Collective thoughts on CUCV m 1008 as daily driver?

[ramble_on]

Hello all,

I wanted to see if I could pick your brains for a minute and get your thoughts on driving a mid 80's surplus cucv. To be quite frank about it, I don't have much money. I want a truck, something that I can use and one that will be reliable for a while. For their age, most of these trucks have pretty low mileage and had regular maintenance done to them while being used by the military. I know that these trucks have a reputation of being loud and slow and I am ok with that since my current my commute to work is only 11 miles. That shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Does anybody have any real world experience with these trucks in a civilian setting?

I know you can put a taller tire on the truck to increase the highway cruising speed since they have 4.56 gears.

I guess I have started to ramble a bit.

Thanks for all your thoughts in advance.

 

[JohnnyS]

Do it!!
Put a set of BFG 295 ATs on it and a Detroit in the back and you're good to go.

 

[matt s]

Those are beefy rigs. Usually with the 6.2 diesel as well. Good mpg, utilitarian and cool.

There was one here recently with under 20,000 miles on it.

 

[bftank]

if i were going to purchase one for a commutervehicle, it would be an m1009 blazer. diesel half ton 3.08 gears with a th400 tranny in it. a 700r4 could easily be swapped behind it, or row your own with a swapped in nv4500. both are od tranny's.

either one is a fun choice. i believe the m1008 comes with a detroit in the rear.

this is an m1010 (ambulance i believe) that a guy converted to a regular pickup bed in sweden. cheap and bullet proof.

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=256348

 

[DT75FLH]

Do it!!
Put a set of BFG 295 ATs on it and a Detroit in the back and you're good to go.

the pick ups all had the detroit....some models came with a LS up front also..


dont forget most of these trucks had regular maint.....and a 18 yo driving it with a top speed of 55 mph foot to the floor due to gearing..(i was one back in 87)


for a DD I would look at the blazers...1/2 ton running gear but with the 3.08 gears you could get 20mpg...and take off the rear top in the summer (and there cool)


If you look, there are some civvy versions....I just sold my 86 suburban k2500 4x4...same eng/tranny as the military but it had A/C....with the lift on it I sold it for $2400. it was a good running truck just a lil slow due to no turbo.

 

[Bella PSD]

This one is local to me. About 80 miles away. Its a 1976 Dodge 4X4 military ambulance with 27,000 miles.

http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/1674038530.html
$2995, or Make an offer

 

[BloodCarver]

my DD

This is my Daily Driver and my CUCV a M1008 1986 Chevy K30(4x4 5/4 ton cap) with a 6.2L diesel. When I got it only had 39,000miles original. I love it!
I have both the troop seats and racks on now. I just got my folding cargo bows, now all I need is a cargo cover. LOL. I plan to get a M101A2 3/4 ton cargo trailer(dump/utility) with the same sized tires as my truck. It will be out fitted as an expedition trailer, leaving me the versatility of the truck bed.

 

[cocco78]

The thing about the CUCV's is they were usually beat to crap and after the goverment says they are not worth fixing they are offered to all other levels of government and even foriegn armies... And eventually whats left end up at a govermenment auction, basically the worst of the bunch(this is mainly just true with the cucv's). Even though they got regular maintenance and kept in good shape once they were decided to get rid of them they were left to rot and got moved around with forklifts and parts got salvaged off them... Your going to spend more on a surplus CUCV than the civy version when its all said and done. Your going to have to put money into fixing it up most of the time. I would look at buying a CUCV from a private party, usually most of the bugs are worked out by then and its so much less of a hassle buying a truck that already has a title. Also the 1.25 ton truck likes going slow, with the gears that 6.2L wont live long doing 60 mph on on regular basis, its a low reving engine that likes to work hard but not rev all day. But throw a little lift on it and some surplus 36 or 37" hummer tires and its pretty happy at highway speeds.

I actually just picked up a M101A3 cargo trailer to go with my Jeep, I'm running 1 ton 8 lug axles and 37" tires on the Jeep and the m101a3 is a perfect match for the Jeep.

 

[poriggity]

I would LOVE to have a CUCV blazer for DD duties and expo work.... I say do it. The 6.2 isn't a powerhouse, by any means, BUT, it's reliable.

 

[chilliwak]

Sounds like a great idea! Post some pics so we can see that rig!:wings:

 

[gmcpimpin]

If your going to get a M1008, just get a M1028. Same truck but with a NP205, Trutrac LSD front D60.

 

[BIGdaddy]

Hello all,

I wanted to see if I could pick your brains for a minute and get your thoughts on driving a mid 80's surplus cucv. To be quite frank about it, I don't have much money. I want a truck, something that I can use and one that will be reliable for a while. For their age, most of these trucks have pretty low mileage and had regular maintenance done to them while being used by the military. I know that these trucks have a reputation of being loud and slow and I am ok with that since my current my commute to work is only 11 miles. That shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Does anybody have any real world experience with these trucks in a civilian setting?

I know you can put a taller tire on the truck to increase the highway cruising speed since they have 4.56 gears.

I guess I have started to ramble a bit.

Thanks for all your thoughts in advance.

This is the guy to talk to: http://www.100dollarman.com/

He's got a pretty good inventory most of the time. I've talked to him personally (super nice and mellow guy) and he has a real good rep over on Pirate4x4, where most of his sales are hummer rims/tires and of course, his bobbed duece. (That's a pretty good credential, cuz as we know, they turn into cannibals when they smell a rat over there. You'd know it if he were a shady dude. )
cool beans.

-Brian

P.S. I too, love the idea of a diesel blazer. I had an 89 gasser and other than not being reliable, it was a very comfortable truck.

 

[Terrainist]

To give everyone a heads up, the original post was made over six months ago. You know, sometimes you think you are talking to somebody... and you aren't.

 

[goin camping]

To give everyone a heads up, the original post was made over six months ago. You know, sometimes you think you are talking to somebody... and you aren't.

The OP's post is just an excuse for us to talk about cheap military surplus trucks. :sombrero:

I was passing through the Lucerne Valley area and stopped in at $100 dollar man. It was a close thing. I almost left with a 5/4 ton ambulance. His price was good and the truck was nice.

 

[poriggity]

HAHAHA.. Good call.. I didn't notice. It is a good thread though... I am SERIOUSLY considering a CUCV blazer or truck for my next rig.