Military CUCV's

[HKTackDriver]

Hey guys, I'm looking for someone to give me some info on the Chevy CUCV vehicles that are often seen in surplus auctions. I'm looking for a truck to play around in, but I'd like to keep something that is comfortable at highway speeds (at least 75mph so as to not get killed) and would be equally happy on a trail or towing a small trailer. Ideally, I'd retrofit an A/C down the road. Specifically, I've heard the M1008, 1009, 1025 are good vehicles, but there are different differentials, gearing, etc. What is generally the best for what I'm looking to do? If there is a non military vehicle (diesel) that would have a shorter wheelbase for off roading, i'm open to suggestions as well. Budget is around $4000 so the wife doesn't go apeshit.

[oldsoldier]

Just my observation from riding in these in the military...getting them to 75 may be difficult...most have been well used. They are surprisingly comfy inside though. I have no idea what they have in the back for a rear diff, but, with $4k to spend, I am pretty sure you will get a decent one. The engines are built like tanks (no pun intended), and last forever.

[BigBossMan]

I have an M1009 and it will do 75mph no problem. I wouldn't go much higher though. The gears in the M1008 won't get you past 55mph without redlining the engine. You'll have to swap our the gears if you want to do highway speeds.

You won't be able to tow a lot with the M1009. A small trailer and no more than a 1000lbs. If you're going to put A/C in any of them, you will have to convert them from 24v to 12v.

The absolute best resource on any ex-military vehicle is steelsoldiers.com. The information on there is invaluable.

[Blacksmith]

When I drove them in Germany in the late 80s we would go 85 on the autobahn just about everywhere in them. The First Sergeant flipped his shit when I got caught on one of the speed cameras going 140 km/h in a 100 km/h zone. So yeah they will do it but these things are tired and have been put through their paces a bit.

[DRoCk]

The truck is the better offroader, at least gear wise. They have Dana 60s in the front and 14 bolt rears. They also have a lower gear ratio.

The Blazer has lighter axles and higher gears and will do better on the highway. Its going to depend on what you want to do with them the majority of the time but I'd want the Blazer for a semi-DD used vehicle and the truck for a play toy. Neither has great power from the non-turbo motor.

If you buy one on auction, make sure you look it over really well, they've been selling these for years as surplus and it seems they are either really nice (expensive) or are completely junk (and cheap). With the economy like it is, you may be able to find someones civi vehicle that fits your needs for the same or better price. Plus, you can test drive a private sale vehicle, you can only do so much "inspection" on the gov. auctions.

[Hoppy]

from my understanding the CUCV program failed to live up to even its ancillary duties hopes. they simply couldn't take the beatings. il account this to typical government employee driving as seen in cop cars and DPW trucks, but that just means surplus is surplus, buyer beware.

[BigBossMan]

from my understanding the CUCV program failed to live up to even its ancillary duties hopes. they simply couldn't take the beatings. il account this to typical government employee driving as seen in cop cars and DPW trucks, but that just means surplus is surplus, buyer beware.

The 6.2 diesel is a solid engine. The biggest issues with the CUCVs are electrical gremlins, the shitty Wellman glowplugs and rust. You will have to put some work into it, but in return you will get a solid, no frills vehicle

[HKTackDriver]

And that's basically what I'm looking to get out of it. If I can do some wheeling and pull a military trailer with a load of mulch or whatnot, then great. Its not a DD, it's more of a toy. I could probably get a civilian model, but it would not have the "cool" factor. ANd yeah, sometimes the cool factor is worth it!

[Hoppy]

from my understanding the CUCV program failed to live up to even its ancillary duties hopes. they simply couldn't take the beatings. il account this to typical government employee driving as seen in cop cars and DPW trucks, but that just means surplus is surplus, buyer beware.

