Speed vs RPM for the M1009 6.2 diesel?

[pickinitup]

Hello Everyone,
Figured I'd cast this question out to you experts. It's probably been discussed before, but I am relatively new to this site, so here' goes........I own a M1009 CUCV, 1986 K5 Blazer with the 3.08 gearing, 6.2 diesel, TH400 trans, and the normal 31X10.50 R15 LT tires for this vehicle. Whatever governor might have been on it, was long gone when I got the vehicle. I don't want to over-rev the engine and it doesn't have a tach. I would like to drive the interstate (70 mph) and would like to run at these normal highway speeds, but I was told by the former owner (he seemed familiar with these) that i should never drive it over 64 or 65 mph. He said that he was told that driving faster would run the rpm up too high for this engine. Does anyone know where I could find a data sheet or specs of what the actual rpm is when travelling at a prescribed speed in high gear (1 to 1 ratio)? I will probably add a tachometer at some point, but it's Winter in illinois and I'll most like wait for warmer weather to do it. Looking forward to any info or advice you guys give me.........thanks in advance!

 

[kblazer87]

RPM at 70 miles per hour with your set up should be just over 2300 which is well within safe range for your motor.

 

[Drock]

Here's an RPM calculator... https://www.ringpinion.com/calculators/Calc_RPM.aspx

 

[pickinitup]

Thanks for the prompt replies........that helps......a lot!

 

[dougco1]

You can run 70-80 all day long and the 1009 wont miss a beet. But the constant engine drone will wear you down. Music filled headphones are your friend.

 

[pickinitup]

I hear that!

 

[Skinny]

Governor removed? That would mean internal injection pump mods...that scares me...

 

[Ilikemtb999]

Governor removed? That would mean internal injection pump mods...that scares me...

I'm guessing he was under the impression it might of had one due to the "max speed of 55mph" idea generally given to cucv's even though that's not the case for m1009

 

[Barrman]

Make sure you check the brakes and steering system out pretty good before you go blasting down the road at 80 mph. It is a 30 year old 5,500 pound truck.

While it will run in the 70-80 mph range all day long. Your best mpg's will be around 60 mph with the stock sized tires normally.

 

[pickinitup]

I've driven it about 800 miles now, over 500 of that on the highway, and it appears to be getting about 22+ mpg highway, 17 mpg around town. It has 42K actual miles and the brakes look new in the front, better than half in the back. Runs perfectly and steers straight.....I actually think I might have gotten a "good one". I had it checked out by my mechanic last week, changed the oil and greased it topping off all the fluids, changed a bad alternator belt and did a good all-around inspection. I certainly realize it's a 30 year old vehicle and i didn't buy it to race it. Primary use will be hunting and fishing trips, and occasionally pulling a tandem axle trailer that's kind of heavy (about 3,500 to 4,500 lbs loaded). I also own a 2000 S-10 Blazer which really had to work to pull the trailer around. I'm figuring the diesel K5 should pull it just fine at 55 to 60 mph, without worrying about burning up the transmission. Since getting the M1009, I'm really liking it. The noise level is a little on the high side at highway speeds, but as suggested, headphones should take care of that. Who knows......maybe I'll get ambitious enough to insulate and carpet it, which would help too. I even starting to look for a M101 trailer to pull when I have smaller loads.........but so far, they are all selling well over my ability to afford. Thanks for the comments!

 

[ODFever]

You won't have a problem pulling 4500 lbs with your M1009, as long as you keep the speeds in the range you plan on running. http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?93401-M1009-Towing/page2 Post #11 & 12 have pictures of my hitch setup. I have a Class III bead welded and bolted underneath the pintle. I had UHAUL install a trailer brake controller and 4/7 pin plug on the rear passenger side bumper.

I agree with Barrman. The best MPG for highway is around 60 MPH, no faster than 65 MPH. Any faster than that and your MPG's decrease very rapidly.

 

[cucvrus]

In Illinois I would not insulate and carpet any CUCV and drive it. These are rust buckets as it is and do not need any help. At best I would recommend getting a spray in liner That helps a lot to keep road noise down. Get it done at a reputable shop and forget the brush in liners. I had that brush in crap on one M1009 and 3 years later the brush in liner was a 3 month removal process and I had holes under the liner that just appeared to be slight blisters. I would also recommend putting a class 3 receiver on it and refrain from towing with the stock pintle hook unless you go over and replace the rear drawbar and all the attaching hardware. Even then that hitch was NOT designed to carry much weight. Good Luck. I have several M1009's and I run the pants off of them. They are great all around vehicles. I do NOT drive them in extreme cold because of the wear and tear on the starting system. I fail to plug mine in and it is just plain hard on me and them CUCV diesel's in extreme cold. And I do NOT drive them in extreme heat. I like A/C and it is nice to get somewhere and arrive refreshed not worn out sweating. I use them hard year round and work them and maintain them just as hard. Someday I will have another replacement vehicle. But for now the CUCV is my toy. Not my daily driver and for that I am thankful. Happy Holidays and good luck. Run it hard and park it. Just keep it well maintained and it will maintain you and provide years of hard use. As little changes as possible helps to retain its resale value. I have had several for years and they still brought really good money because they were unhacked and all stock.

 

[FrankenCub]

I second what cucvrus says about carpet, it will hold water and any salts that come in. Makes for a Flitnstone Flier in short order. I like the idea of a quality bed liner but make absolute sure any rust is taken care of and treated before it's applied, otherwise it will rot through anyway. I was a wrecker operator for a body shop, the body guys always complained about that. Other than that it makes for easy work to clean the crap off the floor. I use just rubber floor mats in most of my pickups so I can maintain and clean the floor easily.