M56

[messge80]

looking for information on my new m37/m56 truck like past history and bumper numbers if it served

 

[m1010plowboy]

M37

Get into the picture posting process (PPP) and put 10 pics of your M37 / M56 on this thread.

That will peak some interest and we can check out your ride.

IF data is available for your M..... this is your best information thread http://www.steelsoldiers.com/members-rides/80494-2012-vin-info-thread.html

Read it all...........

Here is an example of the info required..........

SNIPPET

"""""""""Thanks in advance Carnac. Vehicle is a 1952 M37, I know it probably won't show up due to it's age.

a. Serial number: 8001XXXX
b. Registration number: 241XXXX
c. NSN: 2320835XXXX
d. Bought from a GSA auction
e. No bumper numbers visable """"""""""

Welcome to SS

 

[citizensoldier]

M56 should be the long wheel base chassis. It was made into different vehicles like the R2 crash truck.

 

[Monkeyboyarmy]

I thought that the M56 specified the contact maintenance truck. No?


Yes.....we need pictures

 

[citizensoldier]

No M56 is the long wheelbase chassis used for R2, V41,XM142, and the long wheel base pick up was called the M283.. Had to dig the book out to get it straight myself. Maintenance truck is the V41 later to become the M201.

 

[majorhitt]

Please post pictures We all love pictures. I'll look, I may have a picture of a M56 somewhere.

 

[WBrun334]

I'm not familiar with a designation of M201, but my truck is a M56B1 and is a Contact Maintenance Truck with the Generator/Welder mounted in a aluminum box body. My understanding is that this is the basic M37 with an extended frame, as also used in the ambulance version. I "think" this frame was used for the telephone maintenance truck. The vehicle has the same manuals for the running gear and special manuals for the maintenance box and components.

As stated by other posters, photographs will aid in fast identification. Of course this digression has nothing to do with op's request for past history or bumper markings, except without positive ID you can get no accurate info for your question.

 

[citizensoldier]

M56 cab and chassis with winch 511 produced. M56 WOW = 130 produced. M56B1= 567 produced M201B1= 519 produced.

 

[majorhitt]

I found a photo of a M201 and a M56

 

[majorhitt]

I also have photos of M42 and M37 A M43, the only telephone maintenance truck I have a photo of is the WC59

 

[foxtrk2]

the pic found of a m56 contact truck is mine at this years sussex show it is a 63 m56a1 long wheel base and body [alum] built by i believe daveo body co has hobart 7.5 kw welder gen in rear took me three years to restore her foxtrk2

 

[WBrun334]

Good looking truck foxtrk2. Mine is pretty good shape but my life has a few priorities before the truck work can begin.

What is the difference between the M56A1 and M56B1?

Foxtrk2 did you have someone refurbish the electrical control panel? If so, what type of company does that kind of work? Those old electrical components are intimidating and I am not going to run 7.5 kw into it until I am confident that great arcs won't leap into the sky - or into me.

Wonder what happened to the op? Regardless, finally there is a thread that directly concerns my vehicle.

 

[messge80]

Thanks for the info. My m56 came with a flat bed when I baught It I will get some pictures. It looks to me like it was a cab and chassis no wench

 

[citizensoldier]

Good looking truck foxtrk2. Mine is pretty good shape but my life has a few priorities before the truck work can begin.

What is the difference between the M56A1 and M56B1?

The B1's were later production models. Same basic truck with upgraded transmission and mostly packard connectors on the wiring. 1957 onward.

 

[Bill W]

The M-56 series were factory Cab chassis models that different bodies were put on by outside contractors after they were delivered. ( ie R-2 crash trucks, contact maint, MB-2 fire truck,etc etc )

( M-35 cab chassis only were known as M-45's )

 

[messge80]

It is a 1963. On the dash badging is m56 b1

 

[Mike_L]

Have you posted this on the G741.org site? There are a few M56s listed in the registry.

History will be hard to determine unless you can uncover the bumper numbers (if they are still under the paint) or it came with some paperwork. Sometimes you can trace the previous owners back to the original markings or history if they can remember or have pictures.

Good luck. I found a clue to the military history of my truck after I found a supply tag jammed up behind the driver's seat cushion pad.

 

[messge80]

The numbers are there but some paint is over it where do I go after I have found the numbers?