My M37 Restoration Thread

[JStinson]

Progress

Here's a shot of the patch:



You can still see the outline if you look at it head on, but I don't think it's a big deal.

I mixed some darker paint and went to work on the cab.

The resident Beagle coming to check out the work:



Christmas cab:

[JStinson]

Painting

I went to prime the truck the other day and the paint gun wouldn't cooperate. Yesterday, my dad and I went on a short road trip and on the way back we picked up a new one. Here's what it got done:





I bought three gallons of OD paint a couple of months ago. It's Majic brand hunters paint or something like that. I don't like it. It looks like OD mixed with lime green. It's terrible. However, with a little tweaking, it gets better. The above picture is a mix I made up, but I think it's still too light. Tomorrow I'm going to make it darker and see what happens. I'll make that the second coat and (hopefully) call it good.

The paint mixing lab:

[JStinson]

Blasting gun

I finished prepping the cab for painting. I got a cheap little canister sand blaster from Tractor Supply, it was a huge help in finishing up the prep work. Best 20 bucks I've spent on the project so far. I bought a 50lb bucket of blasting media. It's 80 grit and it works really well. It was more expensive than the gun at 25 bucks. I was getting really concerned as I was blasting because the media was going a lot faster than I had expected.

Here's what happens when you're a dedicated cheapskate:







Blamo! Reclaimed media.

[JStinson]

Patching

The material I was using as the patch for this hole (see previous posts on last page) was too thin. I used a wire welder on the coldest setting, but it still blew holes through it. In addition, it warped and just generally made me pull my hair out. So, I got a thicker sheet of metal and cut a new patch out.

Old patch removed/new patch ready to go:







I'll see if I can remember to get some pictures of it with paint on it tomorrow, it came out really good.

[Gordon Maney]

It will be 18 degrees F here tonight.

[Bruce]

Ditto

I was in short sleeves all day long today.

Same here!

[JStinson]

Winter does not appear to be setting in there like it is here...

I was in short sleeves all day long today.

[Gordon Maney]

Winter does not appear to be setting in there like it is here...

[JStinson]

Patching

I got this cab from VPW a few weeks ago. See post http://www.powerwagonadvertiser.com/...&postcount=126 to see the rust damage to the original one. It was a nightmare. This new cab, however, is beautiful. The biggest issue with it was a rust hole in the passenger door frame bottom.







I used magnets to hold the patch in so I could weld it in. I'm using a wire welder, so it's a bit of a challenge not blowing holes in the patch. Even on the coldest setting and super slow feed, it still has to be watched closely.

To be continued.

[JStinson]

Progress

A couple of days ago, I got the gas tank and the rear light brackets on the frame.

[JStinson]

Oil Pickup

As I mentioned earlier in this thread, the oil pickup was just kind of flopping around in the oil pan, directionless, like an out of work college graduate. It was being banged around pretty hard by all the moving parts in there.







It was only holding about 10psi when hot. Of course, the pickup probably was not the only culprit in such a low reading. I'm still surprised that it ran as well as it did.

[JStinson]

Update

Just wanted to give an update on the work. I'm currently working on the "new" cab. The paint is slowly coming off with chemical stripper and a pressure washer. It's a slow job, but it works.

Here's a couple of pictures of what Jasco can do. I've been impressed with it, even though it sometimes takes multiple applications to get through all the tough layers.








On another note, I got a nice shipment from VPW. The box contained a pressure plate, clutch, throw out bearing, thermostat and pilot bushing. These are all of the parts that the shop needs to finish my engine. I should have it in a week or two. At that point I can get the engine and transmission painted and on the frame, cab on top. The progress is getting better. I'm getting more and more excited about the whole project.

[Gordon Maney]

Yesterday, my new cab arrived. I was very very pleased with the job VPW did on picking it out for me. It's rock solid. The only dent is on the right rear corner. Little to no rust. It's a vast improvement over the old one.

After transferring the cab from the tractor trailer to my truck:



Unloading the cab:



The old cab in the graveyard:



Interesting commentary on small town life: We met the delivery truck driver outside of my dads barber shop in beautiful downtown Butler, GA. We asked the driver to pull across the street to a farm supply store that had more room for such a big truck. As we were getting out of my truck, a worker at the farm store came out and said, "This y'alls?" We told him yes and he says "Need a forklift?" I said "can you do that?" He says, "It's my forklift I'll do whatever I want." So he pulls the forklift around and unloads the cab for me. Free of charge.

Neat story.

I admire your trailer....

[JStinson]

New Cab

Yesterday, my new cab arrived. I was very very pleased with the job VPW did on picking it out for me. It's rock solid. The only dent is on the right rear corner. Little to no rust. It's a vast improvement over the old one.

After transferring the cab from the tractor trailer to my truck:



Unloading the cab:



The old cab in the graveyard:



Interesting commentary on small town life: We met the delivery truck driver outside of my dads barber shop in beautiful downtown Butler, GA. We asked the driver to pull across the street to a farm supply store that had more room for such a big truck. As we were getting out of my truck, a worker at the farm store came out and said, "This y'alls?" We told him yes and he says "Need a forklift?" I said "can you do that?" He says, "It's my forklift I'll do whatever I want." So he pulls the forklift around and unloads the cab for me. Free of charge.

[Matthew Ziegler]

cab

I've seen worse, had to replace both sides in front of the doors on mine and a fair amount around the back, the bright side is their all flat panels, easy to make. Just an idea, when you get your new cab, look in hemmings for someone who dips them this eliminates any rust and removes all the paint bondo etc. A previous owner sandblasted most of my truck, the trapped sand in the back of the cab and in the pockets in front of the doors is actually what caused the majority of the rust.