CUCV vs civilian model differences?

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vr1967

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Making me feel old. I remember when they started swapping out some of the M151s & Dodges at the base motor pools for the GM vehicles. We didn’t call them CUCVs, we just called them Blazers and 5/4 ton trucks.
 

HotWheelsBurban

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Then you get into the gauges, the cucv has dummy lights for battery voltage, oil pressure and engine temp only thing that matters is how fast its going, and how much diesel its got in it.


Nothing else apparently matters.
I guess when you're getting shot at....the motor pool crews should have been looking at the maintenance stuff before going into action?
 
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ChuckN

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Was wonder what this was all about since I’m not in the know. Copied and pasted from a good page I found.

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General Motors

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A Lithuanian Army M1008 CUCV Pickup
The GM CUCVs were produced in the 1983-86 time period (model years were 1984-87 and mostly 1984) and were powered by 6.2L Detroit Diesel V8 engine. The GM CUCVs were assembled mostly from the heaviest duty bits and pieces from the light commercial truck lines. The CUCVs came in four basic body styles: pickup, utility, ambulance body and chassis cab. The M1008 was the basic cargo truck, the M1010 was the ambulance and the M1009 3⁄4-ton utility rig, which was a stripped Blazer uprated to 3/4-ton capacity. With the exception of the M1009, the trucks were all rated as 11⁄4 ton (commonly called a “five-quarter”), even though some of them had payloads in excess of that. In the truck lines there were some heavy duty variants, to include the M1028, M1028A1, M1028A2 and M1028A3 shelter carriers, the shelter being a mobile command, communications or intelligence operations enclosure. The M1031 was the chassis cab which was most commonly found in the two door version. These latter trucks were all rated for heavier 3,600 or 3,900 pound loads, vs. the M1008s 2,900 pound load capacity. The M1028A2 and A3 models had dual rear wheels. Many M1028s were upgraded at the company level to M1028A2 and A3 specs. The Dual wheel rear end was a result of incidents where the M10128 flipped on its side because of the high center of gravity when carrying the equipment shelters.--

Powertrain​

All the CUCVs were powered by GM’s 6.2L J-series Detroit Diesel V8 engine non-emissions diesel. These were rated at 155 hp (116 kW) and 240 lb·ft (325 N·m), which was 5 hp (3.7 kW) more than the emissions diesel engine of the time. They were all equipped with the TH-400 automatic. All but the M1028A1 and M1031 used the NP-208 chain drive transfer case. The M1028A1 and M1031 units had a slip-yoke rear output version of the NP-205, which was specified mainly for its PTO capacity.

Axles​

The M1009 Blazer used 10-bolt axles (front and rear) featuring 3.08:1 gears. The rear axle was equipped with an Eaton Automatic Differential Lock (ADL) with the front being a standard open differential. The M1008 trucks used open Dana 60front axles, with the M1028 and M1031 variations often having a Trac-Lok limited slip. In the rear, the M1008s used the GM 10.5-inch (270 mm) 10.5" Corporate 14 Bolt Differential with No-Spin lockers (the commercial trade name for the Detroit Locker). Though the M1028A2 and A3 duallies have Dana 70 HD axles. Axle gear ratios were 4.56:1.

Electrical​

As with other military vehicles, the CUCVs used a 24-volt electrical system. It was actually a hybrid 12/24-volt system that used 24-volts under the hood, complete with dual 100 amp alternators, the mandatory NATO slave receptacle for jump starting any NATO vehicle, and hookups for military radios. The rest of the truck was 12-volt.

GM Defense​

GM produced some 70,000 from 1983 to 1986 most for the military. For the past several years, GM Defense has been working over the newest GM trucks as CUCV-II and CUCV-III units for a new generation. The older Dodge M880s were used on the battlefield in some of the brush wars of the early 1980s and the results were reported to be “disastrous.”[citation needed] Likewise, the GM CUCVs saw combat time in Desert Storm and as one unit commander said, the results were “less than desirable.”[citation needed]

However, CUCVs were not intended for direct frontline combat use, as evident by their lack of bulletproofing and no protection from improvised explosive devices or other ordnances. Windshield, cabin glass, and body panels are civilian-grade and offer no protection from firearms or explosives. As a result some CUCV's were replaced by the same HMMWV's they were to augment.

The original purpose of the CUCV was to be a dollar-saving bridge between out-and-out tactical vehicles and off-the-shelf civilian vehicles. CUCVs were intended to perform "background" roles, much like the rear echelon human troops, providing support for frontline forces, such as cargo transport, background support, ambulance, and communications.

It is these roles which the CUCV performed admirably enough, that the U.S. military continued to keep them in active service long after their projected lifespan. CUCVs of all generations are still in U.S. service, though there are also many that have passed through military surplus sales into civilian ownership. In U.S. military service, CUCVs have been removed from MTOE-based organizations in the Army and Marines, but are still in use as base / garrison support vehicles for organizations like Range Control, Base Facilities and Engineering, and other TDA[?] uses.

