Bunch of questions

[Bent Bolt]

Ok, I'm trying to come up with a plan on what to do with my M37. This is very much in dream/planning phase. I am also very capable of doing what ever I dream up. So..........

The truck is not useful to me as-is. If I had a acreage I'd keep it as is and put it to work, but I don't.

I understand the cruising speed is about 45 MPH. That won't do. Installing taller gears and a overdrive transmission would be in order.

I'd like to keep the 251 flathead but what I've read about these engines is that they tend to throw rods if reved too much too long over 2500 RPM. Would ARP rod bolts cure this within reason? Are there performance parts available for the 251? I'm thinking duel carbs and a exhaust header would do wonders.

I really like the look of the original axles and wheels so I'd like to keep them. I'm OK with drum brakes as long as they are adequate. Better master cylinder and power brakes for sure. I don't think power steering is an absolute necessity either. I may change my mind after driving it though ! LOL.

As for the overall look of the truck, I much prefer the Power Wagon cab. Does anyone know if the M37 to PW cab swap has been done before?
How feasible is it to build the cab (M37 or PW) so as to minimize wind and drivetrain noise , within reason?

I guess the big ,overall quest is to make this truck capable and reliable to drive 60MPH / 100 KPH with reasonable comfort. Any other suggestions or am I way off base ?

[powerwagontim]

Hi Bentbolt,
A Power Wagon / M37 meld would look like a real hodgepodge. I would suggest just getting a Power Wagon, then nobody will laugh at you as you drive by!
Life at 45 MPH isnt really that bad, give it a try, you might enjoy it.
Tim

[Master Yota]

To reliably go faster - you need an engine that either turns faster (re: more rpm) or has the output to turn higher gears (re: overdrive trans and diesel torque). Forget being speedy if you want to keep the 251.

You could in all reality use the entire front half of a Civy PW (cab and front clip) to build a shortbox PW using the M37 box and chassis. But Tim is right, its easier and less headache to build either a PW or an M37 - not combine one into half the other. I also belive the M37 box is wider than the PW box at the front - thus the box is wider than the cab would be - would look funny IMO.

Easiest way to make the driveline quieter is to modify the tcase to a centered rear output, and change the rear diff to match. That takes some of the load off the tcase gears (due to the design) and quiets the unit. They also run cooler this way (or so I've been led to belive). Some good aftermarket sound deadener will go along way - cover the fire wall panels, under the seats, inside the doors and the roof. Anything will help. These trucks are also quieter with a soft top or no top. The artic top is a great addition, but turns the cab into a giant speaker box. Plan on hearing protection and no conversation while driving...

As for making a reliable cruiser at modern highway speeds with 50-60 year old driveline design, let me lay it out like this: take your current daily driver normal modern car or truck - and drive it all day long, as fast it can go, wound right out. How long do you think it will last? Probably not half as long as it would if it were driven at the cruising speed for which it was designed. An M37 is no different. If driven at its maximum all day long day in and day out, its reliable service life will be shortened considerably. That means more maintenance, and more upkeep needed, which translates into more money spent on a regular basis. The driveline is designed for cruising at 35-45mph. It stops good at that speed, and handles ok. Anything more than that for sustained periods is just asking for trouble...IMO...

If your plan can acomodate updating the entire driveline, then by all means, the sky is the limit.

[SOTVEN]

I AGREE WITH ALL THAT HAS BEEN SAID SO FAR. IMHO POWER STEERING IS A "MUST", IF YOU INTEND TO MAKE A DAILY DRIVER OUT OF YOUR M37. ALSO IT IS EVEN MORE "MUST" IF YOU INTEND TO GO OFF ROAD ON TIGHT TRAILS. CHECK OUT THE ALBUMS HERE, AND YOU WILL SEE THAT PREETY MUCH EVERY MODIFICATION POSSIBLE ON THESE TRUCKS HAS BEEN DONE BY ONE OR MORE PEOPLE. FROM 4X4 TO 6X6, DIESEL TO PROPANE, 4 DOOR CABIN, AND FROM STOCK 230 TO 400 TWIN TURBO. IN MY OPINION, THE M 37 WAS A VERY WELL BUILT TRUCK OF ITS DAY, THAT IF MAINTAINED WELL, IT CAN STILL PERFORM THE SAME DUTIES TODAY AS IT DID HALF A CENTURY AGO. ALSO IT PROVIDES A NICE "PLATFORM" FOR AN EXTREMELY CAPABLE OFFROADER. I HAVE OFTEN EXCEEDED 60MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY STOCK 230 (YES THE SPEEDO NEEDLE WENT WELL PAST "60"). IS IT A RECOMENDED PRACTICE? NO!!! PLUS IT TOOK FOREVER TO CLIMB TO THAT SPEED, AND THE TRUCK WAS EMPTY, NO CANVAS AND FOLDED WINDSHIELD. NOISE? IT GOES WITH THE TERRITORY, AND THERE IS PLENTY OF IT. WHAT YOU WANT TO BUILD IS UP TO YOU, AND INDEED THE SKY IS THE LIMIT. HOWEVER, PINPOINT YOUR "NEEDS" EXACTLY FIRST AND THEN FIGURE OUT HOW MANY WAYS ARE THERE TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED EFFECT (THERE IS MORE THAN ONE WAY TO SKIN A CAT THEY SAY). FINALLY DECIDE WHICH APPROACH WILL WORK BEST FOR YOU. OTHERWISE, YOU MIGHT END UP WITH SOMETHING YOU DO NOT LIKE, OR DOES NOT PERFORM AS EXPECTED, PLUS THE TOTAL COST MIGHT EXCEED THAT OF THE "ACREAGE" YOU MENTIONED IN THE BEGINING.

