CUCVRUS Repair Projects

[cucvrus]

After an unknowing person was involved they wanted only new parts and were sad to find out that the parts were not available anymore. Even the after markets were not available where they were looking. I offered the parts needed to get this issue rolling. I have many parts and like to see them put to good use and not as scrap weight. I have been depleting my inventory as scrap and easy trade lately. Outer axle stub. https://www.dennysdriveshaft.com/p1747_dana_spicer_41677_outer_axle_shaft_fits_1978_to_1991_chevy_g.html
OUT OF STOCK.
This used one will do the job. Transmission pan was the type I don't like. No drain plug. And can you identify the bolt and nut? This one has a standard ground down bolt in it's place. Not here. Be Safe and Take Care

 

[cucvrus]

As I was doing the reassembly of the front axles I checked out the U joint caps. They fit the axle just fine but will not go thru the knuckle. I caught a help trying to hammer them thru. NO. The U joints they sent were Chinese NAPA P377. I took the pictures and sent them to the parts store. I explained that the caps needed to be hemispherical and have a slight taper on the ends. Just like the ones pictured. While I was looking for a few parts today I came across this Matz spark plug. I see a Ford flat head V 8 and I also see a biker guy with a gruff look a big mustache and a cigarette hanging from his lower lip. He has a ball cap with the hat bill turned up. Can anyone else see that. I have this spark plug 50 years.

 

[cucvrus]

It was also suggested to grind the caps off. I passed. I can see ME in sub zero nor'easter changing the failed U joints. maybe not but the correct ones will be here another day. Do it right the first time or what's the point? They look more like it. And the BLUE rubbers. They have to be right. My guess is Mainland China. SKF Made in China.

 

[cucvrus]

After getting the wrong outer axle u joints and waiting for the new ones to arrive I proceeded to clean the replacement axle stub and the original stub. I have 2 clean ready to use axles now. New seals are available.Also the small axle seal and a new replacement NAPA 27553627 711818. Cleaning things up really good makes pressing in new joints easier and with no hammering needed. This nylon spacer can be cleaned up and reused. Cleaned up the axle stub splines and bearing surface with some rolok 3M pads. A small piece of 80 grit cloth sand paper makes a rusty U joint cap hole clean and smooth again. Total time was about 15 minutes per side on the axle shafts to clean up. Good Luck and Be Safe.

 

[cucvrus]

I wanted to show how nice and clean you can make a yoke so it is very easy to install a new U joint. No senseless hammering and beating on the new bearings and caps. Which one would you rather work with? Easy as 5 minutes and 1 piece of 80 grit paper. Next the drag link. I measure end to end and then remove 1 end at a time and maintain that distance exactly. 17.5" was this one. Tie rod ends the same thing one at a time. I measured from grease fitting to grease fitting. 77 13/16" Both changed and ready to install. Also the new ball joints are all pressed in and back on the M1009. Never did get the correct U joints. I get paid by the hour. I have ton's of other things to do. Have a Great Day and Be Safe. End of the Day here.

 

[cucvrus]

After doing all the front end parts replacement on the m1009 the steering box bolts will not get tight. it seems the bolts have stripped the threads out of 3 of the holes. I remembered that it was an Autozone box. Warranted. I will have a replacement tomorrow. https://www.autozone.com/searchresult?searchText=powr steering box

 

[cucvrus]

Waiting for the replacement steering box to arrive at Autozone. I do not blame Autozone for the failure. I blame poor maintenance and lazy maintenance staff. After seeing the dry ball joints and seized u joints it is no wonder the bolts broke on the frame. The box was doing it's job. And when I found the 3/8" bolt run thru the one mount with a nut on the other side I figured I see the quality and the problem. I got used to seeing this stuff over the years. New shock absorbers install. The so called maintenance man put a set of trailer shocks on because they fit. One thing I always say is beware of who you let work on your property. Saving money many times costs 3 times what it cost to fix it right the first time. Good Luck on your projects and Take Care, Be Safe.

