CDN M37 Restoration.

[AB Padre]

I am just finishing a restoration on a very nice CDN M 37 (52-40355). The truck has given up a lot of its history as it was in the process of being restored, and now that it is almost finished I have a few questions that I would like to put out to the MLU community for some help. The first challenge is with the free swinging (door mounted) spare tire mount. On the Ambulance and M 152 variant the spare tire mount is bolted to the door through a small piece of hat channel welded to the door. This allows the tire mount and the door to move at the same time. Without this the driver must roll down the window each time the door is closed in order to secure the spare tire mount. Not at all soldier friendly. Any information, or history on this (Canadian) modification would be very helpful. Next, is the welting for the front fenders. What I have is made of canvas with a rubber insert and, is bolted to the front fenders. I can not find anyone who still supplies this type of welting. The modern rubber replacement is not quite the same look. Does anyone have any suggestions or possible suppliers? Many thanks for your help. Looking forward to reading your replies.

[rob love]

You can have welting made up easily at any decent upholstery shop, or if you have a decent machine you can make it yourself. You need a welting foot for the machine, which will ride on the rubber cord portion so the stitching stays tight and near to the cord.
The one major problem with the old canvas welting is rust. The welt stays wet, and holds the salts and chemicals which your roadways are subject to. Perhaps this is why you see more of the rubber variety these days.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Glad to hear the three-quad is getting closer to roadworthy.

What are you using for tires? The originals haven't been made in 40 plus years.

[rob love]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

What are you using for tires? The originals haven't been made in 40 plus years.

Terry: They have never stopped making those tires. STA makes them, along with Firestone (by Coker tire) and Speedway tires. Denman did too, but they may be out of the picture now.

[AB Padre]

Terry and Rob, thank you both for the info. If I on!y knew when I was at 15 Wing that I would own two HMV's and have worked on a dozen more.......I might not have believed it. Pardon the pun. Tires are good, the cross country NDT seems to give good handling. The spare tire carrier is now fixed to the DVR door, thanks to an NS door that happened to have the small bracket that connects the two. Veh markings are next, and for that I am still looking to see if there is a decent picture of a 3/4 cargo with the Elgin's in 1952. I have been able to find a good photo of another 3/4 with a CAR only 6 away from mine. Thanks again for the help guys.......any and all advice graciously accepted.

[Dano McLaren]

AB Padre...St Thomas...Hi Mark

[Jes Andersen]

Sounds like a lot of good work. I'd love to see some pics of the project, as I currently have a couple of M37 CDN runners and a couple more sleeping. I like the original trucks and am trying to keep mine that way. Rust is my enemy here on the coast, so most parts trucks are not much good. I am still in my long standing search for an acme pto, in case anyone has a spare or rebuildable bits.
Jess

[Ewen B]

Keep up the good work!!! Once I am moved and get a shop my trucks will start to come to life. I figured out my 52 truck was a signals truck for the artillery, so I'll be restoring it as such in the original green. My 54 still remains a mystery but will keep it in the 1970 camouflage scheme with canvas and a C42 radio in the back. Nice to see others working on their 3/4 tons as well.