My M37 Restoration Thread

[Gordon Maney]

You are doing a marvelous job and the photos are great. Do you have high resolution versions of them? They would be great for an article in the magazine.

[Gordon Maney]

As I mentioned a while back, I discovered that the front axle oil seals were shot out on the truck. So, I ordered a new wheel bearing kit for the front left (the front right was replaced a few years ago) and a seal and gasket set from VPW. Here are some pictures of the adventure thus far.

Initial setup


What it turned into


The greatest seal puller in the history of forever


The lower steering knuckle bearing and race are destroyed (deep indentions on the race and out of round rollers). What do I need to know about replacing these components? I read on some other thread Charles Talbert talking about a shim pack. Charles, can you chime in and elaborate on this procedure?

You adjust the steering knuckle bearings with shims. Do you have a service manual? If not, they are available from Vintage Power Wagons and other vendors as reproduction items. The adjustments will be made with the felt wiper off.

[JStinson]

The last couple of weeks have seen slow progress on the truck. I've been waiting for parts and dealing with other things. However, I'm back on it now and have made some progress.

I went through the front right steering knuckle, hub and axle and fixed the problems that it had. That work came to an end today.







I hope these lockouts turn out to be all I'm expecting them to be. I think they will free up a fair amount of power, seeing as how the engine won't have to drag all the dead weight of the front drive train around.

[JStinson]

Extra pictures

Here's another picture of the axle housing. It shows the faulty seal.



If anyone is interested, there are a lot more pictures of the work on Photobucket.

http://s126.photobucket.com/albums/p...M37%20Project/

[JStinson]

What I dont understand is how you can work in that shop with all the well lit, clean and open area and clean catch pans and tools.
In my unheated garage if I drop a tool or nut I just go buy another because the one I dropped just disapears into another reality.
Not all the time but it has happened.

I certainly don't take my work area for granted.

[Kaiser2boy]

What I dont understand is how you can work in that shop with all the well lit, clean and open area and clean catch pans and tools.
In my unheated garage if I drop a tool or nut I just go buy another because the one I dropped just disapears into another reality.
Not all the time but it has happened.

[JStinson]

Front axle work

As I mentioned a while back, I discovered that the front axle oil seals were shot out on the truck. So, I ordered a new wheel bearing kit for the front left (the front right was replaced a few years ago) and a seal and gasket set from VPW. Here are some pictures of the adventure thus far.

Initial setup


What it turned into


The greatest seal puller in the history of forever


The lower steering knuckle bearing and race are destroyed (deep indentions on the race and out of round rollers). What do I need to know about replacing these components? I read on some other thread Charles Talbert talking about a shim pack. Charles, can you chime in and elaborate on this procedure?

[Gordon Maney]

I finally got around to putting the first coat of paint on the frame. It's good old fashion flat black.

I especially like this photo.

[Gordon Maney]

Great photos, great series.

[JStinson]

Brake lines

I ordered a new brake line set from Midwest Military. It's a very nice prebent product and it beat making my own.





The brake lines aren't complete yet. Unfortunately, I'm having a tough time cleaning out the paint in the brass junctions. Guess that'll teach me to plug up important threads before my next painting adventure.

[JStinson]

More paint, transfer case and brake lines...

The second coat of paint is finished. I think that's plenty. I went to work on getting the transfer case back on the frame. I ordered new cushions from VPW. I was able to restore the metal guides (all that I can think to call them right now) that run through the cushions. Also got some new nuts and bolts to mount the case to the crossmembers.

[JStinson]

[JStinson]

First coat on the frame

I finally got around to putting the first coat of paint on the frame. It's good old fashion flat black.

[JStinson]

OK, on closer inspection, I see you just reversed the tires! OK, I feel like an idiot! haha.

What sprayer are you using for the priming/painting? What are its pros and cons?

My apologies for not answering this question sooner. I do not know the brand of the sprayer. It's one that we had on the shelf, so I put it to good use. I don't know enough about sprayers to tell you its pros and cons. All I know is that it works for me. I'll try to get you the brand name next time I'm in the shop.

[jrodjared]

This may be a dumb question, but what did you do to the wheels? How did you get them to separate from the drums like that? Good idea for priming and painting.

OK, on closer inspection, I see you just reversed the tires! OK, I feel like an idiot! haha.

What sprayer are you using for the priming/painting? What are its pros and cons?