MadDawg's M37 gun truck project

[maddawg308]

It will all be bolted together. I'm sure a lot of the originals were bolted AND welded, but I can see welds cracking from shaking around in the bed when the truck's body flexes. I heard a lot of the welded ones in Vietnam required constant re-welding from the stress cracks that formed over time.

Spent most of the day on the truck again. Changed a worn choke cable. Put on the fender gaskets and straightened out some dents in the inner fenders and running boards again. Bolted everything back together. Mounted a sugar scoop antenna base on the rear corner of the cab, even though I will be installing an MX-2799 on the top of the armor, the sugar scoop will be there as an additional base for future use. Bolted the RT-524 base and mounting plate to the front armor, and got it ready for install, when my drill bit broke from drilling a hole in the bed side. First thing tomorrow gotta run to the store and get a new one to continue the armor install.

Pic below shows the front armor with the bulkhead opening to load the crew into the box. One of the pics I have of RLW shows an opening similar to this, because it was taken at an angle I can't be sure of it's shape, but there were a couple other gun trucks with this bulkhead opening shape, so I'll use some creative license and use it here.

These steel pieces are heavy - not too heavy, the largest ones for the sides are 200 lbs each. However, because they are so dense and awkward to move around, it's hard to not drop one on your foot. They use up an entire spray can of primer for each piece just priming them. I'm gonna have $25 worth of primer used up on just these pieces.

Hope you guys are liking the progress....

 

[nattieleather]

Looks good. Can't wait to see the rest of the armor on it! Keep going and keep up the good work!

 

[maddawg308]

Got the rebuilt carb back this morning - the mechanic said the carb was filled with dried varnish from sitting with old gas in it for a long time. Also, the jets and gaskets were ALL shot. Now I know why it ran like crap at Haspin. Will stab that back on shortly, and more pics to come.

 

[maddawg308]

The M60s came in today, now we got da heat. The pic shows the two, they were built by Reese Surplus out of demilled parts and aluminum castings. Top is as arrived, except for the platform mount, which is mine. Bottom shows it with a real M60 rear sight installed, as well as a real carry handle and feed tray, which did not come from Reese, but I'm gonna stab them on for the Vietnam hooch display this weekend at Gilbert for more realism. Also have belts and belts of ammo to put out there with the dummy guns.

I have a problem with the pintles I'm going to use for the gun truck, the M60D pintles I have don't work with the platform mounts. I'm going to have Bismarck Guns make up a couple standard 30/50 pintles, but instead with the long steel shaft to insert into the 1" pipe I have for the side mounts on the armor. Will show pics of them when they are built.

 

[maddawg308]

Another box showed up today. About 6 feet long and weighed 65 lbs. Gee, I wonder what it is?

Turns out that being on the naughty list ain't that bad. I'll have to keep banging Mrs. Claus under the table to get these presents, I tell you what.

Actually, it was built by Bismarck Guns, it was crafted out of steel, patterned after the original, made in the USA. Came with 12 linked dummy rounds for display as well. Looks good enough for me....

 

[nattieleather]

Anything new on this project?

 

[pwrwagonfire]

Anything new on this project?

+1!

 

[maddawg308]

Did only a couple things on it since I got back from Gilbert rally. Will post some pics this evening - focusing more on the job front past week as the money is getting REAL tight now.

 

[jollyroger]

Sweet post and nice truck. Keep rolling.

 

[maddawg308]

Installed the completely rebuilt carb today. The rebuilder blasted the outside in a cabinet, new everything, looks great. Also, the armor was completely installed, and then a couple panels had to come out - one of them has a radius cut incorrectly and it is messing the whole left side of the armor box up. My fault, not the plasma cutter's - I took a measurement just a little too short to clear the fenderwell. Will get it re-cut this week at the plasma cutters, and reinstall in correct fashion.

A couple pics to tide you over. Note the pic of the right side of the truck. She's starting to look like a gun truck finally!

 

[maddawg308]

Have to borrow a steering wheel puller from Advance Auto Parts tomorrow, I tried replacing the steering wheel today but it is on there something fierce. Will post more pics tomorrow.

 

[nattieleather]

If your replacing the steering wheel and don't plan on reusing the original one then don't be affraid to use a BFH. I had to beat mine off. Puller wouldn't even budge it!

 

[maddawg308]

Just letting everyone know the money is gone on this end, running on fumes, so to speak. SO, make a long story short, the M37 gun truck is on hold for now. Not to mention, the weather is getting colder and the leaves are falling, so RLW is living under a tarp until the money and the weather situation improves. The only major remaining thing is the bodywork and paint, the rest is pretty much done. Worst case scenario, she will be finished up and painted come Springtime, just in time for Aberdeen 2011. That would be a perfect end to the project, being ready for show at the rally there.

 

[No.2Diesel]

Here's a pic for ya'

Hi,

Enjoy this pic Mike. It's not the greatest in detail. May it inspire you during this long cold winter.

 

[maddawg308]

Well, it's almost Spring, the freezing weather is over and the tarp got taken off the truck today. Will have to get my ass in gear if it's to be done before Aberdeen. PLUS - I decided the rotten rear floor is going to need replacement, the armor is sinking through a couple spots where the metal is barely there. I fear hitting a couple bumps in the road will cause the armor to just fall through the sheet metal and I'll have bigger problems then.

 

[FormerNewMVGuy]

I think it would look great at the MTA Show, in april 16-17.....

 

[maddawg308]

I think it would look great at the MTA Show, in april 16-17.....

No way it will get done by then, Scott - have too much bodywork to do on it before paint, then stencils, etc. At this rate I'll be lucky if it makes Aberdeen.

 

[nattieleather]

Glad to hear you're working on it again. Pics, pics and more pics please!

 

[Danger Ranger]

Just found this, and enjoying it!
As for the gaps where there are no supportive posts, its like watching TV without commercials!
Keep up the good work!

 

[vtdeucedriver]

Well, it's almost Spring, the freezing weather is over and the tarp got taken off the truck today. Will have to get my ass in gear if it's to be done before Aberdeen. PLUS - I decided the rotten rear floor is going to need replacement, the armor is sinking through a couple spots where the metal is barely there. I fear hitting a couple bumps in the road will cause the armor to just fall through the sheet metal and I'll have bigger problems then.

Well instead of replacing the M-37 bed floor, why not make it a "Box" with a steel floor and bolt it to your bed where its good??? I bet the added protection for those "land mines" would be a nice addition to that 14 GA steel. Would do what you need done and be authentic in a repair. Just do yourself a favor and cut a hole where the sending unit is.