1953 Dodge M37 Build Thread

[Biotex]

My MJ came with a set of chains. I know they are not the right size, but they are yours if you want them. Brand new. IIRC they aren't completely just chains. More like nylon straps or something. I didn't give them a second look as I don't use chains. Gotta have snow to use chain... :rotfl2:

[jpnjim]

Thanks Biotex!

The width would probably work, I'd probably just have to add some links in the length (circumference).

 

But I only really need one set, so if its ok with you, I'd like wait & see if Sinkrun's Dad has any 9.00-16's first.

 

Thanks for thinking of me & Happy New Year!

(Maybe you'll get some snow ;) )

[sinkrun]

He says there some still there not sure if he modified them to fit newer tires or whats all is there anymore its getting hard for him to remember. I will try to get to his place this weeekend get some measurements and pics.

[jpnjim]

He says there some still there not sure if he modified them to fit newer tires or whats all is there anymore its getting hard for him to remember. I will try to get to his place this weeekend get some measurements and pics.

 

Thank you :yes:

I appreciate the help.

 

 

I just loaded up the bed with a few hundred pounds so that may help as well.

 

The rear springs are so stiff, it didn't drop at all with two full barrels of salt/sand + 3 more bags of salt

 

I put it in 4low, and had my human powered spreader sit on the spare tire & salt/sand the driveway.:)

He loved it. :yes:

[HOrnbrod]

I put it in 4low, and had my human powered spreader sit on the spare tire & salt/sand the driveway. :)

He loved it. :yes:

 

Milk it while you can Jim. They soon grow of that. :yes:

[jpnjim]

 

 

Milk it while you can Jim. They soon grow of that. :yes:

I can already see that day coming Don,

 

but after sanding he said "Dad that was the best thing I ever did!"

:yes:

Lol

& I thought he was gonna complain about how cold it was. :D

 

[ctxj93]

Very cool. My buddy out in Leominster has one that he been rebuilding for a few years. He also gets to cruise around in nice ones all the time AND gets paid for it! (MA Forest Fire Control) I'm dealing with some similar issues as far as wheels and tires go. I have an M725 that also has the split rims and a crazy bolt pattern. Luckily a mechanic I worked for, who happens to own an M37, has dealt with split wheels in the past and will help me out when it comes time. Also Marsh Racing will custom make wheels to fit that bolt pattern. I looked into it, it isn't cheap but the final product is pretty sweet looking.

[Dirteatr717]

Awesome!!!! don't know how I missed this! My dad had a 53' powerwagon I believe

[sinkrun]

Jim sorry I have been dragging my feet on the chains these damn kidney stones have me behind in everything.

[jpnjim]

Jim sorry I have been dragging my feet on the chains these damn kidney stones have me behind in everything.

No problem

It's tough getting old :D

 

The snow has stopped here for a while anyway.

Thanks,

Jimmy

[jpnjim]

No pics to post,

but the old girl is getting her workout tonight/this morning :)

 

I wonder how many storms she's pushed snow for in the last 60 years.

 

 

[jpnjim]

Slight update to this thread,

 

cheapo paint job:

 

now its all one color:

 

Also replaced the rusted bottom of the tailgate:

 

No pics of the gate installed yet, but its welded back in place & looks good considering :)

[jpnjim]

Also looked into fitting 15" wheels over the big brakes,

M37 drums are huge, but the shoes are offset inward:

 

 

So a 15" 'could' fit if backspacing was shallow enough:

 

 

Pic to show how far the shoes are in/hubs are out:

 

 

 

Also found the ID numbers on the tailgate:

 

 

Eventually I'll recreate the original style markings & numbers over the rattle can paint job

[jpnjim]

Poor things been mostly parked since last winter,

 trying to get it ready for this winter,

 

so far:

changed the oil a couple times (it did NOT like 10w30 lol, it's tolerating 15w40 Rottella with about 8lbs oil pressure at hot idle)

added a working oil pressure & temp gauge

rebent the passenger side mirror stem to fit the drivers side

replaced the rear brake lines, and got the back brakes 'kinda' working,

 got some wheel cylinders & brake lines for the front,

maybe do them this weekend

 

need to get:

thermostat (takes forever to get to 160* without one)

oil filter (for the external canister filter)

 

The spare wheel is rusted in two,

 the other four are probably not much better,

 still working on a solution for that....

 

I'd also like to patch a couple of the rust holes in the plow blade before it goes back on,

 

& I never really noticed how low that plow frame is when the blade was on!:

[jimoshel]

Looking good. When looking for parts be sure and check out some of the older Mid '30'S to early '50"S trucks. International especially as many of the parts interchanged.