Variants​

  • M1008 - Basic General Motors Model K30903. The M1008 was the most numerous of the CUCV truck types. It was often seen with troop seats for eight in the bed. Some of the unique accoutrements to a CUCV are the military brush bars and tow hooks front and rear, as well as a pintle hitch. These trucks are rated to tow 3,000 pound cross country and were often used to tow the M101 3⁄4-ton trailer.
  • M1008A1 - M1008 fitted with additional 100-amp 24-volt generator and communications kit.
File:RightFrontCUCVM1009.JPG
Right Front view M1009 CUCV
File:RightRearViewM1009CUCV.JPG
Right View M1009 CUCV
  • M1009 - Utility version of the General Motors Chevy K5 Blazer 2nd edition. The M1009 is a utility rig built from a Blazer and could be used for command and control, as well as simple hack-around duties. It was often seen with radio sets installed, however the large square tube stock mounts prevented the rear seat from being lowered. The M1009 was rated for a 1,200 pound payload and a 3,000 pound towed load. It used the heaviest duty GM springs available for the chassis and the rear axle was a 10-bolt unit. It rolled on 10.00-15 tires, had 3.08 gears and a rear Eaton ADL.
  • M1010 - Ambulance version of the General Motors Model K30903.
  • M1010 [USMC Command] - USMC command post vehicle.
  • M1010 [USMC Ordnance] - USMC ordnance repair truck.
  • M1028 - Shelter carrier version of the General Motors Model K30903.
  • M1028FF - Fire fighting version of the General Motors Model K30903.
  • M1028A1 - Shelter Carrier w/ PTO version of the General Motors Model K30903.
  • M1031 - Chassis of the General Motors Model K30903. (contact truck)

CUCV Specifications​

Model years: '84-'87 GM M1008 CUCV

  • Engine: 379ci (6.2L) Detroit Diesel V8 engine
  • Power: 155 hp (116 kW) @ 3600 rpm
  • Torque: 257 lb·ft (348 N·m) @ 2000 rpm
  • Compression Ratio: 21:1
  • Transmission: THM400, 3-speed automatic
  • Transfer Case: NP-208 (unsynchronized)
    • NP-205 Used in trucks requiring PTO
  • Front Axle: Dana 60
    • Most were open except M1028's and M1031's which feature Spicer Trak-lock (limited slip)
  • Rear Axle: 10.5" Corporate 14 Bolt Differential, with a Detroit Locker
    • Dana 70 used in trucks with dual rear wheel modification.
  • Axle Ratio: 4.56:1
  • Wheelbase: 131.5 inches
  • GVW: 8,800 pounds
  • Curb: Weight: 5,900 pounds
  • Tires: 235/85R-16E
  • Fuel Capacity: 20 gallons
  • Fording Depth: 20 inches
  • Approach/Angle: 42 degrees
  • Top Speed: 55 mph (military rating)

CUCV II​

Chevrolet had been building a few CUCVs since the 1986 model year, mainly in low numbers to accommodate military markets that need replacements or other units that need this style of vehicle. In 1996 Chevrolet decided to start building a new generation of a CUCV to try and regain their marketplace in this niche. Mostly the US Air Forcewas occasionally buying small batches of these units and then GM dubbed them as the CUCV II generation. These were produced through 2001 and were civilian units sent to another plant for "militarization" on special order. They are basic 3500 SRW trucks that were originally built as white in color with gray vinyl interiors. After the usual 383 green CARC paint jobs, the bumpers and grill were the next to get customized with pintle and towing/loading shackles, extra leaf springs installed to give them a 5/4 ton rating and a host of other small changes. All CUCVs have a 24volt dual battery starting system, The rest of the truck is 12 volt with resistors on the firewall to bring it down to 12 volts. All heavy duty items are used and they are very similar to the early CUCVs.

CUCV III​

In 2002, GM introduced the CUCV III with the new body shell. Both the II and III come with AM-FM stereo and Air Conditioning. They also come with available options such as: Brushguard, Air Compressor, On Board Navigation System, 120 VAC Inverter, front or rear winch and runflat tires.

Light Service Support Vehicle​

Light Service Support Vehicle (LSSV) (Formerly Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle - CUCV II AND III) and is known in Canadian service as the Light Utility Vehicle Wheeled (LUVW), 4×4, MIL COTS. The LSSV is a GM-built Silverado 2500 HD and is powered by a Duramax 6.6 liter turbo diesel engine. The LSSV is available in a crew cab or standard cab. It can also be equipped with the Enhanced Mobility Package which adds underbody protection, a tire pressure monitoring system, and other upgrades. All LSSVs are produced by AM General, a unit of MacAndrews and Forbes Holdings.
 

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