CUCV Technical Info
Here is information I have collected while working on my m1009, but this information can be used for m1008,m1028, m1028A, and any of the cucv series.
The CUCV (Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle) was manufactured by General Motors for the U.S. government from 1984-1986. They were built from the heaviest duty parts of GM’s light commercial truck division. The M1009 is a stripped down blazer that has been modified to reach a 3/4 ton load rating while all other CUCV series trucks are rated at 1 1/4 ton.
Government Issued Manuals Regarding the CUCV:
- TM 9-2320-289-10 — Operators Manual
- TM 9-2320-289-20 — CUCV Maintenance Manual
- TM 9-2320-289-34 — Intermediate Maintenance Manual
- TM 9-2815-237-34 — 6.2L Engine Maintenance
- TM 9-2320-289-20P — Parts Manual
- TM 9-2320-289-34P — Intermediate Parts Manual
- TB 11-5820-890-20-77 — Radio Install
- LO 9-2320-289-12 — Lube Order
- TB 43-0147 — Paint Specs
General Information:
- Dot 5 silicone brake fluid (Level should be 1/4″ below top)
- Power Steering fluid can either be transmission fluid or standard power steering fluid. Do not mix.
- Any standard air filter designated for use in a K5/K30 should work
Batteries and Alternators
- Group 31 or 6TLs (Original)
- Any 800+ CCA batteries would work
- Dual 100Amp Alternators wired in series for 24V
- Passenger side alt MUST BE ISOLATED GROUND!
Engine:
- 6.2L Naturally Aspirated Detroit Diesel V8
- Injector Pump
- Stanadyne Roosa Master DB2 (Click for detailed information)
- The estimated life is 100,000 miles. However, in a 25 year old vehicle, the seals are worn out.
- If you are leaking fuel from the bell-housing cover, it is likely drain off from the IP through a hole in the rear of the engine compartment
- The first seals to wear out are normally the throttle-shaft seals which are inexpensive but a time consuming job to replace in which the intake must be removed. Also the wearing of these seals normally corresponds with the wearing of the pump itself and it may be better to rebuild or replace the pump if it is original. Rebuilt pumps are usually in the $3-500 range plus a core charge if you don’t provide them with your old one. Getting your IP rebuilt is probably the best thing you can do for your vehicle.
- 7 Quart Oil Capacity
- Fuel Filter
- NAPA# FIL3136 or FRAM # P3940A
- Oil
- SAE 30 for diesel for temperatures above 40* Fahrenheit
- 15W40 for diesel for lower temperatures
- Filter is FRAM# PH5, NAPA# FIL1092, ACDELCO# PF1218CL, K&N# HP-3002
- Thermostat
- NAPA 381-190 or Autozone 42995 or Orielly 42995
- 180* for hot areas works well and 190* is the original supplied part
- Glow Plugs
- Wellman 070 or AC 60G
- Relay– NAPA# ST85
- Control Card http://www.flmv.net/FLMV-CUCV.htm
- Belts (Not for M1010)
- Driver side alt Gates# 7575/Dayco# 15580
- Passenger side alt Gates# 7483/Dayco# 15490
- Power Steering Gates# 7448/Dayco# 15455
- Injector Pump
Transmission:
- Turbo-Hydramatic 400 (Th400)
- Dextron III Oil
- Approx 4 quarts
- Replace filter ever 2 years or 24,000 miles
- NAPA# ATP14558, FRAM# FT1020A (w/gasket)
- If running oversize tires or towing an external cooler is HIGHLY recommended.
Transfer Case:
- M1009/M1008/M1028/M1010 uses a NP208 aluminum chain driven transfer case.
- M1031 uses a NP205 cast iron gear driven transfer case with PTO abilities.
- Level should be 1/4″ below filler plug
- Dextron III fluid
- 5 quart capacity
Axles:
- M1009
- 10 bolt axles front and rear with 3.08 gears and a Gov-Loc in the rear (Not Dana 60 front and 14 bolt rear like some believe)
- All other CUCV’s Dana 60 front/14 Bolt FF rear with Detroit locker and 4.56 gears (some have a true-track locker in the front as well, but it is rare)
- Front Capacity 4.5 Quarts
- Rear Capacity 5.4 Quarts
- M1028 needs GM additive
Lights/Blackout Lights
- The right toggle switch moves power to the service lights, horn, dash, etc (up position) or to the blackout lights (down position). Pull it out and flip it up or down.
- The left switch turns on the blackout drive light. Flip it up or down; it will return to center position.
- If your lights suddenly don’t work, check the right toggle switch.
Tachometer:
There are multiple options to get a tach installed in a CUCV the simplest being a digital tiny tach (http://www.tinytach.com/tinytach/diesel.php) the fuel injection lines on the CUCV are 1/4″ OD. The CUCV alternators also have a tach output on the alternators so that can be used for certain tachometers as well.
