My 1953 Dodge M37, 4x4 3/4 ton Military Truck, 26,366 miles

Click here to see large Pre-Purchase Image

William A. Watson, II

This M37 was bought at a closed bid county Highway Department Auction in MO.  I was the winning bidder and am now the proud owner.  The truck hadn't run or been used in a few years, but the engine was not stuck.  Tires hold air, and rear tires are like new.  Some rust in the usual areas on an M, under the headlights, and the bed floor is gone.  Other than that the only major body issue is the Drivers Door has been opened up against the fender (door check busted) way too hard.  Plans were to use the engine and drive train from a donor 1994 3/4 ton Dodge Ram 4x4 and make a great modern powered trail truck.  Now after checking into the issue of putting the modern axles under the M (Narrowing Axles and Steering), I've decided to stay with the M's axles and add Disc Brakes and Lockers.  I've bought a 1968 Dodge W200. with a 318 V-8 and a NP435D3 Transmission that will now be used to Power the M37.

TRUCK, CARGO,  3/4   TON. 4x4, M37 WoW
ORD. STOCK NO.  62741-8358322
Mfr. Ser. No.  80257890
Contracting.  12107
Date Del.  12-7-53
Model:  T245
Frame No.  80257890
Cowl No.  49202-3366
Brach  ORD CORPS
Hood Number  ARMY 201012036

 

Re-Powered with a Mopar Small Block (LA) V-8 Specifications:

Displacement:  323 cu. in.  (318 bored 30 over)

Cam:  Melling Performance - Duration 278/288 Lift .422/.444 (MTD-1 WG-1116)

Fuel:  Holley 502 Pro-Jection Fuel Injection, Throttle Body, 670 cfm (502-20S)

Ignition:  Mopar Performance Electronic Conversion (DCC-3690426)

 

Additional Truck Specifications:

Clutch: 11" 10 spline 1" by Brake & Clutch Exchange
Transmission:  New Process Transmission - NP435, 1st gear ratio is 6.68:1
Transfercase:  Stock New Process Transfercase - NP200 (1.96:1)
Front Axle:  Stock Dodge Full Floating Hypoid Axle with Tracta Joints, 5.83:1 with ARB Air Locker

Rear Axle:  Stock Dodge Full Floating Hypoid Axle, 5.83:1 with ARB Air Locker

Hubs:  Milemarker 11022-01 Selectro Classic Locking Hub
Wheels:  Custom MRW (Marsh Racing Wheels) Bead Lock Wheels
Tires:  Super Swampers - IROK 39.5x13.50-17LT tires
Brakes:  Helitool (Ugly Truckling) 1 Ton Disc Brake Conversion Front & Rear (GMC - MS, Calipers & Rotor)
Suspension: Stock leaf springs
Steering:  Saginaw Reverse Rotation Power Steering Box (Snake River 4x4 Style)
Accessories:  Warn 12,000# Electric Winch

35th Brigade, 1140th Engineering Battalion, Company C, Unit 53 - National Guard

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Click here to see my Speed Calculation chart

2004.4   September through December 2004
2005.1   January through March 2005
2005.2   April 2005
2005.3   July 2005
2005.4   August 2005
2005.5   September 2005
2005.6   October 2005
2005.7   November 2005
2005.8   December 2005
2006  .   2006,  The Year of a New Job and Move (No work on the truck)
2007.1   April 2007
2007.2   May 2007
2007.3   June & July 2007
2007.4   August through December 2007
2008.1   January through February 2008
2008.2   March through April 2008
2008.3   June through August 2008
2008.4   September through December 2008
2009.1   January 2009 through March 2009
2009.2   April 2009
2009.3   May 2009
2009.4   June 2009
2009.5   July through August 2009
2009.6   September 2009
   

Click here to see my list of Suggested Off Road Gear

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  The RZR loaded in the back of the M, and the M loaded on the trailer hitched to the Megacab.  Ready for a trip to the MO property  11/12/2009
  Hunting wasn't that great, as it was too warm for the deer to move, but did get the logging roads cleared, and found two new ones.  11/15/2009

  It's amazing how fast I banged up the flex-pipe I installed to repair the exhaust.  After a little logging road riding and over some logs/branches I've already banged it up.  I've also installed the LED back-up Lights, they are better protected being flat, and inboard, so I home I don't break these expensive lights.  11/19/2009
 

Made a trip to the MO property to show Brittaney, Jason, and Isabelle the property.  Took the M and an extra set of seats so we could ride the logging roads.  Everyone enjoyed the ride, and have a little video of the current roughest logging road.  This was also the first time Collette went "off roading" in the trucks with me as well.  Previously she rode with me in the RZR across the property as her first time "off roading".  11/21/2009

Video of the Inner Corner Logging Road from inside of the M37

Video of the Inner Corner Logging Road from outside of the M37

My 1946/49 Dodge Power Wagon

1968 W-200 Engine/Tranny Donor

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