Need help identifying my new M-37 auction find

[Joe Bertram]

Ok guys I recently got a new to me M-37 project truck at auction, it is probably the best shape candidate that I've seen. Engine is out of it, there was one in the bed on a stand. It obviously isn't correct as it has 6 volt equipment on it. I also got another engine in the round metal military container. This truck has no glove box door so no data tags. It has some weird wiring connections behind the grille as well as some holes in the bed sides so I assume maybe some sort of radio truck. There are some numbers on the front bumper as well as on the hood. Good number is US ARMY 2442770. Also maybe tire chains holders on all 5 tires

 

[kendelrio]

It definitely had the rectifier that went in front of the grill (missing now).

Based on the holes and the big electrical block on the firewall, I'd say you're right about it being a radio truck.

 

[NDT]

Wow amazing, you still have 1950's tires on it, those clips are bead locks that replaced bolt together combat wheels. In the 1960's, the Army quit using those, meaning your truck has been left untouched for a long time.
You have/had the 100 amp 24 volt charging system, used to power the radio teletypes or whatever radio complement she had. The pulleys on the engine, water pump and alternator are 4 groove with this system. Those huge shielded cables are part of it too. The engine alternator created 3 phase electricity, the (missing) rectifier in front of the radiator changed the AC to DC, and lastly the regulator or the firewall did the regulating.

Not too many 70 yr old M37s can be restored with just a paint job, looks like yours might.

 

[Joe Bertram]

Thank you so much for the info, tires all dates Goodyear 1954 unfortunately engine is gone so original generator all gone too but I agree this one is probably going to be one of the easier trucks to get back together

 

[flyfishtrailer]

Wondering based on the faded blue paint job if that belonged to the Air Force during its last few years.

 

[G744]

I have NOS 100-A system parts.

 

[Redleg130]

The bumper numbers indicate (probably)
50th Armored Division, New Jersey National Guard (the triangle next to 50 indicates armor)
250th Support or Signal (signal is more likely given the radio mountings) Battalion
Charlie Company vehicle 22

50th Armored Division (United States) - Wikipedia
This division was active from 1946 until 1993 so it would fit in the service life of the M37

Pretty neat the bumper numbers are still there

 

[NDT]

This antenna mount goes in all three locations on your truck. Picture credit Haney Electronics

 

[NDT]

This is the rectifier that went behind the grille. Picture credit Midwest Military

 

[Joe Bertram]

Would the radio set have been in the bed of the truck or would it have had a com shelter of some sort?

 

[G744]

The AN/GRC19 comes to mind.

If more than that was necessary, a shelter would be expected:

https://www.liberatedmanuals.com/TM-10-5411-205-23P.pdf

 

[Redleg130]

A variety could have been used, AN/PRC 8/9/10 series for the 50s, and 12 series radios for the 60ish to early 2000s.

Every example I have seen of radio mounts puts the radios in the bed of the truck, or a shelter - so both arrangements would have been used depending on the application.

Radio Teletypewriter Set AN/GRC-46 -1963 US Army Film (youtube.com)
AN/GRC-46 (rattrig.com)

PRC-10 family of radios
PRC-10 Infantry Radio | N6CC

12 Series
AN/VRC-12 - Wikipedia

 

[NDT]

I am a bit conflicted about shelter or not. All shelter carriers (radio teletype or RATT) for sure had 100 amp systems, BUT the shelters had the antenna attached to the shelter, not all over the bed sides. So I am inclined to believe yours was NOT a shelter carrier, but had a power hungry voice/cw radio like a GRC-19.

 

[kendelrio]

I have the AM2060, power cable etc for the PRC 77 if that's something you're interested in.




It mounts to the troop seats. I have the power cable that passes through the bed and cab wall and I *believe* I have the antenna cable.

 

[NDT]

Does the bed floor have any obvious hole patterns? This could indicate a radio rack was installed. Would be towards the front of the bed.

 

[Joe Bertram]

Troop seats holes in bed is all I really see other than antenna mounts. The troop seats themselves have some holes but not sure they've always been with the truck by the paint. There is a cable passage between the cab and bed

 

[NDT]

Could this bracket match any of the wheel arch holes? It was used to support the troop seats when heavy radio sets were installed on top of them. Picture credit Haney Electronics

All M37s had the electrical bulkhead connector in the front of the bed, yours is missing however.

 

[G744]

The "Angry 19" needed that 100A system, as it was a 100 Watt AM transmitter.

The possibility exists that a pair of 19's were used in a mobile repeater setup, one bolted to each L&R troop seat.