How well build are these CUCV's.

[NewbCUCV]

On average, after buying one, how long does it take for "something" to break or go bad or need replaced?

I'm considering one but I'd kind of like a feel for what I'd be spending soon after I buy one.

Thanks, Paul

 

[swbradley1]

It's not a purchase, it's an adventure.

It'll breakdown or have a problem when it does. That's half the fun.

 

[4x4 Forever]

Some go for years before needing assistance, some go for months before needing assistance, and some go for a day before needing assistance....Just like any other older vehicle...

 

[ODdave]

Buy 2, one for parts.

Wait. never mind. they ALL have the same problems...........lol

 

[uscgmatt]

Mine didn't even make it off the GL lot before it needed a weeks worth of work and money. But its a good cursing I mean learning experience.

 

[rickf]

It is a 25 year old vehicle that has not had very good maintenance. Take it from there.
I know some of you will jump and say the military takes very good care of there vehicles. BS.! I live on the ranges of a base and I see the condition of these vehicles. Run them till the die and then get a new one. Every Hummer I see has mismatched doors, tops, wheels, headlights and tail lights out, broken windows. The CUCV's that they are still using are even worse. The military USED to take care of vehicles, I think that pretty much ended in the late 70's. Run them till they die and replace them.
Face it, this is a civvie K30 pickup with a different electrical system. That is all it is. The blazers are the same blazer you bough in the dealership. Whatever problems they have in civilian life they will have surplus. Including RUST!

Rick

 

[123mack]

It's just like buying a civy truck of the same age,make and model. It's a mixed bag depending how it was treated by the previous owner(s). They're no more difficult or expensive to work on or maintain than any other pickup of that period, at least in my experience.

 

[boomer431]

If you are buying from GL plan on a complete maintanance. Buying from an individual it will depend on how he kept it up.

 

[91W350]

I got one M1009 from Utah, put 25,000 miles on it and all we spent in repairs was tires, filters and oil changes. I got one from Missouri and it had a bad lift pump. Shortly after that it was the filter base and return hoses.

I got a M1008 out of South Dakota and it needed glow plugs. Then a starter bolt broke. Then a couple of injectors stuck open. It has been a great truck, we have about 14,000 miles on it since purchase. It will need glow plugs again this year.

 

[niferous]

It's like everything else. If the mechanic who ran that motor pool prided himself or herself on excelent maintenance and good running vehicles and the command pushed for proper use you'll get a good truck. If the unit had young driver's with an invicible attitude and mechanics with a "that's good enough attitude" then be prepared to fix some stuff.

I guess maybe the answer you're looking for for though are there any major flaws of the CUCV that like to break? I think the answer is yes but the parts that break are not major. The engines and transmissions hold up well. The rest of the drivetrain is pretty good too. Stronger in the M1008 (trucks) than the M1009 (Blazer).

Some things I wish had been designed better:

- Rear window. The cranks are prone to break and new replacement parts are hard to come by. LMC makes a new regulator but it's junk.

- Glow plug system. It's not the worst but can be made better. Luckily we have a lot of smart guys on here that know how to make it much more dependable.

- Ignition system. There are some relays that you can do a mod for and make much more reliable.

That's about all I can think of off the top of my head. I'm sure someone can add more.

 

[ranchhopper]

Just be careful and look them over carefully most guys can tell a truck that hasnt been taken care of pretty easily and dont make the assumption just because its from down south that it isnt rusty.

 

[Jimma]

I was talked out of buying one becuase of freequent repairs and the many people almost need a full time mechanic to keep them running. I would not rely on it for daily transportation or at least have a back up plan.

 

[ranchhopper]

I have two of them and lots of spare parts and engines for just that reason.

 

[C15TA]

You are talking about a 25 year old vehicle and like any other mechanical item, they break. Preventative maintenance is important on any year vehicle and I always tell my customers at the garage that even new car dealerships have mechanics. Nothing is totally reliable.
Cheers,
Barry

 

[Tanner]

Are you competent with a tool kit? How is your patience level?
Your blood pressure? Your salty language?

...the fenders pre-rusted coming down the assembly line at GM.

Learn to enjoy glow plug controllers -

You can double, and even triple the value of a CUCV, by filling up the tank with fuel.

They're not really bad trucks; but the other side of the coin is that they're not particularly GOOD trucks, either. Get used to doing this...

It's not going to be a Honda Civic, or Toyota Corolla on reliability. But if you like a beginners challenge, they're great!

'Tanner'

 

[boondock]

As has been said it's a 25-year old vehicle that has probably not seen the best of care & will require constant attention. Plan to invest both time & $'s to keep it somewhat reliable.

 

[Wolf.Dose]

To summ it up: on the assemblyline there were some discripancies in quality. The lower left B-pillar connection to the floor at a M1009, the anty rost coating was ALWAYS not in place, which means, that the lower left seat belt anchoring point will rotten away includig the inner side wall in that area. Pick ups are a little less sensitves to thart for they have been assembed in a different factory.
Due to no painting of the undecarriage these vehicles on short time bases on the underside looked like 40 years old.
Wolf

 

[NewbCUCV]

It's like everything else. If the mechanic who ran that motor pool prided himself or herself on excelent maintenance and good running vehicles and the command pushed for proper use you'll get a good truck. If the unit had young driver's with an invicible attitude and mechanics with a "that's good enough attitude" then be prepared to fix some stuff.

I guess maybe the answer you're looking for for though are there any major flaws of the CUCV that like to break? I think the answer is yes but the parts that break are not major. The engines and transmissions hold up well. The rest of the drivetrain is pretty good too. Stronger in the M1008 (trucks) than the M1009 (Blazer).

Some things I wish had been designed better:

- Rear window. The cranks are prone to break and new replacement parts are hard to come by. LMC makes a new regulator but it's junk.

- Glow plug system. It's not the worst but can be made better. Luckily we have a lot of smart guys on here that know how to make it much more dependable.

- Ignition system. There are some relays that you can do a mod for and make much more reliable.

That's about all I can think of off the top of my head. I'm sure someone can add more.

Yes, this was about what I was looking for. I own a 1970 Cougar and am WELL aware of the ups and downs of a 41 year old vehicle, so maybe, hopefully, a 25 year old vehicle won't be AS bad.

I'm mainly thinking of a Winter vehicle. Something that can handle the snow with no problems. My oldest (daughter) just started driving/commuting to college and she will be traveling through some prime snow belt areas (NE Ohio). I'm just thinking that when and IF she spins out, I'll have something to rescue her in and pull her out at the same time!

 

[Barrman]

I have gotten 3 of this series vehicle on the road in the past year. Figure on brake shoes, brake pads, wheel cylinders, calipers, all brake hoses, maybe a master cylinder, packing all the bearings, tie rod ends, ball joints, u joints, changing all the fluids, changing all the belts, changing all the hoses, new filters, maybe a new lift pump and probably a new injection pump. Plus tires probably.

Depending on if you do the work and how you shop. $1000-$2000 will have you a very dependable vehicle that will be good for another 25 years.

 

[SGT Estum]

If you're not mechanically inclined, you could easy go broke taking it to a shop.
If you've got another vehicle for backup and you don't mind doing vehicle tinkering, then they can be great trucks. My .02.