M1007 - CUCV Suburban Clone Build Thread

[Warthog]

Others have done this before but here is my version of it.

Bear with me as I take the journey of building a Squarebody, 3/4 ton, 4x4 , Diesel Powered MV Clone that the Military should have built.

I have been looking for a sutible donor for a couple of years after I found Rickoday's thread.

M1007 Suburban CUCV Conversion - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

I have found many Suburbans in the OKC area, but no diesels. I have watched a bunch of auctions and bought some that have been close to what I wanted but not close enough.

So last week I found an auction that looked promising.

It was a 1987 V20 Diesel Burb that was semi close to OKC.

Squarebody - check
Diesel - check
4x4 - check
3/4 ton - check
Barn Doors - Double Check
overdrive tranny - nope (3/4tons come with the TH400)

So I buy the truck for under $500 sight unseen and load up the trailer. I wasn't looking forward to a drive to west TX in the heatwave going on.

It started out as a nice cool day with light rain. The drive out was uneventful.

Arrived to the location and discovered some neglected MVs. The company was started years ago by the father and now the son is operating it. I wonder if the son will sell some of the "junk" that is laying around?

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/conversations/74511-mvs-spotted-tx-recovery.html

Coming home I was on the MV look out and spotted many MVs in various states of disrepair. Good thing I took notes for future recoveries. This OD Fever does stange things to the mind.

So sit back relax and join me on this OD adventure.

 

[Warthog]

Here are a couple of the auction pics

 

[Warthog]

Stopped by the carwash on the way home to wash off some of the TX dirt.

Once home I wanted to assess what I had.

The seller told me that the engine had been replaced with a military 6.5L engine. Never trust a seller without verification. Turns out the engine is a 6.2L "C" code with the EGR valve. Good thing I have a couple of 6.2L "J"s in the can.

Removed the air breather and saw some stuff under the intake. After 30 minutes of digging and 1/3 of a trash can, all the hood insulation, twigs and rat turds had been removed.

 

[Warthog]

Hey I wonder why the GPs aren't working. I think I'll ripout the stupid GM wiring and install a manual GP switch.

 

[Stonepicker1]

Can't wait to see the rest of the build. Looks to be a good project. No 6.5L with turbo plans ?

 

[Recovry4x4]

Wow, great deal on this one. Oooof, panel doors too! I'm going to enjoy this one. Joe, I have a 91 V Burb with a 6.2. My very first mod was to add CUCV tow shackles on the front. Haven't needed to towbar it home yet.

 

[BobM]

I'm looking forward to your build. I too have fond memories of a 4X4 'burb. It was a 1/2 ton with 1 ton gear under it with a 6" lift. Had a 700R4 in it and was a blast! It was a legend around these parts. If the cancer hadn't gotten so bad......


http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g255/BobM_album/burb.jpg

 

[Barrman]

I think you need a bigger spoiler on the roof.

 

[doghead]

Spoiler, hahahahha... my wife calls ricerocket spoilers, fins!

You gonna go with 12 or 24 volt?

 

[ken]

Ive got a 1995 2Door 4X4 youkon with a 6.5 turbo that might make a good doner.

 

[Preacherboy]

What designation would one give a crew cab regular pickup? That is what I want to build someday...m1007a1?

I have a cucv II clone suburban, suburbans are sweet trucks! Can't wait to see pictures of your progress.

 

[Cucvnut]

I would call a crew cab a M1029

 

[BobM]

Ive got a 1995 2Door 4X4 youkon with a 6.5 turbo that might make a good doner.

What kinda money?

 

[idM1028]

Subscribed. Any reason why you went for a diesel 'burb? The small-block chebby engines and the 6.2 and 6.5's should be about the same size and have the same engine mounts,etc. Plus if you've got a J-code 6.2 laying around. . . Just a few thoughts.

 

[boomer431]

It's amazing once you have green fever how many mv's you will see that before you never thought twice about. Good luck on your build.

 

[Patattack]

nice, did u give up on the white one?

 

[ElevenBravo]

Cool project idea, hope to see some progress soon, 'scribed!

Andrew

 

[chupa]

What designation would one give a crew cab regular pickup? That is what I want to build someday...m1007a1?

I have a cucv II clone suburban, suburbans are sweet trucks! Can't wait to see pictures of your progress.

Don't know, but I'd like to build a CUCV "M1006"...STEPSIDE!!!!!

 

[Buzz]

subscribed!

 

[combat32]

Where is the progress? You should be workin on this night and day by now Or are you still waxing that new 1008?