M37 Restoration (53-41242)

[Wayne Hingley]

Lifted the engine and transmission out yesterday. Unfortunately I need to go away for work, so it will be a couple of weeks before I can get back at this.

[Wayne Hingley]

At some point someone had a need to cut a crude series of 4” to 6” holes to create a passageway from under the drivers seat, through the back wall of the cab, through the front wall of the cargo box, and then through the cargo box floor into the tool storage area. I have no idea what it was for. Some of the holes were cut out with a torch, and some with a mechanical cutting tool (possibly something like an air chisel). The holes were not pretty.

I repaired the cargo box floor and front wall many months ago, and finally started on the cab repairs.

A few photos of the tunnel of holes... I’m puzzled by this one.

[Wayne Hingley]

This is what the holes in the cargo box looked like.

[Wayne Hingley]

Cab tub bottom side. Kind of dirty and crusty looking, but very solid. Should be like new once cleaned up.

[Wayne Hingley]

I opened up the transmission a couple of weeks ago. Very clean with new looking oil. No rebuild tag.

[Wayne Hingley]

Over the past several weeks I found some time to finish repairing the holes in the cab under the driver’s seat, stripped the doors and rebuilt a winch and PTO. I’m planning to get the frame stripped down this weekend and ready to sandblast next week. Hopefully the weather cooperates for the sandblasting.

[Rob Crombie]

Hi Wayne,

Looks like great progress. Did you find the frame to be straight and free of rust? I found the middle cross member on my truck to have pretty well rusted through from the inside where it attaches to the frame rails. It all seems to have occurred from trapped dirt and moisture.
I’m looking forward to watching this truck go back together.

Rob