CUCV Fuse Box:
Some information on this page from http://www.steelsoldiers.com
I have the exact same problem on my M1009. No running lights, backup, blackout, turn signal, ect. Any luck? Where can I begin to look. Any help would be great and thanks
I would use the TM’s and a multimeter to check for voltage along the circuit to and from the blackout switch. I would also try and post up on http://www.steelsoldiers.com/cucv/ if you cant find the problem. Its a great site with lots of CUCV owners who can give you insight.
Is there a plug in the M1009 for a radio harness. Where is it. If not, what wires do you plug into?
If you are referring to a am/fm music radio then no, the CUCV does not have a wiring harness for it. When I installed mine I tapped into a wire I had installed that was run from the battery. Then you can attach your ignition switched wire to the +12V ignition switched spot fuse block so the radio will turn on and off with the key.
Here is the writeup I did for my radio install:
http://www.motormayhem.net/2009/06/05/blazer-radio-install/trackback/
What part numbers do you have for the brakes (front and rear) for my 86 M1009?
Which numbers are you referring to? The brakes should be the same as a same year 4×4 k30 pickup truck.
Miles……Thanks a bunch this should help. I was asking about the brake pads for numbers. No one around me knows nothing about these blazers (M1009)
Another question…….I’m usually run about 50lbs of oil pressure but now pussing 75 or 80lbs. I just changed the oil for winter (15×40) and this only lowered it for a few days but again it’s up. What do now? I heard to not use a FRAM filter but don’t know if this is true!
I’m not sure why the oil pressure would have changed that much. Look in the TM for intermediate maintenance to see what the benchmark for oil pressure is. I think it would be in the section regarding diagnosing the oil pressure light. Does the oil pressure come down after the engine is warmed up?
I just realized you said m1009 not m1008. In that case it should have the same brakes as a same year diesel blazer (just make sure they are for the GM 10 bolt axles) as your m1009 has GM 10 bolt axles front and rear with the rear have a gov-loc locker. The m1008 (pickup) has a Dana 60 front and a GM 14 botl FF rear with a detroit “no spin” locker.
Sorry for the confusion,
Miles
Hello !
Does anyone know ? what PS MIL PUBS, issue #/date etc.
( the neat little Military like comic books )
That dealed with the M1009 / CUCV, that will be helpful for general needs, knowledge ?
Where is a good online source for the PS PUBS ?
geigner@alexssa.net
Thank you ! Ralph
From what I can see on the army’s website many issues in the #400-500 range cover different aspects of the CUCV.
I was able to find all issues from 1950’s through 1971 which doesn’t cover the CUCV but are still cool:
http://dig.library.vcu.edu/cdm4/index_psm.php?CISOROOT=/psm
Here is and index of post 1990 articles and what is covered in them. A quick search of CUCV revealed a lot of articles:
https://www.logsa.army.mil/WEB-PAGE/PS-1988-1998-Index.pdf
Here is the army’s website for PS Magazine:
https://www.logsa.army.mil/psmag/psonline.cfm
Hello ! I’m looking for a drivers side door glass for a 1984 M 1009 CUCV, part number 14022841 , NSN 2510-01-155-5435, any suggestions for a source ? good prices also for a good contact for M 1009 CUCV future parts needs etc ? Also looking for hard copies of TM’s and Operators manual.
Thank you, Ralph
The drivers side door glass is the same for any 80’s chevy. I would go with a local auto glass company and tell them it is for a 1984 blazer. OD Iron seems to have a lot in the way of parts. Many parts are interchangeable with the civilian chevy line. Im not sure where you could find hard copy’s of the tm’s. Maybe look on ebay for those.
OD Iron:
http://www.odiron.com/store/index.php?cPath=17&osCsid=l7bb2uoqpcq1v5pebr6h7eucp3
Hello and thank you for the great INFO ! Ralph
I am in need of the bottom end motor block, the CUCV truck I have is in perfect shape, new tires, etc.
The engine blew and I’m trying to find a replacemet to purchase.
Thank you, Dan
TRY BOYCEEQUIPMENT.COM
Just bought ‘86 M1008 and surprise! No headlights, brake lights, running lights, dash lights or horn. The blackout lights dont work either but I do see cut wires at rear bumper for one side. The wipers and blower do work… I suspect the lighting control switch…but how do I verify? Thanks
Try looking in the TM under the troubleshooting section. It does sound like that may be the culprit. Could also possible be a blown fuse.
What is the brand and part number for the 24 to 12 volt resister to reduce volts to the glow plugs. thx jeff
I dont know off the top of my head, but I would look in the TM manuals linked to on this page. Because the civilian trucks didn’t use that system I think it will probably be harder to come by. If you cant find it you could always bypass the resistor and hook to the 12V system, but that would only draw from the front battery.
Need to pick some ones brain got a m1028 shelter but has the m1010 wiring 1 altinater nevvell 28 volt u can call text e mail 931 588 8683 thanke you just need help and I can’t figer it out
Hmmm not to sure. Try visiting http://www.steelsoldiers.com/cucv/ they wold know a model specific question like that.
Very Cool