My truck is pretty much off road/trail truck only, that's why I want this mod. I would really like the ability of front wheel drive only so I can possibly decrease my turning radius on the trail....maybe

I understand that low range on one axle creates a TON of stress, but I'm still running a flat head so I'm probably a little less prone to axle snap than if I had a diesel or a V8. Not immune to axle snap, just less prone

You said that the rails can be modified to allow hi and lo range in two or four wheel drive. Would this mod also allow individual control over each axle; enabling front wheel drive?

Are the modifications you talk about the same or similar to the omds done to the NP205 in the article I posted?

Thanks again!
Tim

It's not a rail modification I was speaking of, but simply an adjustment on the rail linkage control rod. This will move the position of the front wheel drive lever rearward allowing the high & low lever room to engage both positions without the front axle being engaged. What I'm saying is you can use low range with only the rear axle. There is no way to disengage the rear axle & engage the front axle only without major & expensive modification.

www.mseriesrebuild.com
Charles Talbert

Thanks a lot Charles, I really appreciate your time!!!

Tim

That's exactly what I want to be able to do. Do you know if the NP205 can support the off center rear axle of the M37? If I can't get the NP200 to work, and end up going to an NP205, I'd like to be able to keep the offset rear axle if possible.

I can only afford one upgrade at a time

Thanks again!
Tim

Check out this link, I think it covers what you are looking to do.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34892

Greg Schoenheider

'53 M37 with Cummins 6bt
MVPA

A machinist I know of tried the same thing and realized that you could only have 2 wheel low and 4 wheel low, without any neutral or high range.

Regards,

Mike C.

WOW! Thanks a TON for that link! That's exactly whaty I was looking for....although it appears that what I wanted to do won't work. But it is good to know that I have other options.

Keith,

Thank you for the additional info! Yes, Charlie has contributed a whole bunch to the hobby. Does anyone know if he is still working on these trucks? I haven't seen his name on the forums in years....

When you said that Charlie "found that it didn't work". Are you refering to the off-center NP205 ouput? If so, do you know why?

Someday, after I've won the lottery (or all 4 of my kids move out) , I'd like to convert to V8, 5 speed, NP203/205 combo x-fer case.

From what I've gathered so far, if I keep the off-set rear end, I can't get individual axle control from the 205. I can get individual axle control if I use the centered output of the 205. The only way to do that is an axle swap. The only axle that I think would work for such a a swap is a 3/4 ton WC rear axle, but I think I'd have to have it cut down for width...right?

This is all a pipe dream at this point, but hey, you gotta have a dream right? I am on the downhill slide when it comes to the kids....5 years left before all 4 are gone Until then I have permission to "gather parts", make plans and remain in a holding pattern....

Thanks again guys! I truly appreciate all of your help!!
Tim

While the 3/4 ton centered rear axle is an option (uglytruckling.com), putting a smaller ring gear rear end with smaller 60 year old axle shafts into an M37 which will receive a re-power (more torque) and possibly lower t-case gears (read even more torque)does not make sense to me, aside from the issue of whether keeping Budd rims is worth this approach. Start loading stock WC or M37 axles with all of the torque via individual axle control, and you better have spare axle shafts stocked like cord wood.

Another way to go is to use a stronger and cheaper centered rear axle (14 Bolt, Dana 60, 70, 80) and then do the machine work to the hubs necessary to use the seldom round Budd rims. Joe in Nevada did this with a 14 Bolt, but again I think this is a lot of work and $$ just to end up with a original looking rims.

As to the 5 speed and low t-case plan, while I am gung-ho about low t-case gears, I have to admit that using a NV4500 with 6.34 first gear and .73 OD fifth, a stock 2-to-1 t-case, and stock 5.83 gears gives you an effective high range similar to using 4.10 axle gears (5.83 x .70) while retaining a decent low range for the trail (6.34 x 1.96 x 5.83 = 72.44 "crawl ratio").

The up-side to your parts gathering time frame is that you have the luxury of waiting for good deals to come along, such as that grand-ma owned low mileage donor sedan with the strong 360 which does NOT need a rebuild before you plug it into your M37!!!

You're right about old axles and high crawl ratios. It's a recipe for disaster. Guess I'll have to change the master plan a tad.

I know that there are MUCH better wheels out there but , in my honest opinion, an M37 doesn't look "right" without Budd wheels. I don't know Joe in Nevada, but I beleive Frank Irons put a Dana 60 in one of his trucks and kept the Budd wheels. Maybe Frank will show up in Ouray again this year and this time I'll have a note pad ready!

72.44 is a respectable crawl ratio. The M37 stock is ~73 if I remember correctly. Both numbers beat the Jeep Rubicon which is 65.92:1 and that's WITH a 4:1 transfer case. Now that I start thinking about it, I start to wonder if a doubler is "needed"....well, come to think of it, none of this is "needed" But I do want it!

I hope I can find a good running 360 and an NV4500. I'd like to do fuel injection too....ahh it all looks so good in my mind....until I start putting price tags next to each item.

But time is on my side. I just need to be patient and wait for the perfect deal(s).

Take care,
Tim

I am currently looking into converting to an np203 / np200 hybrid doubler setup when I rebuild the tranny.

Greg Schoenheider

'53 M37 with Cummins 6bt
MVPA

Thanks again,

Mike C.

Are you running a centered rear axle on your truck, or have you converted the np205 to a side output?

Greg Schoenheider

'53 M37 with Cummins 6bt
MVPA

i also added , a/c, hydroboost brakes, hydro ram steering the first modern open knuckle spring under dana 60 that im aware of, along with 4 wheel discs. i have well over 25,000 in the truck. it gets 30+mpg. im probably going to sell it. i need more seat space for the kids, and the m35a2 is alot of fun!

the 6bt will fit, but just like an m715, most people who ask are tire kickers, and if they are asking, they generally are going to have a hard time doing it themselves.

you know id like to add, my dana 60 is almost maximum gvw at 3780# on the front axle. i guess for street driving a 6bt would work, but another 300~400 would be way too much, imo. id also like to add or at least figure out what i need a 6bt for. bragging rights, sure. real world use? i dont need it. granted i cant pull a 4 horse trailer, but i doubt anyone with sense would do so in a 6bt powered 37, or 715.

i may turn up the pump on the 4b, but not till i get an egt gauge......

if anyone needs any measurements or questions, ill be more than happy to provide my opinions, and information free. ill even call you, if you want.