CUCV Do's & Dont's

[asg13]

As a newbie, i have been reading along as much as possible. After going through the facts section, still thought it would be nice to have a thread address this..please forgive me if i have overlooked one.

I am picking up my 1008 tomorrow afternoon..some nasics would be nice.

Thx in advance!

 

[OL AG '89]

Do - download the Tm's for your vehicle.
Do - read through the Tm's for your vehicle as you begin troubleshooting any issues that you find.
Do - perform a thorough search for any issues you encounter that you don't understand
Do - remember you are dealing with a vehicle that is 25 years old, may have been sitting up, unused for several years.

Dont - get frustrated after finding several issues with your "new" vehicle, see above.....
Dont - drive it like you stole it. These vehicles represent ALL who served and deserve the respect earned from their service.


DO - HAVE FUN, LEARN SOMETHING NEW WITH EACH ISSUE YOU ENCOUNTER.
Do - Post often and let us know how things are going.

Welcome to the addiction!

 

[Warthog]

Do read the stickies and wiki

 

[swiss]

Do clean all electrical connections. Wait to you see the black grimy greasy stuff that you will find, especially when you separate the fuse box on the firewall side in the engine compartment.

 

[asg13]

I have been reading a good bit. The truck i am buying is an alfa heaven truck. The ownee now has had it for 6yrs and has done a ton of maintaince work as well as new paint job suspension etc,.aux bio tank etc..all receipts also...drives great! Heres a pic..

 

[swiss]

Nice truck, don't ever post a thread titled:

"My M1008 won't start"

or

"Help my truck doesn't run"

 

[Recovry4x4]

Don't hack up the electrical system by trying to delete the 24V functionality. Contrary to popular opinion, you can't convert a CUCV to 12V, it already is. There is no finer source of electrical help than here. If you chop up the factory system, you will likely eliminate lots of help.

 

[top_prop]

If you do decide to mess with the 24v system, do the roscommon mod, so that you can get ~some~ help from here. (I did it and have no trouble finding starters, and have no worries about glow plug resisters failing and frying my plugs).

In addition to the Military TM's Get the Haynes Techbook Diesel Engine repair manual... its a great supplement to the military tech manuals... though there are usually small differences in some of the civi versions of stuff in it (ie the stanadyne fuel filter system).

Have a back up truck/car... my m1009 runs great until it randomly dies. It can be frustrating, so have a back up, and never work on the truck while mad or in a hurry. IE it needs to be more of a hobby vehicle IMO.

 

[asg13]

Bougjt it tonight. Drove it home. So far ok..will post pix sunday..in the woods all day tomorrow!

 

[Cucvnut]

Why cant it drive it like it stole it ? I own the darn thing and for the price I paid for it I feel like I did steal it lol.

 

[cpf240]

Don't use it for a wheel chock ( or chalk, depending on what part of the country you are from... )

 

[acesneights1]

Don't hack up the electrical system by trying to delete the 24V functionality. Contrary to popular opinion, you can't convert a CUCV to 12V, it already is. There is no finer source of electrical help than here. If you chop up the factory system, you will likely eliminate lots of help.

I'm gonna disagree with that. Nothing worng with keeping it original if that floats your boat but converting the Starter to 12v has many advantages depending on what the truck is used for. With the 24v hybrid system 12v Accessories are only getting one battery as a buffer where as with 12v you get both. My plow pump and winch work much better and losing the V belts was the best thing I ever did. No regrets at all. The only real advantage to the hybrid12/24v is cold climate starting and the universal jumper system.

 

[acesneights1]

If you do decide to mess with the 24v system, do the roscommon mod, so that you can get ~some~ help from here. (I did it and have no trouble finding starters, and have no worries about glow plug resisters failing and frying my plugs).

It is much easier to use the entire setup of an early 6.5TD. The serpentine belt setup fits like it was made for it and the CS130 Alt is an easy conversion and a more available part when needed.

 

[ThunderCracker]

Do: Get a full set of tools and be prepared to use them.

Do: Be prepared for an extremely bad addiction that has no cure.

Do: Listen to Recovery and don't convert to 12 Volt. If you need a better reason look in the CUCV forum and see what you can look forward to.

Do: Enjoy your new M1008!

 

[Nuke113]

Enjoy the new truck looks good, just want to second the don't work on it in a hurry/mad these trucks can be stubborn at times.

 

[kabar1]

Ohhhhh how I agree with ThunderCracker! Do be prepared to invest more than you bought it for, and don't ever ever leave home with out tools and parts.

 

[Recovry4x4]

I'm gonna disagree with that. Nothing worng with keeping it original if that floats your boat but converting the Starter to 12v has many advantages depending on what the truck is used for. With the 24v hybrid system 12v Accessories are only getting one battery as a buffer where as with 12v you get both. My plow pump and winch work much better and losing the V belts was the best thing I ever did. No regrets at all. The only real advantage to the hybrid12/24v is cold climate starting and the universal jumper system.

Yes, I can see where it works well for you. A 24V plow pump would have been even better. The other advantage to an unmodified system is the depth of knowledge available here. 24V winches work great on these too.
No problem agreeing to disagree.

 

[top_prop]

Do always carry extra fuel filter(s) and whatever tools you'll need to change them.

Do change the fuel filter(s) first when ever you get a rough running or low power engine and are away from your shop.

(my truck has an electric fuel pump mod with prefilter... 90% of my rought running/low power issues are the result of clogged filters).

 

[asg13]

Ohhhhh how I agree with ThunderCracker! Do be prepared to invest more than you bought it for, and don't ever ever leave home with out tools and parts.

How refreshing lol

 

[kabar1]

It's a old truck, that's been probably put thru it's paces, you end up appreciating and understanding your truck the more you work on it!