Intro and Arctic Kit question

[Bran3b]

I wanted to introduce myself. My name is Brandon and I recently bought my 1st M37 for the 2nd time. 15 years ago a friend convinced me to buy the truck after he took the stock engine and transmission. I held on to the truck for a few years, doing a few minor jobs on it but nothing really major. Along the line I decided that Ithe truck was too far gone to be a reasonable restoration so I put a small block Chevy that I had laying around in it but never really finished.

Eventually another friend, a Power Wagon guy, convinced me to sell him the truck. He was after something to play with while he restored his 2 Power Wagons. This friend ended up never getting around to it either. Jump another 10 years to this past fall and while visiting for a beer and talking about trucks he mentioned that he was going to sell the M37, so I bought it. My wife was so happy.

I did buy a 2nd M37 along the way but title issues with the seller meant that I ended up returning it to him for a refund.

So now that I have this truck home again I am inventorying it and the items that my friend added along the way. The biggest item is the bed cover from an Arctic Kit, it looks like NOS, the door doesn't even have holes for the hinge. The problem is that it doesn't have instructions. Can anybody direct me toward directions for assebling the top?

The truck needs a lot, but I wasn't looking for an easy project.

Pictures to come, file was too big to attach first try.

[Cal_Gary]

Welcome aboard and thanks for saving another one! I can't answer your canvas question but our forum mates might have your answer. If not, you might contact Beechwood Canvas-they specialize in military canvas and might know how your kit installs.

Oh, please add your location (City and State, or just State is fine) to your profile if you don't mind-we have forum members in most states and around the globe and you might find a member close by if you needed help or guidance.
Thanks,
Gary

[Bran3b]

Thanks for the welcome and for reminding me to fill in my profile.

I havent saved it yet, have a long way to go before i can make that claim. Ill try to document my progress along the way.

Brandon

[52 M-42]

Hi Brandon and welcome to the forum!

I have the complete Cargo Bed Arctic Enclosure Kit. It is a big, bulky kit with lots of pieces. I also have the parts list and installation drawings, such as they are. The problem with the installation documentation is that there is not much to it, especially for such a big kit.

It is NOT an "easy-on-and-easy-off" type of kit.

If you are interested in pursuing the details and installation of the enclosure, PM me you email. If you are are not interested in keeping the kit there is a guy over on another website who might be interested in it.

Let me know.

52 M-42

[Bran3b]

I really need to figure out what i want to do with the truck. I think that the arctic bed cover might have a better home with a restoration rather than whatever i end up doing with my truck. With that in mind, how would I get in touch with the person on the other site?

Brandon

[Elwood]

I might be interested in that arctic cover kit, Brandon. No shortage of cold weather up here.

Do you have any photos available, or a list of the components that you have?

[Bran3b]

Here are a few, I think that it is complete but have no way of really knowing since I haven't set it up yet.

[Elwood]

Thanks for the pics, Brandon. Looks interesting.

I found this old thread from John Bizal at Midwest Military: http://www.g741.org/PHPBB/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=62. Not a complete parts list, but it might give you some idea as to the major pieces that should be in the kit.

[52 M-42]

Here is a scanned copy of the 2 page packing list for the Cargo Bed Arctic Enclosure Kit. It is a mimeographed list so it may not be very clear. You may have to enlarge it to read it. the installation drawings are 3 pages of 24" X 18" (real old school blue prints) so I can't scan those. The list should at least give you an idea of what you are missing.

Good Luck!

[Bran3b]

Cool, thanks. Time to start inventorying.

[UZIS9MM]

Brandon,

Here are a couple pictures of the artic kit in use in Alaska circa the late 50’s / early 60’s and one of a “Climatic Test” truck showing an insulated hood cover.

I don’t have any pictures of the hood cover in use so I don’t know if it was unique to just the test truck. I would very much like to see a couple of pictures of the hood cover if you have one with your kit.









Kevin

[Elwood]

Thanks, Kevin. Great photos of the insulated cargo cover and rear door.

As for the hood cover (and winterfront), I believe those were part of the power plant heater kit (Ordnance P/N 7387275), which used a gasoline-fired heater on the right fender to heat the engine oil sump. Part of the power plant heater is visible underneath the jerry can bracket in the first photo in your post.

John Bizal at Midwest Military had the power plant heater kit for sale on his old website (p. 12); he may still have some available.

Here's a page from the kit instructions that shows the cover:

[M37N55]

Awesome... very interesting... ideas are ringing in my head