looking to buy a 1960 M37

[JAG37]

Found one locally. Must have been owned by a fire department as the bed has been taken off and the bumper is missing.

Its in pretty rough shape. The engine doesnt run. Not sure if it will turn over.

Frame has no rust on it.
No top
No title
Looks as if the interior is gutted.

What are the things I should be looking for to see if this is worth restoring?

Getting it for less than a grand? Is that a good deal for one of these in this condition.

My thoughts are to get one and get it half way decent and do some trail riding in it.

The ad is listed here on craigslist. Cant seem to be able to attach the photos I have.


Craigslist: 1960 Dodge Military M-37 http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/3614240424.html

[JAG37]

And it doesnt have a PTO now cause he used it in his other truck.

[Cal_Gary]

Depends on how much you want to put in,repairing it and finding the missing parts-what you've described sounds like a parts truck to me, so i'd keep searching.
Gary

[w30bob]

Hi Jag,

I'm going to have a agree with Cal_Gary on this one. I know it's tough to pass on something at such a low price, but you can get a nice complete running truck WITH A TITLE for between $2000 and $3000, if you have patience and network. That might seem like a lot more than the $700 he's asking (you can probably take it off his hands for $500), but just getting the motor running could put you over $2000, not to mention all the other stuff it needs. If the engine isn't running you can't assess the condition of the rest of the drivetrain....so you're taking a big risk.

The title is important......even if not for you with what you plan to do with the truck.....but for when you eventually go to sell it. Personally, I won't buy an M37 without a title. You can find "Title Companies" on the internet that say they can get a title for $500......don't believe it. When all is said and done it's usually over a grand.........if they can do it at all in your state.

Between Ebay, Craigslist, and the guys on this forum you should be able to come up with a much better truck (meaning less work and expense to get it driveable) for way less than it's going to cost to get this one useable. My 2 cents is to pass, start asking around, and get a better truck to start with. But then again, what does 2 cents buy today?

The good news is that no matter what you do the guys on this forum will support you and help you as best they can. Let us know what you decide.

regards,
bob

[JAG37]

I know everyone likes a little bit of eye candy. So I posted more some photos of the truck.

I really do appreciate the knowledgeable advice. I have spent many years saving antique motorcycles, and other rusted heaps from the scrap yard. There is something quite rewarding with restoring something to its once long lost beauty.

However I may have to agree with you guys here. With so much missing from it, it may be worth passing on, and looking for something else.

JAG



]

[Tuko]

thats a real mess unfortunately. Prob a good parts truck for 500 but to restore that your going to be well into the thousands where you can buy a pretty complete one for the price you will spend hunting down missing parts, etc.

[PoW]

IF you can get it for $500, read on:

My gosh, man, think!

They are not making them anymore. If you drive it, it will eventually need some sheet metal fixin. Drive train fixin.

What you get for the $$ is a vast storehouse of valuable parts for your project, even if this particular specimen never rolls again.

I've seen a LOT worse examples come back, right here on this forum BTW.

Not too much of value on any G741 rig is light, easily shipped, or subject to real damage from age or exposure, i.e. VPW and the price list.

One M37 veterans' opinion.

I wish it were closer...

Dennis

[Monkey Man]

Offer him the $700 if you're happy with that, I'd offer a bit less but as a parts truck only (and let him know your intention), a good donor machine can make a rebuild easier, pity the PTO has been savaged from it...

MM

[JAG37]

Yeah I think the only reason he got it was for the PTO. He came down to $600. Honestly it may be wise to wait for something more complete at least something with a bed on it.

Also looking for a M715 or a hummer h1 that doesnt cost 30 grand. Lol.

Im not sure how much it would cost to get it running. The money I put into it I could have a good running version. Seems like the only thing i can salvage is the rust free frame and front end.

The engine was stored without spark plugs in it so there's no telling how long it has sat. Still waiting on response to see if it turns over.

[Cal_Gary]

Here's a look at mine when I purchased it for $600-rough but in much better shape than your target truck. I hate to see any M37 lost to the ravages of time but it's up to each of us to assess what we see and if we have the funds and ability to save one in the shape your target truck is in. Not knocking it at all, just trying to save you a case of "buyers remorse" down the road.
Gary

http://www.g741.org/m37registry/images/ ... cture2.jpg

[Brett]

JAG37
I think it would be a decent buy as a parts truck at about $400. I'd stay in contact with the guy and keep looking for a better one to start with. Also, not having a title is not as big of a problem in TN as in some other states. Mine didn't have a title when I bought it, and in 15 minutes at the county clerk's I had a tag and title.