[Bent Bolt]

Thanks for all your replys. To further the conversation, I don't know what I want out of the truck. The biggest thing is the fact that my father had it for 40 years. There is a photo of me when I was about 3 or 4 sitting on the left front fender.( I am now 40 ) Been in the family so-to-speak for a long time.

I work in a different town that I live which is 1/2 hour away on the highway . I have a daily driver - 2008 Ranger FX4. I have a very capable off roader that I beat the crap out of - 1987 Ranger. I have the 1971 M38A1 Jeep that I plan on driving around town on the weekends. My lovely wife has a Ford Fusion. I plan on selling my 08 Ranger and getting a F150 to trailer my old Ranger and our camper. Now the M37 ! I have too many damn vehicles !

So what do I need from the M37 ? Nothing really. Maybe just restore it? I don't need or want a museum piece. Sell it ? Or maybe donate it to a military museum? Just don't know.

[vtdeucedriver]

Its been in your family that long.......KEEP IT!!!! Freshen it up and have fun running around town on the weekends. Some day you might want to ride around with "dad".

[hbb]

Brent I am taking any donations at this time,I have the room for it and it will be restored to its original glory and I will keep you up dated on it's progression and even send pictures from time to time.I live here in the desert south west and it will not rust away so keep me in mind I will love and care for it better than you could ever imagine.
again thats HB Call Me! I will come and get it. No more worrying about what to do with it!!! Call me!!! ( I know he ain't gonna call )

[SOTVEN]

SINCE ALL YOUR TRANSPORTATION NEEDS ARE MET, I SUGGEST YOU DO NOT GO AHEAD AND THROW A PILE OF MONEY TO REBUILD SOMETHING YOU DO NOT NEED. IF YOU HAVE A PLACE TO STORE IT, (NOT UNDER A SAP TREE AS OTHERS HAVE DONE LOL) KEEP IT. I DO NOT KNOW IN WHAT CONDITION YOUR TRUCK IS. BUT IF YOU CAN GET IT TO RUN IN ITS STOCK CONFIGURATION, SPEND A LITTLE AND MAKE IT WORK. THEN TAKE IT FOR A DRIVE TO WORK ON A NICE DAY WITHOUT ITS TOP AND FOLDED WINDSHIELD. IF IT TAKES 1/2 AN HOUR WITH YOUR DAILY DRIVER, IT WILL TAKE 45 MINUTES ON THE M. SO WHAT? THE HEADS THAT WILL TURN AS YOU GO DOWN MAIN ST, WILL MORE THAN COMPENSATE FOR YOUR TIME . GIVE IT A SHOT. FOR SOME OF US, THE M37 WAS LOVE IN FIRST SIGHT. FOR OTHERS IT WAS SOMETHING THAT EVOLVED OVER TIME. JUST GIVE IT A SHOT FIRST. AND 40 YEARS IN THE FAMILY? DO NOT OVERLOOK THAT. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE FAMILY MEMORABILIA OF ALMOST HALF A CENTURY AGO THAT WEIGH 3 TONS?

[Bent Bolt]

Brent I am taking any donations at this time,I have the room for it and it will be restored to its original glory and I will keep you up dated on it's progression and even send pictures from time to time.I live here in the desert south west and it will not rust away so keep me in mind I will love and care for it better than you could ever imagine.
again thats HB Call Me! I will come and get it. No more worrying about what to do with it!!! Call me!!! ( I know he ain't gonna call )

Thanks for the offer but do you realize where I live LOL ? Google Map Edmonton AB.

I was thinking more of a museum closer to home.

[Bent Bolt]

Storage is not an issue at the moment. I'll keep it at work, we have an acre of space. I have plenty of time to decide what to do.

[Josh]

a 4BT diesel, 5 speed, with newer married case, 14B GM rear, Dana 60 front, pwer steeing, 4 wheel discs, and a new paint job will give you a dependable truck that will run another 50 years @ 60 MPH no problem, gettig mid 20's for fuel economy along the way. Done right, it could be put together for under $8K.

[Master Yota]

Brent I am taking any donations at this time,I have the room for it and it will be restored to its original glory and I will keep you up dated on it's progression and even send pictures from time to time.I live here in the desert south west and it will not rust away so keep me in mind I will love and care for it better than you could ever imagine.
again thats HB Call Me! I will come and get it. No more worrying about what to do with it!!! Call me!!! ( I know he ain't gonna call )

Thanks for the offer but do you realize where I live LOL ? Google Map Edmonton AB.

I was thinking more of a museum closer to home.

Heck, I'm only a day away, and I've got a "museum" of stuff already, so I'll take any donations....

[SOTVEN]

Heck, I'm only a day away, and I've got a "museum" of stuff already, so I'll take any donations....

"MUSEUM OF STUFF" HAHAHAHA SOMEHOW, I THINK WE ALL HAVE A SUCH LOL

[hbb]

Brent I am currently working I north west Ia and it is not that far away and I have away to get it down to Phoenix sooo if your thinken I'll be there!
hb

[vtdeucedriver]

AND 40 YEARS IN THE FAMILY? DO NOT OVERLOOK THAT. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE FAMILY MEMORABILIA OF ALMOST HALF A CENTURY AGO THAT WEIGH 3 TONS?

Our family is just that lucky!!