Most Practical Modification Thread

Discuss fixes, upgrades and modifications to your M37

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PoW
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Re: Most Practical Modification Thread

Post by PoW »

High miles, indeed.

I ran my Detroit 3-53N powered M37 for 25 years, logging more than 250K on it before selling it.

A new build is necessary, I'm going through painful withdrawals.... :cry:

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Re: Most Practical Modification Thread

Post by JimC »

Juan, I'm glad to see you are still here. I too, have been around since the Big-E days, though I don't post much.
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m-37Bruce
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Re: Most Practical Modification Thread

Post by m-37Bruce »

Juan, Jim C and PoW, you guys need to start over! :D I am finally finishing the OD Godess ....
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Re: Most Practical Modification Thread

Post by Juan »

Well, In my case, after 18 years is still a project in progress.
Right now, I'm ready to swap out the 6.2 diesel for a 6.5TD that's ready in a stand in my shop.
I've bought the 6.2 v8, used to Boyce equipment and without checking anything but the oil level I've driven it for 200k. Thanks Brett @Boyce that told me the engine was Ok for using it, and It was. Now it's just a little tired, need Injection pump rebuild and I got the other engine from a salvaged Suburban for free.

At the same time I'm getting rid of the noisy and ankward 3053A and original high mileage np200 transfer case for the smoothness of a ZF 5S420 transmission married to an Atlas 4 speed T-case. (11.70:1 Lo gear version)
The np200 is the last bit of my truck's original drivetrain. I will probably do some bearing hub checking and repacking and build a roll cage for the cabin, also.

I just need the time to face the task.
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Re: Most Practical Modification Thread

Post by m-37Bruce »

Both front & rear axles are still centered, right?
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Re: Most Practical Modification Thread

Post by Juan »

Afirmative to the rear axle, driven from the parking brake output yoke of the t/case, but not the front. The front is a right hand D60.
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Re: Most Practical Modification Thread

Post by Juan »

Afirmative to the rear axle, driven from the parking brake output yoke of the t/case, but not the front. The front is a right hand D60.

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Re: Most Practical Modification Thread

Post by ZGjethro »

Juan, what are your rims and brakes?
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Re: Most Practical Modification Thread

Post by Juan »

Rear brakes are M37 oem. Front is a very old Disc brake conversion similar to Helitool's setup but made by somebody else (can't recall exactly but I think the name was Petersen or Peterson). I bought it in 1996.

Rims are 16", I've used the original budd centers with modern radial tubeless design rims.
Got to move out of the original split rim design when I bought the Goodrichs all terrain, new for that year they came with a rim protection lip that prevented using the original split rims.
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Re: Most Practical Modification Thread

Post by ZGjethro »

Do you know the maker of the rims? I'd love to have a tubeless 16" rim welded up using the Budds centers. At this point I have all stock brakes, but I'd like to go to a disc setup on the front. I've heard you need to go to a 16.5" or 17" drop center rim to clear the stock drums
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Re: Most Practical Modification Thread

Post by Juan »

Local maker, sorry.
Shipping from USA is a killer for the wheels so I had them made by a local mom & pop (actually grandpa, pop & son) wheel shop, they cut the budd centers from the wheels and then welded the new rims.
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Re: Most Practical Modification Thread

Post by F18hornetm »

I give you guys a lot of credit for driving an M37 200k+ miles!! :shock: Especially driving it a 120 miles each day. I love all my military trucks. But that's a lot of noisy, hot/cold, rough riding.
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Re: Most Practical Modification Thread

Post by Wayne64 »

Practical in my opinion. Not the tie wrap :lol: . Might save the next owner the price of an exhaust manifold. S.S. flex in the engine pipe.
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52PLOWERWAGON
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Re: Most Practical Modification Thread

Post by 52PLOWERWAGON »

m35 tail lights
shortened m211 bumper
giant fuel filter
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1952 M37 FARM TRUCK
230 W/THRUSH EXHAUST, DELETED HEAT RISER AND 12 VOLT IGNITION

1941 WC RATROD
w/ 5 TON MULTIFUEL TURBO DIESEL
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Re: Most Practical Modification Thread

Post by Black Ops »

Tool box locks.
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1952 m37
1956 R2 Crash Truck
1953 m101
1958 xm389
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