Our New M-37

[Jimma]

We traveled about 160 miles each way to Villa Rica, Georgia yesterday to purchase this 1963 M-37. Not a bad truck, bed is great, floor boards are good and no rust in the battery box. Some rust in the windshield frame on the lower inside corners that is fixable. I do neet to buy or fabricate a passenger seat and find a tailgate. Also a brake adjuster or bleeder came out and I need to learn how to work on M-37 brakes to put it back in and bleed the system. Other than that I think we picked up a decent little truck. It appears that all the essentials are present including the original fire extinguisher.

 

[Ripcord01]

Very nice looking truck you got there!

 

[Jimma]

Thanks.

 

[Jimma]

Can anyone offer advice on bleeding the brakes and re installing what I was told was a brake adjuster.

 

[Wolfen]

I would try Vintage Power Wagons or Midwest Military for a Tailgate.

 

[98taco3]

first thing is to get ahold of a whole set of manuals for that truck. It is required to work on them correctly especially when it comes to the brake system.

 

[WBrun334]

Nice looking truck. Guess it's great to get an M37 that doesn't need extensive work.

 

[Bill W]

Very nice catch

 

[vtdeucedriver]

Make sure you check out www.g741.org
Strickly for the M-37 and all the info you will need.

I bet the brake adjuster you have is the one for the shoes. Its a cam that is located at the bottom of the backing plate on each wheel. Each shoe has one. I would look those brakes over really well before bleeding!! Try a quick bleed to see what you got but for what "little" stopping power the M37 has, it needs it all. Look the lines over really well too. If any of that georgia Mud has sat between the coils of the armor, they will help those brake lines rust and will be a weak spot for a leak to happen.

 

[cessnatwin]

My dad called and said he bought one just like that!

 

[Jimma]

Cessnatwin, He did, and I was on the road until after 1 AM hauling it home! Can you forward me a new picture of yourself? I am getting tired of the pink shirt in my avatar!

 

[Capt.Marion]

You'll be happy to know that the brakes on that thing are about the simplest thing you'll ever work on aside from tractor brakes.

Completely replacing all the wheel cylinders, hoses, and master cylinder is an afternoon job.

 

[joshuaz223]

here are the pages from TM 9-8030. glad i could finally be of some help.

 

[joshuaz223]

as paul would say "the rest of the story"

 

[zout]

I especially like the custom wheel chocks

That is a great looking 37 and you should be proud.
Got any pics of the interior Jimma ?

 

[91W350]

One of the best looking military trucks available. The last one I drove was a test drive on vacation in the Colorado Rockies, I should have bought it... nice truck!

 

[Capt.Marion]

How does it run?

 

[Squirt-Truck]

Coooooooooooooooooool

 

[pwrwagonfire]

Make sure you check out www.g741.org
Strickly for the M-37 and all the info you will need.

I bet the brake adjuster you have is the one for the shoes. Its a cam that is located at the bottom of the backing plate on each wheel. Each shoe has one. I would look those brakes over really well before bleeding!! Try a quick bleed to see what you got but for what "little" stopping power the M37 has, it needs it all. Look the lines over really well too. If any of that georgia Mud has sat between the coils of the armor, they will help those brake lines rust and will be a weak spot for a leak to happen.

+1

Simple brake system, if you pick up the manuals they will tell you all you need to know very clearly!

 

[T. Highway]

Nice looking truck.