Bigpower

So I sold this M274A4 for a rather nice profit - I actually sold this for more than I did the GTR !!!!



And bought this unseen (emily said, 'ahh you sold the mule, let's spend the money on a bathroom, opps I bought a truck was my response) - bear with the wording in the updates, they are a cut and paste from the M37 forum

1952 Dodge M37 G741 Powerwagen.







Drives fine, gearbox smooth, brakes perfectly but probably could do with some new bushes as it wanders a bit.
Definitely needs freehubs (ordered some today). And really do need to strip down windscreens and fix why
it is 'chirping', annoying squeak from drivers side frame.

Jobs completed :
Grease nipples replaced where needed to allow full service.
New tie rod ends.
New Freehubs painted and fitted.
Radiator removed due to leaks, fixed and refitted.
Indicators fitted - use the 7 wire signal stat and the indicator covers from midwestmilitary for front and M151 indicators for the rear.
Replaced battery connectors and fitted power isolator to save me having to lift seat every time.
Hand Throttle cable re-replaced.
New speedo fitted BUT cable then snapped 0.4 miles into my journey so next job.
Repair rust on both front wings.

Little video I made on a recent journey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXDsOm0 ... e=youtu.be
(Note squeaky window - anyone had to repair? - it appears to be coming from the top of the drivers pane. I guess replacing all of the window rubbers and hinge will fix it... job for later)

So as mentioned, need to rub down and repaint a couple of areas, steam cleaning removed lots of old paint underneath so currently have a white front underside with some blue from it's previous US Airforce life.




Oh and now for some odd reason my passenger window doesn't open, so need to strip that down shortly, but that said, loving my truck. Oh and to add, I filled her up to the brim only to find a hole in the filler pipe at the top but luckily found a spare pipe for it in my 'spares' box .. guess previous owner had planned to fix that !! .. but all good now

So, slowly working through the truck - fixed Horn, Oil Presure Gauge, working to resolve creaking windscreen with new hinge and throughly cleaned channel.
I have also been prepping and painting in my new colour - it is a mix that a couple of us in the UK have been using - it takes time to go off but will look right when fully hardened and then covered in dust

So, what began as a simple painting out the unit markings turned into a hell, I will repaint the whole truck

No pics of windscreen work, they will follow soon. I will do all 4 road wheels next (the one I did was my spare), then the hard decision is to spray or handpaint, I am really impressed how nice hand painting looks, it would make it slower but then I can work on a panel at a time. My truck's finish is a combination of sprayed and handpainting so it doesn't really make much odds.

I have discovered by the area's that weren't painted previously that my truck has been Blue, then Yellow, then Blue, then Green, then OD - but as i am working on it a section at a time I can clean and prep and paint those hard to reach areas. I know no one can see it, but I will know

I also need to replace the speedo cable, the fuel sender, the water temp gauge, the drivers seat base .... you know the story, there is always something to want to tidy up. Just remembered window rubbers and cab rubbers also. I have also started painting Cab components.

I find it very relaxing sanding, undercoating and painting then seeing the dried results the next morning.

Eating the Elephant one nibble at a time

Spare wheel complete, very happy with that



New windscreen hinge fitted along with new seal - note gaps, these correspond with the U shaped gap, just felt it was tidier. This is to cure the terrible chirping I suffer from the drivers window. Also cleaned down and repainted window frame, windscreen frame and all of the window controls. Will repeat process on passenger window once new hinge ordered.



Front end started - not a great photo, only remembered to take once I had put 'full metal trucky' (the name my 3 year daughter gave the M37) to bed - basically bumper, mounts, grills all sanded, cleaned and painted. As you can see my garage is a bit tight - so I have to pick my moments around the weather to work on the truck. I have resigned myself to the fact that I am painting it one panel at a time to reduce exposure.



Finally painted the tool rack - obviously made by the lowest bidder!, the finish is awful, my OCD may result in me taking the angle grinder to it - I can assure you the lumps and bumps are not from my painting!

As I have no outside cover i have to snatch the time I have - so I am focusing on a panel at a time, litterally reverse out of garage, sand and prep a panel, clean, paint, wait to dry - drive back into garage.

Before



After - sanded down old paint (missed one area which I will redo, hand painted as I prefer the finish)





Bonnet will require some minor filling so cleaning down ready.

Really happy with how it is turning out

Also been working on cab components




And my new stencils ready for when paint complete



New fuel pump ordered, receive new fuel level sender, ordered some douglas and packard connectors so I can tidy
up existing wiring.

Going to add one further layer of paint, once hardened look to add Star and TP to side. I have new reflectors ready



Rear and stencils done



Front bumper and stencils done





Found rust on the front inner edge of each of the wheels that is quite bad so now sourcing new wheels (Think it will be quicker / cheaper than repairing current ones.



As we speak, run out of paint so cannot continue, got passenger side to prep and paint along with bonnet. Plus jerry can holder is painted ready to refit along with new straps etc.



The section that is painted is only a holding coat as i went to fix a patch of bare metal only for ALL of the paint to basically come off

Couple of short vids from weekend - I attended a 'Wheels and Wings' show, will post photos later

Start up
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyXiBjQ4Doc

Short drive
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_4u1EGCsqk

Attended a nice little 'Wings and Wheels' show here in the UK, truck was enjoyed by many



I know I have connected the rear bows incorrectly - only so they were out of the way for painting the sides.

So, Weekly update











Only scuttle and rear quarter in need of first coat of new colour. Pic is showing paint wet, it dries very nice and uniform. I will apply another layer of paint one evening this week then leave it for a few weeks before adding the stars back.
For interest, I used a single can for the bonnet, wing, front quarter and door.