Introduction, Just jumped in!

[ashyers]

My fearless accomplice (notice she's clutching the manual!).

Smaller photo.jpg (34.22 KiB) Viewed 2611 times

[just me]

You should name it Marley. It is wearing his chains!

[Cal_Gary]

Nice starter project for sure! You should see the basket cases some of us started with:
Here's mine- http://www.g741.org/m37registry/images/ ... cture1.jpg

Would love to see a group photo of you and your crew!
Gary

[ashyers]

Marley, huh? We've been calling it the "Green Monster".

I'm kind of bummed one of my students described it as "cute" as in "It's soooooo CUTE!". This has caused me to lose sleep at night...

Gary,
Cool truck! I like the fire engine red. I chose the truck we picked up because it was complete and not terribly molested. Unfortunately it was not maintained either. I guess I wanted a project.

I keep meaning to take some photos with the kids, but we get busy and I forget. I have a few on my phone I'll have to post and will make it a point to take a few next week. We had our Semester Final the other day that involved a 2 hour thrash on the truck. It went OK, except for the part about cleaning up all the tools and debris! We managed to sort out the cooling system, clean/prep a bunch of brake parts, work on the ignition, and break down our 1st split rim. Turns out our fancy new tire machine makes short work of the beads and I found a post of Charles' at Mseries that had a P/N for the levers I needed for the rim. I'm off chasing some parts tomorrow and have a box of goodies from Fred at Adirondack sitting in the living room and a box from John at Midwest on the way . I may have a line on an axle assembly, but it's 3 hours away .

Andy

[W_A_Watson_II]

Andy,

It's a great looking truck. Yea the comments you get about these trucks looks will range from the "Cute" you got, to Monster as you call it and yes even the ocational "Nice Jeep". Regardless the fact that they take the time and thought to make them mean they are attracted and intrigued by the great old Dodge Truck.

Looks like you have got a great start and more progress on the way. Keep it up and keep the updates and pictures coming.

Will

[ashyers]

Will,
Just to a brief look at your site. I happen to have 2 360's in the Shop. I should probably stop looking at your site!!!

Andy

[W_A_Watson_II]

Andy,

Ah, 360's, nice. I love my 318 conversion and at times wish it had an automatic so my wife would drive it as she loves the M. If I can provide any help/info just let me know, and enjoy my M's journey (and site ).

Will

[ashyers]

Went shopping and picked up some parts this weekend . In addition I had a good time speaking with a former M37 owner. He had quite a few stories to tell and many fond memories of his truck. The parts I picked up were mostly from the late '60's or early '70's and were in the original packaging. On inspection they look good and I almost feel guilty about using them, but not that guilty .

I think I did OK and have an array of goodies that I'm excited about:
1 complete distributor, rebuilt, no shaft play, new guts
3 caps, nos
1 complete exhaust system, 4 pcs. w/ gaskets, nos
1 set plugs, nos
1 set plug wires, nos
1 carb kit, nos
2 points/condenser kits, nos
1 generator to v-reg harness, nos
1 engine compartment harness, nos
3 stubby harnesses (?), nos
1 dash harness (?, big 4 pin plug), nos
one bag of carb parts, used
one flap, used

He did have one manual that had many exploded views of the truck's sub systems, I don't recall the name. Does it sound familiar to anyone? I have not seen a .pdf when looking online and didn't purchase the book because it was a bit pricey for its condition.

Andy

[W_A_Watson_II]

Andy,

WOW nice parts haul. If you come across an extra two wire starter to regulator to dash harness let me know.

Looking for a manual, check out: http://www.imfmotorpool.com/M37_Manuals.html

Will

[ashyers]

Will,
I don't believe he had one, but I'll keep my eyes open. I checked the manuals on the site you sent, the one I saw is not there. I should have written down the #, DUH!

Andy

[ashyers]

Here's the crew! They are really enjoying working on the truck. One of the kids brought mom in today after school to show off what she'd been working on. Mom want's to see it when it's on the road. She seemed to thing it was pretty cool :).

Good Class Photo, Small.jpg (46.3 KiB) Viewed 2521 times

[W_A_Watson_II]

WOW, Good sized crew! Keep up the great work.

[ashyers]

Our truck seems to be degenerating into a pile of parts...
We've got brake bits all over the shop in various states of clean, cruddy, and busted. Steering knuckles are coming apart, floor's out, seats???, wheels, tires, tubes... large piles of vintage dried mud...
The M37 is taking over the Shop!

It appears that the front diff may have been receiving the bulk of it's lubrication from grease leaking through the inner seals in the front axle. I may have a specially modified vehicle that leaks internally .

If anyone has any pointers on tearing down/cleaning up/reassembling the steering knuckles I'm all ears. This 4wd truck stuff is new to me. I think I could get used to live axles though.

Andy

[Elwood]

Andy, there's lots of good info here on g741 about the front axle and steering knuckles. The search function should find them. The two most common modifications are (a) don't use the original type leather seals [that may be why your axle has an internal leak], and (b) substitute tapered roller bearings for the bronze cones on the upper trunnion bearing.

There's also the Dodge Service Manual from Power Wagon Advertiser: http://www.powerwagonadvertiser.com/store.html. It's directed at Power Wagon owners, but the front axles are very similar.

There was also a good writeup with lots of photos online from Moose Creek Offroad: http://imageevent.com/moosecreekmaple/s ... =4&x=0&p=0

[Cal_Gary]

Don't know how I missed your team photo-looks like an enthusiastic bunch! I'm sure several of us would have enjoyed having so many helpers!
Gary