east_tn_81
Adventurer
This truck just gets better.
The CUCV Build-1986 M1031 Mobile Field Maintenance Assault Vehicle
- Thread starter PlethoraOfGuns
- Start date
PlethoraOfGuns
Adventurer
I've got far out ideas like putting leftovers in some Tupperware and just pulling over on side of road, popping it in the microwave, eat real quick and get back on the road. Can pull out tv dinners from the fridge if we get really lazy, haha.
Hmmm, I think we're gonna need a fridge in here too...
PlethoraOfGuns
Adventurer
Did a good amount of research on some of the fridges out there. While they work well and draw very little electricity, they all cost more than I paid for the whole truck!!! Been using bags of ice for years, and it does pretty good for the price...
brushogger
Explorer
I've got far out ideas like putting leftovers in some Tupperware and just pulling over on side of road, popping it in the microwave, eat real quick and get back on the road. Can pull out tv dinners from the fridge if we get really lazy, haha.
Hmmm, I think we're gonna need a fridge in here too...
This is what we use for quickie meals. http://www.raneystruckparts.com/roadpro-portable-stove/?gclid=CMLuxeW7zccCFQuQaQodVl4B9A
My wife makes up breakfast burritos or cuts up a breakfast quiche and wraps them in foil. We throw a couple in the trucker oven and head down the road. 15-20 min later they are steaming! Josh from Baertrax in Texas bakes biscuits in his. I caught min on sale at a truck stop for $25. We've used it at least 100 times and it still works great. Reaches over 300 degrees pretty dawgone quick.
PlethoraOfGuns
Adventurer
Well dang, ain't that fancy. Never knew something like that existed. Seems a tid bit easier than making a campfire and digging out the old dutch oven, just to make a few biscuits. I will definetly look into getting one of those, thanks for heads up!
PlethoraOfGuns
Adventurer
The generator setup runs like a champ now! Rewired a bunch of stuff and got the air compressor running.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mLVJyU4j-E
The original generator control equipment is mounted above the fire extinguisher. Well, it was a mess. It sort of worked, but every so often the engine rpm's would throttle down to idle during a load.
Well I started opening up control components and found this. The two resistors at top of board had fried. I could no longer read the ohm value on them and came up sort with some research for some sort of schematic for this old relic of a computer board. I could have maybe roamed a few military shows and with some miracle find a replacement board, but I just decided to upgrade to the 21st century.
With the help of a fellow member over on SteelSoldiers, we were able to have this little gem setup and programed for my application.
Ah, no more relays and 100 different wires. We've gone fully digital now! Generator now maintains a steady hertz and voltage.
While we're rewiring a few thing, we might as well rewire the whole truck, well, a good amount of it...
It all started with this old guy located on the firewall. It's a giant resistor to step down the voltage from 24vdc to 12vdc. All NATO vehicles, like this one, are setup for 24vdc. That way if say a vehicle or piece of equipment needs say, a jump, any NATO vehicle can be plugged into any other NATO vehicle via a slave cable. This resistor kicked the bucket and sent 24vdc to all my 12vdc glow plugs. As you can imagine, they didn't appreciate that. So at this point we decided to do an entire 12vdc conversion. Being an expedition vehicle, a good practice is to have a vehicle that uses common parts that are readily obtainable. Try going to the local auto store and getting a 24vdc starter or that resister thing.
Once that silly resistor was removed and bypassed, the starter had to be changed. The old 24vdc starter has the same demensions os the new 12vdc starter, so swapping that was was easy.
The only other major thing to do for the conversion was the charging system. The stock 24vdc system uses two 12vdc isolated ground alternators. Some simple rewiring and rebuild kit for each and bam, now we have one 12vdc alternator and another one as a spare. Hmmm, what to use that spare for...?
Hey, now we're 12vdc like everyone else! Lets use the slave cable port behind the brush guard and put alligator clamps on the slave cable and jump people!Or get myself jumped. Really need to find a solution to having dead batteries all the time...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mLVJyU4j-E
The original generator control equipment is mounted above the fire extinguisher. Well, it was a mess. It sort of worked, but every so often the engine rpm's would throttle down to idle during a load.
Well I started opening up control components and found this. The two resistors at top of board had fried. I could no longer read the ohm value on them and came up sort with some research for some sort of schematic for this old relic of a computer board. I could have maybe roamed a few military shows and with some miracle find a replacement board, but I just decided to upgrade to the 21st century.
