Canadian built or not.

[m37jarhead]

My '53 M37 has a 251 c.i. engine. I assumed the truck was Canadian built because of the engine size.
Now I'm not so sure.
Can anyone tell me how to find out if this M37 is USA or Canadian built,
or what to look for on the truck that would make it distinctly Canadian built?
Any help and/or direction appreciated.

[MSeriesRebuild]

The Canadian trucks have the 251 as you mentioned. The radiator brackets are different so as to shift the radiator forward by 1 1/4" to make room for the longer engine. They also have a different transmission, a Warner T-98, a much heavier transmission than the New Process units used in the US models.

Why they never used these in the US trucks is a mystery to me. Just a common sense thing, these transmissions can take the pressure, they just don't typically give trouble.

[Jess]

The serial number would be definitely give you the answer. CDN trucks were somewhere in the range of 914xxxxx. As Charles has indicated, the main differences are the 251, transmission, pto and the rad mounting to accomodate the extra 2" block length. In addition, all CDN trucks were originally equipped with a factory hardtop. The data plate would also indicate its origins. Canadian M37's were built by Chrysler in Windsor, Ontario over a number of years probably from parts sourced in both the US and Canada. If your truck served with Canada, it might also have the 'Convoy Light' switch mounted near the steering colunm and the rear diff painted white for the light convoy to shine on. If it has the original hardtop, the CFR number was stencilled above the passenger side windshield. It would be the year of production and the last five digits assigned to the vehicle eg. 53-40134 This number was used to identify and track the vehicle in the same manner as the USA hood numbers. The DND license plate had the last five numbers as the plate number also. Unfortunately, the records are gone and numbers reassigned to newer vehicles. Some serial numbers can be located here: http://www.ramtank.ca/m37list.htm Contributors of this information are acknowledged at the bottom of the RamTank home page.

Let us know how you make out.

Jess

[Citizensoldier]

Hey Jess thanks for the site address ! Some real good info on Canadian M37's..

[m37jarhead]

The data plate and the numbers on the left front frame start with 800----.
Date delivered is: 5/1952.
Data plate shows: Dodge Div. of Chrysler Corp. Detroit, MI.
Would the data plate for a Canadian built show Windsor?
While this truck has an arctic top and 251 c.i. engine, the top was
originally strata blue. The rest of the paint on the body is o.d. down
to the metal.
Makes me think this is Detroit built. Found original U.S. Army hood numbers
on the hood and matching numbers on the left side of the firewall.
I can't tell a NP transmission from whatever is in the Canadian but
my clutch has a 10" disk, not the 11+" disks in the Canadian models.
Any more thoughts on the above will be appreciated.

[MSeriesRebuild]

The data plate and the numbers on the left front frame start with 800----.
Date delivered is: 5/1952.
Data plate shows: Dodge Div. of Chrysler Corp. Detroit, MI.
Would the data plate for a Canadian built show Windsor?
While this truck has an arctic top and 251 c.i. engine, the top was
originally strata blue. The rest of the paint on the body is o.d. down
to the metal.
Makes me think this is Detroit built. Found original U.S. Army hood numbers
on the hood and matching numbers on the left side of the firewall.
I can't tell a NP transmission from whatever is in the Canadian but
my clutch has a 10" disk, not the 11+" disks in the Canadian models.
Any more thoughts on the above will be appreciated.

Most likely yours is not Canadian if it has the 10" clutch. The Canadian trans is a Warner T-98. The 10" disc fits a 1" 10 spline shaft, the 11" uses a 1 3/8" 10 spline shaft. It is remotely possible that someone could have mixed and matched non stock components and came up with that combo; probably not likely though.

[chris olson]

My M37CDN was made in Windsor by Chrysler of Canada

[cuz]

They also have a different transmission, a Warner T-98, a much heavier transmission than the New Process units used in the US models.
Why they never used these in the US trucks is a mystery to me.

I believe it was because of the tight business relationship between Chrysler and NP. Chrysler owned NP from 1939 thru 1999 and from 99 thru 2002 it was renamed New Venture Gear and GM bought in as a 1/3rd partner then sold that 1/3rd back to Chrysler. Magna International bought 80% of the company from Chrysler in 2004 and that is the current arrangement.

[MSeriesRebuild]

I'm sure it was a deal where Chrysler could make the most cash. What I was getting at is why the US military didn't spec the Warner T98 also; it is a way better trans that gives way less trouble.

[cuz]

I agree. The US Army went the right way with the M715 tranny in 66. I don't recall the name of the Canadian Company that provided the "License built" T98's for the M37CDN's but they listed their own model name for the T98 they were building.

[MSeriesRebuild]

I agree. The US Army went the right way with the M715 tranny in 66. I don't recall the name of the Canadian Company that provided the "License built" T98's for the M37CDN's but they listed their own model name for the T98 they were building.

ACME

[cuz]

That's the one. Thanks

Are you guys rebuilding T98's in the shop or sending them out?

[MSeriesRebuild]

That's the one. Thanks

Are you guys rebuilding T98's in the shop or sending them out?

Yes we have built them, been about a year since the last one.

[cuz]

The reason I ask is because a friend on the Early CJ5 board is trying to find an answer to this question:

Anyone have Fafnir deep groove ball bearing numbers for a T98 ?
Maindrive gear (input shaft) bearing = MRC # 308SG1 = Fafnir # ????? > These are .7874 wide plus snap ring groove.
Mainshaft gear (output) = MRC # 308SG + Fafnir #308KG > These are .9055 wide plus snap ring groove.

[MSeriesRebuild]

The reason I ask is because a friend on the Early CJ5 board is trying to find an answer to this question:

Anyone have Fafnir deep groove ball bearing numbers for a T98 ?
Maindrive gear (input shaft) bearing = MRC # 308SG1 = Fafnir # ????? > These are .7874 wide plus snap ring groove.
Mainshaft gear (output) = MRC # 308SG + Fafnir #308KG > These are .9055 wide plus snap ring groove.

If he would care to contact me with further dimensional info, I can likely help. MRC and Fafnir do not use the common # system that most bearing manufacturer's use these days, thus detailed dimensions is the only way to source them accurately. In fact I just ran into an issue today with a weird MRC #. Many of their bearings are discontinued and not duplicated by others which requires special machining practices in order to engineer replacements in some cases. We can do it, however some replacements are tough these days.