M1010 for my daughter the field biologist

[Another Ahab]

Nope went "boom" then it slid into a curb...

Memorable though.

"Memorable". Now THAT is a choice word for the occasion.

I've got to remember it. It's THE way to describe anything you survive that you might not expect to otherwise.

You're made of good stuff, tim292.

 

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Put the cover on the M1101 today. The bolts and washers were sealed in plastic, yet still had white corrosion. I soaked them in Naval Jelly, hit them with rust reformer, and put them in. I'll likely need to replace them with SS hardware eventually, since they seem to be bright steel, but they'll serve for now.

One of my front shackle pins was held in place by a cotter pin that was almost gone. There was just barely enough of the cotter pin left to keep the shackle pin in place. 30 seconds with a dremel removed that little bit, and I removed the shackle pin with the rest of the cotter pin in place. Wire brushed the rust off the shackles and pins, and hit them with Rust Reformer.

I'd never seen a cotter pin fail that way. I went and inspected all the other cotter pins on the truck, and found rusty ones, but no other near-failures. Replacing them with stainless cotter pins as I go.

A friend who is raising her almost-3-yr-old granddaughter had a logistical problem. Sick kid, can't use daycare, the usual... She needed someone to transport the kid, and I drew the short straw. I took a photo of the truck with the car seat installed, just to document that it can be done. Who needs minivans? In our trucks, kids can ride in the front seat!

 

[tim292stro]

So I gotta ask - is this really for your daughter or was that an excuse to get one for yourself?

 

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So I gotta ask - is this really for your daughter or was that an excuse to get one for yourself?

Once I get the M1010 fully up to speed, it will be her call. She has a Subaru Outback which currently serves as her base of operations. The M1010 would clearly get her further back into the mountains, and has more space to serve as her base camp/lab. It's also more awkward to drive around town, and fuel economy is worse. I don't know what she'll choose.

I have a Banks kit to install. That plus a 700R4, a fairing and 33" tires should give her acceptable highway performance. I have a second fuel tank to install, which will give her acceptable range. I have a winch and comms to install. I need to figure out a camera rig to address the blind spots and make backing up and parking less worrisome. I need to get the heater and A/C working, and set up a house bank to protect the starter bank. My to-do list is substantial. I'm working through it as quickly as time and funding permit.

Once the truck is ready, we'll take it into the mountains together and put it through its paces. She'll decide whether she wants the M1010 or the Subaru. I'll drive the other. She may swap back and forth. She's applying to grad school now, and the Subaru might be a better match for her lifestyle while in school.

If she takes the M1010, I'll probably start looking for another one for my son. He wants one for a base of operations for his SCUBA expeditions. At least I won't be such a newbie the second time around.

For myself? It's tough to imagine a family that needs 3 M1010s, but I wouldn't mind one for myself. I see enough folks on this list with multiple MVs to think it might happen to me too. Who knows?

 

[Another Ahab]

If she takes the M1010, I'll probably start looking for another one for my son. He wants one for a base of operations for his SCUBA expeditions. At least I won't be such a newbie the second time around.

For myself? It's tough to imagine a family that needs 3 M1010s, but I wouldn't mind one for myself. I see enough folks on this list with multiple MVs to think it might happen to me too. Who knows?

Shoot, you're getting to be the nationwide expert on the M1010's from all of your work here.

I don't know what the market would be for these, completely outfitted, but you might be able to make it a career! IF you even wanted to. I mean, who knows!?

 

[Skinny]

I'm not sure where I stand on this but your daughter and I are probably the only people on the planet that own Subaru station wagons AND M1010 ambulances at this point.

 

[Another Ahab]

I'm not sure where I stand on this but your daughter and I are probably the only people on the planet that own Subaru station wagons AND M1010 ambulances at this point.

You all might need to start a club.

 

[Skinny]

Subaru Station Wagon and CUCV Ambulance Owners of New England

SSWCUCVAONE

 

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On a slight side road, did you ever look for the 28V Anderson connector in the back?

Yes. I haven't yet found a connector to match it, though...

 

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The M1010 has 4 focus lights in the back. One of the switches failed. I couldn't find an exact replacement, so I replaced it with a toggle switch. It's not original, but the light works now. I had to grind down the toggle switch to make it fit. I didn't modify the light, so I can go back to original if I ever find the switch.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Yes. I haven't yet found a connector to match it, though...
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Of course you did! It's attached to the one bolted in place. Trust me, you have both pieces there. I was stunned to find that with mine.

The M1010 has 4 focus lights in the back. One of the switches failed. I couldn't find an exact replacement, so I replaced it with a toggle switch. It's not original, but the light works now. I had to grind down the toggle switch to make it fit. I didn't modify the light, so I can go back to original if I ever find the switch.
View attachment 598573View attachment 598572View attachment 598571View attachment 598570

I think we shop at the same store. My replacement switches look exactly the same. Nice to get rid of the slide switches. I still need to find an acceptable LED replacement bulb.