With the help of a fellow member over on SteelSoldiers, we were able to have this little gem setup and programed for my application.
Ah, no more relays and 100 different wires. We've gone fully digital now! Generator now maintains a steady hertz and voltage.
While we're rewiring a few thing, we might as well rewire the whole truck, well, a good amount of it...
It all started with this old guy located on the firewall. It's a giant resistor to step down the voltage from 24vdc to 12vdc. All NATO vehicles, like this one, are setup for 24vdc. That way if say a vehicle or piece of equipment needs say, a jump, any NATO vehicle can be plugged into any other NATO vehicle via a slave cable. This resistor kicked the bucket and sent 24vdc to all my 12vdc glow plugs. As you can imagine, they didn't appreciate that. So at this point we decided to do an entire 12vdc conversion. Being an expedition vehicle, a good practice is to have a vehicle that uses common parts that are readily obtainable. Try going to the local auto store and getting a 24vdc starter or that resister thing.
Once that silly resistor was removed and bypassed, the starter had to be changed. The old 24vdc starter has the same demensions os the new 12vdc starter, so swapping that was was easy.
The only other major thing to do for the conversion was the charging system. The stock 24vdc system uses two 12vdc isolated ground alternators. Some simple rewiring and rebuild kit for each and bam, now we have one 12vdc alternator and another one as a spare. Hmmm, what to use that spare for...?
Hey, now we're 12vdc like everyone else! Lets use the slave cable port behind the brush guard and put alligator clamps on the slave cable and jump people!Or get myself jumped. Really need to find a solution to having dead batteries all the time...
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PlethoraOfGuns
Adventurer
Hmmm, yes. Use the second alternator to power some deep cycle batteries. Also wire in some solar panels on the roof into the aux alternator/deep cycles. That will help support the fridge and microwave...
Looking very good! I've got a m1009 we've been building along with a 416 trailer that's getting built too. These old rigs require lots of work and mods to get into shape but what fun they are!
Would hesitate to buy mine again. Again your truck looks great, might also consider the little solargizer solar panel that mounts on the hood and depending on model either pulses energy to the battery to prevent build up on the lead plates or actually trickle charges.
Not sure how your springs were, but I ended up swapping mine out as well and got a much better ride and a couple inches of reclaimed height.
Very sexy truck!
Would hesitate to buy mine again. Again your truck looks great, might also consider the little solargizer solar panel that mounts on the hood and depending on model either pulses energy to the battery to prevent build up on the lead plates or actually trickle charges.
Not sure how your springs were, but I ended up swapping mine out as well and got a much better ride and a couple inches of reclaimed height.
Very sexy truck!
PlethoraOfGuns
Adventurer
Patience! Don't worry, we have many more modifications to do before we take it on any multi-month expedition. So yes, stand by for more photos!
snekvasil
Adventurer
Can't wait! Love seeing this process. Fun build.
PlethoraOfGuns
Adventurer
Fun to work on these old trucks? I'll agree with you there. Lots of work, but in the end you get a good dependable rig setup just the way you want at a price you can afford. But...
...a lot of this ^ can turn into this ˇ real quick...
The solargizer is a great idea. Now that the truck is 12v, will have to find a 12v one. I know the 24v solargizers are popular with the old military vehicles that don't get driven all that often. And the truck rides nice and level, even with all that weight in the back. One thing we definetely don't want is for the ride height to be any higher. She gets down any trail she can physically fit down with little issues as is. Needlessly increasing ride height will make living out of vehicle that much harder. So no lift kits in the future. Gee, I've even pondered getting smaller sized tires! These 37's are heavy taking on and off the roof when we rotate the tires!
And sexy truck indeed. We were planning for groups of women to come flocking over to see the truck, but all we get is other dudes coming over to oooh and aaah about it.:Wow1: Maybe once there is heat, A/C, a fridge, and running hot water the women will give it a second look. Haha, we'll see.
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PlethoraOfGuns
Adventurer
You can't wait? I can't wait for you to post more about your 68' Chevy! Man, what a beautiful truck you got over there. It's nice to see others taking old "junkers" like our vehicles and bringing new life to them. My project is rust bucket. You got New Mexico gold, you lucky devil you...