Brett

[JAG37]

JAG37
I think it would be a decent buy as a parts truck at about $400. I'd stay in contact with the guy and keep looking for a better one to start with. Also, not having a title is not as big of a problem in TN as in some other states. Mine didn't have a title when I bought it, and in 15 minutes at the county clerk's I had a tag and title.

Brett

Now how did ya pull that off Brett? If I knew it was that easy id buy more vehicles/motorcycles and save them from the scrap yard!

Here's a look at mine when I purchased it for $600-rough but in much better shape than your target truck. I hate to see any M37 lost to the ravages of time but it's up to each of us to assess what we see and if we have the funds and ability to save one in the shape your target truck is in. Not knocking it at all, just trying to save you a case of "buyers remorse" down the road.
Gary

http://www.g741.org/m37registry/images/ ... cture2.jpg

That does look rough Gary, if you dont mind me asking how much money did you have to throw st it to get it decent looking again? You have the "before" picture. Do you have the "now"?

[JAG37]

Found another one, that looks to be a pretty good candidate for restoration.

Can be found here:
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/3624988661.html

I'm not very familiar with moving/hauling a behemoth such as this. Anyone have any advice on how to get this sucker back home? Tow truck? Flat bed?

[w30bob]

Hmmmm.....between the two I think I'd take the RED one!!

Sorry JAG....I'm sure you're thinking "these guys won't give me a break". Don't mean to twart your efforts, but that yellow truck looks like it was stored in a tank of salt water for 20 years. It does have a title, but with that much corrosion you're going to have to replace pretty much everything excep the differentials, motor, tranny, and Xfer case.....assuming the frame is good. It's not running either.....so you can't check the drivetrain. $2K is (in my opinion) waaaay too much. I paid $2500 for mine last March from a guy in Virginia (I'm in Maryland) and it has zero rust and all it's original parts....and runs and drives. I paid the guy another $600 to get the title in his state, which he did because it would have been impossible for me to get it titled here. I also just bought a second M from Carter a few months back for $2800 and it's in the same shape, meaning title, not rusted, motor rebuilt and the truck has all it's parts.....it just needs to be assembled. I don't think my buying experiences are out of the ordinary. But you have to wait for a good one to come along. If you buy that yellow truck for say $1000 you still won't have a decent driver after you invest another $1500 or $2000 bucks in it.

It's funny....as I look back on my younger days I realize most everything my Dad told me was right....I was just too much of an A-hole to listen. I've bought my share of "junkers" thinking they were diamonds in the rough....only to realize I should have done what he said....save a bit more money and buy a better starting point. It always works out better that way.

I realize you want to buy an M........I get very impatient when I want to buy something........but my advice to you is to wait for a good truck to come along for a decent price. There are still a lot of them out there. Ask the guys on this forum to keep an eye out for a good one........the Spring and Summer are coming, as are the Military Vehicle shows and meets. I'm sure someone on here can come up with a good lead for you. I'm not sure where you're located but I just did a quick search on Craig's List and found these;

http://asheville.craigslist.org/cto/3581121770.html

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/cto/3631442290.html

Again, I don't mean to be such a downer on ya......justing throwing my 2 cents in the ring hoping it might stop you from making a mistake like I've made in the past.

regards,
bob

[JAG37]

I have already sent out an inquiry to the asheville ad.

Hopefully I'll receive some sort of response.

Now why in the wide world is that red M37 pulling at your heart strings Bob??!

I know the Yellow one looks like it has been sitting under the Great Pyramid of Giza for all this time rusting away, however he has assured me it was surface rust. Not a lot you can tell in the pictures. I don't mind doing some work on it to restore it. I work at a Machine shop, I know I can do a lot of the work myself. I agree that the money I spend fixing one up I could already get a decent running, cosmetically pleasing truck.

$2000 is Wayyy too much for the truck I agree. That's not including the cost for a big tandem trailer or hiring someone to haul the behemoth back to me here. ( I am right outside of Nashville Tn.

I agree with you though, patience is key in this undertaking. I need to take more time doing research regarding the trucks, as I am still pretty wet behind the ears..