The 6.2 diesel is a solid engine. The biggest issues with the CUCVs are electrical gremlins, the shitty Wellman glowplugs and rust. You will have to put some work into it, but in return you will get a solid, no frills vehicle

not doubting the vehicles abilities from new. just a warning that surplus is surplus and should be individually evaluated. much like firearms

some are new in wrap, some have tank treads in the stock. i know the local NG CUCVs were good condition. but they saw little use compared to say an active duty truck at a major base.

[BigBossMan]

from my understanding the CUCV program failed to live up to even its ancillary duties hopes. they simply couldn't take the beatings. il account this to typical government employee driving as seen in cop cars and DPW trucks, but that just means surplus is surplus, buyer beware.

The 6.2 diesel is a solid engine. The biggest issues with the CUCVs are electrical gremlins, the shitty Wellman glowplugs and rust. You will have to put some work into it, but in return you will get a solid, no frills vehicle

not doubting the vehicles abilities from new. just a warning that surplus is surplus and should be individually evaluated. much like firearms

some are new in wrap, some have tank treads in the stock. i know the local NG CUCVs were good condition. but they saw little use compared to say an active duty truck at a major base.

Mine came with just a hair under 38k. The glow plug card was burned out and the glow plugs were shot. I bypassed the card with a manual switch and put in new glow plugs and it fires right up. Rust is my enemy now. Nothing too bad. Rocker panels and some on the tailgate.

[ZombieSoldier01]

me personally i would LOOOOVE to buy one and put a 12 valve 6bt and an allison transmission in one, and pump up the juice on the 6bt. that would be some nice fuel milage, and copious amounts of power and torque. more then you would ever need in one of them SOB's

[ZombieSoldier01]

check it out...

http://www.dieselbombers.com/diesel-eng ... -swap.html

[Tater Raider]

...surplus is surplus and should be individually evaluated. much like firearms

Hoppy is wise.

And that's basically what I'm looking to get out of it. If I can do some wheeling and pull a military trailer with a load of mulch or whatnot, then great. Its not a DD, it's more of a toy. I could probably get a civilian model, but it would not have the "cool" factor. ANd yeah, sometimes the cool factor is worth it!

I totally agree with that.

Since this is what you have your heart set on and I can find no valid reason to say don't do it, go for it. Just be careful of the ones that aren't worth anything being sold alongside the diamonds in the rough.

[HKTackDriver]

Thanks for the advice guys. But as far as the models go, is there anything out there that has what I'm looking for? I only listed the M1008,1009, 1025 as a guideline, but if you know of something else with that "it" factor, please let me know.

I'm also looking to get something out of Nellis. I figured the desert may have saved a bit of rust at the very least. Plus, I can take a trip to Vegas at the same time! Double win!

[Jax Rhapsody]

It factor:

[ZombieSoldier01]

ummm ok... what does that have to do with the topic of the OP and wanting to purchase a CUCV? I could post up a picture of a Liger but it does nothing for the topic.

on a side note if you have to opportunity to physically get a chance to look at them, go over them with a fine tooth comb, also try to look uder the dash at the wiring, as i know a lot of Army mechanics that are hacks....

[Regulator]

Question

ummm ok... what does that have to do with the topic of the OP and wanting to purchase a CUCV? I could post up a picture of a Liger but it does nothing for the topic.

Answer

Thanks for the advice guys. But as far as the models go, is there anything out there that has what I'm looking for? I only listed the M1008,1009, 1025 as a guideline, but if you know of something else with that "it" factor, please let me know.

Do Ligers have the "it factor"?

[ZombieSoldier01]

Question

ummm ok... what does that have to do with the topic of the OP and wanting to purchase a CUCV? I could post up a picture of a Liger but it does nothing for the topic.

Answer

Thanks for the advice guys. But as far as the models go, is there anything out there that has what I'm looking for? I only listed the M1008,1009, 1025 as a guideline, but if you know of something else with that "it" factor, please let me know.

