CUCV M1010 Newbie here

[KamikazeKunze]

Hello all,
My first post here so be gentle.
I just scored a 1984 M1010 with 29k miles on it.
I have a metric ton of questions but I thought I’d start small.

1) I need tires does anyone know how large I can go without a lift? Also, do I have to worrie about wheel offset specifically in the rear?
2) What’s a safe top speed? I’ve only done 55mph and she sounds like that should be about it.
3) last owner painted it white, know where I can get original OD Green paint with out going broke?

thanks a bunch

 

[Drock]

Welcome ...33" tires are as big as you can comfortably go without a lift, and should be fine on stock rims. Safe top speed is 55MPH. The O.D. green paint is readily available, I see it on Ebay for around $60.00 per gallon delivered.

 

[KamikazeKunze]

Thanks Drock!
I was going to take her to Denver from Grand Junction tomorrow.....but the idea of a normal 3.5hr trip being a 5hr trip has dissuaded me......for this trip.

 

[Drock]

Yeah driving a CUCV is not for the faint of heart, especially over long distances. If you plan on driving a CUCV regularly on the highway you'll need to consider an overdrive trans and/or larger tires (35"-37"). Here's a cool RPM calculator to help you understand.......... https://www.ringpinion.com/calculators/Calc_RPM.aspx

 

[Recovry4x4]

Rear tire width is a major issue with the tenten. I have 255/85R16 tire on Ford 7" wide steel rims. They are about as close to the body as I am comfortable with. 255 is a little over 33". Pics of mine here.
https://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?175954-1984-M1010-CUCV-Ambulance

As far as paint, search Steel Soldiers for Behr paint. Lots of success stories using good exterior latex.

 

[dependable]

For OD paint, I use this company. CARC green substitute is close to the original color for your truck, and you can get spray cans in the appropriate colors too, if you want camo.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...manuals.html&usg=AOvVaw3B3bPQIEhJjewii6jpVv6f

 

[Drock]

Also you need to study the TM's as best you can, check out the "WIKI" at the top of the forum page. And remember this low mileage truck has sat for 30+ years so ANYTHING RUBBER IS ROTTED! Start with the brakes, replace all rubber lines, calipers, wheel cylinders, and pads & shoes. The brake fluid is supposed to be DOT-5, and should be yellow or purple in color. I wouldn't take it on any 5hr trips until then, and even then you should become a AAA member.

 

[Tinstar]

Read and study the TMs, stickies and all the old threads.
Almost every question/problem/issue has already been experienced and discussed in the old threads.
You will find answers to questions you haven’t even thought of yet.

Agree with going through truck before any long trips.
Most guys spend about $1-2k replacing/repairing items before truck is decently reliable.

Have fun and welcome aboard.

 

[KamikazeKunze]

Thank you everyone for the replies.

Drock, lucky for me my ten ten didn’t sit. It was used at an orchard just to bring product down to to market a few times a year. In addition to the tires I will replace all the belts. Brakes look really good as well.

Tinstar, I’ll most definitely read the TM’s

Recovry4x4, that is the tire size I was leaning towards as it’s the tallest I could get since I am worries as well about the back end. My tire shop also told me that was as wide as I could go with my stock 16x6.5” wheels.
I had to laugh out loud about the paint choice......my uncle was trying to convince me that Sherwin Williams liquid vinyl in the appropriate color would work and I thought he was pulling my leg.....LOL

I did realize that the prior owner removed the drivers side alternator, but thinks he may still have it.


As a side note.....any guesses on what kind of mpg I’ll get at 4600 feet in Grand Junction?

thanks again all

 

[KamikazeKunze]

Yeah driving a CUCV is not for the faint of heart, especially over long distances. If you plan on driving a CUCV regularly on the highway you'll need to consider an overdrive trans and/or larger tires (35"-37"). Here's a cool RPM calculator to help you understand.......... https://www.ringpinion.com/calculators/Calc_RPM.aspx

Drock, if I lift it and run 35’s or 37’s I’m sure that help in the highway as well as in the looks department but won’t that kill what little power the 6.2 can put out?

Thanks

 

[Drock]

Drock, if I lift it and run 35’s or 37’s I’m sure that help in the highway as well as in the looks department but won’t that kill what little power the 6.2 can put out?

Thanks

Sure, but not once your moving LOL! The most famous CUCV on Instagram is the "Red witch". It's a faded red M1010 contact maintenance, riding on 37" HMMWV tires. He pulls a 25'-30' trailer delivering trucks and heavy equipment all over the country with it.

 

[Drock]

Thank you everyone for the replies.

Drock, lucky for me my ten ten didn’t sit. It was used at an orchard just to bring product down to to market a few times a year. In addition to the tires I will replace all the belts. Brakes look really good as well.

Tinstar, I’ll most definitely read the TM’s

Recovry4x4, that is the tire size I was leaning towards as it’s the tallest I could get since I am worries as well about the back end. My tire shop also told me that was as wide as I could go with my stock 16x6.5” wheels.
I had to laugh out loud about the paint choice......my uncle was trying to convince me that Sherwin Williams liquid vinyl in the appropriate color would work and I thought he was pulling my leg.....LOL

I did realize that the prior owner removed the drivers side alternator, but thinks he may still have it.


As a side note.....any guesses on what kind of mpg I’ll get at 4600 feet in Grand Junction?

thanks again all

If it's only got 29K on it IT"S BIN SITTING LOL!

 

[KamikazeKunze]

If it's only got 29K on it IT"S BIN SITTING LOL!

Touché

 

[dmetalmiki]

Welcome to the site and the hobby. There is some nice pictures and information on olive drab about your truck Just search, cucv m1010 pictures

 

[Drock]

Touché

As Tinstar said expect to spend $1000-$2000.00 on soft parts (not including tires) to get it reliable enough for daily use.

 

[mkcoen]

If the prior owner removed one of the alternators they probably converted it to 12v so the wiring may need to be studied a bit to see what they did.

 

[KamikazeKunze]

Drock/Tinstar - roger that.
mkcoen - the prior owner did state that’s what they did, however the two batteries under the hood are wired in series.
im away from the old girl now (in Denver), i’ll Reinspect when I get back and report.
thanks

 

[CUCVFAN]

Be careful of this situation... One alternator running @ 24V to charge both may sound OK, but with all of the regular lighting and wiring systems pulling 12V from one battery, it will lead to ruined batteries in short order, especially as a daily driver.

Drock/Tinstar - roger that.
mkcoen - the prior owner did state that’s what they did, however the two batteries under the hood are wired in series.
im away from the old girl now (in Denver), i’ll Reinspect when I get back and report.
thanks

 

[KamikazeKunze]

Ok.....some you you will probably bust my chops with this one, but here it goes.......
Having the pass through door to get to the back of the M1010 is awesome.
Has anyone ever thought or tried to put swivel bases on the front seats.
I thought it could be handy have a second lounge?
thanks

 

[m1010plowboy]

Ok.....some you you will probably bust my chops with this one, but here it goes.......
Having the pass through door to get to the back of the M1010 is awesome.
Has anyone ever thought or tried to put swivel bases on the front seats.
I thought it could be handy have a second lounge?
thanks

Swivel seats bring back memories of a friend's Olds 442 in the parking lot of the high school. The engineering has already been done so grabbing a set of Oldsmobile seats might be an option.
It's tight in that cab so a guy might need to be creative but the 1010 is a great platform. Nice truck!