A new M37 ?

[rixm37]

Here is a web site I found while looking for M37 on the web . It is a kit car company that makes Cobra kit cars and now is making rebuilt M37's for military use. I wonder how much it costs?
http://gentrymw.com/m37.htm
Check it out

[Lifer]

Unless they're "repatriating" a bunch of the ones we left behind in various former theaters of operation, they won't be able to upgrade enough of them for the DOD to take any serious interest in the project. I really don't see them getting a government contract, even though their product has got to be better than a HMMWV.

[cuz]

Looking at the specs I see several areas of concern. Most noticeably is the retention of the original transfer case and the increased cruising speed. This transfer runs too hot at sustained 50 MPH speeds.

This vehicle is as new since remanufactured. Main Point: All systems / designs were reviewed. The original Short comings were identified and new modern upgrades were incorporated.

Examples of the major upgrades are; current gas V8 power, 5 speed overdrive transmission, four wheel disc brakes, current military radial tires. At the same time the many original strengths and toughness were retained. This remanufacture process involved complete disassembly. Each item was inspected, reprocessed, and / or replaced with many new parts. This was not a simple repair or overhaul.

DETAILED SPECS:

# ENGINE: New, Current GM 5.7L V8, 4 bolt mains, 4-barrel carb., (Doubled original HP, Modern high speed reliable engine provides the speed and quickness to serve in the RRV role)
# TRANSMISSION: New, NV 4500 5-speed overdrive. (Allows for higher speed at lower rpm, Unit will cruise at 62mph @ 2,300rpm.)
# TRANSFER CASE: Army Depot remanufactured with all new bearing / seals, gears. Military NP 200 type.
# FRONT DRIVE AXLE: Army Depot remanufactured with all new bearings / seals / axle drive shafts. Axle ratio 5:83-1.
# REAR DRIVE AXLE: Army Depot remanufactured with all new bearings / seals. (Unit has special HD Foot brand rear axle shafts). Axle ratio 5:83-1.
# BRAKES: 4 Wheel Disc. New, dual chamber, HD brakes with proportion valve.
# STEERING: New power steering upgrade. (Allows for maximum maneuverability in its RRV role) Steering has been upgraded with 5’caster for higher positive highway speed.
# WINCH: New military, Never used or installed. (This winch is PTO driven not the lighter duty hydraulic or electric type.) 175’ 7/16” cable, with 2 additional 75’ extra reach coils.
# New front bumper with extra HD extensions and HD cable roller system.
# BODY: Two person. Remanufactured with the following New parts New Left driver door – Right passenger door, including window regulator / lock systems, (These doors were re-imported from the country of Greece.)
# New Left & Right front seats, Brostom Torsion Bar, Floating seats.
# New Windshield frame, (Upgraded with fixed two piece tinted glass).
# New dual Electric HD marine type windshield wipers. (Upgraded from old style vacuum type).
# Second insulated floor under transfer case portion for noise control.
# ELECTRICAL: Choice of 24 or 12 volt, New alternator 105 Amp at idle.
# New, Complete GMW wiring system / harness.
# New, all gauges.
# BED: Remanufactured with New parts: New Right & Left fenders.
# New Tailgate, (This item was re-imported from Greece).
# Complete bed guard protection system.
# TOP/COVER: New Cab cover / Bed cover. (Original design but with current spec. Military vinyl material).

[Bushi]

I'd would have thought they'd put a diesel in it instead of the V8.
Maybe if it takes off we might get a better supply of tires.

[cuz]

The gas engine won't help them win any US or European contracts.

[k8icu]

The gas engine won't help them win any US or European contracts.

Yep, but from what I see I think they are not trying to get US contracts as much as maybe selling them to Middleofnowherestan or Pitholeofthemideaststan or some other POS thrird world army.

My concept project truck would have a better chance at a US contract then this one.

They state something about new door from Greece. A new supply of doors would be good espically drivers side doors. And yes they should have put a diesel in them.

Well I wish them luck.

[Frank Irons]

The photo above is about 10 years old. I ran into John Gentry in Ouray, CO where he had this truck and I took a lot of photos of it. There are a lot of innovations on the truck, the most notable to me is the NV4500 transmission which inspired me to put one in my M37. I believe he told me that they had made 3 or 4 of these trucks for desert operations. That is why it has AC and the snorkel intake.

Frank

[Sal]

Can anyone tell me why is it that there are NOS passenger side doors around but there are no drivers side one available ?

[Lifer]

Can anyone tell me why is it that there are NOS passenger side doors around but there are no drivers side one available ?

Just guessing here, but I'd guess that it's probably because the driver's side door takes a real beating on the B1 model due to the door-mounted spare tire. There were a lot more B1 models than the original, so the supply of new left-side doors dried up quicker than the new right-side doors.

[rixm37]

One thing I thought was interesting was the 5 degrees of caster to improve hi way handling. Would that really make a huge difference ?

Frank can you post a couple of more pictures? I would like to see under the hood and the interior mods. I just found the sight and had no idea that it is 10 years old.

Maybe it won't be a big military hit but I still think it is a cool truck.

[cuz]

Hello Frank,
I agree after riding in your truck. What did you have for a transfer case?

[Lifer]

One thing I thought was interesting was the 5 degrees of caster to improve hi way handling. Would that really make a huge difference ?

It's amazing how much difference a small change in caster will make. A lot of caster makes highway cruising much easier but makes sharp corners more difficult. Very little caster makes cornering easy but allows the vehicle to wander all over the road unless the driver constantly adjusts his path via the steering wheel. Picture a chopper with extra rake and stretched forks and you see what I mean about cruising. You can ride it on the interstate for hundreds of miles without touching the handlebars, but turning a corner in town is a real pain in the butt. On the other hand, a go-kart with little to no caster turns very quickly but is very hard to hold in a straight line.

