New M1028 owner - questions?

[tomcava]

FNG here - glad to find y'all! I purchased this M1028 this week. It has a non-running motor, but I purchased a second running motor to put in. My plan is to put it mostly back to military spec. My intentions are :

1 - 4l80e swap
2 - swap engine
3 - take off white paint and paint desert tan
4 - redo interior. Where can I find seat covers, dash, door panels, stencils?
5 - Better headlamps?
6 - Possibly slight larger tires and a slight lift.

Looking for any and all advice while I scour the forum. Thank you!

 

[ke6axc]

I found my stencils on E-bay. Other parts are harder as no one makes the correct color interior.

Sent from my LG-LS777 using Tapatalk

 

[LT67]

FNG here - glad to find y'all! I purchased this M1028 this week. It has a non-running motor, but I purchased a second running motor to put in. My plan is to put it mostly back to military spec. My intentions are :

1 - 4l80e swap
2 - swap engine
3 - take off white paint and paint desert tan
4 - redo interior. Where can I find seat covers, dash, door panels, stencils?
5 - Better headlamps?
6 - Possibly slight larger tires and a slight lift.

Looking for any and all advice while I scour the forum. Thank you!
View attachment 734789View attachment 734788View attachment 734790

Did you find that around the Cartersville area?

 

[acthomp781]

Nice looking truck! I have had good success with ordering parts from LMC truck. The shipping is a little high, but they have a lot of parts.

 

[MarcusOReallyus]

Better headlamps are probably LEDs. Search on "LED" and the username "cucvrus" and you'll probably get a bunch of good info.

 

[Sharecropper]

You poor fellow. You have no idea what you have started. I've been on my M1028 for 8 years and still not finished. I will pray for your soul.

 

[ken]

You poor fellow. You have no idea what you have started. I've been on my M1028 for 8 years and still not finished. I will pray for your soul.

Ain't that the truth! I bought my 1028A1 back in 2006. Sold it in 2008. The buyer never touched it. I bought it back in 2010. I picked it up in the same spot I dropped it off in. Out of all my MV's it has given me the most trouble. But it is still my favorite. And the most fun to drive. Do a google search for square body chevy resto parts. You will be able to get any interior parts you may need. Along with body parts.

 

[tomcava]

LOL!!! 8 years!? There isn't that much stuff to it?!

You poor fellow. You have no idea what you have started. I've been on my M1028 for 8 years and still not finished. I will pray for your soul.

 

[tomcava]

Yes! You've seen it?

Did you find that around the Cartersville area?

 

[LT67]

Yes! You've seen it?

Looks like the white cucv in the background of another cucv truck advertised on C'list...

 

[nyoffroad]

Before you pull that "bad" engine check and make sure it really is bad. My son picked up 1009 that the engine was "locked up", the problem was the dumb previous owner tried to start it useing 12 volts instead of 24v of course it didn't work so my son ended up with a good running engine with 20,000 or so miles

 

[tomcava]

Very good advice brother, but the advice i got was it was pulled from the motor pool due to a bad engine - and they started pulling stuff off the engine for parts. Since I got the other engine in the price of the vehicle I think it's actually less work to swap the whole fan dam thing. Probably should get new belts, oil filter, fuel filter, and glow plugs?

Before you pull that "bad" engine check and make sure it really is bad. My son picked up 1009 that the engine was "locked up", the problem was the dumb previous owner tried to start it useing 12 volts instead of 24v of course it didn't work so my son ended up with a good running engine with 20,000 or so miles

 

[LT67]

May I suggest finding another complete 6.2 and dropping it in there.... makes these trucks a lil more affordable to operate...

I still have the 6.2 in mine and I love it. While not a powerhouse engine, it gets the job done and keeps on ticking. If it ever blows, I'll just replace it with another 6.2 or a newer GEP 6.5 long block. Part of the charm of these old CUCV's is listening to the ole 6.2 chug along.

 

[tomcava]

That is what i have

 

[LT67]

That is what i have

Lol, I thought you were already going to pull it and drop in a gas burner... my mistake

 

[nyoffroad]

Very good advice brother, but the advice i got was it was pulled from the motor pool due to a bad engine - and they started pulling stuff off the engine for parts. Since I got the other engine in the price of the vehicle I think it's actually less work to swap the whole fan dam thing. Probably should get new belts, oil filter, fuel filter, and glow plugs?

Ah-ha! That kinda changes things, Yeah I'd pull the old one and drop in the new one at the same time I'd replace all hoses (heater too), belts, glow plugs and filters. Oil too of course, while in there I'd also take a look at the core plugs and install a block heater but that's cause I'm in NY. Don't forget the oil cooler lines, if there leaking nows the time! It adds up but you'll have a trouble free truck for a long time.

 

[tomcava]

Where would you go to in order to get all those parts?

 

[Tinstar]

Don’t forget to add new freeze plugs to the growing list.
Usually a neglected item and they will eventually corrode and leak.

Easy with engine out.
Nightmare with engine installed.

 

[LT67]

Don’t forget to add new freeze plugs to the growing list.
Usually a neglected item and they will eventually corrode and leak.

Easy with engine out.
Nightmare with engine installed.

Yes, yes and yes..... change all of the freeze plugs before dropping into the truck. I wound up having to change all of mine last winter.

 

[cucvrus]

If you ever pull the heads on the 6.2 you can clearly see the core expansion plugs. I see most are in great shape. I only ever had 1 engine apart that I changed all the core plugs in. But a GM core plug block heater is a good addition. But only if you like pounding the salt into the sheet metal. Some trucks it don't matter anymore. I have my shop vacuum down sized to 3/8" and suck all the sludge from the block and wash it clean while the heads are off. You would be surprised what is down in the water jackets. I also let mine set upside down with the heads and oil pan off. At this point I would take the heads off any engine I was going to put in. Regardless of how low or high the mileage is. Have a Great Day. I am dealing with flash flooding today. Cost us 8 brand new trucks so far.