeep has offered a first look at this, the Kaiser Jeep M725 concept, set for reveal at the SEMA auto show in the U.S.A.

The concept started off as a vintage 1967 Kaiser Jeep M725 military ambulance, now transformed for duty as an ultimate off-road support machine and a rolling mascot for Jeep Performance Parts (JPP).

Painted Desert Tan, the concept rides on 20-inch Black Rhino Armory wheels that are wrapped with 40-inch tyres. The wheel-and-tyre package fits under custom, widened fenders.

Modified JPP rock rails shield the body of the Kaiser Jeep M725 between the wheel wells. The concept also gets rock rails made of heavy-gauge steel and coated with Durabull truck bedliner coating for enhanced protection and durability.

Up top, there's also a custom-designed roof that can be raised by up to 40.6cm, and a side panel at the back that can be opened. These will creating enough room for occupants to stand in the back of the converted ambulance. There won't be any medical emergencies being attended to here it looks like, with Jeep stating that the space here will allow users to stand upright while serving food or getting supplies.

Forward lighting comes from a set of 7.0-inch LED headlamps, flanked by separate pairs of JPP 5.0-inch off-road LED lights. A JPP 7.0-inch off-road LED light is also mounted just above the windshield for use as a spotlight.

Out back, LED taillights are installed in the original protective metal buckets. A back-up camera provides convenient rear visibility for the driver.

The off-road capability of the Kaiser Jeep M725 concpet is enhanced by reinforcing the original frame and replacing the original leaf springs with a heavy-duty link/coil suspension system. Under the hood sits a Mopar 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine linked to a vintage TorqueFlite 727 automatic transmission. This combination delivers 478bhp horsepower and 644Nm.

Inside, low-back Jeep Wrangler seats are wrapped in tan canvas. The driver control centre includes a custom-built steering wheel and column, and instrument panel equipped with modern gauges and a backup camera display screen. A specially designed data plaque, showing the unique specifications of the Kaiser Jeep M725, mounts on the dashboard.

The custom centre console here is a rather cool item crafted from a repurposed ammunition box, and carries the transmission and transfer case shifters. The vehicle floor is coated with bedliner material for enhanced grip and durability.