XM708 refurb

[JimC2]

The dump bed is compatible with a 6" wood height extension. I'm thinking two red oak 2x8s 6 feet long cut to 6" width.
Any thoughts?

 

[JimC2]

Dumb question - how do the sideboards mount?
It isn't obvious looking at the truck.

 

[G744]

Looks to me you have side risers with channels to accommodate the boards.

If not, maybe there are reinforcements in the bed sides that would accept stakes that could be fastened to the boards.

G744

 

[JimC2]

"Looks to me you have side risers with channels to accommodate the boards".

I don't. The side risers don't have channels.
I'm going to spot weld 4 six inch long 1.625x1.625x1.625 steel U-channels vertically at the front and rear corners of the risers to receive 6 foot long red oak 2x8s ripped to 6 inches as drop in sideboards.

 

[G744]

Sounds like a good plan.

 

[m1010plowboy]

Found another picture and it looks like the board is on the inside of the back post. There is not a lot of info out there but somebody somewhere would have put a TM together so they could later bark, 'Why didn't you read the TM"? If I come across more details I'll get them up here. This is a cool picture with Frank mentioning """" note from the Patton museum indicates XM708 only one of the series to have power brakes """

Looks like you might have power brakes!

https://www.steelsoldiers.com/threads/small-dump-truck-vietnam-era.164076/#post-1969659

Started peeling through the TM's over here but haven't found details yet. XM708 is not mentioned in the operators manual. There must be one out there.

TM's for the M37

Listed below are a number of the TM's for the M37 series trucks. To save them to your computer, right click, select "save as". TM 9-2320-212-20 TM 9-1840A (TO 19-75B-15) TM 9-2520-232-35 TB 9-2855-45 (TO 36Y17-5-1-7) TM 9-8031-2 M37 Power Train-Body-Frame.pdf TM...

www.steelsoldiers.com

 

[JimC2]

"Looks like you might have power brakes!"
Yeah, I noticed that back in 1972 when I got this truck. Brakes aren't great, but they are better than my 37.

 

[JimC2]

Well, I blew my intended schedule for this week, but yesterday I did get two sideboards of Apitong hardwood that is reputedly 13% harder and 26% stronger than oak (usually used for flatbed trailer floors). It is an attractive reddish brown color and a full 2-1/8" thick.
I'll give it a light sanding and a coat or two of clear polyurethane for protection.

 

[JimC2]

Ordered two more 1050x16 directional tires, tubes, and flaps today, for a total of four. Gotta get the rims bead blasted and painted.

 

[JimC2]

Looking forward to getting the new tires mounted. Narrow 9" tread width and 38" height.
And I'm starting to think about also refurbing my 37, starting with the same tires.

 

[JimC2]

Here's a preliminary image of the tailgate I'm going to build this fall. It still has several errors, but the most critical are the horizontal measurements between the inboard side of the 12ga upright braces at each end of the gate (marked Lt and Lb in red on the drawing). I've drawn the inboard side of these braces vertical, but I believe they are actually tapered on some tailgates (my dump bed is a Gar Wood).- some photos of the braces seem wider at the bottom than the top.
Could any of you guys who have access to a tailgate check those two dimensions for me?
Thanks,
Jim Cunningham
Cunningham Engineering Assoc
Collierville, TN 38017
Ph 901-268-9304