bed side straps

[Cav Trooper]

I saw a M37 with straps attached through the loops on the sides of the bed just under the side rails. What are the straps for? Who has the straps?

[Cal_Gary]

The straps hold down the bed bows when the bed top is removed. The Ahl Resto Guide has a nice photo showing the setup. I'm not aware of anyone who makes replacements.
Gary

[52 M-42]

You can get replacement straps from the usual suspects (New Life Canvas, WeeBee, Midwest Military, etc).

HOWEVER, if you strap those bows behind the cab with the side straps, they will rattle, bang and clang, making your driving experience a misery (all the noise is right behind your head). A better use for those straps is to hold the forward end of the cargo bed passenger seats tight against the sides (so they don't rattle).

So, where to store the bows then? I made some vertical bow holders for the front of the cargo bed that just bolt on. The front bow stays in place and the other two bows are directly behind it. I use a strap (about 10" long I think) to hold all 3 together at the top so they don't rattle. I find it works much better for me. They are easier to get to and deploy, also. I can post pictures if anyone is interested.

As you might have guessed, I really don't like secured or unsecured stuff rattling around.

52 M-42

[Cav Trooper]

thanks for the info. Will probably never use the straps but, might add them for look.

CT

[sturmtyger380]

I made some vertical bow holders for the front of the cargo bed that just bolt on. 52 M-42

Got any photos of this setup you made? I don't like rattles either. They keep you from hearing things that might be going wrong.

Alan

[52 M-42]

PM me your email and I'll send you some pictures when I get home tonight (or tomorrow morning).

They are easy to make. Just a little welding and grinding (to make them pretty). They just bolt on to existing fasteners, so they are not permanent alterations (for the purists).

[52 M-42]

Here are some photos of the vertical bow holders I made, if anyone is interested. Not hard to make and they are removable.

[T. Highway]

Storm,

Great looking brackets that you added to hold the bows.

Bert

[52 M-42]

Thanks, Bert!