Steelsoldiers’ Big M37B1 Project

[steelsoldiers]

Well, I went and did it over the weekend. I bought a 1962 M37B1 from a fellow SS member here in West Virginia. I’ve been hankering for a new MV for a long time, and when this one showed up on Craig’s List, it looked like just the ticket! It currently runs and drives, but doesn’t stop. It has some rust in some of the usual spots like the tool boxes and the rocker panels, but the body is in pretty good shape overall.

I’m planning on taking it to some off road rallies next year like Haspin and Rausch Creek, so I’m going to be focusing on getting the running gear in top condition. I’m going to do power front and rear disc brakes, power steering, a rear locker, and some bigger tires on the stock rims. That and a good tuneup on everything else should be a good start.

I’ll be sure to post lots of pics and details as this project progresses. Here are some “Before” pics to get things started!

 

[Recovry4x4]

Hmm,. I think I've heard of you before. Truck looks mighty good.

 

[steelsoldiers]

Hmm,. I think I've heard of you before. Truck looks mighty good.

You're going to be seeing a lot more of me. I’ve missed you guys!

 

[M35A2-AZ]

Looks like a great project

 

[gringeltaube]

Hmm,. I think I've heard of you before....

.... Yeah, I believe this is the guy who started it all - and then almost vanished...!

You're going to be seeing a lot more of me. I’ve missed you guys!

Chris, glad to find you here, more often!

 

[NDT]

Looks like it was USMC, has the rear lifting brackets installed. Those are hard to find.

 

[steelsoldiers]

.... Yeah, I believe this is the guy who started it all - and then almost vanished...!

Chris, glad to find you here, more often!

Who? Oh yeah... that guy! LOL. Thanks. It’s good to be back with you guys.

Looks like it was USMC, has the rear lifting brackets installed. Those are hard to find.

Oh wow. I hadn’t even noticed that yet. The previous owner said he bought it with some kind of homemade air tank front bumper on it, so he just swapped it out for one he had laying around. I’ll have to weld some paper clips on it to make it look more official.

 

[kubotaman]

Looks like a good project. Any idea what that hard top is from?

 

[steelsoldiers]

Looks like a good project. Any idea what that hard top is from?

It looks to be a top off of a early to mid-1960’s Chevy truck. There was some very creative use of pop rivets and body filler.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Cant wait to get some haspin mud on it. Looks like a fun project. Putting a Cummins 2.8 in it?





Bwaaaahahahahaha

 

[steelsoldiers]

Cant wait to get some haspin mud on it. Looks like a fun project. Putting a Cummins 2.8 in it?
Bwaaaahahahahaha

Awww yeah. It’ll be like old times.

You know me. I can’t resist an engine swap, but I’ll be sticking with the stock straight 6 for now. I think all it needs is a carb rebuild, a water pump, and a Pertronix ignition kit.

 

[marchplumber]

Must run pretty good to push the Dodge and pull the trailer! LOL

Good to see you here,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I'm a newbie, but I've heard ya mentioned before.
See the Chaplain, he'll get ya squared away on where to store your gear!

LOL

 

[steelsoldiers]

Must run pretty good to push the Dodge and the pull the trailer! LOL

Good to see you here,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I'm a newbie, but I've heard ya mentioned before.
See the Chaplain, he'll get ya squared away on where to store your gear!

LOL

Ha! Thanks, Tony! Good to meet you. Lots of new members here since I was last on regularly. I’ve got some catching up to do!

 

[porkysplace]

Awww yeah. It’ll be like old times.

You know me. I can’t resist an engine swap, but I’ll be sticking with the stock straight 6 for now. I think all it needs is a carb rebuild, a water pump, and a Pertronix ignition kit.

You could always make it a real screamer with a 4 cylinder Detroit. There was one set up with one at the Clare Mi show at General Jims last year .

 

[steelsoldiers]

You could always make it a real screamer with a 4 cylinder Detroit. There was one set up with one at the Clare Mi show at General Jims last year .

That was a good looking truck! I like how they tucked that Screamin Jimmy in there. I bet that thing howled going down the road!

 

[steelsoldiers]

Here are a few more pics of my truck. Please let me know if you see anything else interesting or out of the ordinary.

 

[hndrsonj]

Well the good thing is parts are everywhere. I wound up replacing a lot more than I expected on mine, but I did go kind of overboard......

 

[steelsoldiers]

Well the good thing is parts are everywhere. I wound up replacing a lot more than I expected on mine, but I did go kind of overboard......

Yeah, that’s what my wife is afraid of!

 

[Scar59]

Hmm,. I think I've heard of you before. Truck looks mighty good.

Ah, the man behind the curtain... great truck for a project.

 

[kubotaman]

That was a good looking truck! I like how they tucked that Screamin Jimmy in there. I bet that thing howled going down the road!

A couple guys have put 3-53s from Gama Goats in. Supposedly a nicer fit and the aluminum block engine is easier on the front end.