The time has finally come! I got myself a 1985 CUCV M-1009!!!!
Hello SS brothers and sisters!
After many years of looking, I finally got an M1009 as I’ve always wanted. Long story short I got this from SS user 48cj2a. Below are his mods since he’s had it.
1985 CUCV M-1009 Project Milverado
(8-29-10)
Purchased a 1985 CUCV M1009 (Blazer) with 48K from my local Police Dept in a Sealed Bid Auction. They procured it from Ft Carson, CO so there is very little rust and it is in excellent condition. They drove it all the way from there to Central, IL.
They swapped the 6.2 into another CUCV they already had that was hydro locked and then rattled.
I've been searching for a donor vehicle (Suburban, Blazer or Pickup) as I don't know what if anything is missing.
I've was hoping for a Silverado packaged truck for A/C, Cruise, P/L, P/W and possibly except able door panels and seats w/console.
Everything in Central Illinois within 150mile range has been way overpriced so the look continues.
Pulled the 6.2 yesterday and got it on an engine stand. My concerns were correct as a few wires were cut on the engine swap.
I will pull off oil pan first, what else should I look at or look for from the hydro lock diagnosis?
(9-10-10)
Still looking for a donor vehicle for engine.
Went to the Pick a pull last Friday, scored a good 87 tilt column with cruise and intermittent wiper module for $60 came with keys so pulled the door locks as well.
Also grabbed the dual head lamp harness and turn signal lenses out of the broken grill, the fender Silverado emblems for a theme idea, the dash Chevrolet emblem and a/c vents and ducts above the glove box (trim piece has broken)
Thinking about going back for the p/w, p/l pieces but the harness looked like a bear to pull. Also would like to grab the dash speakers w/wiring and brackets. The cab corner ones were already gone.
(9-24-10)
Craigslist local score today off an 88 Blazer...
Complete firewall A/C box both inside and outsides with controls and wiring plus inner ductwork. Still need the radiator side condenser
Both front door panels, P/W regulators & P/L actuators plus all wiring and relays (man that relay was a bugger to get loose)
Rear tailgate P/W regulator and all wiring from the dash switch to the gate (frame mount wire clamp was also a bugger)
Both Buckets and Rear Seat
Spare tire
Need some Blue and Pink fuse box ends for the P/W wiring, broke the clips removing them.
All for $150 and some sweat work.
(11-15-10)
Have not posted since my Birthday in Sept on my CUCV Build but can finally say we are back on...
In the mean time I pulled the motor and got it on a stand to assess/diagnose the problem:
Had been looking for a donor in the mean time.
Scored an 87 CCLB on local CL with a replacement 6.2 Target engine, sounds like it runs good so bought it and they delivered it for fuel money yesterday.
I started a little body disassembly Sunday afternoon, getting one fender and inner fenders well off and the other one tonight. The DLS time is killing me with only about an hour of daylight after work.
Hope to get the radiator drained and the core support off tomorrow and get a good look for any thing I need to address before swapping into the CUCV.
Did find a fuel leak that ended up being a broken injector return line so swapped a good one from the old engine.
Hopefully when done I can part out or sell what's left and recoup some of it back.
(11-17-10)
Got the radiator drained, disconnected the radiator and heater hoses, oil and tranny lines, wiring harness, and have the core support loose but got to dark so hopefully tomorrow and pull it.
Also learned it is an emission free J Code 6.2 so that’s another plus.
(11-19-10)
Just about ready to break out the tripod halogens...Do have a 4 day weekend next week so depending upon what I get done this weekend, I should make some good progress.
(11-20-10)
Made some real progress today.
Took most of the day but got the engine and tranny pulled together from the Crew Cab. Instead of fighting the motor mounts I unbolted the frame mounts and tranny mount, disconnected the exhaust, driveshaft, speedo cable, and shift linkage and it came out with a little persuading. Found another of the 101 uses for the Hi-Lift Jack...
Had a large can of oven cleaner I've been saving for no reason and emptied it on both. After the clean up and separating the tranny It’s now on the engine stand to evaluate anything I need to transfer over from the original engine.
After getting the engine removed and looking over the firewall cover, I'm going to try and use it as well. Might give a decibel of noise reduction.
(11-27-10)
Fought the reinstall of the 6.2 for a couple hours yesterday trying to get the tranny bolts to line up so today I started off the moring pulling the dash pad, speaker, cluster, wiring harness, firewall covers, wiper motor, and stainless gutters on the donor Crew Cab. All went relatively well.
Then spent a couple more hours after on the 6.2 and decided to just pull the front clip on the CUCV.
It was a real pain with the bumper and brush guard on but I did get it off. I think I will probably take the fenders off when I reinstall it.
After I got the clip off the 6.2 seamed to go in a lot smoother and I got all bolts started and even was able to persuade the dipstick into place to catch the upper bolt and the starter shield to catch its correct bolt just at it got dark tonight.
I will say the upper two bolts started pretty easy from the top since I was not fighting a HEI distrib for clearance.
Hope to get them tightened down tomorrow and begin getting everything else hooked up.
(11-28-10)
Made better progress today...used the pry bar under the manifolds and was able to get the motor mount bolts in on both sides with a little frustration.
Got all the tranny bolts tightened down, center firewall pad mounted, p/s pump mounted, and the wire to the gas tank fished through the flexible conduit and connected, before having to stop and go for the annual quest for the Christmas Tree.
