The First M1009 is home!

[mkcoen]

My first M1009 was dropped off last night and to say I was excited would put things mildly. I was having some anxiety attacks as the delivery date was unavoidably delayed but the wait was worth it.

The transport company (Buckner - I highly recommend them) rolled in right around 7pm so unfortunately it was too dark to get pictures last night. We tried to fire it up but the batteries were dead although they had it started the day before and let it run for almost 45 minutes. This was like getting a Christmas present with "No Batteries Included." So we tried to jump it with the wife's GMC Canyon but no luck. We were letting it charge a little when a kindly young fellow on the way to pick up his girlfriend stopped to help. He was driving an F350 Diesal and had no issues with jumping it.

So now it's running and our intrepid friend set off to the girlfriend's house knowing he did a good deed for the day. unfortunately when the transport driver started to back the Blazer up it died. Back to square one.

Instead of keeping them from getting back on the road I said we could just push it off the trailer and then I'd tow it up to the shop with a chain. That accomplished the transporters set out for the long trip back to GA (but they weren't on a Fast Train ala Billy Joe Shaver).

My buddy and I stopped to finish the burgers I was cooking when the toy arrived and then whipped out the trusty battery charger to get things going. No Joy. So I had to settle for sitting in the front seat going Vroom Vroom.

Left the charger on all night in hopes of driving it to church this morning but again no luck. After church I swapped the primary battery out with one from old Dodge and PRESTO she fired on the first crank (after the gp light went out of course).

 

[mkcoen]

Getting a little long winded there so thought I ought to save it.

Everything seems to work good so far. I'll post the pics to show the little things that need attention.

One thing is that the front end "floats" quite a bit while driving. I just went around the block and didn't get it over 30mph but it does seem loose. Any suggestions?

The typical rust is in the typical places but not too bad compared to most I've seen and really good since it came out of Camp Perry, OH. I like to think it was used for one of the NRA shoots whether I can prove that or not.

I'll post a couple of pics but here's the link to my album with more:http://www.steelsoldiers.com/members/mkcoen-albums-first-m1009.html

 

[IRWFO]

Another one saved. Good job. So what are your plans?

 

[jrou111]

Awesome man, congrats!

I hope to get a M1009 soon.

 

[mkcoen]

Another one saved. Good job. So what are your plans?

First thing is to get rid of the white stickers on the doors and back. I belong to the Alamo MPVA so it'll be at the club events but it's really just going to be my daily driver. I'm planning to keep it stock other than A/C (which I found a kit for that doesn't really look like A/C is there) and I've gotten some good ideas on how to hide a stereo in plain site from another thread on SS. I've already got a new Decon bottle to put in and have a friend looking for a radio rack and PRC-77.

The big thing is getting a handle on the rust. The rockers and inner fenders are no big deal but the area around the rear seat riser is going to be a little more difficult.

I did get it out on the road this afternoon and up to 65mph and she handled it pretty good. I just have to get some new diesal through it and maybe a little fuel conditioner.

My wife has named it the HUCV so we're going to call it Huck for short.

 

[mistaken1]

Congratulations. I cannot wait to repaint mine.