Recent content by jmassenga

That's the beauty of tire chains; you put them on when you need more traction (preferably before - much more enjoyable to chain up in a parking lot than when the truck is all muddy), take them off when you don't. It makes a noticable difference. Yes, the angle iron is sandwiched between the...

The stock M37 suspension is VERY flexible as it is; I wouldn't mess with it. My '63 is stock except for seat belts, a rear locker, lock-out hubs, 11.00R16 tires, and a 8,000# pto winch, and I am perfectly happy with the combination. Only other modification is a piece of angle iron sandwiched...

Don't put battery warmers on the optimas - I had a 60w heater melt a hole in the bottom of a Optima once. And they don't need them - had red tops in my M37 daily driver, and it fired right up down to -45 (coldest it saw) without battery heaters. Normal bateries like heaters though; like...

If you are careful to not loose the hardware when removing and reinstalling it by feel, the switch can be replaced without lossening the steering colum. Remove the plastic and metal trim below the steering column, remove the two fasteners, remove and unplug switch, reverse procedure. Takes...

Good batteries, a good glow plug system and good fuel and you 'should' have no problems with a cold start down to 0 or so on a cold-soaked engine. I've used charcoal briquettes in a gallon paint can before to preheat the engine when electricity isn't available. 2-3" of briquettes in the...

If you're in water deep enough that the fan is spraying water, you should loosen the fan belts so its not turning while you're crossing.

If you're looking for a cheap, short lift, consider the 0 rate add-a-leaves sold by Off Road Designs and others. They add 1" of height and look like a lift block, BUT they are solid and the spring center bolt runs through them (they are physically bolted into the spring pack) so they will not...

I believe the front/rear specific has more to do with spline count than anything else. If my memory serves me well, 'most' dana 60 rears have 30 spline axles. 'Most' dana 60 fronts have 35 splines at the differential. Yes, there's old 10, 16 and probably other spline counts out there, thus...

If I already had a trac loc, I'd slap a new set of clutches in it and put it into the new axle. I put a power loc in the front of my M1008. Works great, even in winter. Steering effort is noticably more, even in 2wd with the hubs locked. I definitely wouldn't want anything more in a street...

I finally remembered to take a couple pictures. This is the original weatherstrip on my '63. Looks like it is glued into the recess in the cowl. I replaced it on my other M37, but didn't think to go out to that one and take a picture. As I recall, it came in a long strip, about .25" x .25" in...

Check at holes through the firewall for bolts, etc. My M1008 leaked because the bolts for the e-brake pedal were loose.

I've been quite happy with the 33x12.5x15 Goodyear Wrangler Dura Tracs on stock rims on my M1009. They've been on it for ~4000 miles. They're an excellent tire for snow and ice, fairly quiet (no high-pitched whine like my old tires) and handle well on road, and they've been great for the...

I have 33x12.50x15 Goodyear Wrangler Dura Trac tires on mine with the stock wheels. In the 3,000 miles I have driven with them, I have yet for them to hit the body. I do have a 1" lift, but that was for ground clearance, not because of tire interfearance issues. As stated, different brands (or...

I've bought rattle cans here many times over the years. PAINTS Right colors, sprays well. I used about 3 cases of rattle cans in 24087 for my M37.

Yup; your blower motor is toast. Quick and easy to replace (5 screws, 1 plug, 1 push-in hose, 1 nut), and readily available at the parts store of your choice. Last one I replaced took about an hour, but then again it was -20 at the time. If memory serves, there's 2 versions available, and...