Started work on my m37 yesterday.

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Hal O'Peridol
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Started work on my m37 yesterday.

Post by Hal O'Peridol »

Finally started work on my truck yesterday. Had some daylight left, weather was nice. Stopped and bought antifreeze, distilled water, 2 batteries and a radiator cap.

Got to the truck, and started with the radiator. Took off the cap, and poured in a gallon of distilled water. I had been worried about the radiator leaking, as when I looked down the filler neck, I could not see any coolant. No leaks so far...very good. Then I slowly started to pour the antifreeze in.......no leaks so far either. Staved off some worries there!

Went to put the new rad cap on, but is too small......still have old cap but seal has rotted away.

Now I took the passenger seat off, and swapped out the batteries. When I did this I turned the rotary power switch that the Fire Dept had put on the truck to "off". New batteries hooked up....no spitzen-sparken! Turned power switch to "both", again no smoke or flames.

Went and sprayed some quickstart in the carb, climbed in the cab, flicked the on switch, have battery level in low green.......and can't find the darn starter switch!!!!!! Looked all over, but by this time it was getting dark.

Thought I would check out the service drives, flicked the switch..........nothing. Started looking around and saw a rat's nest of wires connected to a toggle switch. Clicked the switch, service drives came on, but headlamps were very dim. All wiring in tthis mess is very light gauge. Will have to fix this.

Not much else to do so left and came back today. Found the starter switch! What I WAS looking for was a floor switch like on the old M151 jeeps. Not what I saw up under the dash!! Difficult to fit my 13EEEE shoe up under there, but the engine started to crank! Did not start. Checked and no gas to carb. Carb looks like it will be all gummed up too.

The start of a long and I hope successful journey.

Does anyone know the part number to order a new radiator cap?
USAR 1980-1983
US Army 1983 to 1993 05H20Y4, 98G2LGM
Desert Storm 1990 to 1991, 1st Inf Div.
1984 M1009 CUCV
1944 GPW 1/4 T
1953 M37 3/4 T
M100 1/4T trailer
1 M416 1/4T trailer
More Army Surplus stuff than you can shake a stick at.
tbone1004
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Re: Started work on my m37 yesterday.

Post by tbone1004 »

http://www.amazon.com/Gates-31307-Radia ... B002H3AZ58
Radiator cap

http://www.garbee.net/~cabell/PartsCross.PDF
Print that out, it's your friend

The starter pedal is a drag with big feet. I have 14 4E so I feel your pain, but once you get to it a few times it's not that bad. I haven't driven a truck with the winch levers yet, but without them it's not too big of a deal. The harder bit is getting your left leg to not hit you in the face when you have to press the clutch.

Good luck with the rats nest, would highly recommend putting a relay in for the headlights and taillights, it will take almost all of the amp draw out of that rats nest of wiring until you can get it redone. Made a HUGE difference on mine
jim lee
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Re: Started work on my m37 yesterday.

Post by jim lee »

Pix or it didn't happen!

-jim lee
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RMS
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Re: Started work on my m37 yesterday.

Post by RMS »

good to hear your making some progress on the truck. lets see some pics.
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Hal O'Peridol
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Re: Started work on my m37 yesterday.

Post by Hal O'Peridol »

Truck is parked at another location, keep forgetting to take camera. Now looking for covered workplace for the winter for it.

Went by today, still won't start, but turns over fine. No spark. Checked out power to distributor, found the connector had become separated, tarnished, and the wire broke in two when I touched it. Think I may have found the problem for that.
USAR 1980-1983
US Army 1983 to 1993 05H20Y4, 98G2LGM
Desert Storm 1990 to 1991, 1st Inf Div.
1984 M1009 CUCV
1944 GPW 1/4 T
1953 M37 3/4 T
M100 1/4T trailer
1 M416 1/4T trailer
More Army Surplus stuff than you can shake a stick at.
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RMS
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Re: Started work on my m37 yesterday.

Post by RMS »

hi hal
I have a large diagram you can borrow to aid in your rewire. if your going to do patch work I have lots of old harnesses you can rob parts off. Image

still waiting on the pics :P
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52 M-42
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Re: Started work on my m37 yesterday.

Post by 52 M-42 »

Is there any chance of getting copies of that big wiring diagram, Robyn?

Also, Hal, I have a huge tangle of old wiring harnesses you're welcome to to take stuff out of to repair your system, if you want.

I'm down in Kenmore, just a couple of miles from D.J.'s in Bothell.

52 M-42
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Re: Started work on my m37 yesterday.

Post by RMS »

52 M-42 wrote:Is there any chance of getting copies of that big wiring diagram, Robyn? 52 M-42
I got it from a buddy, his brother made it.....I will ask.
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52 M-42
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Re: Started work on my m37 yesterday.

Post by 52 M-42 »

Thanks, Robyn. I'd gladly pay any expenses; don't want anybody to be out of pocket.

Let me know.

Thanks again!

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Hal O'Peridol
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Re: Started work on my m37 yesterday.

Post by Hal O'Peridol »

Two years down the road.........

Pulled out all the seat cushions. All the canvas covers were is pretty sad shape. I have a friend that just opened a tarp shop, and he said he would sew new covers for me. I found OD green tarps that had been treated.......you know, that old military canvas smell, like heaven! :lol:

Bout the tarp for material, and got the job done.

While I was looking at the cab of my truck, finally figured out why the top won't come off. Still about 10 rivits to drill out!

I plan on doing a mostly an IRAN on the truck, inspect and repair as needed. Carburator and gas tank next!
USAR 1980-1983
US Army 1983 to 1993 05H20Y4, 98G2LGM
Desert Storm 1990 to 1991, 1st Inf Div.
1984 M1009 CUCV
1944 GPW 1/4 T
1953 M37 3/4 T
M100 1/4T trailer
1 M416 1/4T trailer
More Army Surplus stuff than you can shake a stick at.
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sturmtyger380
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Re: Started work on my m37 yesterday.

Post by sturmtyger380 »

you know, that old military canvas smell, like heaven! :lol:
Yeah but that smell repels women though. :lol:
47 CJ2A
53 M38A1
52 M37
51 M38
67 M416
?? M101A1
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