Upgrading a CUCV's max towing capacity?

[Atwater]

my 08 with a nv4500 pulling a gooseneck grosses somewhere around 17000 a couple times a year. On flat ground it's fine, any hill is a problem. The truck stops the rig just as well as my fathers 97 f350. I do plan on installing a 5.9 cummins to solve the hill problem.

 

[Mercunimog404]

The NP208 isn't great but at least it's cheap to run and does the job. Any new parts that needs to be replaced on the newer case (pump issues, actuators, etc.) you can buy a pallet of NP208's.

Have you actually used a late model truck for work? A 2500 HD with a plow is just a joke...keep stock of frontend parts. Let's not get into the "remove the cab to change Duramax headgaskets" conversation. Everything an owner wants...expensive to buy and own. The 24v system is not difficult to fix and it works just fine if you understand electricity.

The CUCV is a great workhorse, but it won't pull the same as a new 1 ton diesel. It also won't cost $60k new and take 3 hours to change a drive belt.

Cool story bro. I really wish people would get over the whole older is better thing. There is a plethora of np208s around and a 2500 that can carry a 1500 pound cummins will not have an issue with a snow plow. You have fun with the 6.turd and do what you gotta do.

 

[reeddavid]

Cool story bro. I really wish people would get over the whole older is better thing. There is a plethora of np208s around and a 2500 that can carry a 1500 pound cummins will not have an issue with a snow plow. You have fun with the 6.turd and do what you gotta do.

Its not about that, the 6.2 is a best of both worlds kind of engine. Some power and mpgs. Plus our convo wasn't about engine it was about the pure toughness of the truck. Its also just a hobby.

 

[skysix]

I guess the M1010 is not allowed to tow anything...


2-14. TOW A TRAILER / AIRCRAFT​

(a) Towing Capacities of CUCV Models:​

(1) M1009:

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Equipped to tow M416 Series 1/4 ton trailers with maximum towed load of 1200 pounds for both cross-country and highway travel. Load on tongue should not exceed 100 pounds.

(2) M1008, M1008A1, M1028, M1028A1, M1028A2, andM1028A3:

Equipped to tow M101 Series 3/4 ton trailers with maximum towed load of 3100 Ibs. Load on tongue should not exceed 300 Ibs.

​

(b) Guidelines for Towing Aircraft Which Exceed Maximum Towed Load Weight:

​

(1) Speed will not exceed 5 mph.
(2) Truck will be operated with transmission in low range (“ 1”) and transfer case in “2H.”
(3) Gross load will not exceed 10,000 pounds for M1009, 15,000 pounds for M1008, M1008A1, M1028, M1028A1, M1028A2, and M1028A3.
(4) Tongue load will not exceed 100 pounds for M1009, and 300 pounds for M1008, M1008A1, M1028, M1028A1, M1028A2, and M1028A3.
(5) Operation will be on a level, hard surface.


NOTE: Aircraft have no brakes controllable by the tow vehicle when flat towed in this manner so CUCV does all the braking. 15000# is like a loaded C-12.
​

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[Skinny]

Cool story bro. I really wish people would get over the whole older is better thing. There is a plethora of np208s around and a 2500 that can carry a 1500 pound cummins will not have an issue with a snow plow. You have fun with the 6.turd and do what you gotta do.

Older is better...I will tell you why. Ever since the American population became so obsessed with buying useless stuff, the fixation on the automobile has become greater every decade. Not to get into "new stuff sucks" mode because EFI has it's place but newer stuff is lame. Ever since the 80's and the introduction of the compact SUV, every home in America 'needs' one. Since then, manufacturers have slowly shifted production of everything into this sissy crap that needs to be serviced at a dealership and god forbid it has a scuff on a skid plate. The new Jeep Cherokee is based on a Fiat car platform...Nostradamus couldn't set that coming! Overseas you can still buy a diesel Land Rover D90 that gets 28mpg and in the US we get the Ford Explorer based Evoque. Overseas you can buy a straight axled locked coil sprung diesel Cruiser with a factory bullbar/snorkel/winch...America gets an FJ Cruiser discontinued because no one buys them.

Let's face it, the truck market has suffered greatly because people like yourself think the new 2500 HD is a great product. Thanks bro! Probably looks cool in Petersons Ofroad mag or on the cover of 8 Lug. Do they make a stack kit for it yet?

 

[Mercunimog404]

Its not about that, the 6.2 is a best of both worlds kind of engine. Some power and mpgs. Plus our convo wasn't about engine it was about the pure toughness of the truck. Its also just a hobby.

Well the truck still isn't better. So....

 

[Mercunimog404]

Older is better...I will tell you why. Ever since the American population became so obsessed with buying useless stuff, the fixation on the automobile has become greater every decade. Not to get into "new stuff sucks" mode because EFI has it's place but newer stuff is lame. Ever since the 80's and the introduction of the compact SUV, every home in America 'needs' one. Since then, manufacturers have slowly shifted production of everything into this sissy crap that needs to be serviced at a dealership and god forbid it has a scuff on a skid plate. The new Jeep Cherokee is based on a Fiat car platform...Nostradamus couldn't set that coming! Overseas you can still buy a diesel Land Rover D90 that gets 28mpg and in the US we get the Ford Explorer based Evoque. Overseas you can buy a straight axled locked coil sprung diesel Cruiser with a factory bullbar/snorkel/winch...America gets an FJ Cruiser discontinued because no one buys them.

Let's face it, the truck market has suffered greatly because people like yourself think the new 2500 HD is a great product. Thanks bro! Probably looks cool in Petersons Ofroad mag or on the cover of 8 Lug. Do they make a stack kit for it yet?