 

[tim292stro]

Yes. I haven't yet found a connector to match it, though...

Of course you did! It's attached to the one bolted in place. Trust me, you have both pieces there. I was stunned to find that with mine.

Indeed - I had missed it before but that picture you posted is looking into the back of two un-crimped plug terminals . that anderson plug should pull apart at the half-way point, then you just need to remove the two terminals crimp them to a cable set and re-insert them

 

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I still need to find an acceptable LED replacement bulb.

Me too! I've tried several. No luck yet...

 

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Of course you did! It's attached to the one bolted in place.

Indeed - I had missed it before but that picture you posted is looking into the back of two un-crimped plug terminals . that anderson plug should pull apart at the half-way point, then you just need to remove the two terminals crimp them to a cable set and re-insert them

Well, I feel like an idiot! You guys ROCK! Thanks!

In my defense, I have to get into an unfamiliar yoga position just to reach a camera back there to take a picture of the thing... It never occurred to me that I would have 2 connectors there...

 

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Just a quick update. Lots has happened, but little info of value to the group.

• New tires (Cooper RTX). They have lots of siping, so hopefully they'll do well on ice. Old tires failed in the cold. Turns out the spare was never used, factory original, 33 years old! It crumbled quickly in the cold.
• New blower motor for the in-dash heater. It started making a horrible noise. I thought I was dragging sheet metal until I turned the heater off.
• New wiper motor (the washer pump quit).
• Still struggling to get the personnel heater working. I now own 3 of them and some spare parts. With the help of SS, I'm learning about them. I *will* get one working reliably... Probably in August.
• The truck now has stock upholstery in the back, and 2 patient assist booms.
• The NAPA HD truck belts are holding up nicely so far.
• I have a solar panel on the dash to keep the batteries topped off. The jury is out as to whether the juice is worth the squeeze.
• Truck starts well at -20F. It has all the SS-recommended mods to help that happen.
• It's now sufficiently in order that I could transport 5 passengers any time without moving stuff out of the way and apologizing for piles of tools and parts -- 6 if someone wants to ride the attendant's saddle. In the pic below, the gear on the left is strapped to 2 stretchers, so I can quickly remove it and make room for another 4 passengers if required. This works well for me.
• I made a 1,000 mile road trip to see Mom. Stopped at cucvrus on the way back & got a bunch of parts. The truck worked great, except the windshield washer pump quit.
• I drove my son and his HS buddies to the Homecoming Game. They're all in college now, and of age, so the fact that the truck is registered as a camper came in handy. The open container rule doesn't apply in the back of a motor home or camper. You can fit lots of college kids in the back of an M1010, but they're like locusts. Nothing but empty containers remain when they leave.
• I like the as-built configuration. I have camping-style plumbing and cooking facilities, which works fine for me. The toilet is very simple but works great, handling a constipated 350-lb football player without any fuss or maintenance required. (Show me an RV toilet that can do that!) The truck comfortably stores all my tools, spares, camping gear, and a bunch of food & supplies. I watch people rip the guts out of these & install RV-style furniture & systems. I prefer restoring it as-built and using camping-style gear. To each their own.
• I drive this into Boston every day, and park it in a regular parking spot, like any other full sized xcab pickup. Unlike the other trucks, it sleeps 4 and has 11 seat belts. At 13 MPG it's no Prius, but it suits my lifestyle.

My daughter is starting grad school, so I have more time to work on this. So far, I'm dealing with the usual MV/CUCV issues that have been discussed many times on SS. It's been a while since I've encountered something that isn't answered by searching SS.

I'm hoping to eventually go through a few months without any major work. When that happens, I'll consider the basic restoration complete, and ready for my daughter.




The to-do list includes items well covered elsewhere on SS. Fix heat, a/c, and floodlights. Paint. Comms. Maybe more batteries and/or a small generator. Maybe a hard top for the M1101. Maybe change gearing for lower RPM at highway speed. Maybe a blower for operation at high altitude. Add a winch. Etc. There's enough to keep me busy while she's in grad school. These are all upgrades, though. The basic vehicle is solid and surprisingly reliable.

 

[Recovry4x4]

I'm beginning to wonder if you will be able to let it go when she is ready. Seems you have grown attached.

 

[ODFever]

I got an idea for you, jpg. Keep this beast for yourself. Buy a second ambulance. Use all of your newly acquired skills to custom build an ambulance just for her.

 

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Once this one is done, my son wants one. I may get to keep the third one.

 

[Another Ahab]

Once this one is done, my son wants one. I may get to keep the third one.

You might have to franchise; go global.

 

[tim292stro]

JPG's M1010 Customization and Restoration Service LLC