The Dumpster is my '65 Dodge M37. It has been packed full of the leftover parts I had lying around (hence the name Dumpster), but this month it is all new stuff. No matter how hard you try, it's almost impossible to build a capable 4x4 without having to buy something, and little stuff like wiring and cooling systems can add up quickly. This month I sent my business to a few companies that have been in the business for a while ( Be Cool, Summit Racing Equipment, and Truck-Lite) and was rewarded with topnotch service. Under the hood of my M37 is a GM 6.0L V-8. With such healthy power, this engine needs to be kept cool. I had never worked with Be Cool before but had heard of the company for years, and when I called asking about a radiator I was pleased by the topnotch service. Be Cool's technicians worked with me to figure out exactly how much radiator I needed and, more importantly, which off-the-shelf unit would fit.Under the hood of my M37 is a GM 6.0L V-8. With such healthy power, this engine needs to b One other thing about project vehicles: They don't always go according to plan. When it was time to finish up this truck I had to call in some favors from some good friends. Leah, Brian, Brian, Jeff, and Harry were willing to come lend a hand when I needed it most, and for that I'm indebted to them. Thanks a lot, everyone! A cross-flow radiator is often the best setup, but a down-flow aluminum one would fit better in my truck since the space is taller than it is wide. This 3-inch dual-row unit is designed for a Ford Mustang (adding to the montage of make/model parts in this truck) and measures 26 inches wide by 20 inches tall. Since I didn't need an integrated transmission cooler, steering cooler, oil cooler, or electric fans, it made for a much easier install, but Be Cool can deal with all those needs if your truck has them.A cross-flow radiator is often the best setup, but a down-flow aluminum one would fit bett The mounting flanges on the radiator lined up perfectly with the grille, so I added some angle iron and made a simple support bracket. The factory clutch fan is far enough away from the radiator that I never have to worry about them meeting under crazy body flex and twist. And though I plan to make a fan shroud, the bit of testing I've done so far has shown that the engine never passes 200 degrees on the trail or in street cruising.The mounting flanges on the radiator lined up perfectly with the grille, so I added some a The LS-series engine (mine is actually an LQ4) has a small steam port that needs to be plumbed (arrow) to the radiator. This helps reduce hotspots by eliminating air bubbles. I had forgotten about this; otherwise I would have had a fitting added to the radiator. The crew at Pacific Fab stepped in and tapped the upper tank and added the fitting for me. The Be Cool tanks are made of thick aluminum and are fully welded (no glue like some cheaper alternatives), and as such, the fitting had a solid base to attach to.The LS-series engine (mine is actually an LQ4) has a small steam port that needs to be plu Wiring a project truck isn't hard, but it takes time and concentration. I had the supplies sent in from Summit, and I called up my good friend Brian Errea to do the wiring. You can tell by my face I'd been running low on sleep, so it was good to have qualified hands running the wires.Wiring a project truck isn't hard, but it takes time and concentration. I had the supplies Pacific Fabrication was helping me with this buildup and came to the rescue with this killer billet dash panel to hold the Classic Instruments gauges. These gauges look awesome in this old war machine, and the dash panel seals the deal. Considering that it can be removed for ease of wiring, it is both good-looking and functional.Pacific Fabrication was helping me with this buildup and came to the rescue with this kill Along with Brian was my pal Harry. As he was passing by, I wrangled him in to help with the wiring and odds and ends. For example, that water can behind him now has a hinged door on the back and can be used to store tools, recovery gear, or just about anything other than water.Along with Brian was my pal Harry. As he was passing by, I wrangled him in to help with th With less than two weeks to go before we headed to Moab, it was all hands on deck. One person would be under the dash wiring the Summit light switches, while another was under the truck plumbing brake lines.With less than two weeks to go before we headed to Moab, it was all hands on deck. One per Pulling the correct wire through the firewall and to each light was the job of my other amigo Brian Summner. Luckily the Summit harness prints where each wire is to go along the length of the wires, making work easier than impossible.Pulling the correct wire through the firewall and to each light was the job of my other am The headlights and turn signals are all from Truck-Lite and are all LEDs. The headlights dropped into the old headlight housings, while the turn signals are awesome military versions that run on either 12 or 24 volts.The headlights and turn signals are all from Truck-Lite and are all LEDs. The headlights d The rear LED taillights are also from Truck-Lite, and they make old mil-spec lighting look like it's from the Middle Ages. Be sure to source the correct LED flasher for these and the front lights. Mounting these lights was simple with the built-in threaded holes, but finding a spot safe from rock rash was difficult.The rear LED taillights are also from Truck-Lite, and they make old mil-spec lighting look Though it looks like an old truck, Brian wired up the Summit floor dimmer switch, the Truck-Lite column turn signal switch, and a plethora of dash-mounted switches to make it safe and sound for today's highways.Though it looks like an old truck, Brian wired up the Summit floor dimmer switch, the Truc Wiring the engine was the easiest step of the whole process. Everything in the Pacific Fabrication wiring harness is clearly marked and plug-and-play. This is one of the easiest engines we've ever made run. The computer can be mounted anywhere because it's sealed against the elements, but we stuffed it under the dash safe and sound (and out of sight) next to the glovebox.Wiring the engine was the easiest step of the whole process. Everything in the Pacific Fab With most of the wiring done, we hooked up an Optima battery for reliable starting power. The battery box was sourced from 4Wheelers Supply, while the wiring, master fuse, and remote shut-off switch are all from Kodiak Industries. Kodiak offers a full line of wiring supplies and onboard welders and can outfit everything from your simple project to a full-blown mil-spec mobile powerplant.With most of the wiring done, we hooked up an Optima battery for reliable starting power. When we plumbed the radiator we had a hard time finding hoses that would fit, so we sourced some of those flexy hoses. They're not the best option, but we sanded off the chrome finish and bent them into place for now. Then we filled the radiator with some Be Cool 300,000-mile coolant. This stuff is compatible with any color coolant and is biodegradable, both important on a trail truck.When we plumbed the radiator we had a hard time finding hoses that would fit, so we source I'm out of space, so next time I'll show you more of our final upgrades, such as this Chevy S-10 Blazer fuel tank from LMC Truck that practically fell into the Dumpster.I'm out of space, so next time I'll show you more of our final upgrades, such as this Chev SOURCES Summit Racing Equipment PO Box 909 Akron OH 44398 800-230-3030 330-630-0240 www.summitracing.com Classic Instruments 1299 M-75 South P.O. Box 411 Boyne City MI 49712 800-575-0461 www.classicinstruments.com Be Cool 310 Woodside Avenue Essexville MI 48732 800-691-2667 www.becool.com Kodiac Industries Gilroy CA 95020 408-591-1029 www.kodiacinc.com Pacific Fabrication 235 Tennant Ave. Unit 2 Morgan Hill CA 95037 408-250-1772 www.pacificfab.net Truck-Lite 310 E. Elmwood Ave Falconer NY 14733 800-562-5012 www.truck-lite.com Optima Batteries 17500 E. 22nd Ave. Aurora CO 80011 303-340-7400 4 Wheelers Supply & Off Road Center 3530 E. Washington Phoenix AZ 85034 800-606-6421 www.4wheelers.com LMC Truck 15450 W. 108th Street Lenexa KS 66219 800-562-8782 www.lmctruck.com By Fred Williams Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