[Frank Irons]

Hello Frank,
I agree after riding in your truck. What did you have for a transfer case?

Hello Wes,

My truck has the stock transfer case, NP200 I believe, but I'm sure you have a different number for it, LOL. John's truck was very well done and gave me inspiration for my truck. At the time, which I believe was 1999 in Ouray I didn't even have an M37 but the features on the truck caught my eye.

Frank

[Tanner]

I think you're missing the fact that the truck is running an overdrive 5th gear in the NV4500 & the truck has Michelin 11.00x16 tires on it - both of which are working to reduce the t-case RPMs, even with the 5.83 final drive gearing. My bet is that they were also looking to run synthetic lube in the T-case, which some have tested & reported to have shown a significant reduction in t-case temps.

Tanner

Looking at the specs I see several areas of concern. Most noticeably is the retention of the original transfer case and the increased cruising speed. This transfer runs too hot at sustained 50 MPH speeds.

This vehicle is as new since remanufactured. Main Point: All systems / designs were reviewed. The original Short comings were identified and new modern upgrades were incorporated.

Examples of the major upgrades are; current gas V8 power, 5 speed overdrive transmission, four wheel disc brakes, current military radial tires. At the same time the many original strengths and toughness were retained. This remanufacture process involved complete disassembly. Each item was inspected, reprocessed, and / or replaced with many new parts. This was not a simple repair or overhaul.

DETAILED SPECS:

# ENGINE: New, Current GM 5.7L V8, 4 bolt mains, 4-barrel carb., (Doubled original HP, Modern high speed reliable engine provides the speed and quickness to serve in the RRV role)
# TRANSMISSION: New, NV 4500 5-speed overdrive. (Allows for higher speed at lower rpm, Unit will cruise at 62mph @ 2,300rpm.)
# TRANSFER CASE: Army Depot remanufactured with all new bearing / seals, gears. Military NP 200 type.
# FRONT DRIVE AXLE: Army Depot remanufactured with all new bearings / seals / axle drive shafts. Axle ratio 5:83-1.
# REAR DRIVE AXLE: Army Depot remanufactured with all new bearings / seals. (Unit has special HD Foot brand rear axle shafts). Axle ratio 5:83-1.
# BRAKES: 4 Wheel Disc. New, dual chamber, HD brakes with proportion valve.
# STEERING: New power steering upgrade. (Allows for maximum maneuverability in its RRV role) Steering has been upgraded with 5’caster for higher positive highway speed.
# WINCH: New military, Never used or installed. (This winch is PTO driven not the lighter duty hydraulic or electric type.) 175’ 7/16” cable, with 2 additional 75’ extra reach coils.
# New front bumper with extra HD extensions and HD cable roller system.
# BODY: Two person. Remanufactured with the following New parts New Left driver door – Right passenger door, including window regulator / lock systems, (These doors were re-imported from the country of Greece.)
# New Left & Right front seats, Brostom Torsion Bar, Floating seats.
# New Windshield frame, (Upgraded with fixed two piece tinted glass).
# New dual Electric HD marine type windshield wipers. (Upgraded from old style vacuum type).
# Second insulated floor under transfer case portion for noise control.
# ELECTRICAL: Choice of 24 or 12 volt, New alternator 105 Amp at idle.
# New, Complete GMW wiring system / harness.
# New, all gauges.
# BED: Remanufactured with New parts: New Right & Left fenders.
# New Tailgate, (This item was re-imported from Greece).
# Complete bed guard protection system.
# TOP/COVER: New Cab cover / Bed cover. (Original design but with current spec. Military vinyl material).

[MSeriesRebuild]

Just a couple of things to add.

The T/case (NP200) is one of the best cases around as far as bullet proof components go. After going through one and bringing back all the correct specs, it's an amazing box. We have also found that a really good lubricant (such as Royal Purple 40 weight synthetic) will absolutely make a very significant difference in the operating temp. Running the originally spec'ed 90 weight gear lube just isn't smart any more. We have also done an auxilary oil tank with a thermostatically controlled oil pump and cooler. More than doubling the small original oil capacity of only 2 1/2 quarts. Reserve oil supply + giving it a short rest in the auxilary reservoir before it is reintroduced into the case will make a HUGE difference in temps. We had opportunity to test the system in ambient temps of 100+ degrees. I built the system myself and it fooled even me at the huge reduction in temp that I saw. We did a monitoring system so we could monitor the actual oil temp and pilot lights to be able to see the pump and cooler fan functions on the panel while driving. It is an absolutely worthwhile system at a fairly reasonable cost. You may ask why go to so much trouble with this, well my reason was that I simply have not seen a case I like better than the NP200 in these types of applications. Our trucks with the QSB4.5 Cummins will cruise freely at 75+ MPH.

A word about driver's side doors taking stress because of the spare tire mounting. This just doesn't hold water. The spare is not mounted on the door in any way. It is mounted totally on a separate rack that is independant of the door, it has a separate latch mechanism that must be released to swing the spare rack out in order to open the door in the conventional manner. I've never been a fan of the so called door mounted spare, I think it is absolutely a nuisence to deal with every time you open the door and would much rather have the spare either on an in bed mount or a mount in some custom location. As far as the B1 spare mount having anything to do with the shortage of NOS driver's side doors, I see no relevance at all. I guess if you think of it logically, it may even offer physical protection for the door.