DODGE M37 (G-741)

The Dodge M37 3⁄4-ton 4X4 truck (G741) was Dodge's follow-up to their successful WC Series from World War II. Introduced in 1951, it was used extensively by the United States armed forces during the Korean war. In the 1970s, they were replaced by the Commercial Off The Shelf based 1+1⁄4-ton trucks Kaiser M715 (late 1960s), and Dodge's M880/890 series (1970s).

Many of the components on the M37 are similar or identical to the World War II vehicle and many deficiencies of the previous series were corrected in the M37.

Production of the M37 began in earnest in January 1951, with approximately 11,000 vehicles made by the end of that year. By mid-1954 63,000 of the 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 produced. Approximately 4,500 Canadian M37CDNs were also produced between 1951 and 1955. These vehicles continued in service worldwide in the Israeli and Greek militaries.

In total, between 1951 and 1968, some 115,000 Dodge M37s were produced. From 1968 onwards, the U.S. military replaced them with the M-715 family of vehicles, which saw service in the Vietnam War. 

• Model: T245 Dodge
• Type: "L" Head, 6 cylinder
• Power: 78 bhp (58.2 kW) at 3200 rpm
• Displacement: 230 cubic inches (3.8 L) (Canadian version used the larger 250.6 cu in (4.1 L) engine)
• Bore: 3+1⁄4 in (82.6 mm), Stroke: 4+5⁄8 in (117 mm)
• Oil capacity: 6 U.S. quarts (5.7 L)
• Radiator capacity: 25 U.S. quarts (24 L)
• Carter carburetor Model ETW-1 downdraft

Clutch

• Borg & Beck Model 11828 10 in (250 mm) single plate dry disc (Borg & Beck 11 inch clutch on Canadian version.)

Transmission

• New Process Model 88950 (or NP420)(Acme Model T-98 on Canadian version)
• 4-speed, Synchro-Shift in 3rd and 4th gear

Transfer Case

• New Process 88845 (or NP200)
• Ratio: High 1:1, low 1.96:1
• Twin lever operation, one for 4×4 or 4×2 selection, one for hi or low range

Axles

• Dodge Full Floating (hypoid), ratio 5.83:1
• Front Universal Drive New Process (Tracta joint)

Chassis[edit]

Fuel tank

• 24 U.S. gallons (91 L; 20 imp gal) tank (vented through engine air intake for fording purposes)

Electrical

• Ignition, starting, lights, 24 volts

Brakes

• Wagner hydraulic drum
• Parking—external contracting band, 48 square inches (310 cm²)

Steering

• Gemmer Model B-60, worm and sector type

Wheelbase

• Cargo Model M37 and Command Model M42: 112 in (2.8 m)
• Ambulance Model M43 and Tele. Maint. Model V41: 126 in (3.2 m)

Weight

• M37 without winch: 5,687 lb (2,580 kg), M37 with winch 5,987 lb (2,716 kg)

Tire Size

• 9.00 × 16 - 8 ply non-directional military

Winch

• Braden LU-4, PTO operated, 7,500 lb (3,400 kg) capacity (250’ of 7/16" wire rope [75 m by 11 mm] – 10’ [3 m] chain with hook)