CUCV - M1008 vs M1009

[Indychus]

So I've built bagged trucks, minitrucks, drag cars, etc, but never built a 4WD. Recently, I've gotten the idea stuck in my head that I really want to buy a surplus CUCV at auction. The M1009 better fits my situation since I have 2 kids who would love to ride, but the M1008 has the beefier axles and transfer case. I can swap all of these components out in the future, but I'm trying to get the best bang for my buck right out the gate.

Will the M1009 still be capable enough offroad to keep a 4WD noob happy?

Is it worth giving up the cool factor and rear seat on the M1009 for the beefier driveline?

Anyone ever bought surplus at auction and have an experience to share?

Thanks for any input!

These aren't the specific trucks I'm looking at, but this post seemed a waste with no pictures:

[mongocanfly]

I assume the 1009 is the blazer and the 1008 is the truck...
The blazer is more than capable of being a nice trail rig....you dont have to have big heavy axles to have fun...

[Indychus]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

I assume the 1009 is the blazer and the 1008 is the truck...
The blazer is more than capable of being a nice trail rig....you dont have to have big heavy axles to have fun...

That's correct, the M1008 is the truck- Dana 60 front / 14 bolt rear / NP208.
M1009 is the blazer- 10 bolts front and rear and NP205.

There may be exceptions, this is based on my limited research. I know very little about 4WD so I'm learning as I go.

[bigdaddy4x4]

Originally Posted by Indychus

That's correct, the M1008 is the truck- Dana 60 front / 14 bolt rear / NP208.
M1009 is the blazer- 10 bolts front and rear and NP205.

There may be exceptions, this is based on my limited research. I know very little about 4WD so I'm learning as I go.

the m1009 blazer has a turbo 400 and 208 tcase.. no np205 in the m1009 and its a real pig with the 6.2 diesel only 132hp and 3.08 gear..

[Indychus]

Originally Posted by bigdaddy4x4

the m1009 blazer has a turbo 400 and 208 tcase.. no np205 in the m1009 and its a real pig with the 6.2 diesel only 132hp and 3.08 gear..

Thanks for the clarification! The M1008 has 4.56, correct? Sounds like the best approach is to swap M1008 axles into the M1009.

[sweetk30]

doing one right now .

m1009 / then police use / then public works use / now private hands owner ship .

she is getting the axle from a m1008 truck . then a nv4500 stick and sbc 400 built up a bit . she is up 7" of lift and on 37" tires now .

here it is mid build .

in stock military form there just 3.08 gear open front and gov-loc rear . 6.2 diesel and th400/208 t-case .

the trucks got the detroit locker rear and basic pickup trucks got open diff front and the service trucks got a light duty trac-loc posi up front / and some got a 205 t-case for the pto option .

[hatzie]

The military J code 6.2 was 155 hp and 240ft-lb. Peak hp was 2,100 rpm.

[Dead Parrot]

Be aware that the specified max speed for a M1008 is about 55. The stock 6.2 wasn't setup as a fast revving motor. The towing limit with the stock bumper pintle hitch is about 3400lbs. The bumper is basically one of the stamped bumpers with a few special mods to fit the pintle and the tow rings.

If the OP is after a fun truck to enjoy with the kids, go for the M1009 Blazer variant. The 1008 is basically a K30 1 ton PU with a few military wiring bits added on. Snagged one recently off of CL that was a former Fire Department rig and still had the spray rig on it. A lot of the CUCVs went/still going to FD via the Federal Surplus program that allows FD/PD and similar organizations to obtain for minimal costs.

More info can be found on the Steel Soldiers web/forum site including all the TMs. Basically this site for used military equipment.

[hatzie]

The NATO electrical is quite different from the civvy trucks.
Dont let that scare you but there are more than a few small differences.
You will not plug two civilian rigs together and start the one with flat dead batteries immediately from the other truck. I've jumped a flat battery deuce from an M1008 and vice versa.

[GM72K10]

I personally prefer the m1028s but to each his own. Shown is my m1028a1 slaving my m1028a2 dually.
Both bone stock and still 24 volt. Bought one from Gov Liquidators in 2007 and the other from the state of Pa in 2010. Always think worse case scenario if buying sight unseen at auction.

[Indychus]

Originally Posted by hatzie

The NATO electrical is quite different from the civvy trucks.
Dont let that scare you but there are more than a few small differences.
You will not plug two civilian rigs together and start the one with flat dead batteries immediately from the other truck. I've jumped a flat battery deuce from an M1008 and vice versa.

The starting system is 24V, but everything else is 12V, correct? I assume that the wiring is well documented in the manuals.

[hatzie]

It's a mix of civilian 12v and 24v NATO wiring.
Download the DOD Tech Manuals "TMs" from Steel Soldiers.

[Indychus]

Awesome, thanks! I'll check that out.

[Killer Bee]

well my suggestion of course is to buy one of each!

although may be an underwhelming driving experience, they are quite capable for intended use..

the NA GM diesels are not going to blast you to the finish line in first place, but you will eventually get there

don't forget your pioneer kit though!

I had the joy of operating and maintaining this pair in the unit I retired from, few others of the years I wasn't as attached to

as mentioned above, lots of online documentation and a fairly large following to get assistance from..

good luck!

[jrpontiac]

I bought a Humvee through Govplanet a few years back. If you are thinking about going that route pick a few cities that auction them off and watch the results for a few months. The purchase process was easy but lengthy, the vehicle was accurately described and I had no problems with it. With that being said I count myself lucky because I have heard horror stories. Drove it for a couple years and sold it last summer. Made maybe $500 on the deal which was a new experience since I always seem to be losing money.

You will get tired of having a top speed of 55mph.