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A fellow down the street has been buying lots of CUCV's from GSA and selling them in the $3000-3950.00 range. Blazer and pickup style. These are diesels, what engine? I am not familiar with these trucks other than they look like stock Chevys painted OD.. Worth considering getting one to fix up as a daily driver or stay away? Opinions please

Not sure-maybe the 6.2 diesel? I know they are getting more popular due to the ease of covering long distances, and the abundance of parts. We were getting them to replace the M880's and they seemed ok....
Gary

I bought a CUCV service truck last spring for about $3,500.00. I do like it once the glow plugs and everything is just right.
Go to the Steel Soldiers site and do your homework if you are getting serious.
It depends what you want to do with one. If you want to run up and down the road, watch the gear ratios as most pickup models are geared low. Maybe 60 mph and the engine sounds like it is going to explode.
For good hiway speeds, I believe that the Blazer models were geared higher.

GOOD MORNING,
I HAVE OWNED BOTH MILITARY BLAZER AND CURRENTLY THE 84 CHEV ONE TON PICK-UP. 6.2 DIESEL, TURBO 400 TRANS. THE BLAZER IS BETTER ON THE HWY. BUT THE PICK-UP CAN RELLY HOLD ITS OWN ON HAULING STUFF. THE REAR IS GEARED REAL LOW AND AS STATED ABOVE AT 60MPH IT DOES SOUND LIKE AN EXPLOSION READY TO HAPPEN. I SOLD THE BLAZER, AWHILE BACK, IT WAS TOO BARE BONES FOR MY EVERYDAY DRIVER. BUT DID GET AN HONEST 26MPG, HWY. THE BLAZER WENT DOWN TO PURTO RICO WHERE IT IS STILL RUNNING STRONG. I SEE A COUPLE OF PICK-UPS ON GSA NOW AND CONSIDERING BUYING ANOTHER FOR MY BUSINESS. GREAT TRUCKS
BOB

CUCV trucks were converted GM units:

5/4 ton rating, GM6.2L Diesel, TH400, Dana 60 Front, Corporate 14 bolt rear with Detroit Locker, 4.56 gears. Transfer cases were usually production units, I've read that they came with either NP208, NP203, or the NP205. I'm leaning towards the NP203 as they were the full time 4wd. case.

CUCV SUV Jimmys or Blazers - 6.2L diesel as well, Th400 and usually one of the above tcases. Diffs would have stock, either Corporate 10 bolts at each end, or possibly a 10 bolt front with a 12 bolt rear. Half ton rated, or so, and basically a coverted civillian vehicle.

I would choose the truck, toss in an overdrive trans, and Gale Banks trubo upgrade to the Diesel and see how it goes...

The advice to look on SS is probably the best.
From what I've read, one of the bigger headaches is that they are 24v but the glow plugs are 12v. The stock military set up seems to use a large resistor which is prone to failure, thus toasting the glowplugs. It sounds like there is an easy work around, just tap the glow plug circuit off a 12v point but you'd need specifics. (Instrument cluster is also 12v AFAICT)

lets see 6.2 liter "J code" motor
TH400 transmission
Model 208 transfer in the M1008, M1008A1, M1009,M1010,M1028, M1028A3
Model 205 W/PTO provision transfer in the M1028A1,M1028A2, M1031
M1008 = 5/4 ton cargo
M1008A1= 5/4 ton cargo w/ commo kit
M1009 = 3/4 ton utility (Blazer)
M1010 = 5/4 ton ambulance
M1028, M1028A1= 5/4 ton commo shelter carrier
M1031 = chassis cab
M1028A2, M1028A3 = 1 ton (duel wheel) commo shelter carrier
M1008 - M1028A3 use standard 8 lug, full floating axles
M1009 uses 6 lug axles with a "gov lock" rear end note these are heavier axles than used in the commercial 1/2 ton blazer
The M1028 A2 & A3 were converted M1028A1 to duel wheel the only difference between the A2 and A3 is the transfer case installed (205 vs 208)
The trucks were built with 24V to operate auxillary radio equipment and to make them "slave start" compatable with the rest of the military fleet, the basic truck is still 12V, and the only 24V component is the starter, it is easily converted back to a 12V configuration, the M1009 has the highest gear ratio the cargo trucks etc the lower ratio, these things weren't built for speed!

M1009 had 3.08 axle gears and would do in excess of 120 MPH - some guardsmen got in trouble for doing so!

CD

I occationally drive an M1009 (Blazer) at work and it keeps up with high way traffic just fine. It is a bare bones truck with no radio, AC or sound deadening material to speak of. On the plus side, it is a real truck that you can actually use and clean out with a garden hose.
Matt

Wanted to add something to my post above but not use the "edit." The following is only my opinion and should be taken as such .

I would consider owning a CUCV but only as a "user" truck and not as a restoration project. Maybe its all those bad experiences I had with civilian Chevys from that time period, I don't know.

For me, the CUCV fits into a similar catagory as all of those old 70s/80s 4X4s that are almost worn out but you buy them anyway to use for trail riding and what not. When they finally die, it's off to the slavage yard with them.

I'm not saying that all those CUCVs are crap, far from it but they lack the styling features and charm of the strictly tactical vehicles. They are also more difficult to work on when compared to said vehicles.

If you really want one, buy it for the right reasons but, do your research first. As previously mentioned, steelsoldiers is a good source for info and seems (to me) to be the site dedicated to (late) M series MVs and the people who love them. Another site that may be of help is www.g503.com that is a pretty large site as well with many forums.
Good Luck!!
Matt

As my opinion goes, its just one of many.

I would absolutley look into a CUCV vehicle (mostly the trucks) to build as a multi purpose vehicle.

They are usually cheap to purchase, and most have led a pretty easy life of service and regular maintenance, (as opposed to Jim-bobs beater down the road). These trucks already have the stoutest running gear available for a 4x4 (no junkyard scrounging required - usually). Being based on a GM platform means that all the aftermarket support is there as well.

Granted, its not going to be a stylish rig with the character or flair of an M37 or M715 - but its also not as expensive to build one, or maintain one. Plus Chevy and Dodge trucks of this era are not overly complicated vehicles. There are no crazy electronic dodads or ultra-rare parts. These are the last of the "simple" truck breed.

Thanks for the input guys. I never would have suspected a gearing difference between the Blazer and pickup versions

HingsingM37 wrote: I never would have suspected a gearing difference between the Blazer and pickup versions

It makes sense if you think about it. The Blazer version is primarily a "people mover" while the pickup version is a "cargo mover." Since people are much more impatient than cargo, the Blazer version is geared more toward speed.

Guess you could think of the M1009 (blazer) as the modern equivelant to the old Dodge WC56 command car... Speaking of M1009s I was in (driving) my "issued" one today . Now if I could only convince them to let me take the M36A2 out...Or the peacekeeper

Matt