Handle on Front of Hood

[w30bob]

Hi Guys,

I need some clarification. I thought the handle on the front of the hood on M37s was only on the B1 models. But I see lots of non-B1 M's out there with the handle on their hoods. I know they didn't put the handle on early M37s, but was it installed maybe towards the end of the first batch of regular M37s?


thanks,
bob


Navyhood by w30bob

[52 M-42]

The M-37 was constantly upgraded. MWOs came out all the time. Some were mandatory some were as time/budget allows.

For example, MWO ORD G741-W7, 3/4-ton 4X4 Cargo Truck M37: Relocating Spare Wheel Carrier, dated 20 February 1956, states in paragraph 4. that this work order is classified as URGENT and will be accomplished IMMEDIATELY on ALL ITEMS both in the depot and in the field.

So, from 20 February 1956 ALL M-37 were supposed to have the door mounted spare. The door mounted spare is used by some people to identify a B1 version. The MWO says otherwise. ALL M-37s are to have the door mounted spare. So, unless your M-37 was surplussed out prior to 20 February 1956 it MUST have a door mounted spare to be "correct".

The upshot being that the hood handle is the same thing. I think the marines started it but I don't know. There is an MWO for it somewhere however, because I've seen it; I just don't have a copy of it.

The M-37 was to be CONTINUOUSLY upgraded. Ideally, all M-37 would be identical throughout the army (or the marines, or navy or air force) REGARDLESS of production date. So, variations were the failure (or lag) in the system. Variations were a "flaw" not a "feature".

52 M-42

[m-37Bruce]

This hood came off of a Marine M-37, the front bumper also had clips welded on either end. they were called "Paper Clips", the rear also had different cleats, mounted outside, on the bottom corner of the box. Cabell has some better info on his web page.

[w30bob]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the info. Makes sense. And yes, I was one of those who thought that the spare tire carrier on the door had to mean a B1. Thanks for clearing that up.

Bruce, are you talking about the hood on the truck in the pic? Reason I ask is I looked at all the pics (it's on Ebay right now) and it''s Strata Blue under the OD. You can see the blue in the pic on the headlight guard and the end of the fender. I'm not familiar with Cabell....any chance you know his website?

So along the same vein......on the early trucks (or those not retrofitted with the hood handle).....how exactly are you supposed to open the hood? What I do is reach under between the slats in the grille and push up on the latch until the hood raises enough for me to get my fingers under the front of it. Is that what everyone does??

thanks,
bob

[52 M-42]

Yup. Those handles are a nice little improvement, huh!

PS Magazine (Old Army maintenance magazine) is online now and they had a short article about making the hood handles back in the day.

You might want to go peruse the collection. It is interesting and entertaining. You learn a lot, too.

52 M-42

[52 M-42]

This hood came off of a Marine M-37, the front bumper also had clips welded on either end. they were called "Paper Clips", the rear also had different cleats, mounted outside, on the bottom corner of the box.

Those are all the standard Marine Corps modifications to their trucks. The large, heavy brackets on the rear are actually called "Marine Corp Lifting Brackets" they have a slightly different shackle that attaches to the outer edge (but, typical military, you will see all kinds of shackles mounted on the brackets). The lifting brackets also serve the function of very stout protection brackets for the rear tail lights and trailer receptacle.

They are another nice little accessory to add to your truck.

[m-37Bruce]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the info. Makes sense. And yes, I was one of those who thought that the spare tire carrier on the door had to mean a B1. Thanks for clearing that up.

Bruce, are you talking about the hood on the truck in the pic? Reason I ask is I looked at all the pics (it's on Ebay right now) and it''s Strata Blue under the OD. You can see the blue in the pic on the headlight guard and the end of the fender. I'm not familiar with Cabell....any chance you know his website?

So along the same vein......on the early trucks (or those not retrofitted with the hood handle).....how exactly are you supposed to open the hood? What I do is reach under between the slats in the grille and push up on the latch until the hood raises enough for me to get my fingers under the front of it. Is that what everyone does??

thanks,
bob

Hey Bob,
I dug around for a link to Cabell's page, there are several, here's one of them; http://www.garbee.net/~cabell
I could not remember what they called those rear tie downs to save my life, a senior moment fer sure!
Seasons Greetings,

[k8icu]

I'd like to add one of those to my hood Does anyone have the technical data on them? Or a link to the PS Manual that talks about the MWO for those handles? Was it a kit or a OMS (Orginizational Maintence Shop) made item?

[m-37Bruce]

Steele Soldiers has all of the PS mags as well as the Tech Military Manuals listed for each group of M-Series Vehicles on their opening page.
http://www.garbee.net/~cabell/usmcmodifications.htm

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/