Fun Ride in 1954 Dodge M37 USMC Winch Model Cargo Truck

[polney8686]

I have to think my truck and yours may have come from the same area, mine has the same style hard top and it is painted white just like that, minus the black paint. but anyway, I hope to have mine on the road soon, any luck fixing those grinding gears? mine does that too

[SSSCLimitedTrademark]

@polney8686 Since the video was shot last summer, the truck no longer sports the "arctic camo" scheme nor the shabby custom-made top. She rides on non-directionals now too. A lot of these trucks end up being used as fire trucks, city trucks, as well as forestry vehicles in various areas around the nation, which is why they show up in a variety of colors. Not sure what you mean by the grinding gears - she runs absolutely fine, all the way through 4th gear, as you can observe in the video.

[Eliyahu5736]

Why are you double-clutching it? With the exception of a very few early trucks, the M37 comes with a synchronized transmission. First ("Granny") and reserve aren't synchronized, but 2-4 are. The gear whine is due to the straight cut gears in the transfer case and the offset output shaft.

If the gears are grinding when shifting in 2-4, you're either low on fluid (GL-4!), the clutch isn't fully disengaging, or your transmission needs a rebuild.

[SSSCLimitedTrademark]

@Eliyahu5736 You're right, must be a habit of my own to double clutch every gear. 3rd and 4th are fully synchronized, while 1st and 2nd are not. While I don't often use 1st gear, it's interesting to experiment and master the unsynchronized portions of the gearbox. The straight cut gear whine in 4th is also very intriguing, as it sounds as if a turbine engine is winding up as I increase the throttle. Thanks for watching!

[Thelaxprofisherman]

@SSSCLimitedTrademark ok thanks, hey do u have any idea what the mpg is on the road in 2wd?

[SSSCLimitedTrademark]

@Thelaxprofisherman I would imagine about 7 miles to the gallon, so not economically a daily driver, if you're driving longer distances or at higher speeds.

[Thelaxprofisherman]

@SSSCLimitedTrademark does your m37 have factory brakes and if so do they stop it well at fairly high speeds? And is there a way to turn off the four wheel drive for road travel and better mpg?

[SSSCLimitedTrademark]

@Thelaxprofisherman Yes, this M37 has the original drums on all fours, and they perform pretty well satisfactory for being an old 3/4 truck. That being said, they are a little sluggish to bring the truck to a stop from high speeds, and require a good amount of strength on the pedal to slow down well. The 2WD-4WD(Hi)-4WD(Lo) lever is located on the floor next to the parking brake the the right of the gear shift lever, as you see in the video. I use 2WD for the general roadways.

[Thelaxprofisherman]

@SSSCLimitedTrademark hey ur starting from a stop in second not first is that alright for the trans? And my dad has lots of trucks including a 1953 m37 do u think that if it was fixed up I could drive it to school everyday and rely on it starting up even in the winter?

[SSSCLimitedTrademark]

@Thelaxprofisherman First gear is what we refer to as a "granny gear", since you'll only reach about 5 miles an hour maximum. It's ideal for 4WD operations, and for climbing steep grades, but not really for general driving, in my opinion. As far as the M37 being a daily driver, it's your call. I would personally recommend against it, in order to keep the wear and tear on the engine and other drive components to a minimum. Let it be your special occasion ride, is my recommendation.

[90jda]

I have a 1948 dodge pick-up 1/2 ton b1b......not milltary but it has the double clutch...it doesnt run it use to be my dads...he drove it back the the 70s then around 79 he stopped driving it ...i want to get it fixed

[p174208]

very nice, i myself have a dodge M37, ive been working on it and hoping to get it started today actually, then i have to fix the brakes! fun fun

[ShnitzlHaus]

what is the benefit of double clutching?

I have a willys jeep havnt driven standard yet.

[SSSCLimitedTrademark]

@ShnitzlHaus On unsynchronized transmissions, double clutching allows for a smoother shift without any grinding of the gears. When shifting from gear to gear, releasing the clutch while in neutral allows the rotation of the engine to match the rotation of the transmission and provide a smooth shift into the next gear.

[majorpainshifty2]

Old military vehicles are a lot of fun to drive. I have a not so old 84 Blazer CUCV Army surplus. I drive it every day. Trying to find a surplus M 35 Deuce and a half or another larger cargo truck. Humvee would be nice but almost impossible to find surplus.

[SSSCLimitedTrademark]

@majorpainshifty2 Very nice. I've seen a number of early to mid-80's CUCVs lately that were in pretty good shape. The deuce and a half is great as well, but you'd have to find a place to park it, and filling it up at the pump is certainly straining on the common man's budget as well.

[majorpainshifty2]

@SSSCLimitedTrademark Oh ya it would be expensive I bet I could make it worth my while though. Plenty of stuff to haul around for people. Got my Class A CDL so contracting work for people wouldn't be any prob. lol

[Tuddley3]

I can tell you were having a blast, you have that look of a kid in a candy store smile.

[weaponeer]

nice..

[xp41007]

Great! nice ride steve