Most of us have a dream garage, or at least a master wish list of vehicles we’d like to own. Two of mine would be a Kaiser Jeep M715 and another military truck like this 1962 Dodge M37. There’s something about these 3/4-ton 4×4 trucks that get to me, and that from a guy who openly rides his tiny motorcycles around. Variety is the spice of life, as they say. The seller has this one posted here on craigslist between Danville and San Ramon, California and they’re asking $8,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to T.J. for the tip!
It looks like the tires are upsized a bit from the usual 9.00 x 16 non-directional military tires but they look cool. I can feel my knuckles leaving piles of skin from the heavy-duty metal on this truck every time I worked on it or maybe every time I drove it. The seller doesn’t mention whether a top is included so I’m assuming not, but that should be a relatively easy thing for a good upholstery shop to make.
This is as close as we get to seeing anything in the rear of this Dodge M37, sadly, and the only shot showing inside the bed in the back. That’s pretty disappointing, but the seller has provided a lot of other photos in their listing. The M37 was made beginning in 1951 for the Korean War and this example was used in Vietnam, according to the seller. They were made up until 1968, which is amazing when you think about what else was available in 1968.
This truck has had some work underneath, the seller says the “axles have been replaced with 4 wheel disc brake ones”, the original 24-volt system is intact, and the Bradley Braden winch on the front operates as it should. The interior is as rugged as you’d expect and that should be a New Process four-speed manual with synchros in third and fourth gear, along with a New Process two-lever high-low transfer case. Expect a top speed of around 45 to 50 mph.
The engine is a Chrysler 230-cu.in. L-head inline-six with 78 horsepower. The seller doesn’t say how it runs but the photos show it out and about so it must be in operating condition. Have any of you owned a Dodge M37? Even better, what’s on your master vehicle wish list?
Love to have this and put this cab and body on a 78 Dodge diesel frame
It’s a Braden winch. I owned an M-43, the ambulance version of this truck. It is a handful. Changing a tire is a workout- I needed help to get the spare off of the swing out carrier over the driver’s door. It is really slow and really not appropriate for major roads- it is a “tactical” vehicle, designed primarily for cross country travel. But, they are fun off road. There is an annual Power Wagon convention in Fairfield, IA and a lot of these show up. There are some good videos of the trucks in attendance. Surplus or reproduction canvas tops are available- check out “Steel Soldiers “.
Thanks, John!
A “Bradley” winch didn’t sound familiar but that’s what the seller listed and I couldn’t really see a good photo of it. The ambulance version is pretty unique with the spare tire mounted on that swing-out bracket (as you mentioned) over the driver’s door. They look like it would be a slow and very rugged ride, but for some reason, I can’t get them out of my mind. Thanks for the Fairfield, Iowa info, too.
To be clear, the seller never says it was actually used in Vietnam, but just a “Vietnam era” truck. I doubt many that were in Vietnam survived, and I believe was still a practice of dumping war machinery overboard at sea on the way home. I never saw a red military truck, and more than likely was military surplus, painted red. It’s a beast, Jethro Bodine would have a hard time with it, but you could drop it out of an airplane with no damage, just don’t jump start your neighbors Toyota with 24V, ka-boom. Without question, the toughest trucks ever made, right here.
I rode to work everyday in the back of one of these M37B1s in Vietnam, in 1967-68.
Lots of these went to volunteer fire departments for use as brush truck or to Sheriffs Departments for search and rescue. I would love to drop a Cummins 12 valve with a NV4500 behind it and maybe power steering. Cool trucks I drove a couple when I was a Deputy Sheriff. They give you a good workout…
Great toy. Top speed? What ratio do the newer axles have? Thanks for the article and comments.
I have owned and restored 3 M37s good little trucks the flathead 6 is a time tested engine and very durable. The governor on these limit the engine to around 3000 RPM and the gear ratio should be 489 which was stock. The seller said axles replaced not the ring and pinion so if they are untouched it should be 489. I usually drove mine between 45 to possibly 50 MPH. Easy to work on and parts a very available.
I owned a 1954 version with an ambulance body. It’s a lot of money to go ANYWHERE slow! I used wonder about the wounded that rode in mine. I treated it with respect.
I was the duty driver for the airfield I was stationed at in Germany in 1972. My first ride was one of these M37‘s. I really liked it. They replaced it with one of those Jeep 5/4’s. I didn’t like that so much.