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I have driven both hard top and soft top MVs of different sizes. Both trucks are noisie though the hard top seems to amplify the noise.

Soft tops are great in the summer time, you can roll the back window open on most of them or fold the back up to make a bikini top. You can take it off and back on rather quickly and easily. But like stated, they tend to leak...don't all MVs leak though?...they are cold in the winter... I've gotten into a truck that moister has seeped through prior to a temp drop and had icecycles hanging from the top inside the cab.

Hard tops are nice in that they seal better. But in the summer time they can work just like your car and rais the temp very high in the cab. They need work to make sound levels barrable. They will help keep you warmer in the winter.

The best thing if for you to decide what look you want for your truck. Look at hard cab and soft top pics of M37s and decide which one looks right to you. Also is the truck going to be a period piece. I.e. Vietnam with a Vietnam unit markings? The truck wouldn't have been a hard top. If your doing a truck from the Alaska National Guard then yes a hard top is very correct. Germany could go either way. Decide what is best for you and you'll be happy with it.

Branch of service could make a difference, too. All the AF-owned M37s I ever drove were hard tops. Same with Deuces. Our Mutts in Korea were hardtops, but we did use canvas tops in TAC, when I was stationed in SC.

k8icu wrote:
The best thing if for you to decide what look you want for your truck. Look at hard cab and soft top pics of M37s and decide which one looks right to you. Also is the truck going to be a period piece. I.e. Vietnam with a Vietnam unit markings? The truck wouldn't have been a hard top. If your doing a truck from the Alaska National Guard then yes a hard top is very correct. Germany could go either way. Decide what is best for you and you'll be happy with it.

Good point! I have been thinking I'd like to go with a Vietnam theme, and given the weather there, I can see that a hardtop wouldn't be appropriate. Whatever I get will be garaged (as long as it fits) and winter use would be limited. It sounds like I could, with help, switch from soft top to hard top without too much difficulty, eventually, that may be my answer. Soft top for the summer and hard top for the winter.

As far as the soft top goes, am I correct that I could take it off and put it on by myself?

Sure thing Warren-installing and removal can be done by yourself (I've installed and removed mine several times, solo).
Gary

Warren

I was able to remove and install both the cab top and cargo cover (from my WC51) all by myself. It's not hard at all. Same for the M37.
Matt

My other m37 had a hard top and fender mounted artic hot water heater.
More than enough BTU's to keep anyone warm. Most times I did not
need to turn on the blower motor..... just let the outside air blow through
the system.
I sure liked the artic top. Like many others mentioned, I too stripped out
the old fiber glass insulation and replaced it with spray-in foam insulation
like that found in new homes. It sure worked well. Cooler in the summer
and warmer in the winter. Sound deadening???? Who knows... the damn
thing is so noisy anyway I couldn't tell the difference but I think it made
me feel all warm and fuzzy to THINK it was quieter. Maybe a reward to
myself for all the hard work.

You mention that the hard top is lower than the rag top, for garage parking, then i assume you don't have the rear canvas on as it sits higher than the cab anyway.

Heaters: I have 3 for my truck;
First one is only for arctic purposes, battery tray ect
Second is hot water personnal on passenger side, hi/lo switch- ( more than adequate)
Third: Fender mounted defroster/under dash, very effective, as said before, you end up winding down window.

Bruce McCann

Is that mainly gear noise or engine noise ,havent driven mine for years so just wondered ,had an m601 years ago and didnt find it noisy