 

[cucvrus]

I am off to a good start on tomorrows work. the new steering unit arrived. it looks a bit different but the steering coupler fits and has the same spline count. Same as the pitman arm. It fits it flies. More on this repair tomorrow. Day over here. Be Safe.

 

[cucvrus]

I was off to an early start this morning. I struggled to get that steering box up in place by myself but I done it. I used new 7/16" bolts and left the spacers in place. I torqued them to 75 lb lbs. And I used RED lock tight on the bolts. I never think this will be coming off again. The whole problem was poor maintenance and lazy people. I was never allowed to work on things because I am not certified. Imagine that. Now it needs fixed and they have no one. I guess I can handle that I said. I love it. Getting paid to work on CUCV's at work. Don't get much better. I sort of wish they would have junked it. I like new plow trucks and am spoiled now after having one for the past 5 years. I get here early when it snows so I don't have to drive a CUCV. New drag link endsBrake lining is going in the scrap bin. Also the calipers had no bushing or rubbers in the slides. I have rebuilt calipers and brake hoses. Clean as I go. I get paid by the hour and I always do the job right or what's the point? No Half Fast work in my camp or the work camp while I am doing it. take Care and Be Safe.

 

[cucvrus]

LUNCH TIME. BE SAFE.

 

[cucvrus]

This is a show of my work on the M1009 Plow truck and also a helpful hint to get looking at the DOT5 brake fluid that is in your CUCV. Your brakes may work fine and everything seems to be hunky dory with the brake system. But inside the wheel cylinders, calipers and master cylinder a murky slimy muddy mess is being pushed thru the brake system. It will still make the brakes work fine but it is eating away at the steel and other brake system components. You could do it the easy way and just vacuum out the master cylinder and replace the brake fluid with fresh DOT5. That would mean bleeding the brakes till the fluid at the bleeders comes out clean. that can take 2 - 3 QTS of DOT5 fluid. The right way would be vacuum out the master cylinder and replace in along with the wheel cylinders, calipers. That makes a complete brake system overhaul. The entire replacement parts will be an inexpensive repair. Check for bell shaped rear drums and thin corroded rotors. This is an OFF ROAD ONLY use vehicle and is getting the first class treatment. I done the same to Terminus M1009. Do it right the first time and never look back. Being safe with you and your family in the vehicles has no price. A new set of calipers all loaded and ready to install. I am waiting on wheel bearing rear seals. Easy enough. Have a Great Day. Be Safe.

 

[cucvrus]

I have been working hard at getting the Voodoo M1009 back together. I have managed to complete the front axle and all steering components. What socket do you use on this nut? And all new Warn lock outs

 

[cucvrus]

Today I went to replace the TH400 pan and I discovered it was gone. I never thought a stock TH400 pan had any value. I looked for 2 days on and off and I decided to weld and hammer out the old one. it had a hole from the filter bolt and was dented from carrying it with a forklift to get it back to my work area. I spread a little Permatex The Right Stuff on the flange and installed a new gasket. About now should find the other one. But I really do like using junk and fixing things. It all works out. Not going to any shows and I was going to weld a drain plug nut in place but couldn't find that either. Al done. Adding transmission fluid at the moment. Just wanted to give you an update. No rush I am not expecting snow. During the repairs the left rear tire went flat. All in a days work. Be Safe and Take Care. I will move onto the rear axle and drive shafts next.

 

[cucvrus]

I was outside on the peak of my barn roof sanding and painting when I seen a Marmot emerge from the fuel filler of my M1010 lawn mower shed. No picture of the Marmot. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marmot But I did want to keep that varmint out of my shed. I cut a piece of Dura Plate and screwed it over the hole. I done this after I carefully inspected the inside to make sure no youngsters were inside the shed. He will have to live in the wood pile. Thus the name Wood Chuck. Be Safe and Take Care. Of course I painted the cover flat black. Not going to hack a simple job like this.

