What’s It Like To Drive a 70 Year Old Military Truck? 1953 Dodge M37 Back On The Road!

On today’s episode, I remember to actually drive the M37. Well, ok, in my defense it didn’t have brakes before.

[@musclecarmitch908]

I've always loved them trucks! Thanks for sharing!

[@chrisloomis1489]

Love the REAL. This is real.

[@Ross046]

There's two of those down the road from me. I've lusted for years. The perfect firewood truck.

[@victorcarreras2499]

First time I drove one in the army back in1972

[@jusportel]

I drive mine every day, and have for almost 5 years. 100% stock, with the exception being the Michelin XZL radial tires.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That’s awesome!! I can hardly stand to drive my first series Power Wagon down the street.

[@rustyshackleford6092]

Mind if I talk to you about that experience? I am considering buying an M37 and would like to learn more about the real world, day-to-day viability of actually using it. I don't want a museum piece.

[@wiggyjones]

In the late 1970s, I used to daily my 46 Willys CJ2A. It was pretty much dead stock except it was painted orange and had a 12 volt battery. I threw a connecting rod through the side of the block trying to do 65mph. I drove it home like that. It was still running on 3 cylinders when I found a local shop teacher who had a Go Devil buried in his backyard. He winched it out, hosed it off, and stuck it in my Jeep. My parents sold it when I went to Marine boot camp. Miss that Jeep. And Master Blaster does indeed run Bartertown. He's not a raggedy man.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Damn. That’s amazing. Bummer it left like that. I have had three real Jeeps so far - one DJ3A converted to 4x4 (but then taken apart and left that way, including under my ownership,) and two funny fenders. None ever ran. I would really like to have one I could actually drive some day… lofty goal, I know.

[@tomaszm715]

Maybe is slow , hard and uncomfortable but anyway is awesome truck . In the summer we are driving a lot with our M37 . Nice video 👍

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Absolutely. I still have the ‘48 Power Wagon, which is even slower and less comfortable… but I love it. Very cool.

[@tomaszm715]

@@DeadDodgeGarage 💪🇺🇸

[@2LaneTraveler]

I had a friend who bought a Dodge ambulance of similar vintage. I remember it because I used my old 1982 Chevrolet Suburban with the 6.2 diesel engine (that I added a Banks turbocharger to) to tow it back to his home. That was how I learned about Chevrolet's wimpy automatic transmission choice for the 6.2 diesel. We got home safe, but I wound up in limp mode the next day.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Everything around the 6.2 was dinky. They put them in half tons!

[@Driewer]

m43 ambulance

[@barrysmith4746]

At least you remembered your hat!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

So everyone will know that I am a Snap On enthusiast!

[@drade1820]

Did you upload this at a better resolution or is it just that the sun is shinning for once?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

4k baby! I got a GoPro and decided to crank up the quality on my phone as well. The good news is, it takes four times as long to export and upload. It also fills my phone much, much faster

[@79asspin]

Where the hell does a guy get a Thermoquad T-shirt? 😆

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

From David Freiburger’s online shop! That is, if they’re still in production. It’s the best. There have actually been days when I had to work on a Thermoquad, so I made sure to wear it to appear officious.

[@p38kris]

Should buy the m37 for a tow rig hehe, cool truck for sure

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

It’ll tow whatever needs towed!

[@Driewer]

Very underpowered

[@scottprato7800]

You really, really need to add that truck to your collection, and once again I apologize for scrapping the International

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Just a little disappointing. Oh well. Very much considered buying M37 but, well, Charger

[@scottprato7800]

@@DeadDodgeGarage Oh, come on. You know you have room for just one more.

[@dannyskaggs6587]

And I have a 1973 Datsun 240Z

[@JohnDoe-do5me]

So do you know about the M37. I have one and I rode it awhile back and now it don’t getting firer

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I know quite a bit. Are you getting spark? You may need to clean points with a file or sandpaper. The other problem I’ve had is with distributor caps and rotors after sitting for years. You could also have a fuel problem of course. Spark is the first thing to check.

[@dannyskaggs6587]

Will you sell that military truck

[@o0RageCore0o]

16k? Was that a joke?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Turns out it was 😅

[@dannyskaggs6587]

I got a 1934 Ford roadster I might trade you for your truck

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Sounds like you’ve got all the cool stuff. Unfortunately the M37 isn’t mine.

[@jcasoriousa]

16k man Im better off finding a ww2 willys jeeo

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I didn’t set the asking price, the owner did. It was more than optimistic. It eventually dropped to $8500, and then was traded for a stepside Dodge pickup worth around $6500-7000.

[@matthewb8229]

You lied! You said you were going to "refrain from testing or tuning this thing". Sir, you tested the tailgate. What other sorts of lies and distortions of the truth are you hiding?!!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Haaahaha. Ok, for context, the river spot there is what I like to refer to as the “Wishkah River Test and Tune Facility” which, as I’m sure you could guess, means the somewhat secluded bit of road where I do burnouts… the M37 doesn’t know what a burnout is 🤣