What to offer on M37?

[USMC 00-08]

I ran across this M37 today and the gentleman who owns it wants to sell it but doesn't know what to ask. He said to make an offer but I don't know what to offer. I don't know anything about these and I would like to offer a fair price for it. I snapped a few pics and thought I would ask what you think.

I was told the engine runs but is missing the distributor. It has not been started in years but is not locked up.

Please give me your thoughts on this.

 

[papabear]

Well...the truck looks pretty solid...but you can't hear it run etc.
I know MV run different prices in different areas due to availability but M37s and variants are pretty common here.

I would offer $1K and stop at 1500. It will take some tinkering to get it going if all else is good. Just my opinion.

 

[Brutusdog]

 

[crasheej]

I wouldn't give more 850.00. Because from what I see you'll have to put a lot more in. 1 looks like has been switched to 12 volt 2 no air cleaner 3 no 24 volt gen or regulator .I parable keep going but yo get the idea.

 

[hndrsonj]

Well, the wifes has 489 gears, posi, no rust, hardtop, winch, radials, heater. Though no troop seats or spare tire carrier for $2450. I agree with PB!

 

[crasheej]

That was my two cents Worth for what I would give.

 

[98taco3]

Depends on what shape the rest of the truck is in. I paid 2k for mine but it is a complete rust free arizona truck that was only parked for a few years in a barn. Didnt run, needed probably about 300 bucks worth of parts to get running. Just didnt want to deal with rust repair. Its up to you and what you think you can get it for and what kind of work you are looking to put into one. Start around 1k like was said above and adjust up or down if you need to. Looks like its in pretty dang good shape!

 

[ralbelt]

I saw one next to a house half covered with a rotted blue tarp, flat tires, sunk in mud. I sent the property owner a self addressed envelope with a starting offer of $500.00, he never replied back.
There are a few others locally, one has been in a field for 20 years asking price1,500.00 the other was fire dept stored inside IIFC asking 3,500.00.

There were 2 about an hour drive partly dissasembled all there, plus extra parts for about$1,000.00 delivered.

 

[USMC 00-08]

Depends on what shape the rest of the truck is in. I paid 2k for mine but it is a complete rust free arizona truck that was only parked for a few years in a barn. Didnt run, needed probably about 300 bucks worth of parts to get running. Just didnt want to deal with rust repair. Its up to you and what you think you can get it for and what kind of work you are looking to put into one. Start around 1k like was said above and adjust up or down if you need to. Looks like its in pretty dang good shape!

I didn't see any major rust anywhere. Looks like someone shot the windshield at some point in the past. I had thought about offering $500 but didn't want to make the guy mad. I guess all he can do is say yes or no and maybe he will throw out a price so at least then I will know what he is thinking.

If I am not mistaken, I think those are the bows for the bed in the cab. Also all of the tires look new except for the front driver side.

 

[pwrwagonfire]

Looks like its solid...good parts. But the engine will need a lot of work from the pictures, I'd say offer him $1000.

I payed $1200 for mine which is a '52 with a hardtop, non-winch like this, EXCELLENT body, but bad head gasket, no brakes, still runs.

 

[majorhitt]

It looks like part of one seat is there, is the driver's seat around? Different size tires or types. Like what was said earlier, about $1000.

 

[hbbaxter]

What the question should be is how much is it going to take to make it into what you expect to have in the end.look at all of the missing parts and parts that will need replacement,you will not know the condition of the engine, clutch,trans,transfer case, diff's and so on until you either get it apart or at lest until it is driven.f you make the guy mad then that is his problem and he will be sitting on the thing for a long while as it looks it has been sitting,the next is how much money do you have and what kind of time, space and the likes.Finally how much in love with this truck are you, in the end the only one that has to be happy with it is you so offer what you can live with and walk away if you cant come together on the price there are always nice ones for sale that can be bought for less than you will have in this one when your done.
hb

 

[RAYZER]

I think that the blue custom vega seats make it worth double!!

 

[hbbaxter]

the seats are definitely an up grade, a bit hi brow for me though!
hb

 

[USMC 00-08]

It looks like part of one seat is there, is the driver's seat around? Different size tires or types.

