g741.org

Is the lift handle at the very front of my hood a field mod, military or service specific mod or factory?

Not all M37s have them...mine still doesn't. I don't know if any ever came from the factory with a handle, but there may well have been a change in the mil spec at some point which would have obligated Dodge to install one prior to delivery. There may also have been a command or theater supplement to the TO which required certain units to add one, but it would not have affected all vehicles already in service.

That's a Marine modification, another Marine mod is paper clips on the front bumper outside ends.

Thanks Bruce. Is there any paper for those mods? IE SB's and etc.

If you go to Cabell Garbee's page he has all of the documentation. The Marine 37's also had different rear shackles, they were mounted on either side of the cargo box. Cabell's rig has the 4BT w/Ranger Overdrive.

He should be listed on the Memberlist, he also does more cruising on SS Page.
If you don't find his page I think I can find it for you.

BTW, How's the seat back working out, good I hope?

Hey Cuz,
Most everything is here.
http://www.garbee.net/~cabell/

Thanks Bruce. The seat back will work fine once I get the springs cleaned up and the new cover made up. Right now I am plumbing in a civvy fuel pump, new exhaust and getting rid of a half arsed 12 volt conversion.

So back to the handle question.
My 51 Air Force truck didnt have the handle. I picked up a parts truck from Ed Anderson with a much better hood than I had, and it did have the handle. The parts truck was Army, as no paper clips etc. So, the question is, would the modification order apply to Air Force trucks as well, or am I going to have the only Air Force truck with a hood handle?

The hood handle is a MWO for all army M-series vehicles. You will see them install on M-37, 38A1, M35, M54. I dont think you will see them on a true AIRFORCE truck.

Oh well! I will have to keep track of how many guys point out the handle and say it does not belong on an AF truck! The hood (and handle) are already painted that purdy strata blue!
Thanks,
Tim

Oh, and by the way,
The really pretty Air Force truck of Ed Marchese has the handle. Maybe he had an Army parts truck too!
Tim

All the USAF M37's I could find period photos of had no handle.

I'd like to see a copy of the Army MWO for that handle.

I have most of the M38 and M38A1 MWO's and have never seen one or the handle on an M38 or M38A1. Anybody have photos and a copy of the MWO?

My AF 37 doesn't have the handle either. Maybe AF types were smarter and didn't drop the hood on their hands?

Hehehehe! That thought occurred to me, too, but I wasn't gonna come right out and say it!

"Maybe AF types were smarter and didn't drop the hood on their hands"


Or they never opened the hoods!!