1951 Dodge M37 military truck T245 4x4 right out of Mash

Its 99% complete . The engine doesn't turn over but ran when it was parked . It sat in a barn for 15 years. It doesn't have a title. It a really cool piece. It is a great winter project. The whole underside is solid including the bed. The model # is T245

With the success of theWorld War IImilitary Dodges, t was only natural that the Army turned to Dodge for an updated design in the late 1940s when the M-seriesvehicleswere in their infancy.

These vehicles incorporated the lessons learned during the war, ncluding the key M-series design elements of 24-volt sealed, aterproof ignition, mproved weather protection, rganic deep water fording ability and standardized ancillary equipment.

A synchronized transmission replaced theWorld War II-eracrash box, nd a two-speed transfer case was used, llowing manual engagement of the front axle as well as an additional reduction range. The six-cylinder engine of the WC-series was lengthened and reinforced for the new trucks. Steel doors with roll-up glass windows were a major improvement.

The M37 had a slightly lower silhouette than theWorld War II vehicles, tactical benefit, nd also were narrower, definite improvement when operating off-road in wooded or rocky areas.

Production of pilot models for the new design was begun in the spring of 1950 and, n January 1951, ass-production began. The initial series production ended in January 1955.

The M37 tooling was placed in storage until February 1958, hen it was dusted off and slightly modified to incorporate minor changes to accommodate a new style transmission and relocated spare tire mounting. The first of these new vehicles, esignated M37B1, as completed in April of 1958. Except for 1960, he demands of the military, specially as the war in Vietnam escalated, ere such that M37B1s were built every year through 1968.

The M37 family was the last series-produced, edium weight, pecially-designed tactical truck purchased by the U.S. military until the advent of the HMMWV.