[jpnjim]

Looking good. When looking for parts be sure and check out some of the older Mid '30'S to early '50"S trucks. International especially as many of the parts interchanged.

Thanks Jim,

 

I didn't know that.

I guess that's the benefit of the old days when they didn't try to reinvent the wheel every couple years.

[jpnjim]

Couple pics outside now that it's all one color:

 

 

 

tailgate back on and working :D

 

 

 

So, this past week we replaced:

 

  the oil filter (cool canister style)

4' of ft brake line

 both ft wheel cylinders (cleaned up & reused the decent looking ft shoes & drums that were already there)

one ft brake hose

& the radiator cap

 

While pulling out some random rotted hard lines (from the original breather tube/water crossing sealed system)

I tore the coil wire off the distributor,

 ended up pulling the distributor to repair & threw dwell, and/or point gap way off.

The set of points I already bought were wrong, so I'll be replacing them + cap&rotor this week next.

 

 

So it's running poorly now,

but, it actually has BRAKES!!!

 

Crappy brakes that have to be pumped a million times because the MC is under the floor, without residual pressure valves...

 but brakes just the same :D

 

Ebay 10pound residual pressure valves should come this week, and hopefully will cure the last brake issue.

 

(a previous owner replaced the original, sealed single master cylinder with what I believe is a 1980 C30 Chevy MC that did not originally come with RPV's)

[jpnjim]

My celly camera is starting to crap out,

 but here's a couple more pics:

 

my building partner:

 

interior

new mechaical water temp & oil pressure gauges:

 

ancient canister oil filter:

available at NAPA of course :D

  Chrysler Splash Proof Distributor (IAT type):

Accidentally ordered reversed style points for the IAY style distributor:

[BIGHEEP]

That thing is so cool. I wish I had a plow for my Willys wagon.

[jimoshel]

:thumbsup:  That is looking good. Reminds me of the '52 weapons carrier I drove in the Army in '53. We didn't call them M37. We called them weapon carriers or 3/4 ton. Are you going to install the wooden fold down seats like in the original M37 ? Convert it back and forth between a weapons carrier and a troop carrier?  :thumbsup:

[jpnjim]

:thumbsup:  That is looking good. Reminds me of the '52 weapons carrier I drove in the Army in '53. We didn't call them M37. We called them weapon carriers or 3/4 ton. Are you going to install the wooden fold down seats like in the original M37 ? Convert it back and forth between a weapons carrier and a troop carrier?  :thumbsup:

Thanks  Jim,

it looks better in pics than in real life :D

The little guy REALLY REALLY wants to do the troop seats & cargo cover,

so, if he has his way,

yes we will....

but it will probably be fabricated on the cheap by me, instead of with all the $$$ reproduction hardware.

 

That thing is so cool. I wish I had a plow for my Willys wagon.

Thanks Jon,

your Wagon is way too nice for that,

this truck is more biodegraded than it looks in the pics so a little salt & snow won't hurt it.

[jpnjim]

 

That thing is so cool. I wish I had a plow for my Willys wagon.

Thanks Jon,

your Wagon is way too nice for that

 

Proof of how nice your wagon is (these are the pics I saved when I looked at it a few years back)

 

 

You REALLY need a build thread on it here :yes:

[jpnjim]

And a few pics of the snow pig to keep the thread on topic :)

 

Close up of each side of the "re-hot-glue-gunned-together" tailgate (much better than the 1/2" plywood-tailgate that was there)

 

 

 

still need to add a chain loop to the drivers side for the hook:

 

 

happily pushing some more of the gazzillian feet of snow we got this winter:

 

patiently waiting next to the driveway for more snow to fall :yes:

 

I still need to come up with some better tire & wheel solutions,

and get the brakes to work more than just 'sometimes' (I added two 10 lb residual pressure valves, I just need to bleed them again, and get a less pourous master cylinder cover)

[BIGHEEP]

 

 

That thing is so cool. I wish I had a plow for my Willys wagon.

Thanks Jon,

your Wagon is way too nice for that

 

Proof of how nice your wagon is (these are the pics I saved when I looked at it a few years back)

 

 

You REALLY need a build thread on it here :yes:

 

The wagon has hit the back burner. I have since brought home a new project.

[jpnjim]

Very nice!

I'm not sure how you keep finding 30-60 year old Jeeps with less rust than our 8year old minivan,

but nice work :yes:

build thread?