The rear tires are the same kind and the front two are the same kind except the driver side front is badly worn. No original seats anywhere.

What the question should be is how much is it going to take to make it into what you expect to have in the end.look at all of the missing parts and parts that will need replacement,you will not know the condition of the engine, clutch,trans,transfer case, diff's and so on until you either get it apart or at lest until it is driven.f you make the guy mad then that is his problem and he will be sitting on the thing for a long while as it looks it has been sitting,the next is how much money do you have and what kind of time, space and the likes.Finally how much in love with this truck are you, in the end the only one that has to be happy with it is you so offer what you can live with and walk away if you cant come together on the price there are always nice ones for sale that can be bought for less than you will have in this one when your done.
hb

Not really in love with the thing. It has just been sitting there for at least 5 years. I hate to see it waste away. At least they moved it into the barn. I like the way you think there.

I think that the blue custom vega seats make it worth double!!

Well, I disagree with you! I offered $500 for the truck last night. I doubt he will take it but if he does, great. At least maybe he will throw out what he is thinking that way. I won't go over $1000 for sure. Now we'll wait and see.


Look at that, just got promoted to Corporal again. Last time was in 2003.

 

[ranger.41]

USMC 00-08,
Ipaid 1200 for my M-37 in 2007, it is a 1952 wiyh a B1 cab. It has rust holes under the seats. 40 year old tires, was not seized, the engine was complete. 500 dollars is a good starting point, but I would be reluctant to go over 1000. In order to get it in to running condition it will need a carb rebuild,fuel pump rebuild, gas tank flushed to remove rust, an altenator or generator,,a distributor with wires and plugs, a complete brake overhaul MC wheel cyl, rubber lines, Good tires, new glass, these are just a few things that come to mind. That is roughly 1000 minimum to make it useable, and of course the price goes up, the 1000 dollar est does not include tires add 500 to 1000 for 4 tires. You are at about 2500 to 3000 dollars. Is it worthit to you to save, Iwould like to save some other trucks, but in the end is it feasable, when you can buy a truck in runnig cond for 4000 to 5000, rough est. In the end is the truck just going to deterierate in your yard and not his. It looks like it is worth saving if it is indeed rust free, but no telling the condition of the rest of the drive train. 500 to 1000.

 

[SasquatchSanta]

Well, the wifes has 489 gears, posi, no rust, hardtop, winch, radials, heater. Though no troop seats or spare tire carrier for $2450. I agree with PB!

You would be better off buying "the wifes" truck with the 489s. From the way it's is described, @ $2,450.00 it's a steal. My experience is that it will cost you close to $1,000.00 a hole to install 489s and lockers. Personally I will "never again" install lockers front "and" rear.

Anyway, if you plan on driving an M37 on the street very much you really need the 489s. Then again --- if the motor isn't strong it will have a tough time turning the 489s. M37s are great trucks but they were made to keep up with troops, not traffic.

It ain't how much you pay for them --- it's how much you end up spending on them that's important.

Maybe I'm just getting old and tired from my years courting M37s but the truck you're looking at looks like a lot of work and money to get it dependably driveable. Just my 2-Cents worth. Good luck in whatever you do.

 

[hbbaxter]

I think that is a very reasonable offer and if he shuts you down make $100.00 increment bids! Like I had advised you can buy one from a good driver for $3500-$4500 and a real fine turn key unit $9500-$14000.00 $14000.will be a show vehicle and that is a lot of money for a M37,but I will bet you will have close to $8000.00 before your done with that one! I spent $1000.00 on one and $600.00 shipping only to have some what of a start,the bed was totally gone all four leaf springs junk,wiring shot,fuel and brake lines gone and the list keeps on going and there is not a end in sight for awhile. So good luck to ya. and i have a M43 project also.
hb

 

[Stan Leschert]

It ain't how much you pay for them --- it's how much you end up spending on them that's important.

Truer words were never spoken!

 

[majorhitt]

As previously mentioned, You could spend a lot of money to have a good running truck. I know what I have in my M37, and I didn't go completely nuts reworking every little thing. Offer what you think is a fair price, work from there.