Old Style Transmission in B1???

[jordankjcm]

I finally got around to pulling out the engine in my M37B1 (1963) and much to my surprise, I discovered that although it has the proper engine (T -245A) it has an early style transmission! Is this common? Why in the world would they put an old transmission into a B1 when they did the depot rebuild?

 

[Bill W]

I had a newer (NP420) in my 1954 M-37, there really wasn't much difference between the old (NP400) and the newer NP 420 both had syncro'd 3rd & 4th gears with only a slight gear ratio difference between them ( final drive gears were the same 1.1 )
Picture 1 is early M-37 tranny description. Pic 2 is the B1 (NP 420 ) Click the pic a second time to enlarge photo even more

 

[Mike_L]

My guess would be that the early tranny was pulled from a vehicle for repair/overhaul at some point, put back in the supply system as serviceable after being repaired, reissued at some point later on which turned out to be your truck. That is usually how stuff gets swapped around in the military on these things. As long as the item is supported, it is repaired and reissued as needed.

 

[nattieleather]

I agree with Mike. To the guy doing the work a transmission is a transmission and he probably didn't even know there was a difference between early and late style etc. Just put it in and make it go.

 

[jordankjcm]

Thanks guys! I didn't know the "old" style had a different ratio, however slight. When I was in the Army, I was always wanted to get the job done and get out of there (have a few beers), so it comes as no surprise the Motor pool guys probably felt the same way!