19trax95's 1986 CUCV M1028A1

15457 Views 342 Replies 24 Participants Last post by 19trax95, 1 h ago

19trax95

Discussion Starter · Dec 5, 2021 (Edited)

7

So I have been looking for a decent square body for some time now. Didn't really have my eyes on anything in particular, but the frame and body needed to be in as good of shape as I could find.

Last week I came across this beast on marketplace up in Massachusetts. It's a 1986 Chevy M1031. Which is the military CUCV service truck.

It is I'm great shape. Frame is rock solid, and the cab has very, very little rust. It is also mechanically sound. A couple little leaks, but that's to be expected.

It has the 6.2 diesel, th400 trans, np205 t case, king pin Dana 60 front axle with a limited slip, 14 BFF rear with locker, and 4.56 gears. The service body is all aluminum. It used to have a PTO driven generator and air compressor, but those have since been removed. The PTO is still on the t case though.

My plans are to keep it fairly original, but add a few creature comforts to suit me better.

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19trax95

Discussion Starter · #21 · Dec 10, 2021

Been driving the truck all week. No issues at all. Some dash lights burned out so I think I'm down to just 1 or 2 left working lol. But thats an easy fix.

I need to adjust the belts since I have a slight squeal when cold. The drivers side alternator belt is a little loose. Might just grab some new belts all around and keep the others for spares.

I also scored a pair of 6.5 ton US made shackles for the truck. They came off a old Mack that we scrapped at work. Boss didn't want them for out wrecker since they were rusted. Sand blasted them and they look brand new. They are Crosby shackles, and new they sell for around $75-80 per shackle! Now to just paint them and install them. Need two more to complete it, but I'll be on the hunt for two more free ones first lol.

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RedSLEd

· #22 · Dec 10, 2021

Score!

19trax95

Discussion Starter · #23 · Dec 11, 2021 (Edited)

New body lights and shackles are painted. Got some bulbs for the dash as well. Will get all that installed tomorrow and post the before and after pics.

I also seem to be getting rather good fuel milage. I filled up on Tuesday night and have been driving it all week to work and back. So a total of 110 miles on only a 1/4 of a tank. The tank is only 20 gallons, so that averages out to 22mpg!

That is also assuming the fuel sending unit is accurate and I am in fact only down to 3/4 tank. I have no reason to belive that it isn't accurate since when I filled it, I was at 1/4 tank and it took right at 15 gallons.

I'll fill it up again next week around half a tank and calculate my actual milage.

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silentbravo

· #24 · Dec 13, 2021

Those old diesels did usually get pretty good MPG. They just have no power lol.

GobblerK5

· #25 · Dec 13, 2021

No power, but lotsa torque...

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19trax95

Discussion Starter · #26 · Dec 13, 2021

Yeah power is definitely something it does. It have lol. But thats what gearing is for lol. Also doesn't help I'm used to driving an animal that has more power available than traction lol.

These J code motors are rated for 148hp and 245ft/lbs of torque @2k rpm. Definitely pretty dismal, but it moves the truck along good enough for what I'm using it for.

I would like to swap an overdrive trans in it at some point likely a 4l80e, so I can take it on the highway without being limited to 55mph lol.

19trax95

Discussion Starter · #27 · Dec 14, 2021 (Edited)

Ran out of bolts for the lights so I still need to do the front 3 over the cab.

But my tires showed up at the shop today. I just dropped off the wheels so he can get them switched around tomorrow. Should have some pics of the tires to post after work tomorrow night.

Also got my amsoil order for some oil and filter for the truck. Used my saved up customer bucks and got everything for $12 lol.

REVINKEVIN

· #28 · Dec 15, 2021

Small turbo and a flat bed with a 4l80e. Then make a .50 cal mount that’s removable and put it to work. Those trucks are fun. Good luck.

19trax95

Discussion Starter · #29 · Dec 16, 2021

Got my tires mounted today. Put them on a little bit ago. Dropped the pressures since for whatever reason the tire shop always sets them to 80psi no when I bring them loose wheels to mount. I'll start at 38psi front and 35psi in the rear and see how that does on a chalk test.

I kept the two best tires and will use them as spares when I get a spare wheel.

My work light died on me so I'll grab some pics of the truck tomorrow morning and post them up.

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GobblerK5

· #30 · Dec 16, 2021

Thems got some good grippers on um!

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19trax95

Discussion Starter · #31 · Dec 16, 2021

Yeah they are definitely a beefy tire haha. Just on the quick trip around the neighborhood, they are nice and smooth and I don't hear any tire noise at all. Granted I don't think I'd be able to hear even the loudest tires over the old 6.2 anyway lol.

silentbravo

· #32 · Dec 16, 2021

Are those tires you have ran previously? Good in all or most conditions?

19trax95

Discussion Starter · #33 · Dec 16, 2021

I have never ran the toyo MT before. I have always wanted to, but never bit the bullet and bought them.

I figured since this is a fun "toy" I would use it as the test dummy for the MTs. If I end up liking their performance, I'll get them for my 15 the next time around.

I have ran numerous sets of the toyo AT2 and AT3 and I love them. That's what I run on my summer and winter wheels. They do great in all conditions. I'm interested to see how the new AT3s do in the snow compared to the AT2s and the BFGs I ran last winter.

GobblerK5

· #34 · Dec 16, 2021

I put Cooper STT on my K5...that was Aug 2013...maybe put 3500mi on them. They'll dry rot before I wear them out...

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silentbravo

· #35 · Dec 16, 2021

My brother likes the Cooper STT's, at least he ran them when he was logging which required some "off roading". If I replace the tires on my 2wd truck, it would probably be good to go with something quite aggressive like a MT type of tire in case it needs to dig to move. Although an AT type tire would probably be alright.

19trax95

Discussion Starter · #36 · Dec 16, 2021

2

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GobblerK5

· #37 · Dec 16, 2021

Look good!

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19trax95

Discussion Starter · #38 · Dec 16, 2021

Yeah I'm pleased with the look. They ride nicer than the old tires too haha. Especially once I dropped the from 80psi lol. Speedo is only reading around 1mph slow. Makes me wonder how far off the speedo was beforehand. So my fuel milage calculations were likely off since if I can increase tire diameter by 2" and the speedo is basically correct now, that leads me to believe that it was reading fast before, which would cause my milage calculation to be a little higher than it was.

I also like that the rpm is noticeably lower while cruising 45-50mph. Not a ton obviously, but enough to notice. So that should help milage a little bit.

I also think I want to change the exhaust from the current true dual axle dumps it has now, to a single 3" rear exit. Will even out the tone and make it a little quieter in the cab. Plus I have a small leak at the clamps right before the muffler so I can hear that slight puffing sound at idle.

tsuintx

· #39 · Dec 16, 2021

Yeah, tire noise in a plain jane 6.2? Gotta have REALLY big and coarse tread blocks on the tires before you hear any of that.

Looking good.

GobblerK5

· #40 · Dec 16, 2021

Those E rated tires? My Nitros are and I have to run them at 60psi...

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