M37B3 Project

[k8icu]

Hi everyone,

If awards were given for the slowest project I would win every time. Started this in 2008 and 8 years later I'm still working on it. But that's what happens when you only get one Sunday afternoon every 4-6 months. You just don't get it done faster. But that is what happens when you work a full time job and run a full time business. Anyway if you haven't been up to speed on this project the idea of the project is what would have happen if in 1965-66 the US Army had decided to go on with the M37 and continued to make modifications to the truck much like the M35 did? So I'm very very very slowly making the M37B3. I had some time this past summer to do a little work. Here is a link to my website where I'm tracking the steps of the build. You can go back to the other pages to see the whole project from the start. Maybe in another 8 years I'll have it done...
http://www.leathernaturally.com/m37projectpagefour.htm

[Juan]

I like it.
Good to see somebody else is doing the same repower I did in my trucks years ago. Keep us posted.
Great Job.

[Cal_Gary]

Keep plugging, Joe! Not to one-up you but I took my time (due to finances) and it took me 11 years before mine was finally safe and road-worthy.

It's been well worth it, and a lot of fun to finally drive it once in a while. You'll get it done-just don't get overwhelmed along the way!
Gary

[Carter]

Mine took over 22 years because I traveled inspecting bridges for a living, not much home time.

Bridge pic in test sub-forum.

[k8icu]

Thanks Carter. That makes me feel better.

[Elwood]

Considering what you started with, and the extent of the modifications that you're making, don't feel as if you aren't making headway. Funny thing about these projects, they seem to move slowly, and then some major task is completed and things will look much better.

Sometimes the support work takes more time (and money) than the actual truck. I'll be starting on my second shop addition this spring.

[k8icu]

Thanks Elwood... Hopefully in about a months time I will have a little more time to spend in the shop, but sadly I will not have as much money... But it will get done eventually.

[k8icu]

So I had some time yesterday and thought I would work on the truck. I want to redo the motor mounts for the GM 6.2l diesel that is in there and thought well I'll pull the motor and trans out. Redo the mounts and put it back in. Well when you use your garage for more than just a garage i.e. workshop/tool shed etc. I quickly looked at what I wanted to do and realized that once the motor was out I would need someplace to put it while remaking the mounts and that heck I didn't have any place to put the dang thing. So I put everything back in place and now I'm starting to clean up the garage so that I can have room to work! Maybe when I get my pole barn built on my other property I will be able to have a workshop and then a garage and a tool shed all to themselves. Nah knowing me if I get more space I'll just find more crap to put into it.... Once I get things cleaned up and get the mounts changed I'll post some picks. Just wanted to share that sometimes you have great plans and they go all the pieces.

[NAM VET]

I had most of my garage full of wood, tables full of removed and waiting to be cleaned and painted parts, sheet metal, hoists, engine stands, and so much more for more than a year. There were times it was so full and crammed and crowded that I had a hard time finding things like a radiator or fender. But slowly and surely, as parts went back on my truck, which was parked in my driveway, I could walk around without tripping on things or tools. I spent countless hundreds of hours in my garage or driveway, before my son and I finally heard our motor start for the first time. Here.....
[url=https://postimg.org/image/echxt9b5 ... .jpg[/img][/url]

[Cal_Gary]

I could use more space too, mine being a bit similar to Nam Vet's picture. My half of the garage is covered in spare parts, tools, P.O.L., etc. with a ton of additional parts, tools, et al in the basement that the Boss intends on making it a finished basement in the next year or two. Just running out of room.

And Joe, you're absolutely right-sometimes plans don't work out. In my case, getting a cold in May 2016 has delayed (to this day) my stripping off the bed and cab in order to blast the crud off my frame. Maybe some day....
Gary

[rickf]

I'll trade garages with you guys!? Once the truck is in there is almost NO room to move around it. It was a tight squeeze rebuilding my M-151 in there.

[Cal_Gary]

Indeed, single spaces can be difficult to maneuver in. I rented a single at our apartment complex when we moved to Utah-tight fit but I was left alone to work on it since it was at the end of the complex with nobody snooping around. And yes, tight fit clearing the door top, too. Fortunately I don't have that issue with the home we bought.
Gary

[DCook]

Mr. Cal_Gary when you get your truck standing tall - bring it to Durango Colorado and we'll take both trucks out to see the countryside around here! Looks like your getting close?
Dana Cook

[k8icu]

Okay so I got a little time in the garage and I was able to do a few things.

First I didn't like the steering column that I made as I couldn't get it to stay secure and well I didn't want to be driving down the road and have the column come apart on me. So I decided to use a M151A2 steering column. Was able to get an NOS one off fleapay and the great thing is the spline on the steering wheel is the same as the HMMWV so I'm able to use the HummVee steering wheel. Had to change the connector to a 3/4 round from a 3/4 Double D, but other than that it went right in.



I can't find my steering column clamp from the truck...it's someplace and I'll find it when I clean up here so for now I threw a u-bolt in there.

The other thing I wanted to work on was the headlight bucket. Since this is truck is suppose to be a B3 version I figured the Army would upgrade the headlight buckets to the system that has been mill standard for the last 50 years. I used headlight assemblies from a HMMWV and inside the bucket made some L brackets for the supports to screw into. This will allow me to assemble and disassemble the headlights, hook up wiring etc. I think they came out good.
Here is the old front.

New Front

Old from the side

And New side


It felt good to get into the garage again.

[rickf]

I LIKE the headlights! That is slick!