M1009 CUCV...thoughts?

[Mosinguy]

Been looking to get one as a daily driver/SHTF vehicle. Anyone have any experience with them? I know if you aren't lucky you can get a mechanical nightmare. Let me know what to look for and pro/cons of getting one.

Thanks all in advance!

 

[vesan87]

I've got one and I drive it often. I get about 20mph and I love it. It's fairly beat up. I've rebuilt the alternator and put two new batteries in it and replaced the u joints. At 95000 miles the u joints were very worn.

 

[Mosinguy]

I've got one and I drive it often. I get about 20mph and I love it. It's fairly beat up. I've rebuilt the alternator and put two new batteries in it and replaced the u joints. At 95000 miles the u joints were very worn.

You wouldn't happen to live near Greenwood would you? Just wondering because someone down the road from me has a 6x6 and an M1009 in their driveway. Have you done the 24v to 12v conversion? And how hard are u joints to change out? I love the fact that everyone says they are easy to work on.

 

[bigdawgtrucks]

You might check out coloradok5.com. Search that site and you'll find all the info you need to know about a k5.

 

[jeremy]

Been looking to get one as a daily driver/SHTF vehicle. Anyone have any experience with them? I know if you aren't lucky you can get a mechanical nightmare. Let me know what to look for and pro/cons of getting one.

Thanks all in advance!

Pro's...
Dana 60 Front Axle in a 3.08 ratio open
GM Corporate 10.5 Rear Axle w/Detroit Lockers
TH-400 Transmission
NP-208 Transfer Case


Con's...
6.2L Diesel
They have been driven like they were Stolen every time some kid got behind the steering wheel...
The bastard Wiring 12VDC and 24VDC


I have worked on them many times. The only way I would buy one would be to strip the axles for a different project...

 

[bigdawgtrucks]

The m1009's came with 10 bolts not the 60's or 14 bolts.

 

[jerry46765]

I had one about 15 years ago. I paid next to nothing for it. It had 30k on the odometer but must have been constantly idling from the beginning of Reagan's second term through George HW's entire stay in the White House. It was military surplus rough and that Olds 6.2l wasn't anything special. Interior was trashed, but it was current on maintenance. Typical stuff that was usually rough on an old truck wasn't bad on this one. Driveline was tight, brakes were good, door hinges looked like they had been repaired/replaced, but it was getting rusty (and that was in the mid 90s).

As a hunting vehicle or a demolition man runner, it was good enough.
As a daily driver, it's an old truck with lots of running time on it.
It just depends what you want from it.
Not sure I would want to depend on it for daily driving in very cold weather with the 24v charging system.

 

[dukeboy_318]

I drove and beat the **** out of one for nearly 7 yrs, not a chevy fan by any means and the 6.2 diesel is well a 6.2. The rest of the truck seemed to hold up fine, for a SHTF vehicle or a hunting/off road play toy, it would do the job for sure.

 

[jeremy]

The m1009's came with 10 bolts not the 60's or 14 bolts.

Good catch when I wrote that I was thinking CUCV Series and not including the variance for the M-1009.

 

[ghuns]

Get one and swap a 4bt cummins in it, if you can find one.

 

[Bill B]

I spent 8 1/2 years working on the things.
The glow plug system sucks and needs to be seriously babied. It doesn't matter if its 100 degrees out, wait for the wait light to go off or you'll be trying to removed swollen glow plugs.
Changing the starter sucks, period.
Use marine grease in the front hubs.
If you get one change the lock cylinder. All those military chevy's used the same key.
They are emp hardened, except the glow plug controller
They were (20 years ago) very reliable.

 

[bigdawgtrucks]

If your still considering a k5, there are some issues to look for before you buy. All the ones that I've seen in this region are rust buckets. Most will require floor pans front and rear, quarter panels, tailgate, bracing, ect.. The 10 bolts in them won't take much abuse before they break, and like everyone said the 6.2 is lacking.

It would be best to search for a west coast k5 that someone else is tried of. Look hard enough you should be able to pick up something solid. The positive thing about the k5 is the aftermarket is huge, and they are easy to interchange parts with other GM products from that era.

 

[Sailor]

A bunch in great shape at the WI .gov auction. Great prices for this group.

 

[Mosinguy]

If your still considering a k5, there are some issues to look for before you buy. All the ones that I've seen in this region are rust buckets. Most will require floor pans front and rear, quarter panels, tailgate, bracing, ect.. The 10 bolts in them won't take much abuse before they break, and like everyone said the 6.2 is lacking.

It would be best to search for a west coast k5 that someone else is tried of. Look hard enough you should be able to pick up something solid. The positive thing about the k5 is the aftermarket is huge, and they are easy to interchange parts with other GM products from that era.

I am still considering it. I'm not wanting to do hard-core off roading, but will stock replacement drivetrain parts. Also might buy the supplies for the 12v conversion for reliable starting. I'll also upgrade the glow plugs and replace all rubber on the truck.

 

[Mosinguy]

A bunch in great shape at the WI .gov auction. Great prices for this group.

WOW! So tempting..

 

[Sailor]

My buddy who has experience in this states:

I have been tracking the sale of M1009's for about 3 years and this is the best batch listed as "driven onto lot" that I have seen in about a year and a half.

I am seeing fewer and fewer of these going up for auction, so if you have had any interest at all you might want to jump on this batch.

Background: I have bought (1) M1009, (5) M1008's, and an M35A3 from auction. When they say "driven onto lot" that means it is in driving condition.

M1008's/M1009's usually go for about 3500-4500 in this condition. M35A3's usually go for about 6500 bucks.

 

[Mosinguy]

My buddy who has experience in this states:

Would this mean I have almost nothing to worry about with this batch? I almost just want to outright sell my WASR in the classifieds and try my hand at bidding!

 

[Sailor]

It means that he has a ton of experience with these, has followed these auctions for years, and this is the best batch he has seen in a year in a half. This is from a guy I would trust my families life with.

If I was in the market for one I would buy one.

That being said it is an auction and you better have the skills to repair things if needed. If you don't I would pass.

 

[Mosinguy]

It means that he has a ton of experience with these, has followed these auctions for years, and this is the best batch he has seen in a year in a half. This is from a guy I would trust my families life with.

If I was in the market for one I would buy one.

That being said it is an auction and you better have the skills to repair things if needed. If you don't I would pass.

Man, I hope these gems go unnoticed

 

[bigdawgtrucks]

Stick with 33" or smaller tires, don't get to adventurous with the trails you might run, and try not to put the suspension/tires in a bind, then your stock running gear should be fine. I would look bracing the frame around the steering box (offroad design carries a kit), they are prone to cracking because of the steering design.