Well if older is better than why is whatever vintage vehicle you're driving the "best era?" Why aren't you driving a model t? That's older so it must be better. The reason we don't have those cool vehicles here is because the gov has insane emission laws. EFI is leaps and bounds better than a carb any day of the weak. New cars and trucks are easy to work on. You just refuse to learn. That's not anyone's fault but yourself. I don't desire a huge lifted truck. The new chrome will out wheel the old one. It comes with a locker. The old one doesn't. And don't say but, but lip quiver. It has ifs and irs. I know for a fact that anything with a solid axle is better than anything with ifs or irs. Nope. The LR3 will out wheel the old disco 1.

 

[Skinny]

New cars and trucks are easy to work on. You just refuse to learn.

You are cute...

Let's do a heater core competition. I will take one out of an 84' CUCV and you can take one out of a 2014 2500HD. I win! Not good enough, lets do a front end rebuild. CUCV=repack wheel bearings, new kingpins, and 4 leaf spring bushings. 2014 2500 HD=my head hurts...you lost me at the overpriced 'unit bearing with integrated ABS sensor'

I actually love learning new automotive technology. I taught both High School and College levels for the past 10 years. I got out because I was tired of being in an industry that moves so fast it doesn't know what it's doing anymore. Do you know how a DEF and particulate filter works on a modern catalyzed diesel? I do...that's why I despise it. It is up there with electronically controlled carbs from the 80's and pellet type catalytic converters with smog pumps. No one wins, I'll keep my K30 and bolt in more power if I need to tow more.

Way off track here...hope the OP doesn't mind.

 

[mattsmoski]

Recovery, Can you help me choose a cab over camper for my M1008. So I have some questions, what would be the max weight for the camper, 2000# ? What tie down method works? How long can the camper be? Would I need sway bars or airbags? An 8 ft. Floor of a camper is good but what distance can the cab over be? So as you can tell I have not a clue. Any help would be great.
Matt

 

[Westech]

Back to towing and not my "thing" is larger then yours".
I would add a good trans cooler (make sure to install it on the out side of the radiator cooler. Another good idea is new trans fluid (get the good stuff)
Install new heavy duty pads and shoes and make sure your tires are up to the job and not some car type.
The 1 ton axles have plenty of braking/stopping power. With new pads and shoes (not the 25 year old stuff ) you will be amazed how much better the new pads are now days.

 

[hovenga67]

I pulled my trailer and went over the scale at 22500 with my 3/4 suburban. That is a 4000 lbs trailer, 6000 lbs suburban. That's 12500 lbs on the trailer. I know my turbo m1008 will pull more than that. Drive reasonably and have good trailer brakes.
Brent

 

[Jeepsinker]

I would rather drive my old smog machines that I can fix myself than bring a plastic truck to get reprogrammed because it decided to throw a hissy fit. And I am a 26 year old former Dodge and Chevrolet dealership technician. There is a reason all of my vehicles are older than I am now.

 

[Iceman3005]

I towed 18,000 lbs. with my 87 chevy 1ton 4x4 four door dually. The old worn out 454 and turbo 400 worked hard, but it did it with out braking anything, like the frame or axles! The trailer brakes didn't work, the brakes on my dually stopped the load just fine from 55 mph to a stop, if your worried about brakes then convert it to rear disc brakes it will stop just as good as a brand new truck! So your cucv should do just fine pullin that load, just add a turbo and it will pull very nicely!

 

[Iceman3005]

Yes the old trucks are just as good as the new, my dually's data plate says the rear axle max gvw is 8900 lbs and the front is 6900 lbs. I used to own a 2002 dodge 3/4 ton cummins, the rear axle max gvw was 7500 lbs and the front was 6500 lbs. So I am pretty sure our cucv's will handle a pretty heavy load!

 

[hannaganscr]

One of the biggest factors is tire size. I have a set of 35's and a stock size set. I have pulled an old 76 chevy 3500 dually 4x4 on a bumper pull trailer with my M1028 no problems at all. I also have hauled 4 horses and it pulled great. I have even hauled a MF30 back hoe with mine. The 4.56 gears are great for pulling. Also make sure your maint. is up to par via trans and engine oil also make sure your brakes are good on the truck and you will be fine.

 

[gagator61270]

newbie here just had to say how bad ass the 4 boxes quote is never heard it before

 

[corelokt]

Do not forget cooling. Hi output later 6.5 water pump, a D-max or Kennedy diesel fan, a new heavy duty fan clutch. Trans cooler as mentioned.
For power, a 6.5 turbo made a world of difference and does not ruin an otherwise otherwise original CUCV, it can be kept 24v with dual alternators if you want. I'd get a trans and a pyro gauge as well.

 

[southdave]

So.. I have this whole thread and several related ones. Sounds like banter you hear at Festiveus . You Know airing of grievenesses, feats of strength Etc.
I just put a ball in my bed, so who has one and how does it preform? hoping to find someone with what I have: 1028 with nv4500 turboed modded to handle 20psi of boost ( running 16) external engine oil cooler.. and bitchin set of fog lights

 

[corelokt]

Your best / easier bet is a 6.5 turbo with a HX40WII turbo swapped in and a strong injection pump and injectors. Add all the cooling upgrades ( latest oem water pump, Nerw fan clutch and tighten the spring, D-max fan, new radiator) and auxiliary coolers. Tall tires to get to 55mph and eventually a level-3 700R4 and a Np205 transfer case.

 

[skysix]

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