But at least one of those was a Manitoban deer.



Taking military vehicles out of the province should be controlled. But killing deer in this province is doing the motorists a favor.

Yes, and I have to say that one deer from Manitoba caused more destruction than the other two Alberta deer combined!

Haven’t had as much time as I would like to work on the truck, but I did get the rear wiring harness completed up to the front right fender area. Once I match up the front harness I can terminate the rear harness at the correct length. Today I was able to put the cab back into position. Working on the cargo box now.

WOW!

She’s come a long way, Wayne. Looking REALLY nice!

David

Thanks David. Another step last night with getting the sides on the cargo box. Lots to pick away at now, as I can connect the wiring and controls. I’m also rebuilding the steering box with new bearings gaskets and seals.

In my experience there are three pivotal moments in a restoration. When you bring it home (and dream), when the rust and grease is finally all removed and it is all uphill (like where you are now) and when you crank her up and drive it out of the garage for the first time.

Great work. looks terrific!!!!

Looks great Wayne! I can't believe the shape the floor of the box is in after so many years, hardly a dent to be seen. I'd say you got very lucky with this old girl as it may of had an easy service and post-service life.

I agree with you Bruce... those are the big milestones for sure. There are many ups and downs in between each phase. It is definitely nice to be done with all the dirty and greasy parts (clean hands).

Pete: I did have to repair some holes in the floor, and I banged out some of the bigger dents, but you are correct - the cargo box is quite good overall.

Two components that I left in original condition are the battery box and the driver’s seat (other than getting new seat covers). The battery box has a patina to the original paint that I love the look of, and couldn’t bring myself to sand it off. The driver’s seat has the last 3 digits of the CFR stencilled on the back which was the only original marking I could find on the truck other than the tire pressure “40” stencilled on the inside of the passenger door. The other nice thing about the driver’s seat is when you remove the seat-back cushion the original semi-gloss OD paint is in perfect condition. A great area to get a sample from in the future. I get a bit of joy from these two pieces now that they are bolted back into an otherwise completely repainted truck.

Nice little touches, Wayne!

Not always possible with a lot of restoration projects, but when it is possible to to do so, I think it really honours the actual history of the item being restored.

David

Good call Wayne, they're only original once!

M37CDN Restoration
 

Wayne, good call and fantastic restoration work.

Thanks David, Pete and Ed for your comments.

A little more progress to show. I’ve been slowly connecting the wiring and controls. Passenger seat and hot water heater went in last night.

Great job
 

Wayne, I'm devastated .... do I see dust marks on the floor of your magnificently restored vehicle!?! Time to make those insertion rubber floor mats! :D



Great job, look forward to seeing it in person. :salute:


Mike

hahaha... Yes, I take your point on the dust, Mike. I was almost tempted to make a disclaimer about it. Its just part of my reality, I guess.
I look forward to your next trek north.

I know one guy who has slippers and guest slippers at the entrance to his garage/workshop. He is fairly meticulous (it is not me).

Mike is now also aware about Canadas 4 legged kamikaze road vermin.

The slippers are a great idea, however that would require one to have a clean workspace to begin with. That is the larger challenge (for me anyway).

By the look of the date stamp on my last update, I’ve been slacking off.

I now have all the operator controls connected inside the cab, except the steering. The electrical is done except the front lights and horn (and I need to buy two batteries). I put new insulation in and installed the cab roof. The original insulation was brown hairy looking stuff that the mice made a great home in. The new stuff looks like it belongs in a space shuttle. Overall, it’s starting to look like a truck again.

ohhh... sorry Mike, I didn't clean up my dirty footprints yet. Cover your eyes. :)

looking great, I will drop off mine next week for your next project so it will be ready for summer :rolleyes

Wow, looks great love following your builds.

Super Dave... anything for you buddy. Drop it off anytime!

Thanks for the comments James. Its always nice as you get close to the end. Im approaching the third step that Bruce described a few posts back.

In the process of test-fitting the right front fender. I have a bunch of bolts to cleanup and paint to finish this corner off. I also still need to rebuild and install my steering box before installing the left side fender. Then, brake adjustment & bleeding, followed by a few other basic items... The list is getting shorter.

Coming together quite nicely :thup2:

A little more complete on the right front. I decided to go to the larger amber light assemblies, but I still have the originals so I can switch back if desired. Front and rear wiring harnesses are now connected and secured.

Looking nice, Wayne!

David

Can only agree with David: fantastic job, Wayne.


Mike

Vacuum wipers
 

Tonight I was going through a bunch of spare vacuum wipers looking for a suitable pair to clean up for the M37. I opened up the cover on one and found it to be packed solid with some type of organic material. Looks like buds of some sort and has a very strong odour. Smells just like pipe tobacco. I didn’t try smoking it... :smoker:

The mud wasps are what usually plug up the trico vacuum wipers. That looks like what you have there. Usually it's just one in the vent tube. You got the whole village.



I have always liked the Dow Corning DC55 lubricant for the paddles on these wipers. It will fill in some of the scoring in the metal, and stays relatively consistent in thickness even in cooler weather.

Your right Rob, this was an ambitious little guy. In my M38A1, they had one of the vent tubes packed solid with a hard brown mud. I had to ram it out with a stiff wire. Im still waiting to find gold bars stashed somewhere...

Ill check out that Dow Corning lube. Thanks.

I rebuilt and installed the steering box along with the left side front fender. I used a modern signal light switch with the solid state flasher. It seems to blend in OK.