Converting M35 Troop Seats to M135

Nothing to it. Well, maybe a bit more.

The front headache rack is 8 inches narrower. The outside dimension on the posts shrink from 38 or so inches to 31.

The over all width is 8 inches narrower and the cab sits higher than the M35, meaning I put the shortened slats at the top rather than second down as done on the M35.

I had prowled eBay for wooden bows and side boards. Found them, cut 4 inches off each bow end and put the side boards in as delivered.

I had read here about adding four inches to the side boards height to make up for the narrow bed. But, using the height as shipped from the eBay source I need to cut about 2 inches off each side to make a M35 cargo cover fit.

I cut 8 inches off the inner three seat supports, leaving the end pieces at the normal length. I will post pics tomorrow. It would appear the three inner seat supports if cut off properly will fit in the notches provided for on the wheel well by GMC.

The beginning.

The beginning of the front rack construction

The side posts cut to length.

The new wood for the troop seats finished.

Cutting four inches off the top bows

Fitting the top. Note the gap between the top and side of the bed.

The side posts were 45 inches, top to bottom.

It looks like 2 inches less on both sides will do the trick.

Lookin good so far! You'd be surprised how many M135/M211s over the years have had the beds removed and replaced with M35 beds. Glad to see you're bringing it back to original specs!

Nice looking truck. Keep the pics coming .I have M211.Good trucks, they deserve to be preserved. Let me know what you need, maybe I can help. Whats all that green stuff on the trees? We just had almost a foot of snow here today.

We call that stuff premature Summer debris. It got up to 70 on Sunday. It will 105 soon enough. We enjoy Spring because we know that a lot worse is coming soon.

The sort of green stuff at the base of the tree is the hood. I still have a long way to go.

What size of boards did you use for the cargo/Troop seats? I have to replace the ones that are on my M135.