Newbie needs help/info

[ricklovin93]

How's it going guys, the names Rick, I don't own a military vehicle, yet, I'm really wanting a m1009/1008 preferably the m1008. I know a little bit about them but have questions. Where do I get parts I've read and it seems most of you choose napa for engine related parts, but what about suspension parts? Are they the same as the civi models? Also what's a reasonable price for a decent truck? And does anybody know places to buy them up here in new York?
Thanks, Rick

 

[Warthog]

95% of the truck will be comprable to the civvy version. Many store are not stocking parts for 25+ year old vehicles. They have to order them from the warehouse. Only so much shelf space in the stores.

Reasonable is open to debate. I have seen the prices jump in the last year. Many are in the $5-$6K range now.

However a fellow member bought a M1008 for $800 the other day. He stole it.

 

[ricklovin93]

Also is there any troubles in getting them registered and on the road?

 

[LanceRobson]

Rick, how are you thinking of registering it? In NY you can register it Historic if you don't use it commercially and have another vehicle. The rules here are pretty lenient. A regular registration is easy, too.

I get my commercial CUCV parts from the local Parts Plus outlet who hasn't let me down yet. The truck has a few parts different from civilian trucks but aside from the 24 volt stuff and the wiring changes 98% of it is straight stock.

You are smack between two chapters of the NY-PENN military vehicle collectors club. The Hudson-Mohawk chapter is east of you and the Easy Company chapter is west of you. E Co is having a meeting this Sunday at 1PM outside Liverpool. PM me if you want contact info.

A lot of the local MV folks will be at the New Jersey Motor Transport Association swap meet in Augusta, NJ this weekend. If you can get free I think you would enjoy it.

MTA* Spring Swap Meet

Lance

 

[ricklovin93]

Rick, how are you thinking of registering it? In NY you can register it Historic if you don't use it commercially and have another vehicle. The rules here are pretty lenient. A regular registration is easy, too.

I get my commercial CUCV parts from the local Parts Plus outlet who hasn't let me down yet. The truck has a few parts different from civilian trucks but aside from the 24 volt stuff and the wiring changes 98% of it is straight stock.

You are smack between two chapters of the NY-PENN military vehicle collectors club. The Hudson-Mohawk chapter is east of you and the Easy Company chapter is west of you. E Co is having a meeting this Sunday at 1PM outside Liverpool. PM me if you want contact info.

A lot of the local MV folks will be at the New Jersey Motor Transport Association swap meet in Augusta, NJ this weekend. If you can get free I think you would enjoy it.

MTA* Spring Swap Meet

Lance

It's gonna be my dd I only drive about 200 miles a week and it's time for a truck lol so I decided on a military truck

 

[Warthog]

How good are you at wrenching? A 25+ y/o diesel vehicle for a daily driver can be un-nerving for a non-mechanic

 

[ricklovin93]

ive been working on cars ever since i was old enough to help my dad fix his cars, i know how to do most stuff, but i have never owned or worked on a diesel before. I have a buddy who used to work for peterbilt so i can get help if i ever need it.

 

[epartsman]

Start looking on GL. There have been a few come up in upstate NY. I found my 09 on Craigslist and you can also search on eBay by typing in CUCV. As a daily driver an 08 in stock form tops out @ 55mph with it's 4:56 gear. An 09 is a better daily driver with it's 3:08 ratio but either will need
a ton of maintenance to be reliable especially if purchased from GL. If you can find one that someone has spent alot of money on but just got wants something different providing you can discern whether or not the repairs were done right maybe the way to go. These are 25+ years old and require lots of TLC till you get to the point where you have resealed everything and have replaced everything else then you start over again LOL. The THM400 trans even though stout has only 3 speeds so once in third @ 55 plus you are begining to wind out which you can feel. If you run pump diesel you will need additives and the list goes on. I love my rust bucket of an 09 but I only drive it twice a week and with only 23k miles have done alot to it so far and have soo much more to go. If you get one and you do not do anything else remember to do the Doghead Mod and Switch your GP system to the 12V Bus bar. Those are first and foremost.
Any help you need you can find here. All of the manuals are available here for free. Parts are no problem even for trim items which can be found @ LMC truck. Hope this helps and welcome to the MV experience!

 

[SouthernSteel]

I can attest to everything thats has been said im new to the diesels myself i have only had both of mine for about 2 years and they are a handfull and if u are good with wrenches than u will be fine nothin real hard to work on i just did a new radiator and water pump on my 85 1008 recently thats was time consumeing but not hard cucvs are like women they require alot of attention lol and DONT FORGET STEEL SOLDIERS :]

 

[ricklovin93]

If you get one and you do not do anything else remember to do the Doghead Mod and Switch your GP system to the 12V Bus bar. Those are first and foremost.

Cant seem to find any info on these, exactly what are they?

 

[Warthog]

Start by reading the Wiki and stickys in the CUCV forum.

You'll be okay with wrenching on the truck.

 

[epartsman]

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/cucv/60960-doghead-starter-relay-modifcation.html

This is in the stickys at the top of the cucv forum and the 12V GP mod can be found by searching or I can walk you through it as it is easy and will save your GP system from 24V melt down.

 

[ricklovin93]

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/cucv/60960-doghead-starter-relay-modifcation.html

This is in the stickys at the top of the cucv forum and the 12V GP mod can be found by searching or I can walk you through it as it is easy and will save your GP system from 24V melt down.

thanks for the info, is this what fixes the problems with the starters staying engaged?

 

[trukhead]

Read this thread:http://www.steelsoldiers.com/cucv/30979-cucv-alternators-im-still.html

Then do a search on SS for Roscoman conversion, CUCV wiring , Alternators etc...

Get yourself up to speed on what these trucks are before yo get one. If you don't, you likely will find your in a situation where countless others have found themselves and asking the same questions they have asked as well.

They are great trucks but they are what they are and they can bite you!

 

[ricklovin93]

Start looking on GL.

buying from them seems very complicated

 

[trukhead]

buying from them seems very complicated

Like buying lottery tickets, winners and losers

 

[ricklovin93]

that alternator stuff is confusing. from what i understand the alternators have to be rebuilt? because the autozone ones ( which are for a cadillac?) suck?

 

[epartsman]

Yes that fixes the starter problem. If buying from GL is complicated then look for private sellers. Try the craigslist in your area or see if one is listed on eBay. Buying from GL is like trukhead said and I quote Forest Gump. GL is "like a box of chocolates, you never know what your gonna get"
But, some listings on GL do have good videos that show the vehicles running sometimes and/or driving but there is no guarantee there will be no other issues. Remember 25yrs old + vehicles that were purpose built. You will not even if the miles are low ( misleading 5 digit odometer) be buying a new vehicle that you can just put the key in and drive even though some do. For your safety whatever you get make sure you bring all the maintenance up to date.

 

[epartsman]

that alternator stuff is confusing. from what i understand the alternators have to be rebuilt? because the autozone ones ( which are for a cadillac?) suck?

OK, if this stuff confuses you I suggest you stay away from a CUCV and find you a nice gas Civy Blazer or K30.

 

[trukhead]

Confusing, hmmm perhaps. Just another knowledge base to build. It would be to your advantage to know it, (the alternator issue) inside and out as well as well as other aspects of the CUCV before you make the jump.

Find the TMs and start with the wiring harness and learn.

CUCVs a great trucks. Just know what they are and how you are going to keep your future CUCV maintained.