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Military's use of Blazers (CUCV)

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RJB44

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I read that the military used the CUCV blazers between 1984 and 1986, however I came across a photo showing a Army Blazer from what appears to be the 1970s. I'm not sure if this is considered a CUCV, but it is clearly in use (at the time) by the Army. Looks like a fullly extended cap.

us_cucv1.jpg
 
What is sad is the big white DRMO painted on the bumper of that Blazer means it is heading to DRMO...Which is basicaly the big trash pile for the Military. Everything and anything the Military does not want anymore gets sent to DRMO(Pronounced DERMO) where it MIGHT be auctioned but probably scraped or left to sit and rust or blown up on a demo range or shot on a machine gun range
 
Not all though go there though, not by a long shot. Hell we have had a couple blazers sitting in the woods behind our shoothouses for god knows how long. We also have about 20 trailers each with 37" goodyears and H1's that have been DRMO'd and will sit there in the woods until they rust away. Demo ranges and Machine gun ranges are also places alot of these things go.
 
I see the 8 lugs but what kind of axles excatly, came on the military blazers? Im thinking of buying one cheap and doing a axle swap...
 
The military Blazers just had regular 6 lug 10 bolts with something like 3.08 gears. Most also came with the Gov Loc in the rear. In other words, the exact same thing the civilian versions had. The pickups, on the other hand, came equipped with a Dana 60 front and GM 14 bolt rear (usually with Gov Loc, but I've heard of some having Detroit lockers) with 4.56 gears. They were rated as a 1 and 1/4 ton truck. Both the Blazers and trucks were equipped with the weak 6.2 naturally aspirated diesel. They're slow, but they're both good vehicles. The pickups use the TH400 transmission and a slip shaft NP208 transfer case. I can't remember what the Blazers had.
 
Almost positive that almost all the M1008's or "The pick-ups" had Detroits and not Gov-locks.

Also i am almost positve that all the Blazers also had the TH400 and slip-yolk 208's.
 
I saw a M1009 this morning driving on base that had flames drawn on the front with white chalk. Good laugh to start the day.
 
andyblack said:
The military Blazers just had regular 6 lug 10 bolts with something like 3.08 gears. Most also came with the Gov Loc in the rear. In other words, the exact same thing the civilian versions had. The pickups, on the other hand, came equipped with a Dana 60 front and GM 14 bolt rear (usually with Gov Loc, but I've heard of some having Detroit lockers) with 4.56 gears. They were rated as a 1 and 1/4 ton truck. Both the Blazers and trucks were equipped with the weak 6.2 naturally aspirated diesel. They're slow, but they're both good vehicles. The pickups use the TH400 transmission and a slip shaft NP208 transfer case. I can't remember what the Blazers had.
Click to expand...


Ok so if i find a good deal on a military truck will the axles swap straight out with my 86 blazer??
 
Correct, you will need to move the spring perches on the 14b. But buying an M1008 is almost always worth it for a 4.56 D60 and Detroit locked 4.56 14bff. Plus there is a TH400 if you want one of them.
 
If you're wanting just the axles you should just get on govliquidation.com and look for an M1008 with no engine. Just look at the pictures they have of each truck and look for an empty engine bay. The complete trucks usually go for over $2,500, but I've seen ones without a complete drivetrain (basically no engine or transmission) go for as low as $400!!

As far as moving the spring perches on the rear axle, there are several vendors in the vendor forum on this site that make 1/2 ton to 1 ton conversion kits. They will have new perches and u-bolt kits if you need them.

Also remember that you may need to use the driveshaft from the M1008 and have it shortened or have your Blazer's current rear shaft modified to match the u-joint size. Not sure though. Some of these experts on here might know.
 
RJB44 said:
I read that the military used the CUCV blazers between 1984 and 1986, however I came across a photo showing a Army Blazer from what appears to be the 1970s. I'm not sure if this is considered a CUCV, but it is clearly in use (at the time) by the Army. Looks like a fullly extended cap.
Click to expand...
Nope, just a truck the military bought for lord knows what reason. They bought plenty of 73-97(91) fullsize Chevy and GMC trucks that weren't the CUCV's. They REALLY liked crewcabs.
RJB44 said:
It appears the Navy had a different color. Fair to say Air Force had these in Blue as well?
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Eh, the standard was either green or NATO forest camo. However some Navy and AF trucks got different colors. Some AF trucks came new with a white paintjob. I know when I was in the Marines 97-01 they were all green only.
andyblack said:
The military Blazers just had regular 6 lug 10 bolts with something like 3.08 gears. Most also came with the Gov Loc in the rear. In other words, the exact same thing the civilian versions had. The pickups, on the other hand, came equipped with a Dana 60 front and GM 14 bolt rear (usually with Gov Loc, but I've heard of some having Detroit lockers) with 4.56 gears. They were rated as a 1 and 1/4 ton truck. Both the Blazers and trucks were equipped with the weak 6.2 naturally aspirated diesel. They're slow, but they're both good vehicles. The pickups use the TH400 transmission and a slip shaft NP208 transfer case. I can't remember what the Blazers had.
Click to expand...
Pickups all had Detroits in the 14FF's and the 1028's should have a Dana limited slip in the front. Dually 1028's have a Dana 70 with a Detroit in the rear.

Yeah...they're slow...uh huh...:rolleyes: Driven many?
They're J code 6.2L's so they're about 160hp. That compares favorably to any 80's small block with a carb.
Only trouble is the pickups' low gearing and small tires means they top out at about 55mph.
 
Simple:

All Military 1984-1986 CUCVs had non turbo 6.2 diesels and th400

All M1008 (pickup), M1010(ambulance) & M1009 (Blazer) have NP208.
All M1031 and some M1028/M1028A3 have NP205.

All M1028 (shelter carrier), M1028A3 (dually) & M1031 have lockers in the rear.

All CUCV except M1009 have limited slip in the Dana60s in front.
All CUCV except M1009 have one ton axles (4.56 gears)

All M1009 Blazers have 3.08 gears (top speed 62mph) all others - top speed 57mph (or the engine explodes - ask me) :p:

David - two M1009s, one M1028, one M1031, one M1010 & three M1008
 
dam88 said:
Simple:
All M1028 (shelter carrier), M1028A3 (dually) & M1031 have lockers in the rear.
Click to expand...
You left the 1008's and 1010's off the list. Just say all the CUCV's but the M1009's have a Detroit Locker in the rear.

All CUCV except M1009 have limited slip in the Dana60s in front.
Click to expand...
Nope. Only some 1028's and 1031's got the limited slip in the front. 1008's are open in the front and not all of the 1008's converted into 1028's had a limited slip installed up front either.
 
This is all great info, thanks guys.
 
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