The forward section has for holes in a square pattern and a larger single hole... I'd think this was for an antennae... What would I be looking for to plug those holes and if it was for radio equipment was it for simply a receiver no transmitter...?
The next two thread holes that go into the stake pockets I was curious as to what those were used for...
and the most rearward strap I have one of those on each side of the truck... Curious as to what that was for...
What does this letter number mean... It's located on the right rear of the bed...
In the first pic, the holes are for an antenna bracket (not just the antenna). The bracket fastens to the truck, the antenna fastens to the top of the bracket, and the antenna cable goes through a rubber grommet inserted in the big hole.
Paul (in NH) gave you the scoop on the holes in pic 2. They're for the bracket that holds the exhaust pipe up when snorkeling.
You mentioned a strap in pic 3, but I don't see it. Could be that my eyes just aren't working right, I suppose, but I don't see any strap.
Edit: I almost forgot! It's nice to see an ex-USAF truck getting saved. I really DO hope you plan to return it to its original lovely color!
The "most rearward strap" on the left is actually the anchor bracket for the canvas strap that holds down the Cargo top bows in the "stored" position. The Ahl Resto guide has a nice picture in it....
Gary
Cal_Gary
1954 M37 W/W
MVPA Correspondent #28500
G741.org Forum member since 2004
Why are my two straps located up on the bottom side of the angled top edge of the box sides and not lower on the straight vertical skin as in the top photos?
Nothing on the R-7943 on the back right rear of the bed huh... I'll have to see if I can scare up a copy of that book cheaply I'd like to see how that strap works... and being that it only has a mount for one antennae would I be right in saying it was solely for a receiver...
Lifer Strata Blue and O.D.Green has cause a dividing line in my household... More than likely it'll be O.D. reason being is I couldn't recover the numbers underneath the paint from it's air force service however it's service in the army was very interesting and important where I live as the 40th originally based out of San Diego (Campo) was the last mounted Calvary. The 40th 160 Infantry was also called in to handle the Watts riots in Los Angeles...
If I find another Strata Blue Air Force truck I'll go Strata Blue... Infact my Wife thinks she'll be driving my truck and if that's the case I'll have to be getting her one of her own... I originally set out to find a USMC truck but this one popped up instead... There is definetely a lack of Strata Blue equipment out there...
Paul (in NH) wrote:The two holes in the bed pocket are for the water fording exhaust. I'll defer to others on the rest.
I'm just wondering why they would put a fording kit on a vehicle that's carrying a large heavy radio only mounted about three feet above the ground and that can't easily be moved! I think the standard M37 could ford water deeper (44-48" IIRC) than the radio's height.
All trucks had the mounting holes for the fording gear regardless of what they were equipped with. It was done at the factory and what was carried in back was done at the units.
Mike
Marion, IN
1954 M37 W/OW
1953 M101 Indiana MVPA
Paul (in NH) wrote:The two holes in the bed pocket are for the water fording exhaust. I'll defer to others on the rest.
I'm just wondering why they would put a fording kit on a vehicle that's carrying a large heavy radio only mounted about three feet above the ground and that can't easily be moved! I think the standard M37 could ford water deeper (44-48" IIRC) than the radio's height.
As mentioned they came from the factory ready to install a fording kit. Plus unless you're in water deeper than the bed sides forward momentum generally pushes water away from the vehicle enough where the water could be deeper than the bottom of the bed but not get in the bed enough to be a problem. In this case the exhaust stack would be desirable to have installed since the tailpipe is not very high off the ground.
I was looking at those... I thought I saw some with the hole not centered that's why I didn't think it would work... MP50 huh I'll have to re look at those... Yeah the other bases have way too many holes and your more than likely absolutely correct... What kind of radio setups were they running with those...
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I originally set out to find a USMC truck but this one popped up instead... There is definetely a lack of Strata Blue equipment out there...
