The Mighty Military Dodge M37

Editor’s Note: This Dodge M37 article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Spring 2023 Issue.

Photography by Richard Villacres

Old trucks are special. They exude character, strength, and personality; they appeal to our nostalgia; and they are living, breathing, handmade machines which often require skill to drive and maintain. Nothing beats the smell of leather, canvas, engine oil, and dust, your imagination stirred by the intriguing patina of old, smooth paint. If loved, they can last a lifetime. Many classic truck and 4WD enthusiasts are enamored by the Land Rover Series vehicles, and the Dodge M37 is an analogous vehicle in many ways. Both served as war horses and found a niche between and during military conflicts as agricultural vehicles, with government agencies, and as civilian workhorses or recreational vehicles.

Many lessons were learned during and after the Great War. In the short decades before the Second World War, industrialized nations abandoned the old guard and invested in steel, rubber, oil, and the internal combustion engine. Blitzkrieg was almost entirely mechanized, as the descendants of the earlier war horses were relegated to the supply chain. The German invasion of Poland proved (as if any battleground proof was needed) that the bravest horse-borne cavalry stood no fighting chance against a mechanized cavalry and armed forces. The Americans did not show up to the fight with a horse.

Undoubtedly, the United States turned the tide in both global wars. Much of that success can be attributed to technological advances and sheer industrial might (and the brave service of those in the armed forces). The dogged Willys Jeep brought essential mobility to the Allied forces of WWII while providing excellent off-road performance. The Jeep, however, suffered one significant disadvantage: its diminutive size and associated payload limitations. The Dodge WC-series 4WD trucks, or “Beeps,” offered what the plucky Jeep could not and were primarily used in WWII as high-mobility multipurpose vehicles. These trucks saw service as weapon carriers, ambulances, mobile emergency and field workshop trucks, and radio command cars. This era saw the birth of the Power Wagon moniker, which would continue in one variation or another until 1980, revived in 2005 as a Dodge Ram 2500.

The US military commissioned a redesign of the veteran WC light-duty trucks shortly after WWII as the Cold War simmered, particularly on the Korean Peninsula. In total, six prototypes of the vehicle were produced in the early 1950s, with the pre-production M37 pilot vehicle reaching the end of the assembly line on December 14, 1950,

Many of the components of the M37 were similar or identical to the WWII WC-series vehicle. Most deficiencies of the previous series were corrected, modernizing the vehicle incrementally while making it easier to use and drive. A conventional pickup-truck-style bed replaced the platform of the WWII-era vehicle.

The M37 truck was powered by a 78-horsepower, long-stroke, Chrysler straight-6-cylinder engine derived from a widely produced 1930s-era passenger vehicle in line with a time-honored military procurement strategy that sought to use commercially produced vehicle variants in military service. A 4-speed manual transmission was fitted along with a robust New Process (NP) 2-speed transfer case and heavy-duty axles. The result was a relatively basic vehicle that was strong, reliable, and simple—exactly what the military needed. With generous ground clearance and low gearing, the M37 proved more than capable in difficult terrain and towing hefty payloads. Full production of the M37 began in January 1951, with close to 11,000 vehicles manufactured by the end of that year. By the mid-50s, 63,000 vehicles had been produced. In 1958, a number of modifications to the design resulted in the new vehicles being designated as M37B1. From mid-1958 until the end of production, 47,600 M37B1 vehicles were built (up north, approximately 4,500 Canadian M37 CDNs were manufactured between 1951 and 1955). The military assigned a different designation to each version of the M37 truck; command vehicles were known as the M42, V41 for telephone maintenance, M152 for enclosed utility truck, R2 for field fire service, and finally, M43 for the ambulance.

Due to the long-cylinder stroke of the engine, deficiencies with the aging Chrysler engine design became apparent in the 1960s, including a tendency of the connecting rods to fail at high rpm. With the average speed of military vehicles increasing over the years, the M37 engine failures became commonplace due to the low gear ratio of the vehicle. The truck was originally designed as a multipurpose vehicle capable of transporting heavy loads of ammunition at generally low speeds. Young GIs tend to have a heavy right foot.

Despite engine improvements made by the Hercules Company, demands of an ever-faster fleet continued to expose the engine’s 1930’s origins. The old M37s were playing catch up and simply could not.

We find the M152 enclosed utility truck and the M43 ambulance particularly appealing as overland vehicles as they are built ready for purpose. An internet search reveals that a running vehicle can still be sourced with restored specimens commanding high prices; an unrestored, rust-free truck in running condition may be difficult to find and will also bring a premium price. Anyone who would enjoy driving such a vehicle would no doubt appreciate the challenge of repair or restoration. It is the opportunity to restore a great vehicle that brings many as much pleasure as actually using a vehicle. A project vehicle may initially be quite affordable, depending on the overall condition.

So, what is it like to live and travel with one of these vehicles? Richard Villacres drives a Canadian-built 1954 Dodge M152. It was originally a command truck in the Canadian Armed Forces. Four years ago, he replaced the under-powered stock engine with a Chevrolet 350 and an SM465 transmission. The NP200 transfer case was rebuilt and modified with an auxiliary fan-driven oil cooler for highway driving. The utility box section of the truck was converted into a relatively comfortable camper, and Richard uses the vehicle daily to explore the USA and Baja California, Mexico.

 

Top: Villacres’ 1954 Dodge M152, affectionately known as “Megusta,” was originally a command truck in the Canadian Armed Forces. Bottom: The interior of Villacres’ M152 has been mildly updated for modern use.

Of course, the work never really ends on these older vehicles, but once you get them running well, it is only a matter of time before most gremlins are eliminated, at least temporarily. According to Richard, the vehicle itself was manufactured of high-quality materials, and the build quality is outstanding. The design is simple and easily modified, and the vehicle is as tough as old boots and easily repaired in the field. The cherry on the cake? It’s fun to drive and is a real head-turner, conversation starter, and icebreaker. Being nearly 70 years old, the M152 has held up incredibly well and proven to be reliable since the mechanical overhaul. That said, the vehicle is heavy, not at all fuel efficient, and lacks power steering or brakes. Naturally, it requires more love and attention than a modern vehicle.

While the M37 (and variants) is a desirable vehicle, they are now long in the tooth and relatively rare. More common is the Kaiser Jeep M715, based on the civilian Jeep Gladiator (SJ), designed in 1965 to replace the Dodge M37.

The Kaiser-Jeep M715 was, unfortunately, considered underpowered and fragile compared to the purpose-built Dodge M37 tactical trucks they were built to replace. And don’t get us started on the Hummer. They just don’t make them like they used to.

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