BigCountryx
1/2 ton status
Trucks with D60/14FF combos are called 1 tons in civilian models, but 1-1/4 ton in Military models. Why?



Uhhh where did you get this info? I really think you are mistaken in the statement that the 1 1/4 tons had different spring perch widths because any CUCV pickup (this excludes blazers) with a 14 bolt FF rear axle had the standard GM spring width of 40." You are also wrong about why the spacing is different. There is absolutely no reason to change spring perch width to accomodate add-a-leaves, because they go on top of or in the actual spring pack. The reason 1 & 1 1/4 ton pickups had narrower spacing was so that dually trucks would not have to use different frames or spring hangers.79blzr said:There were 1 Ton, and 1 1/4 Ton CUCV's. The only major difference is on the rear axle. The 1 1/4 ton had wider spring perches to accomodate the add-a-leaf/spring helpers. The 1 1/4 Ton variants were used as communication vehicles and needed the extra hauling capacity to accomodate the weight of the radios. Thats why when you purchased used "Detroit Locked" 14 BFFs on the internet, the spring perches may need to be relocated, and they may not. Being old and remembering this stuff is what really scares me!!![]()
Uhhh where did you get this info? I really think you are mistaken in the statement that the 1 1/4 tons had different spring perch widths because any CUCV pickup (this excludes blazers) with a 14 bolt FF rear axle had the standard GM spring width of 40." You are also wrong about why the spacing is different. There is absolutely no reason to change spring perch width to accomodate add-a-leaves, because they go on top of or in the actual spring pack. The reason 1 & 1 1/4 ton pickups had narrower spacing was so that dually trucks would not have to use different frames or spring hangers.
)In addition, not nearly "all" 1 1/4 tons were used for communications equipment, at best I would say "some" or "a few." They were just used as all around pickups, hauling troops, gear, trailers, medical equipment (M1028 I believe) and whatever else needed to be moved that was too small for a deuce.
79blzr said:While you are correct about the dually issue, the rest of the post is absolutely incorrect. The "1 TON" M1008 will directly bolt up to a 1/2 ton M1009 (BLAZER) without any modification. To do this mod axle swap with the 1 1/4 ton axles, the spring perches need to be relocated.
The perches from the 1 ton and 1 1/4 ton 14BFF also look completely different. The 1 ton perches are cast and have two hollowed out areas, The 1 1/4 ton is solid steel with only the centering hole on top. PM me your email addy, and I'll shoot you pics (I have 1 of each in the backyard.)
On this note, I don't remember saying "all" 1 1/4 tons were communication variants. I will add this piece of info though. The 1 1/4 ton M1008 was designated by the department of defense as a communication variant. By NSN, it also cost $34,331 as opposed to the standard $14,775 1 TON M1008. Now of course the militarry used them how they saw fit, but by the book they were considered special purpose vehicles and should have only been used as communication trucks. Almost like the modern day MRC HMMWV's.
Not to burst your bubble, but I pulled a pair of axles out of a 1984 CUCV, 14FF with 4.56's and Detroit along with the matching open carrier Dana 60F. The 14FF is sitting in my garage right now with cast perches (with the two hollow spots) and a perch width of 40.5".tRustyK5 said:The cast perches were most often found on older civi 14 bolts, and civi 3/4 ton 14 bolt FF's did have the correct perch width (42.5").
Rene
All 1973+ trucks and classic Blazers (1972-) are 40.5". All 1973+ Blazer and Suburbans are 42.5".

muddog said:There are 2 braces that sit behind the enginein th frame rails and 2 pieces of metal riveted to the frame where the shackle mount brackets are bolted for reinforcement.
But the reinforcements behind the engine are missing on my 1984 M1008! My buddies M1008 does have them although. According to my parts catalog, only 85+ M1008 came with the front reinforcments.
Come on now. It's a well known and documented fact that camo paint adds at least an extra 1/4 ton capacity.bigjbear said:...Just look at the M1009 if you need more proof. Its just a regular 1/2 ton K5 in camo...