Do Ligers have the "it factor"?

read the quote below that si bolded

Hey guys, I'm looking for someone to give me some info on the Chevy CUCV vehicles that are often seen in surplus auctions. I'm looking for a truck to play around in, but I'd like to keep something that is comfortable at highway speeds (at least 75mph so as to not get killed) and would be equally happy on a trail or towing a small trailer. Ideally, I'd retrofit an A/C down the road. Specifically, I've heard the M1008, 1009, 1025 are good vehicles, but there are different differentials, gearing, etc. What is generally the best for what I'm looking to do? If there is a non military vehicle (diesel) that would have a shorter wheelbase for off roading, i'm open to suggestions as well. Budget is around $4000 so the wife doesn't go apeshit.

[jamoni]

BAck on topic, please, both of you.
On topic, we had several in my unit, and the biggest factor was that they couldn't go where the HMMWVs and 5 tons could go. We used the contact truck variants, don't remember the model #s. They had a lot of gear on them, a lot of weight, and would bog down in any muddy or sandy situation. The blazer ones fared better, but still couldn't keep up off road. Ruts and mud that wouldn't slow down the .MIL trucks would be show stoppers for the CUCVs.
In other words, they are about as capable as the average 4x4 truck, no more, no less.
If you find a decent deal on one, and are willing to keep up on the rust problem, it should be okay for what you want.

[HKTackDriver]

BAck on topic, please, both of you.
On topic, we had several in my unit, and the biggest factor was that they couldn't go where the HMMWVs and 5 tons could go. We used the contact truck variants, don't remember the model #s. They had a lot of gear on them, a lot of weight, and would bog down in any muddy or sandy situation. The blazer ones fared better, but still couldn't keep up off road. Ruts and mud that wouldn't slow down the .MIL trucks would be show stoppers for the CUCVs.
In other words, they are about as capable as the average 4x4 truck, no more, no less.
If you find a decent deal on one, and are willing to keep up on the rust problem, it should be okay for what you want.

Hmmm, that's a bit disappointing. It's a toy, but it's my only off road toy if I get one. I don't know if you have experience with Jeeps, but does it have the capabilities of a newer Wrangler? I'd like to get something with history, but I don't want a pavement queen. If it can't get dirty and get me home, I may have to reconsider. Maybe Unimog! I'd love an M35A3, but the only place I can put it is on the top of my hill, in the elements with whiny neighbors nearby or in my backyard on the veggie garden. Oh yeah, my wife already nixed that idea too.

As to Jax's suggestions, yes, they're awesome! But my neighbors suspicions about me would be concerned if I drove home in a half track!

[jamoni]

The ones we had weren't as capable as a Wrangler, but like I said, they had a lot of weight on them.

[ZombieSoldier01]

just because it doesnt have the capabilities in stock form doesnt meab you cant upgrade. they have very very solid running gear that can take some abuse

[Tater Raider]

just because it doesnt have the capabilities in stock form doesnt meab you cant upgrade. they have very very solid running gear that can take some abuse

Likewise you can upgrade the Wrangler to make it more capable - not pickin' a fight, just sayin'.

Still, check out the It's Not What You Drive but How You Drive It thread. The driver has a lot more to say about where a vehicle can and cannot go than the vehicle does, and even a Wrangler can get stuck if some moron who doesn't know what he's doing is driving it. I know this because, at one time anyways, I was that moron and have pics in these very forums here to prove it.

Look at what's important to you, look at the different vehicles out there that will do what you consider important, and research the tar outta them. After you throw in purchase price, insurance, maintenance, repairs, modifications, and blood, sweat, and tears it becomes a huge investment, even if you are buying a $250 beater vehicle. After the research, get something that makes you grin while doing everything that you need it to do - and that means compromises must be made.

I personally wouldn't go the MILSURP route for good reasons but I envy some folk on here with their multifuel deuce-and-a-half's and Chevy K trucks. Not my cup-of-tea but I can't help but drool.