M37 Restomod?

[Russ Knight]

Anyone on here done a restomod on a M37? Thinking about selling my MK23 and doing one.

 

[G744]

What do you want to know?

I've some 50 years in rebuilding, modifying, and driving them.

Unfortunately, they haven't gotten any cheaper to do.

DG

 

[Russ Knight]

What do you want to know?

I've some 50 years in rebuilding, modifying, and driving them.

Unfortunately, they haven't gotten any cheaper to do.

DG

Basically, what is the easiest and best way to do it? Find a truck frame to mount the body on, or use the existing frame and build it that way? Seems to me, mounting the body on an appropriate late model frame / drivetrain would be the best.

 

[G744]

Sorry, can't help you with that.

Any modifications I did were minimal, and done a la factory style.

The optics are important.

DG

 

[Marlin]

Anyone on here done a restomod on a M37? Thinking about selling my MK23 and doing one.

Hi I’m new on this site and fixing to do a restomod to my 1952 M37 the truck I’m posting pictures is not my but has been rebuilt I know some people love only the OEM set up on these trucks but the truck I’m posting pictures of can travel down the interstate at 75 mph or faster for hours at a time , trail ride all day with ac/heat ,power steering and power brakes ( the running gear is from a 1991 dodge w250 ) this truck has a 5.9cummins,five speed overdrive stick , fount end a Dana 60 and axle a Dana 70 . Fuel mileage is around 16 mpg and can be dove anywhere anytime .

 

[Marlin]

Hi I’m new on this site and fixing to do a restomod to my 1952 M37 the truck I’m posting pictures is not my but has been rebuilt I know some people love only the OEM set up on these trucks but the truck I’m posting pictures of can travel down the interstate at 75 mph or faster for hours at a time , trail ride all day with ac/heat ,power steering and power brakes ( the running gear is from a 1991 dodge w250 ) this truck has a 5.9cummins,five speed overdrive stick , fount end a Dana 60 and axle a Dana 70 . Fuel mileage is around 16 mpg and can be dove anywhere anytime . View attachment 887309

 

[nattieleather]

I'm doing one now....been doing it for a long time. I went with modifying the original frame by putting new axles under it. Fabricating a new engine, trans, transfer case into the truck etc. Since I've been doing this for 14.5 year now (okay so I only work one or two days a month with many months off in between) I think it would have been easier and quicker to have had a donner truck and swapped bodies, but then again I've had a lot of fun and frustration doing it this way. You're mileage may vary.

 

[Travlr]

I'm doing a restomod '58. It's well on the way at this point. Using a '78 3/4 ton Chevy Camper Special as the donor truck. The end product will be almost entirely stock Chevy so parts will be easy and driving it will be substantially more functional than a stock M37.

I deleted the saddle tanks on the Chevy and shortened the frame 19 1/2 inches. I'm using a stock 31 gallon tank from a Blazer. The instruments will be after market including a GPS speedo/odo that will fit in the original dash of the M37. The tough part will be splicing the floor and firewall of the Chevy into the cab of the M37, and the cutting and fitting is now done and the welding about to begin. I'll also have to use a yet to be determined radiator, and am looking at options. Suggestions are more than welcome. Seriously, if anyone has a line on custom radiators I'm all ears.

 

[boughtnobuilt]

I'm in the middle of a '53 resto mod with LS3 and Tremec 4050. Using the original frame, there was no reason not to. Dana 60 in front, 15 bolt in rear, full four link front and rear.

 

[Travlr]

So does anyone have a source for custom radiators? I could run a stock radiator and a typical remote transmission cooler but was looking for a better solution.

 

[boughtnobuilt]

Champion makes a radiator for the Power Wagon that fits.

 

[Travlr]

Champion makes a radiator for the Power Wagon that fits.

There's a championradiator site and a championcooling site. Are they the same manufacturer or two different radiator builders? Have you bought from them? Got a link?

Looks like the championradiator site has a power wagon unit but the championcooling site doesn't. So I guess that answers my question.

 

[boughtnobuilt]

this is what I bought. The side mounting fins are slightly angled for some reason, I had a friend set them straight before I mounted it. Also had him rotate the lower fill slightly. But I have an LS.

CA 1953 1954 Dodge Power Wagon 3 Row Radiator | eBay

Champion Cooling radiators are tig welded with aircraft grade aluminum. Every radiator comes with a limited lifetime warranty so you can buy with confidence! Product Specifications: Core (H x W): 16.75" x 20.75" - Overall (H x W): 23" x 23.375" - Hose Locations (In x Out): Driver x Pass - Hose...

www.ebay.com

 

[Travlr]

The chassis swap is looking good so far. The Chevy floor looks good in the M37 cab.

 

[Travlr]

Just checking in. The M37 cab morphing into the Chevy floor is proving to be a bear. Trying to seal all the differences and make them all watertight is frustrating. I'm going to use fiberglass once the metal is all welded and stable to cover gaps that it would take a lot of fabricating to do right. Once the carpet is in, no one will see it anyways.

 

[Travlr]

Still trying to figure out what to do for a radiator. I would like to have one with a tranny cooler and everything standard/universal would have to be adapted heavily. I might have to see if the big city has a radiator shop that can build one.

 

[Redleg130]

BD Radiator in McLouth, KS recored my original M37 radiator, but he has an extensive shop that focuses on radiators exclusively. He seemed to be really happy about getting an old military vehicle back up and running, and did a good job on my setup. I dont know if he can adapt something in your case, but i'd bet he at least points you in a direction.

He does not have a website, but google "radiator shop mcclouth ks" and he is on yellow pages and whatnot on Wellman Rd in McLouth, KS

 

[cape breton highlander]

HAVE A 1951 M37 CANADIAN , DID A 24 CUMMINS ENGINE SWAP AND 1996 DODGE RUNNING GEAR ,THIS WAS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE A MADE ,IT TAKES THE MILITARY FEEL OUT OF THIS VERY BEAUTIFUL VEHICLE ,WILL BE SWITCHING BACK ,THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT GO 80 MPH THANKS JACKIE

 

[cape breton highlander]

anybody can put a cummins diesel in a truck .have done many swaps . it is a real challenge to keep the 6 cylinder flat head running well , this is a very good engine ,it just gets a little cold blooded at times

 

[G744]

A suitably-sized Diesel repower can be a nice asset for any G741. That B series Cummins 6 is too much grunt for the little truck, IMO.

All the extra HP will do is make highway driving faster, potentially increasing the danger level without considering tires, brakes and steering as well.

Back in the mid-70's, I did a repower with a 105hp Detroit 3-53N series engine, along with a Spicer 3053 OD transmission. Over many years, it racked up almost 250K miles. I installed a complete compressor air system for air wipers, horns, and an air-pak from a deuce for power brakes.

Unfortunately, we hit a hard patch, and I had to sell it. I regret that to this day.

Another one is in the workshop now, and I already know how to do it, with a few improvements (like a much better New Process trans), a lot tougher gearing in the rear axle, and front disc brake conversion.