M37 vs WC vs M715

[M37DODGE]

Hi all friends,

Long time without reading this forum since I sold my old m37.

I want you to comment about the main differences (advantages and dissadvantages) between an M37 and a WC either a 51 or other ones (same engine), and an M715.

I am talking about speed, drivebility, confort etc.

Wich one is fastest, etc.

Many thanks

regards

[Lifer]

The M715 is the fastest of the three, but not a whole lot. You must remember that none were designed for speed. They're all "plow horses," not "race horses."

[refit1701]

The 715 is more modern so would be faster and have (potentially) more room inside the cab for tall folk.

I haven't heard anything particularly good about the 715 so I haven't paid much attention to them.

[VROD02]

The M715 is definatley faster, rougher ride, easyier to steer, more room.
M37 is smoother, more relieable, flexes better turns sharper and LOOKS better for sure. The 715 is also "tin" sounding where the m37 is solid metal. I have and like both trucks.

[KenInGA]

WC is not as user friendly.
Open cab, slower speed (4 spd trans w/o synchro, single speed xfer case), otherwise it is pretty much the same as the M37 except 6 volt.

M37 is a nice ride, very very comfortable, but kinda rough to steer sometimes. The closed cab is nice. Leg room hasn't been any issue for me.

No clue about the M715. I've heard they can be a pain to keep running good, and aren't as well built as the M37. But then again, you can't always trust what you hear.

[SydneyM37]

Can't comment on the 715 asi have never seen one let alone ride in one.

I used to own a WC-51, nice truck ( mine was a 4 speed), but i sold it to buy an M37, here is why.

smoother ride, sits 3 up front, synchro 3rd & 4th, doors and windows

there are more but they were my reasons

Bruce McCann

[KenInGA]

yep, WCs are normally 4 spd, I'm just stoopid sometimes...

[Rusty S.]

A pal of mine who served in Viet Nam showed me pictures of a forward supply area they were in charge of. They had three M37s, a duece and a M113. One night, they were hit with a rocket attack. They promptly sent out a patrol and eliminated the enemy responsible for the attack. The attack destroyed two of the M37s and the M35. Two M715s (or five quarter tons) and a new M35 were brough forward as replacements. They hated these new trucks(the M715s) so bad that they would park them on the edge of their perimeter with the hopes they would get hit and taken out and then they might have a chance to get M37s as replacements. They never were hit again in the same manner during my friend`s tour.

I like the looks of the 715s and I wouldnt mind owning one someday...

[wvcharlie]

I own both an M37 and an M725 ambulance which is basically the same as an M715. The M725 has a little higher highway speed. The M715/ M725 has gotten kind of a bad rap from some people. I think this is because it was such a departure from all the vehicles that came before it. You must realize that this was the military's first attempt to take an existing civilian vehicle and militarize it as a cost saving measure. Mine has been extremely dependable and is the easiest starting vehicle I own. It always generates a lot of attention . I even let one of my employees borrow it because his daughter wanted to ride to the High School prom in it! That being said, I love my M37. I think it is one of the best looking, toughest, easiest to work on vehicles that the military used. As stated before, it has a very comfortable ride. Probably the best riding MV ever. That is my two cents worth.

[powerwagontim]

Hi Charlie,
Did you have your M-37 at the Rally Dave Horvath puts on near Morgantown?
Tim

[wvcharlie]

Tim
I was excited to be able to attend Dave's rally this fall but my M37 decided to have a rod bearing go bad. With my M37 requiring major surgery, I decided to take my M725 up to the rally. I was not sure how I would be received but they were a great bunch of guys and we had a great time. There were a lot of nice trucks. They invited me on a trail ride with them and I jumped at the chance because I had not yet had the opportunity to take the M725 off road. I went through one mud hole that the water was just about up to my headlights. Despite being kind of ponderous, it soldiered right on through. I hope to be able to have my M37 back on the road by this year's rally. I am in the process of swapping in a 318poly V8.

[powerwagontim]

Hi Charlie,
If you think back on the trail ride, there was a red and cream 57 W-100 following you. That was me!
Are you going to be able to make it this year?
Tim

[wvcharlie]

Tim,
I remember your truck! I thought that was a nice retro color combination. I will be there one way or the other. It's only 15 miles from my house. I was surprised there weren't any M37s there. The only hold up with my truck is finding a bell housing. Since the adapter kit is no longer available. There was a guy on the Power Wagon forum that posted a picture of one that would bolt up the stock transmission to a 318 V8. It was used in Dodge 3/4 and 1 ton trucks but I don't know what years. If anyone knows any more about it, I would appreciate any information. This looked like an easy way to do it.For as many people that have swapped 318 V8's into M37s, there sure seems to be a lot of different ways to do it with not to many specifics.

[mattveeder]

I have frist hand expierence of both the m37 and m715. I have a m37 with a stock drive train with the exception of a electronic ignition and 24 volt fuel pump. A good friend of mine has a m715 with stock drivetrainwith the same exact same improvements that I made. The m715 is faster with out a doubt, but the engine is a P.O.S. We both agree that the m37 is more reliable but not as easy to drive as the m715. We also both agree that the m715 is a glorified civilian truck. Where as the m37 is it own monster. Given the choice I would own them both. You can never have to many toys. (I dont care what my wife says)