New member - 1952 M37

[murano3]

Hello from sunny UK and thank you for letting me join this fine forum.

I have recently acquired a 1952 M37 after selling my 1961 M274A4.

Photos from the evening when it was delivered - when I pulled up to the house I panicked a little bit thinking I had mis-measured my garage space. Thankfully after a crash course in M37 Canvas and Cab top dismantling I was able to bring her into a new watertight home.

Been reading loads of posts and reading the manuals. I have identified a number of issues that I am now rectifying. Nothing particulary big, example the truck was stalling continuously - reason, choke stuck open because cable was not connected properly. Found that I am missing a number of parts which will soon be heading my way.

Drives really nicely, great gearbox, very smooth. Instruments are to say the least .. vague however after some minor adjustment I now can see oil pressure, just water temp, voltage and fuel gauge to replace / fix

Plan is to bring inside of cab up to mint BUT leave the exterior with a 'combat' patina as I am also a reenactor and will be using the M37 for shows. I do need to fix some rust on the front arches under where the headlights are mounted but this will be done as not to look new. Also need to fix a really annoying squeak from the driver side windscreen! Further plans are adding indicators and uprating brake lights along with some sympathic safety belts so my partner and daughter can join me.

What I know about this M37 is that is was originally blue and came out of the USAF where it ended up working on the docks in northern england, then restored but still in the USAF blue. It was then acquired by the first person I know who painted it OD and replaced a broken gearbox. It then moved onto another owner I know and then onto yet another owner (group) I know who at great expense replaced the engine. I hadn't planned on buying this particular one however fate led me to buy a truck known on the UK reenacting scene. It has been registered for road since 2001. Speedo mileage is 30,000+ miles. I doubt however it has done many more than a 500 miles a year for the last 17 years.

[T. Highway]

Welcome to the site, I know that we all look forward to seeing more of this truck.

Seems to have a number of Marine Corp modifications to it, from what I can see in the photos.

Bert

[murano3]

Bert, I suspect as part of it's original restoration it may have used multiple donors, it doesn't have the rear marine modification but it does have the fording controls and evidence of the kit fitted. Additionally who ever restored it didn't have original floors available so that the rear bed is smooth as is the cab floor.

[murano3]

Couple more images - I haven't really had much of a chance to get it out of the garage.

as soon as I have a free weekend will head down the timber merchants and get some white oak so I can
replace a few of the broken / cracked slats in the rear.

[RMS]

im trying to convince my buddy Terry to take his m37 with him back to the UK. he says its too big to go to the shops in? are you ever the one who has to back up ?

[Cal_Gary]

Welcome aboard, Murano! Looks like a solid rig. Glad to have you with us!
Gary

[murano3]

Look forward to sharing my progress and I am sure I will have tons of questions.

As to bringing one back to the UK, I would suggest it is a very sound investment and it is really no bigger than a Range Rover. Ok, our parking spaces are quite small but you can buy removeable remote parking cameras - I plan on using one like this so I can remove for shows - https://www.amazon.co.uk/FenSens-Europe ... sors&psc=1

I am also toying with making some wireless indicators that attach magnetically - but I am sure the cost will outweigh hardwiring a permanent set

[murano3]

Some images of my M37 when it belonged to the Modernforces group here in the UK

http://www.modernforces.com/2013_WPR_display.htm

[murano3]

Two videos of my M37 running

Initially when I received it it wouldn't idle, simple fix - the choke cable wasn't seated correctly and thus choke was open all the time. Additionally the oil pressure gauge wasn't working. I checked connections at both ends, cleaned and reconnected. Now Oil Pressure gauge is providing a reading, however I suspect I need to replace / clean inside of the gauge. Currently investigating the more cost effective solution. I would prefer to retain the original but not if the refurb costs more than a replacement.

In the video you will hear a screech, that is the driver window frame - annoying but not critical to fix at the moment

https://youtu.be/fAgvb0qCSOY

My 'sticky' pressure gauge. Truck has been running for about 5 mins. Oil level is perfect and engine is a recent / not covered many miles replacement. Again I have a number of vibrations / squeaks that need tracking down and sorting - none are coming from engine bay, mainly cab itself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArzjmPp2-JM

[murano3]

Decided to go for a little spin today to get a feel for what's what and what jobs I need to do







Drives fine, gearbox smooth, brakes perfectly but probably could do with some new bushes as it wanders a bit.
Definitely needs freehubs (ordered some today). And really do need to strip down windscreens and fix why
it is 'chirping', annoying squeak from drivers side frame.

(Note strange looking door handle is my garage wall protector - I.e pipe lagging to stop me scratching paint)

[murano3]

A little update for my truck. I decided to talk it to a military vehicle specialist for a complete end to end check

Full fluid service and safety check - in UK vehicles of this age don't have what we call an MOT yearly. So essentially wanted to know that it is safe to drive
Removed, fixed and replaced radiator - small leak
Resolved faulty instruments - knackered Speedo to replace
Replace worn out tie rods
Replaced missing, broken grease nipples
Fit handthrottle, air intake brace and hand throttle bracket
Fit Indicators - went for Midwestmilitary full red and amber lens covers and signal stat controls.
Fit AVM 408 Free hubs
Fit Isolator

Jobs for next time, fix rust on both front wings under light mounts and touch up a few areas.
Replace all window rubber

[Tom P]

Welcome!
Very Nice Truck you have there.
You will surely Enjoy it.
Tom

[jim lee]

Looks like fun. I love the pictures. You need a bigger garage!

-jim lee

[NAM VET]

Nice looking truck, looks to be in a lot better condition than many M37's that are resurrected. I really enjoy my own truck, after a two year restoration, with the help of Charles T and others. By the way, the passenger side bumper marker, 5th SFGA, would be for the Fifth Special Forces Group, Airborne. I don't what the driver's CCC is. The Fifth Group was the Special Forces command in Vietnam in that long go war. Was then home based out of Ft. Bragg, NC, but later transferred to another base. As I recall there were three "line" companies and one HQ company in a Group, with five A teams in each company. I was CO of the first team in A company, back then, so my Team was A/1/5, or dream number 1, A company, Fifth Group. Actually, the line companies did not have assigned vehicles, which given the maintenance requirements, was a God Send for us. Here is a picture of my own truck, with bumpers as if we actually had trucks.

Best widths, and welcome, HC
[url=https://postimg.cc/qN3wM2Qt][img]h ... .jpg[/img][/url]

[murano3]

Thank you, lovely looking truck, the markings on mine were applied by the previous owner for a display here in the UK. CCC is Command and Control Central https://army.togetherweserved.com/army/ ... t&ID=55368 I will be painting them out then will apply markings appropriate to the shows I am attending using a lime wash as to be able to remove it once the show has finished.