Posted by Brian in Oregon on October 30, 1999 at 16:55:57:
In Reply to: M715 & M37 questions,.................> posted by Don on October 28, 1999 at 10:32:00:
In fact, some units hung onto their M37's and they outlasted the M715's. Some South American countries are still using M37's.
The M715 was a compromise that took a commercial truck and tried to beef it up to a heavier rating than it was designed for.
Congress is the real culprit behind this. they felt Dodge had a monopoly on 3/4 ton trucks since WWII and they decided to give someone else a chance. Dodge had this so-called monopoly for a damn good reason - their trucks did the job they were designed for and they were cost effective. NONE of the M37 replacements have either done the job they were designed for OR they were not cost effective.
This logic extends to us collectors as well. The M37 is STILL the most cost effective and suitable military vehicle a civilian can own. Yes, you can argue a Jeep is, but it cannot haul what an M37 can and I'll daresay ex-military folks will tell you that they got M37's stuck far less often than Jeeps. The availability of parts, both used and NOS, and parts vehicles, make the M37 an attractive vehicle from a budget standpoint, though I won't say parts are cheap.
I'd recommend going with an M37 and skipping the M715 UNLESS you can get a mint M715. Even then, my pref would be for the M37.