Pros and Cons of a M1009?

[RANDAL]

As the title reads. Okay a little about what is going on. I have a 1971 GMC Jimmy that I love and I am ready to do a body swap and start restoring it this coming up year. I have so much fun in it that I dont want to quit driving a first gen blazer/Jimmy so I have decided to by another one. I have had my heart set on a first gen but recently I have fell in love with the M1009's And might have changed my mind on what I want to buy while I start restoring mine. I would like to know the pros and cons on the M1009's as it wil be my daily driver/mountain rig. I know they come with the diesel which is cool and I know some come with lockers if not all. But thats all I know. Help me out if possible.

Thanks

 

[Recovry4x4]

Welcome to Steel Soldiers. Cons first. The 6.2 is no power house. Expect power to be on par with a gas 305. 10 bolt axles front and rear. Not the strongest of axles but if used as designed they work fine. As in all 80s vehicles, rust is a concern. No A/C.

Pros. The 6.2 is a fuel miser. Mileage in the 20s is not unrealistic. They are fun to drive. Can cruise with traffic on the highway, not many MVs can.

 

[Westech]

after a small timing advance, a good "tune up" my 09 would pull 25 MPG all day on the highway and high teens in the city.
Not too bad at all I would say.
if your not towing a double wide home the axles will hold up just fine.
If the truck had ac... perfect. and you can add ac

 

[RANDAL]

Thanks for the comments so far I love that they get in the 20's MPG thats one othe reasons I want one. I can deal with not having ac I also as I said it will be my DD and mountian rig so not to extreme for now but maybe in the future moab trip once or twice a year

 

[DriverSideImpact1008]

If the truck is gonna go up into the mountains or spend time high above sea level, you will definitely need a turbocharger. High altitudes are a naturally aspirated diesel's worst enemy. Engines lose 4-5hp for every 1000 feet above sea level. Salt Lake City's elevation is around 4000 ft?? So you've already lost nearly 20hp from stock. That's a significant amount for a 6.2L diesel rated at 150hp. Then you figure the drivetrain hp loss, and you're below 100hp at the wheels. A turbocharged engine loses very little power at higher elevations, in fact a turbo 6.2 in the mountains would still be more powerful than a N/A 6.2 at sea level. Turbo systems can be pricey, so that's something to keep in mind.

Otherwise, the 1009 is probably the best military vehicle you can buy for daily driving. The only cons I can think of have been stated, lower power of the 6.2, A/C, and fairly weak axles.

The other thing to keep in mind is the 24v starting system, and the glow plug system used on CUCV's. They can be a little troublesome and kind of tough to understand, just because it is not "normal" in the automotive world. Its not something most people have experience with. But it's not complicated by any means, and there's more than enough resources available on here to make any person very wise.

 

[RANDAL]

Thank you for that write up that is very helpful and knowledgeable thing to know. I will keep that in mind when I can find one of these beasts.

If the truck is gonna go up into the mountains or spend time high above sea level, you will definitely need a turbocharger. High altitudes are a naturally aspirated diesel's worst enemy. Engines lose 4-5hp for every 1000 feet above sea level. Salt Lake City's elevation is around 4000 ft?? So you've already lost nearly 20hp from stock. That's a significant amount for a 6.2L diesel rated at 150hp. Then you figure the drivetrain hp loss, and you're below 100hp at the wheels. A turbocharged engine loses very little power at higher elevations, in fact a turbo 6.2 in the mountains would still be more powerful than a N/A 6.2 at sea level. Turbo systems can be pricey, so that's something to keep in mind.

Otherwise, the 1009 is probably the best military vehicle you can buy for daily driving. The only cons I can think of have been stated, lower power of the 6.2, A/C, and fairly weak axles.

The other thing to keep in mind is the 24v starting system, and the glow plug system used on CUCV's. They can be a little troublesome and kind of tough to understand, just because it is not "normal" in the automotive world. Its not something most people have experience with. But it's not complicated by any means, and there's more than enough resources available on here to make any person very wise.

 

[engineman2]

I don't know if this is entirely true, but I believe some of the rear axles in these trucks had a locker. These can come in handy with the lighter weight of the rear end of the truck. Also as a Chevy guy, you probably know that normal parts are easy to come by at most auto parts stores.

 

[Cleptomaniac]

They all have the "gove-lock" it is prone to grenading. But I have put at least 30k onine with 35" tires and have had no problems.

 

[gimpyrobb]

They are not much bigger than a Prius...