Guns & Gas Tanks

[AdirondackM37]

Hi There,
New member with a new to me '54 M37. I bought a project that someone started and lost interest. It's about 70% done, so I'm hopeful I can take some time off from work and finish it over the next month. I'll start with the most important question: It has the vertical M1 gun holder on the passenger side of the dash, but the floor was replaced so I'm not sure of the exact location to dill and bolt the butt holder (which I found in a box of parts!)? Any guidance or a picture that you can offer?

Also, it's currently running off an auxiliary fuel tank. Any recommendations on a stock(ish) tank? It seems they all cost about $700... are there any alternatives to that?

Finally, I'm having so much fun with this truck that I'm thinking of getting a second one for my wife (who may kill me). The same guy I bought this truck from has a Canadian M37. It's missing the windshield assembly, carb and air cleaner, and the bed is pretty rough. Any insights on part availability for this truck before I do something stupid? Am I correct to think that the air cleaner tube is different and hard to find for the CDN trucks?

Thanks for your help,
Brett (Northern NY)

[Cal_Gary]

Welcome Brett and thanks for saving another M37!
Lots of members here to help you along-post your many questions or use the search feature on the upper-right.

Most M37 parts are readily available; the CDN versions not as much so.

Two primary vendors are Midwest Military, and Vintage Power Wagons.

It is alleged that the early S-10 pickup gas tank is fairly close; however there are enough parts trucks around that a fellow member here may be able to help you out with a used M37 tank. Be sure to have it inspected, boiled out and inner-coated to get rid of any crud that may have accumulated within.

Glad to have you with us!
Gary

[RCrombie]

I think you will find the differences between Canadian and US versions of the M37 are mainly limited to engine and transmission differences. I believe the air cleaner and elbow is the same between US/Can versions. I have a spare elbow off a Canadian truck if you want measurements.

Any pictures for us??
Cheers,

Rob

[AdirondackM37]

Thanks Gary & Rob,
Very helpful- thanks so much! I'll post some pics (and I'm sure more questions!) shortly. A forum like this is invaluable for keeping these old trucks out of the scrap heap and on the trail.
/Brett

[John Mc]

Things are just a little different around the air cleaner for the Canadian M37. Tim Holloway just converted my truck from a 230 to a 251. He ended up adding a little collar to raise up the air cleaner: it was bearing down on the fender prior to installing that. That reminded me that I had read somewhere that the elbow was different on a 251 vs a 230.

[m-37Bruce]

Welcome Brett,
The S-10 tank has been used and talked about for quite some time, I've never seen one mounted, so I can't vouch for it. Picking one up for your bride night be a good idea, but don't buy her a parts vehicle.
BTW, we like pictures.

[outpostm37]

M37 gas tank.jpeg (38.5 KiB) Viewed 1320 times

Welcome Brett and thanks for saving another M37!
Lots of members here to help you along-post your many questions or use the search feature on the upper-right.

Most M37 parts are readily available; the CDN versions not as much so.

Two primary vendors are Midwest Military, and Vintage Power Wagons.

It is alleged that the early S-10 pickup gas tank is fairly close; however there are enough parts trucks around that a fellow member here may be able to help you out with a used M37 tank. Be sure to have it inspected, boiled out and inner-coated to get rid of any crud that may have accumulated within.

Glad to have you with us!
Gary

Here is a shot of a new S10 gas tank in the M37. The S10 is a 20 gallon tank, where the factory M37 was about 25 gallons. When I purchased my M37, it had a tiny 12 gallon tank in the truck. That was rusty and had to go. Did not stomach a $700 bill for a newish M37 tank. The S10 was $100, delivered.

[m-37Bruce]

What a clean install, looks like it belongs there.

[Cal_Gary]

Lookin' great!
Gary

[just me]

There is a Ford Econoline van tank that fits even better and is 23 or 24 gallons. You will need to google it. It is also a sub $100 item.

[John Mc]

There is a Ford Econoline van tank that fits even better and is 23 or 24 gallons. You will need to google it. It is also a sub $100 item.

Interesting. I'm not finding an Econoline tank that is 23 or 24 gallons, however. (Though I'll admit searching for car parts is not something I'm good at.)

[outpostm37]

This is what I found for the Ford Econoline gas tank.

[John Mc]

OK. I found the link based on the image posted by outpostM37.

https://www.carparts.com/details/Ford/E ... 70143.html

Is that the one known to fit?

[just me]

The dimensions and good pic here. E250 BEHIND the axle tank.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/for ... +tank,6268

[k8icu]

If you can get the physical measurements for that ford tank then it might work. You would have to modify your pick-up tube and your sending unit for it to work with the M37. If you have the original tank still then look into either refurbing it your self with something like POR-15s tank renu or a company like Gas Tank Renu to see about getting it fixed up. There are other pour in and slosh around and let dry products just I found the POR-15 one this afternoon so it's fresh in my mind...