Posted by Photo Classified on Monday, July 19, 2004 at 7:03PM :
1953 Marine Corps M37
The truck runs really well. The engine, transmission, gears (low and 4x4) are good. As this is a Marine Corps truck, it has positraction and a lower gear range than the army equivalent. The winch is powered off the transmission and works well also.
There are no real rust problems, but the paint is too thick in places and some of the layers are uneven. There is some surface rust where the paint has flaked off, but no deep rust. The truck has been rewired for 12v negative ground and has an alternator (not generator anymore). It has after-market gas and alternator gauges. It has after-market rear lights, backup lights, turn signal lever, front turn signal lights and seat belts.
The brakes are rebuilt, drums turned, and it has a new rear differential (the old one just quit one day driving down the road. I still have the old chuck; I do not know if the new rear chuck has positraction). I have two troop carrier seats for the bed, the pioneer tool rack (no tools) for the rear tailgate, two extra wheels and tires. I added a choke cable and the truck starts right up with a bit of initial choke. The top speed is about 45 mph. All convoy plates are there (the yellow 53 plate on the grille). No fluids leak.
Problems - the front windows have some rust around the edges, one has a crack. One of the side windows has a crack also, but both crank up and down well. The canvas top has two tears. I think a fuse blew for the head lights - they worked well (high and low beams worked) until a few weeks ago. The rear tailgate hinge has some rust so it is hard to open/close. The emergency brake (friction on the transmission) does not lock in place, but if left in gear it will not roll.
The previous owner used it as a work truck on a local camp and he knew how to restore military trucks. He labeled it the "goose" and painted that on the bumper.
It was once used as a fire department "brush truck" and has a few places of red paint showing through on the floor board of the cab. The truck is near Chattanooga, Tennessee. I will lower the price $100 each week until it sells.
Bob Venable (home 706 657-2797)
email: bob_venable@bcbst.com
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