Rear engine??? Love it!!!
There are several reasons for going rear engine:
The stock LMTV is front heavy. I notice that when negotiating technical off road obstacles. I removed the 2400 # bed because the rear corners would dislodge boulders from the side of the trail which blocked the road for those who follow me. That made it more front heavy. Then remove the underrider bar, the rear sway bar, bumpstops, tail light housings which makes it ridiculously front heavy. Rear traction, even with the locker, suffered.
The LMTV cab is hot and noisy. Placing the engine arrears helps that.
The heavy engine is now over the rear axle with the locker.
The M715 cab with the top down and windshield folded is 3 feet shorter than the cabover. Helps with clearance through the trees and COG.
I am anxious to run it across the scales to see what the front/back weight distribution is now