1986 Chevy Blazer Military M-1009 Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle

(CUCV pronounced “cuck-vee”) ¾ Ton, 24 Volts

The M-1009 is a Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle (CUCV pronounced “cuck-vee”), a military modified Chevrolet/General Motors Model K10516 Blazer with a 3/4 ton rating. The CUCVs were an attempt by the U.S. military to use COTS (commercial, off-the-shelf) vehicles with minor modification in non-combat roles. This effort to save money was not very successful and eventually all CUCV units where replaced by HMMWVs.

The M1009 was produced for the U.S. military from 1983 to 1986. The M1009 differs from the civilian Blazer in that it has a heavier spring in the suspension and has no air conditioning. The electrical system is a hybrid 12/24 volt, with most of the truck running on GMC OME 12 volt electrics, but the glow plugs, the starter, and the military slave cable jack are at 24 volts. The M1009 has a pair of 12v alternators and batteries wired in series to supply the 24 volt circuit. The glow plugs are standard 12 volt plus wired through a bank of resistors to run properly on the 24 volt side.

Engine	6.2L diesel, 135bhp@3,600rpm
Transmission	TH400 3 speed automatic
Transfer Case	NP 208 NP 241
Front Axel	Corp. 10 bolt
Rear Axel	Corp. 10 bolt, Gov-Lok and 3.08:1 Gears Upgraded to 30 spline axels with an Auburn Limited and 3.73 gears
Brakes	Front disc, rear drum, SILICONE FLUID ONLY
Tires	10R15LT (Load range C) BFG 33X12.5X15 (Load Range D)
Fuel capacity	27 gal 40 Gal custom double-walled tank
Curb weight	5,280 lbs
Payload	1,200 to 1,500 lbs
Towed load allowance	3,000 lbs
Ground clearance	9.6 in 13-14 in.
Fording	16 to 20 in. w/o kit 20 to24 in. w/o kit
Approach angle	39 deg plus
Max speed	55 mph 70 mph

Owner: Jim Richardson

Orange County, CA
Built as an expeditionary vehicle

Fabrication work by T&J Performance

Safari Snorkel, ARB, Los Angeles installed by T&J Performance

Connecting hose from snorkel to air cleaner by Mesa Hose, Inc

K&N Air filter

DIY4X4 rear bumper modified & installed by T&J Performance

Tire and twin fuel can racks built & installed by T&J Performance

Blazen Offroad front bumper, modified & installed by T&J Performance

Blazen Offroad rock sliders, modified with removable steps & installed by T&J Performance

Garvin Industries Safari rack, modified & installed by T&J Performance

Steering box reinforced by T&J Performance

Installation of 30 spline axels with 3.73 gearing with Auburn Limited slip by T&J Performance

Custom drive shaft installed T&J Performance

3.5 inch lift with Deaver leaf springs installed by T&J Performance

Rancho RS9000X adjustable shocks

Auto maintenance by Auto Care Plus

Perma-Cool Twin Electric Radiator Fans installed by Auto Care Plus

Aluminum fabrication work by Fast Eddie’s Race Car Fabrication

Rear differential protection by Turbo City

Twin Odyssey Marine Deep Cycle batteries

Pure Power Life-Long oil filter and POL

BFG 33X12.5X15 All-Terrain T/A® KO on OEM (15X8) military wheels

New body bushings by Daystar

Ceramic coated headers by Stan’s Headers

Magnaflow muffler and stainless steel pipe by Orange Mufflers

Engine work by Santa Ana Diesel

TH400 transmission with NP241 transfer case, built & installed by Orange County Transmissions

Chevy parts by Selman Chevrolet and Truck & Car Parts

Military parts by Walker Auto &Truck

Body & paint consultation by Precision Collision Auto Body Centers

Rust Bullet rust protection

Lizard Skin Thermal/Acoustic spray-on insulation

Military Desert Camouflage paint by MilSpray

AM/FM, Cassette, 10 disk CD and XM satellite jack by Custom Autosound, Inc.

Parrot Bluetooth for hands free phone adapter

2200 Watt inverter

Double-walled 40 gallon fuel tank by Aero Enterprises

OEM civilian tinted windows, installed by Expert Auto Glass

Upholstery by Orange Upholstery

Smittybilt G.E.A.R. seat covers

Custom 52 inch, split 4 row LED overhead light and side & rear lights by VisionX Offroad LED Lights

Aircraft cockpit lights by Stoderberg Manufacturing

Custom gauge overlays and LED interior lights by White Gauge

Exterior automotive lights by Super Bright LEDs

2 foot tie-down strips with adjustable tie-down rings by Mac’s Custom Tie Downs

F1 drink holders by Beverage Containment System

Ready Welder with military connections

Warn Power Plant HD

Hi-Lift X-TREME Jack

14,000 lb Pull-Pal anchor system

Max-Ax Multipurpose Tool

Lockable Shotgun & Rifle Racks

Pulse Tech Solargizer 24 volt Battery Maintenance System

Bolts, screws and assistance by Orange Hardware

4 Each 5 Liter Cans, Engine Oil, Gear Oil, Engine Coolant, Transmission Fluid

4 Each 20 Liter Fuel Cans

2 Each 5 Gallon Potable Water Cans

Radios, Computer, Scanner & GPS

Gamber-Johnson radio & computer mounting system

Radio faceplates by Woodcrest Vehicle Center

Panasonic Toughbook CF-M34 computer

Kenwood amateur radios

Tigertronics BayPac packet radio system

Uniden scanner & CB radio

High Sierra antennas

Delorme Street Atlas USA & Topo USA with GPS receiver

Magellan Trailblazer XL GPS

Future Work Third brake light Replace wire rope with synthetic rope Reinstall black-out lights Fitch Fuel Catalyst Build 6.2L performance engine Install Turbo charger Install air conditioning Install better axels

Immediate Trips Planned Mojave Road Trail Blazer Bash Skeleton Canyon, AZ Local trails

Future Trips Planned Santa Fe Trail Oregon Trail Mormon Trail Superstition Mountains Drive Route 66 Drive to Alaska Drive from the furthest Northwest to the furthest Florida Keys Drive the USA borders [nggallery id=14]