 

[dougco1]

I was outside on the peak of my barn roof sanding and painting when I seen a Marmot emerge from the fuel filler of my M1010 lawn mower shed. No picture of the Marmot. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marmot But I did want to keep that varmint out of my shed. I cut a piece of Dura Plate and screwed it over the hole. I done this after I carefully inspected the inside to make sure no youngsters were inside the shed. He will have to live in the wood pile. Thus the name Wood Chuck. Be Safe and Take Care. View attachment 806434View attachment 806435Of course I painted the cover flat black. Not going to hack a simple job like this.

Monax (Móonack) is an Algonquian name of the woodchuck, which meant "digger"

 

[cucvrus]

I have been heated and rained out of my barn project so I decided to go out and do some of my art work with automotive parts. I picked up this 1982 Chevrolet S10 tailgate at the crusher a few weeks back. Thought it would look good hanging on the barn and make a nice bat box. A place for brown bats to roost. I started by cutting out the back panels to give some room to install a carpet wrapped board. I ended up using some compound and hand buffing the paint to give it a bit of luster again. After more cutting away at the back inner structure I was able to attach the board inside and I opted to paint the lower rusty edge just for fun. Weather has not allowed me to hang it up yet but I just wanted to share a just for fun project with a junk tailgate that is automotive nostalgic. 38 years old and counting. I think 1982 was the first year for the S10. This one had a 2.8 V6 power plant and ran well. The cab came off the frame when being hoisted thru the windshield onto the crush pile. So sad. Be Safe. And don't try to turn an S10 into a CUCV. I see enough CUCV wanna be's out there. There is only one CUCV and that is the real thing.

 

[cucvrus]

I spent the last week after work on scaffold doing an overall paint job on my CUCV remanufacturing facility. Very hot and humid work. I have a bit of an interruption from my task on a regular basis. But all is well. Removed 38 of the 50 stars for the repaint. Be Safe and Stay Safe.

 

[ssdvc]

I spent the last week after work on scaffold doing an overall paint job on my CUCV remanufacturing facility. Very hot and humid work. I have a bit of an interruption from my task on a regular basis. But all is well. View attachment 807580View attachment 807581View attachment 807582View attachment 807583 Removed 38 of the 50 stars for the repaint. Be Safe and Stay Safe.

Lookin AWESOME !

 

[cucvrus]

https://www.autozone.com/cooling-heating-and-climate-control/water-pump&filterByKeyWord=water+pump&fromString=search&isIgnoreVehicle=false


This is a prime example of price gouging. The A/C Delco water pump is over $200. and has a limited lifetime warranty. The Duralast is limited lifetime warranty and under $75. . It is a water pump for crying out loud. It pumps water. Short of that I don't care where it's made. If it pumps water and makes the engine run cool. I am Cool with that. And A C Delco does not mean Genuine GM parts. Keep that in mind when making your purchase.
ACDelco is a brand, (they really don't make anything) but GM itself no longer makes many if any parts themselves.

Technically everything ACDelco sells is Aftermarket. Unless it comes in a Genuine GM parts box it is an aftermarket part. Just keep that in mind before you shell out the big bucks. Be safe and Have a Great Day.

 

[cucvrus]

I am doing this panel cut out at a special request. No names but the person wanted a decent piece of GM sheet metal to do a panel repair. Just for the record I cut that out with my cordless Milwaukee circular saw and a Diablo Metal Demon blade. That cab has been laying around here 20 years. It was decent but after setting here I started cutting pieces out of it to fix other CUCV's. It went down hill fast. Notice the 2steel walls in the roof and the thick piece of tar paper in between the 2 steel panels. Also notice the lack of paint between the panels. That explains the rust in he valleys at the bottom of panels where they are connected / welded to other panels. This cab will be making way for recycling sometime soon. It came from the Puerto Rican national Guard unit in Puerto Rico of course and was an M1028. Sold with no title as a complete truck. I used all the parts to resurrect other CUCV's over the years. I have the panel cut and will get it sent out this week. Take Care and Be Safe.