19trax95's 1986 CUCV M1028A1

15434 Views 342 Replies 24 Participants Last post by 19trax95, a moment 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 · #41 · Dec 16, 2021

Yeah they are load range E. I'll be chalk testing them this weekend, but I run 45psi rear and 50psi front on my 15, which is much, much heavier than this truck.

Granted it's a different size and all. Truck only weighs a touch over 5k. Once I have the plow on there and weight in the back I'll likely have to bump up the pressure a touch.

Bradley21sanders

· #42 · Dec 16, 2021

1. If you were to remove the service bed and do something else would it be fairly easy to put on different mirrors? I assume body work would be needed to fill in holes? and create new ones.
2. I am not to familiar with manual locking hubs, I have done it on a ford once but they didn't stick out as far as the ones on this one. Anyone know why they stick out so far?

19trax95

Discussion Starter · #43 · Dec 16, 2021

Yeah the mirrors would be super easy to change. I'd just get some factory small mirrors and put them back on. The holes are still there from them. I would need to weld the other holes shut and smooth it out obviously from these mirrors.

As far as the hubs go, they work the same as the ford's do. Just turn to lock and unlock. This one has had warn hubs put on it at some point. They stick out so far mostly due to the wheel width and offset. The wheels are just 16x6.5 and like a 4.5" backspace.

19trax95

Discussion Starter · #44 · Dec 16, 2021

I was actually thinking of mirrors like this. Still a bit wider and larger than the normal ones, but not as obnoxiously wide and large as what's on there.

Now to just find some lol. I think something similar may have been on there at one point since the holes in the door seem to line up close to where those look like they would be.

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GobblerK5

· #45 · Dec 16, 2021

I'd have to check down at my dad's house on old doors off my 77 K10 that had those style mirrors...they might be still attached to the rotted out doors that I swapped off the 77 with some from an 85

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19trax95

Discussion Starter · #46 · Dec 16, 2021

Yeah let me know for sure. I'd be interested of you'd want to sell them.

GobblerK5

· #47 · Dec 16, 2021

I'll look (if I don't forget) tomorrow morning when I stop by to check on him

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19trax95

Discussion Starter · #48 · Dec 16, 2021

Sounds good

19trax95

Discussion Starter · #49 · Dec 22, 2021

Grabbed a pic of the body lights. Got them all done this past weekend.

Ordered some wiper blades and a washer pump for it along with some belts. I got the wipers and motor today and belts should be here Friday.

I replaced two of the fuel return lines on the drivers side tonight (the ones that were leaking). I still need to do the rest of them. I'm off Friday so I plan to change the oil, belts, fuel return lines, and hit the frame and cab with some fluid film.

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GobblerK5

· #50 · Dec 22, 2021

Crap, I forgot to look for those mirrors...

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19trax95

Discussion Starter · #51 · Dec 22, 2021

Haha not a problem. Whenever you get a chance. I'm not in a rush lol.

19trax95

Discussion Starter · #52 · Dec 26, 2021

My radio and speakers came in the other day. I had planned to install them this past Friday since I had off work, but that didn't happen thanks to Thursday night lolol.

But I changed the oil today and changed the belts on the motor. Glad I ordered them and had them ready since the one alternator belt shredded itself on Thursday night on the way home. Started to get ready for the radio install as well.

Got the dash pad off and planned on removing the cluster to clean it up and change the bulbs. I can't get the speedo cable off though so I just did the bulbs that I can get to for now. I'll have to persuade the ol lady to see if she can get her hand back there and pop it off for me. My hands are just too big to be able to turn it. I can feel it, just can't move it haha.

I may try and fiberglass the dash pad instead of buying a new one. Worst comes to worse I need to buy a new one anyway lol.

Cycled through the 4wd system today as well. Hubs lock and unlock smoothly and it goes into 4low and 4 high. Need to lube the shift mechanism a bit since coming out of 4 low needs a rather firm pull. Also need to get a new 4wd indicator switch. The wires corroded off the switch under the cab. Doesn't affect operation, just prevents the light on the dash from coming on to show when it's in 4wd.

But with the limited slip up front, you know full well when it's in 4wd lol.

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GobblerK5

· #53 · Dec 26, 2021

Ahhh...just get a cover for the dashpad ...mine was pristine condition then cracked one day. I just bought a cover...

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19trax95

Discussion Starter · #54 · Dec 26, 2021

That's an option too haha

desertboy13

· #55 · Dec 26, 2021

DONT FORGET TO CHECK FOR THE MIRROR'S HAHAHA

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GobblerK5

· #56 · Dec 26, 2021

I will after I'm back on my feet...

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19trax95

Discussion Starter · #57 · Jan 2, 2022

Started the radio install today. I got the radio assembled and mounted. Still need to do all the wiring. That'll have to wait since I can't for the life of me find my solder lol.

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19trax95

Discussion Starter · #58 · Jan 5, 2022

Got the plow hooked up and threw the new cutting edge on there tonight. That'll just assure we won't get any snow this weekend lol.

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19trax95

Discussion Starter · #59 · Jan 7, 2022

Ready to work in the storm we probably won't get now that I'm ready lol.

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RedSLEd

· #60 · Jan 7, 2022

Like the 12-20" we were supposed to get today... we got about 1/2".

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