I Installed a NOS Cargo Box Canvas on my 1953 M37 Dodge.

[Carter]

Made in 1968 and was absolutely unused although some dust from storage where the wrapping paper was torn.









My friend George and I bolted the bows and ridgepole in place then heaved this heavy piece of 45 year old canvas on top. Laid along the center line of the truck from front to rear we just unfolded it and flopped down the sides and there it was, all ready to tie down. No swapping front to rear as it is stamped FRONT on the outside just above the cab so even GIs could not get it wrong.



Had some trouble getting the stiff canvas to form around the bow corners but we managed to get it to where it looked OK but will have to spend some time in the sun to allow the wrinkles to fall out.



I also have NOS end curtains which will be installed after the new top gets use to it's new home and contours.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

When I was a young soldier, those were our section attack vehicles. It was better than walking...

[Carter]

The maintenance BN. I was assigned to had mostly duces and a couple of M37s, my job allowed me to haul ammo once in a while in one of the unit's 3/4 tons like this one. I loved that time of my life, I built this one to resemble the one I drove back then in 1966.

[Peter Laidler]

Why the yellow light? Is it a compulsory thing for Military vehicles on US roads? Nice looking trucks. Are spare parts still available reasonably easily? We had some small Bedford 15cwt's similar to this that housed the radio section and water bowsers. Plus, later, some Morris and Austin 1 tons up until the mid 70's and all of a sudden they were all gone. I have my eye on a Daimler Dingo that a friend has had (non running - and he's not technical either.....) for 15 years. Getting him to make a decision to sell, cheap is taking as loing as he's owned the bxxxxy thing!

[browningautorifle]

Why the yellow light?

Same as yours Peter, this would have been for some special purpose vehicle...and our had hard tops on the cabs by the way. No canvas roof. Just the back.

[RCEMERalf]

Blew a head gasket near CFB Kingston ( 1970) on a Friday afternoon. We were on a driver training exercise from CFB Borden- many miles away. RCEME shop set us up with the tools and went home, or perhaps to the mess? My buddy and I completed the job and stormed off about as fast as it would go. Still one of my favorite trucks, though the GM 2 1/2 is high on the list as well.

[Carter]

The light you asked about is a convoy light, US Army convoys have a vehicle with kind of light at the front and rear of each column to warn other motorist of slow moving vehicles when traveling on US highways. I use this light when I'm plowing snow at night, I have this truck rigged so that I can attach the snow plow without modification to the truck. Most parts are available through surplus dealers and some hard to find ones are being reproduced. The US purchased over 100,000 and tons of spare parts were manufactured at that time.

Although this is not a night time shot it gives you an idea of what the truck looks like with the plow attached;

[Peter Laidler]

Really nice pic Carter. What a truly versatile truck.......

[Carter]

Kind of you to say so Peter, thank you Sir.

[Bob Womack]

That looks really great! Thanks for sharing the pics!

Bob