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TECHNICAL FORUMS => Project Builds => Topic started by: Wingman on May 30, 2019, 07:59:18 PM

Title: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on May 30, 2019, 07:59:18 PM
In a moment of weakness, I purchased a basket case...

1951 Dodge M37, 3/4 ton, 4x4 (NP420, NP200, 5.83s)

I'm not sure what the end goal is yet. It really isn't nice enough to restore. I know there will be some purist push-back but I'm leaning toward LS, auto, D60/14b, and 40s for "cheap" drivability. The more proper option would be 4BT, NV4500 but that gets pricey quickly.

What to do, what to do...
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on May 30, 2019, 08:05:13 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190531/85551ed900798f71b5bb31936769d249.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190531/129a281e2466f92db359afb12e55a2e7.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190531/d525a56941d80d624df2648ff1a4efa1.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190531/f5d05d177ae08bf214519269b87d5fb4.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190531/737eb7ee672124174b4cee01c987d268.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190531/35fc551c4a76d744e875b0dee9b753ec.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190531/821734b2554fd5a71b820afed0a66e9b.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190531/2a8e6f316e01199b74eb797b3dc401ec.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190531/08ce688b36a5e562636197bf413ac8df.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190531/0f687b106869dcb3f38d476dc99468da.jpg)
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: MrMindless on May 30, 2019, 08:12:41 PM
Appears not to suck!

what are the tires that are on it? 37s? I might want to talk to you about those for my kei truck silliness that I want more and more badly to work on. I need a barn!
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on May 30, 2019, 08:16:00 PM
36" Buckshot Mudders on non-split 16" wheels. They hold air but are pretty cracked.
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on May 30, 2019, 08:17:44 PM
DMV nonsense taken care of.

Tear down has begun. Plow frame and hydraulics returned to previous owner per agreement. Bazillion pound PTO winch and bumper removed to the "sell" pile. Most of the wiring removed.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190531/071d103debbaea5c3ef46d6103220348.jpg)
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: MrMindless on May 30, 2019, 08:42:49 PM
That was quick for reggo!
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: etk300ex on May 31, 2019, 07:59:51 AM
Awesome!  Not going to keep the winch?
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on May 31, 2019, 08:42:05 AM
Winch is about 400# of weight hanging way out in front. Truck is already a pig.
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on June 15, 2019, 08:01:20 PM
Fired and ran for the first time in 11 years. On to details to make it move: carb, battery, 12v alternator and starter, cooling...
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: carchameleon on June 20, 2019, 02:50:32 PM
awesome!
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on June 30, 2019, 05:37:50 PM
By Tuesday, rebuilt the carb, flushed out the fuel system, swapped in a 12v starter, and wired up the 12v fuel pump. All 24v stuff purged. Put some fresh fuel in the tank, squirted some ether, and it fired, ran, and even IDLED!!!

By Saturday, had the 12v one-wire alternator brackets fabbed, radiator mounted and plumbed, temp gauge installed, and accelerator pedal/throttle linkages worked out.

Nothing left to prohibit a test-drive...  ;)
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on June 30, 2019, 05:40:03 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190630/bb0d5b9662d64dc64e936dc821ec21d7.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190630/c1135b23e3502abbe69dd9e06b02ecde.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190630/3f17295d76be3f6d6a4c4d0078784937.jpg)
Photos courtesy of Jeff Gotwalt
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on July 25, 2019, 05:17:58 PM
Brakes brought back to acceptable function. On to lighting...
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on August 16, 2019, 12:58:51 PM
Now has LED headlights, functional turn signals and parking lights, even dash lights and high beam indicator. Also got the heater converted to 12v. NYSI completed too.
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: MrMindless on August 19, 2019, 07:58:27 AM
this thing is COOL
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on September 02, 2019, 04:52:05 PM
Logging miles whenever I can. Ironing out little nuisance bugs. Always getting waves, thumbs-up, and the occasional salute.

So much fun.
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on November 07, 2019, 07:57:26 PM
Going under the knife this winter. Goal is to transform it into a solid and dependable 65mph mall crawler with 38-40" tires on a "budget". 78bhp/40mph is only fun for a short time.  ;)

Donor is a 2005 Silverado 2500HD 6.0L/4L80E/NP261/4.11-14bolt/Hydroboost. Keeping the '51 frame instead of doing the sheet metal swap.
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: smichaelR22 on November 11, 2019, 08:26:41 AM
o boy!
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on November 24, 2019, 10:11:53 PM
Parts culling nearly complete

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191125/e3458d8ba571e5a665c1aac9820debaa.jpg)
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on January 01, 2020, 07:01:49 PM
Engine cleaned up, new coils/plugs/wires installed, new Hooker manifolds installed for narrow frame clearance, block side engine mounts welded up

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200102/a9ba4c0d5732f332fe1ebcd5fe4040b0.jpg)
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on January 01, 2020, 07:06:10 PM
Pulled the rear axle

