fixing frame cracks

[RMS]

what is the best way to deal with a frame crack ? I don't know if Canadian trucks get used harder than their American counterparts or that the guys in Windsor only had one setting on the welder(undercut) but every frame I have looked at has a crack or multiple cracks at the undercut welds joining the upper rails to both the front and rear Xmembers. I noticed that some WCs and FFPWs are bolted not welded. how do others deal with these cracks?

[Elwood]

I can't say for certain, but I doubt that the Windsor M37 operation included frame assembly. More likely, all of the M37 frames were assembled in the US by Chrysler at Warren Truck or by one frame supplier such as A. O. Smith, and then shipped to Windsor as needed for Canadian production. Setting up two frame jigs for such low production would have been expensive.

The frame on my US M37 has been welded, too, so perhaps this repair isn't that unusual. These trucks were used hard and abused at times. Mine had a second life as a rural/forestry fire service truck, and although it was kept indoors (virtually no body rot), it clearly went off road when in service, which put more stress on the frame.

You might want to read TB 9-2300-247-40, Tactical Wheeled Vehicles: Repair of Frames. I have found at least three versions (June 1961, Aug 1965, and Dec 1990), and can email PDF copies to you if you pm me your email address.

[RMS]

never seen such manual .....thanks Elwood pm sent

[52 M-42]

Could I possible get a pdf copy emailed to me if I PM you my email address?

Thanks,

52 M-42

[Elwood]

PDF copies sent to the email addresses for both of you.