Gary,
I've been to the Idaho Motor Pool a couple times, they're a great bunch! We lived in Boise for about seven years or so. I've got an email in to them about a few parts already, and I've had a PM from a member about picking up a set of five rims out on the Pacific coast.
This rig has its issues, to be sure. I promise that I've seen and resurrected worse. My current daily driver is a 1948 Willys CJ2A that was stretched 24" by a previous owner. When I picked it up the frame was cracked out in several places, the floor looked like French lace from the gas pedal to the rear bumper, and the list goes on. Just imagine the havok wreaked on a jeep frame and suspension when it had 1300 pounds of extra steel removed and recycled getting it back close to stock, not counting the 3-point rear plow...
To be sure, parts are a little harder source for the M37 family, and the maintenance and repair seem to be way more technically complex.
I was a mechanic in the Army for several years, and a heavy truck mechanic for a decade or so after. Mechanically, there's not much I've not done with the exception of automatic transmissions (voodoo boxes!). I'm not saying I know it all, not by any means. What I do know is the limitations of my experience. I'm not afraid of asking stupid questions of the people who have gone before (like you guys!). By way of example, I was reading the Build Blog section and read a thread written by a gent who was rebuilding his winch. I would likely have made a number of the mistakes he did, not being familiar with the equipment. Reading the thread, I would like to think I would have heeded the advice to double-check the bearing preload and equalize the shim packs.
That's not to say I haven't cut corners before. I have and I've paid the price. I've learned to thoroughly research manuals, repair techniques, and the advice and experiences of members of forums like this.
I truly value the experience and expertise of you guys, in this forum and other, and your willingness to share what you've learned the hard way. You are the 'Old Guard'
That said, I have some skills that others may find useful. I've made a couple of canvas tops for my jeep. I've made a few mistakes and had a few ideas. I'll share my thoughts and experience where it seems appropriate, and I hope it will be useful.
It will be a journey, possibly decades long, and I look forward to it. My father served two or three tours in Vietnam in the Navy, and my grandfather was a founding member of the First Armored Division. He served with First Armored, 6th INF Reg, 3rd Inf Bn, Headquarters Company from the beginning through at least Anzio, driving a half-track for Gen. Patton, and it's his bumper numbers I run on my jeep. The men and women who serve deserve the recognition of their sacrifice and the vehicles that served along side them deserve it as well.
I want to thank you all in advance, as I promise I'll be asking a LOT of questions. I'm going to try to document this build far better than I did the Willys. If anyone needs pictures or measurements or anything else, I'll do my best to accommodate.
This is my Willys, shortly after I bought it two and a half years ago with a broken frame, no brakes, and numerous other problems:
![jeep0.jpg](./download/file.php?id=2080&sid=3733d9260bc0c3a1a3730f0f7635108e)
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This pic is from late August this year, after untold hours of work - you know the kind I mean:
![jeep.jpg](./download/file.php?id=2081&sid=3733d9260bc0c3a1a3730f0f7635108e)
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My wife supported me 100 percent getting Ironsides to the local airfield to get this picture. I buttoned up a transfer case rebuild, tranny work, and a Buick 231 Odd-fire repower to make the deadline for this photo shoot. We made it by less than two minutes.
I
promise this level of dedication to my M43.