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200102/001ff69336bbb4cb26998a805f83de70.jpg)
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on January 01, 2020, 07:07:58 PM
Found a sheared center pin

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200102/8db68d844948ebbf49f3f5cc3ca87b0d.jpg)
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on January 01, 2020, 07:10:20 PM
...and back to roller status with 14 bolt

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200102/01e05042dd721121550f15e0366667c5.jpg)
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on January 03, 2020, 06:58:22 PM
Pulled into the shop and situated for maximum room

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200103/2095eebcc5a2369c308d37da27dced1e.jpg)

Dropped (literally) the NP200 t-case out

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200103/8169559a073980dcfbc7494c45cab3fb.jpg)

...and pulled the old flathead and NP420 out

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200104/d0843bc1c18edd8ef1b0b4f0d09b6f00.jpg)
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on February 11, 2020, 08:13:08 PM
Out of curiosity, I weighed each combo

230ci/NP420/NP200 = 905#

6.0L/4L80E/NP261 = 910#
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on February 11, 2020, 08:22:14 PM
Still puttering away...

After a few in/out battles, cutting away old mounts, cleaning up decades of grease and dirt, it found a happy spot.

Engine mounts done
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200212/5c302a683f0a095c3370d9234ebd794d.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200212/9857dfb280eb7fc98eb8454369627902.jpg)

Swung into place for the last time(?)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200212/6702b2238ca0617f4a72a7d2787af742.jpg)
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on February 19, 2020, 07:17:32 PM
Trans crossmember
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200220/e2db72b77fa529d160f86f00ae0c7653.jpg)
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on March 05, 2020, 08:40:31 PM
Exhaust

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200306/59622a5bd10cf01e94d7635cfe5cbd6c.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200306/2cd6edfea1b58569550002bc09f116d2.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200306/2bca0dca5456b8ff2916759b1f4621f5.jpg)
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: MrMindless on March 05, 2020, 10:01:18 PM
Nice!
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on May 29, 2020, 02:21:49 PM
Started up for the first time today! Motivating!
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: 18436572 on May 29, 2020, 04:27:46 PM
Nice!  Always a good feeling.  Can’t wait to see it!
Title: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on June 11, 2020, 05:57:35 PM
Out of the shop and back in action, needs trans cooler

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200611/48f2a2736811ecc09c707a39df8754e5.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200611/08fb5c07b0f3ef85b5784b499a937abf.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200611/22507ec60a2c8c39bdb73f850b23acf2.jpg)
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: MrMindless on June 12, 2020, 08:55:58 AM
Little nicer on the street now, I'd imagine?
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on June 12, 2020, 08:57:11 AM
Very much so!
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on September 25, 2020, 07:03:20 AM
800 miles and counting...
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on June 15, 2021, 06:43:52 PM
Working on some 17” wheels that will accept modern tires. Using outers from a Crown Vic p71 and centers from a Gamma Goat (20” split rims). A plasma torch sure makes some of this work easy…

Going to have the centers machined for tight fit against the drop center to hopefully keep runout to a minimum.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210615/1ffc0247ed02b025957c645d66263ded.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210615/c0a56243da061a738a085110f4be8d3c.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210615/67a558e0c100e3066b9252b3f778ed67.jpg)
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on October 01, 2021, 07:59:11 PM
New wheels turned out great and run truer than the old. 40" tires balanced with 16oz of airsoft BBs.

1800 miles and counting...

Been fighting an random and intermittent failure of the accel pedal. Replaced all of the modules and sensors and even tried a different ECU, with no improvement. Checked the grounds too. Finally figured out a way to test for failure and found part of the wiring loom in contact with the passenger side head. No more issues so far...
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: smichaelR22 on October 06, 2021, 11:24:28 AM
awesome!  glad to hear resolved!
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on October 27, 2022, 11:35:36 AM
Front axle coming…
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221027/f30902d6b30a8d8c708065b3e596c084.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221027/fd602d98522ba8e648298b14c18789fd.jpeg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221027/535031baab3245c8b97690e064f87373.jpeg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221027/b63c0ca70935a92eba43c470e8f0b60c.jpeg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221027/0cf0c2fa907f83c96bbfb5376dcaa1fa.jpeg)
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on May 10, 2023, 08:12:19 PM
Assembled with Torqmasters goodness and swung under the truck.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230511/8373cd644a8fe453be808fcc290c0c88.jpg)
Title: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on May 10, 2023, 08:13:22 PM
Manual steering ditched and crossover power steering figured out.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230511/65d72918a2914122320ab697ae57b164.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230511/f979c2affb2057a0f23256be3c19a078.jpg)
Title: Re: 1951 Dodge M37
Post by: Wingman on May 21, 2023, 10:15:24 AM
Rear 14b got its new gears too thanks to sMike!
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230521/d86bf193ed958aea71e28187119c061d.jpg)

test block /modules/smf/index.php?action=printpage;topic=3883.0