CUCV's

I've got an unhealthy interest in getting one lately. Kinda like just before I bought my P71. Somebody talk me out of them.

I've coveted a CUCV Blazer for years, so I may be the wrong guy here. However: rust in the usual places, 24V electrics, 3-speed automatics, and (how to put this kindly?) not the world's most prized Diesel. On the other hand, five minutes on eBay will get you a CD with more service info than you can possibly need, paid for with your tax dollars; and, after all, how many other vehicles come with blackout lamps and antenna mounts the size of dinner plates?

if I used one as a plow, what are the odds of that 6.2 starting in the cold?

belteshazzar wrote: if I used one as a plow, what are the odds of that 6.2 starting in the cold?

get a good block heater, heat it for 30 minutes or so before starting, and you'll be fine.

my thought is to run the detroit diesel till it blows or something expensive breaks, then just throw $1000 worth of sbc in & call it a day.

better yet, find one pre-broken!

Would make for a good tow vehicle also as the CUCV's have a 3/4-ton suspension vs the 1/2-ton K5 Blazer's have.

belteshazzar wrote: my thought is to run the detroit diesel till it blows or something expensive breaks, then just throw $1000 worth of sbc in & call it a day. better yet, find one pre-broken!

you used to be able to buy new 6.5's in military spares boxes, on ebay for about $500.

whoa. Wonder if that's still true.

I'm torn. I wonder if the blazers' 3.08's would be enough to tow with, but the pickups' 4.56's seem like too much.

If you end up with one plese be sure to change out the locks, every one of the military ones use the same key and there are LOTS of those keys floating around. If fack I have one on my key ring right now.

Always liked these rigs, even though I have no need for one. When some asks which is better, Blazer or Bronco, I point to one of these....

My friend's dad has one (pickup truck version). He got it at auction for next to nothing and it has been a great truck. He doesnt go long distances or drive fast, so the deep gears and lack of overdrive are a non-issue.

When he got it, I removed the 24V dual alternator setup and starter and installed an alternator and starter setup from a civilian truck. Still starts just as well and eliminated the complexity and special parts of the dual alternator setup. I also installed a manual glow plug controller and a set of new glow plugs and a fuel filter.

He runs straight waste vegetable oil in it, kerosene, waste drain oil, basically anything he can get that is oily, and it runs great on it! The 6.2 is a great little motor as long as you are not expecting it to perform like a Cummins.

In reply to belteshazzar:

I drove one at Ft Drum regularly with no problems.

...& I still have a key

The 6.2 is a dog, but it sure is reliable. My WVO 6.2 'burban was a lot easier to work with than my WVO 6.5 turbo 'burban, cheaper too. Of course, a 6.2 'burban can barely get out of it's own way while a 6.5 turbo could actually pull a loaded trailer, so they have their tradeoffs. IMO, the best of the two is the mechanical injection 6.5 turbo as was sold in '92-93 trucks...that's what the military has used for many, many rigs as it's got reasonable power, is very reliable, and will run on just about any garbage you put into the fuel tank.

They start fine in the cold if you've got a properly working glow plug system, healthy batteries, and healthy starter. If any of those aren't good, it'll put up a fight. Block/battery heaters definitely help.

As mentioned, a carb'd SBC swap is super duper easy. Question is...if you ditch the diesel, why not just start out with a civilian version in the first place? Also, if you want to tow, why not get a Suburban with some wheelbase to it? Towing with a K5 at highway speed sucks, not enough wheelbase. They are super maneuverable when you're hooking up the trailer, that's about the only saving grace of a K5 and trailering.

Bryce

Best thing about the CUCV is the axles.

Kingpin Dana 60 front on the 1-ton trucks (not on the K5's). (The front axle is worth about $500 - 700 by itself). Rear 14-bolt isn't quite as valuable, but is essentially unbreakable.

I believe these were 4.56 ratio if I remember correctly.

Nashco wrote: . IMO, the best of the two is the mechanical injection 6.5 turbo as was sold in '92-93 trucks...that's what the military has used for many, many rigs as it's got reasonable power, is very reliable, and will run on just about any garbage you put into the fuel tank.

For reference, the military hasn't used a ton of turbo engines. The new Mrap's are turbo but the military hummer is non turbo and just went electronic injection 2-8 years ago.

The military boys are always behind on the times.

If I'm not mistaken, TONS of US military vehicles (outside of the MRAP) use turbos. The ASV's and FMTV's come to my mind.... I focus on the suspension, but I'm pretty sure I saw snails.

Nathan

njansenv wrote: If I'm not mistaken, TONS of US military vehicles (outside of the MRAP) use turbos. The ASV's and FMTV's come to my mind.... I focus on the suspension, but I'm pretty sure I saw snails. Nathan

Sorry.. I forgot to clarify.. I meant the GM powered ones. I know they've started to accept them, but there was a loooooong time when they wouldn't touch them. Hence, all hummers are nonturbo.

There was a K10 model full size Blazer that was a 3/4 ton- not nearly as plentiful as the 1/2 ton. If these are full time 4 wd, should plow pretty well.

I used to have a 79 Blazer with the 350 and full time 4wd. It had a little lift and 33" tire for a nice overdrive (stock ?? gears). It towed many Mastercraft boats (19 to 21 footers) with no problems and a friend's Dad towed a 24' enclosed trailer with a spec renault in it. I have no idea how he stopped the enclosed trailer as there was no brake controller...

supposedly I missed one for sale locally that went for $1000.

my friend who's into the old 4x4's was like "oh, I didn't know you wanted one."

Bahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

So, you want a vehicle that is too worn out for the military to use?

Man, I though I was the one who would buy anything

Shawn

Typically they are not worn out, just overstock. The one my friend's dad bought had like 10k miles at the airport in its whole life. Lots of short trips, but seats, door pins, suspension and axles, etc were like new.

not to mention, less rusty than the norm.

hhmmm, surplus goodness

Hmm..

May have to go shopping south of the border.

Our military in Canada is a bit different. It's not overstock, it's "stuff that's so old, we're scared to use it".

If our military doesn't want it anymore, you can be sure no-one else wants it either.

Shawn

Trans_Maro wrote: If our military doesn't want it anymore, you can be sure no-one else wants it either.

Our military (or the ones in charge of it) seem to have no interest as to whether something makes sense financially, so no reason to drive a E36 M3ty one.