At least it was sunny but in the 30s versus last year with foot of snow on the ground.
Didn't get as much done as I hopped for my 4 day weekend but further then I was a week ago for sure.
(3-15-11)
Finally getting some decent weather again so spent a few hours Saturday and all day Sunday working on the CUCV.
Not getting 12v to the Alt and Glow Plug Relay for some reason. Dropped the starter to check the fusible links on the starter harness. Traced the wire to GP relay and is all good as is the wire to the Alt. Ran a separate 6 gauge wire from the battery to the GP relay it is getting fire. Took a few cycles to get it started and all the fuel lines purged but she took off after that and seems to run pretty good.
Disassembled the front clip and got the radiator support and passenger fender mounted. installed the Crew Cabs wiring harness in the dash and got the tilt column installed.
(5-14-11)
I swapped in the crew cabs interior dash harness and all the gauges work but the low water is staying on.
Installed the tilt wheel.
Ordered and received some red LEDs from superbrightleds.com to bulb the cluster and heater back lighting. I've seen some builds on cleanup, painting the cluster housing and may end up doing that (left mine stock light blue) as I'm not getting the results I'd hoped and heard from others who did it with redoing it.
Need to install the cigar lighter socket in the ash tray still and try to get the dome lamp fished (the CUCV does not have a dome lamp and has a plate tacked over the hole)
(6-5-11)
Weather is getting real nice and I'm finally catching up with other things so I can get back on this.
I have about a quarter play in the steering wheel from side to side so need to figure that out and hopefully close up the dash in the next few weeks, and take a test drive.
Anyone have any ideas on the low water lamp. I have not ohm’d out the wire but rad is full and the wire is plugged into the sensor on the tank below the fill cap.
(6-6-11)
Looking for all of the cruise parts for a 6.2...
I forgot to mention I was able to sell the 2wd Crew Cab locally on CL after keeping a few items. If you see my parting a 6.2 ad you will also see that I've been able to part a few items from the pulled CUCV motor so I'm actually at almost a $100 in the black from the donor truck purchase to gain the replacement engine.
The donor truck supplied 12V engine harness, dash harness, gauge cluster, good brown dash pad, engine, radiator, firewall insulation and a few items I actually resold separately.
CUCV options added to date:
firewall insulation
tilt wheel w/intermittent wiper switch and cruise
gauges (oil pressure, water temp, voltage) and red back lighting
power locks and windows including tailgate ready to be installed
gathering A/C parts
Hello SS brothers and sisters!
After many years of looking, I finally got an M1009 as I’ve always wanted. Long story short I got this from SS user 48cj2a. Below are his mods since he’s had it.
1985 CUCV M-1009 Project Milverado
Purchased a 1985 CUCV M1009 (Blazer) with 48K from my local Police Dept in a Sealed Bid Auction. They procured it from Ft Carson, CO so there is very little rust and it is in excellent condition. They drove it all the way from there to Central, IL.
They swapped the 6.2 into another CUCV they already had that was hydro locked and then rattled.
I've been searching for a donor vehicle (Suburban, Blazer or Pickup) as I don't know what if anything is missing.
I've was hoping for a Silverado packaged truck for A/C, Cruise, P/L, P/W and possibly except able door panels and seats w/console.
Everything in Central Illinois within 150mile range has been way overpriced so the look continues.
Pulled the 6.2 yesterday and got it on an engine stand. My concerns were correct as a few wires were cut on the engine swap.
I will pull off oil pan first, what else should I look at or look for from the hydro lock diagnosis?
(9-10-10)
Still looking for a donor vehicle for engine.
Went to the Pick a pull last Friday, scored a good 87 tilt column with cruise and intermittent wiper module for $60 came with keys so pulled the door locks as well.
Also grabbed the dual head lamp harness and turn signal lenses out of the broken grill, the fender Silverado emblems for a theme idea, the dash Chevrolet emblem and a/c vents and ducts above the glove box (trim piece has broken)
Thinking about going back for the p/w, p/l pieces but the harness looked like a bear to pull. Also would like to grab the dash speakers w/wiring and brackets. The cab corner ones were already gone.
(9-24-10)
Craigslist local score today off an 88 Blazer...
Complete firewall A/C box both inside and outsides with controls and wiring plus inner ductwork. Still need the radiator side condenser
Both front door panels, P/W regulators & P/L actuators plus all wiring and relays (man that relay was a bugger to get loose)
Rear tailgate P/W regulator and all wiring from the dash switch to the gate (frame mount wire clamp was also a bugger)
Both Buckets and Rear Seat
Spare tire
Need some Blue and Pink fuse box ends for the P/W wiring, broke the clips removing them.
All for $150 and some sweat work.
Have not posted since my Birthday in Sept on my CUCV Build but can finally say we are back on...
In the mean time I pulled the motor and got it on a stand to assess/diagnose the problem:
Had been looking for a donor in the mean time.
Scored an 87 CCLB on local CL with a replacement 6.2 Target engine, sounds like it runs good so bought it and they delivered it for fuel money yesterday.
I started a little body disassembly Sunday afternoon, getting one fender and inner fenders well off and the other one tonight. The DLS time is killing me with only about an hour of daylight after work.
Hope to get the radiator drained and the core support off tomorrow and get a good look for any thing I need to address before swapping into the CUCV.
Did find a fuel leak that ended up being a broken injector return line so swapped a good one from the old engine.
Hopefully when done I can part out or sell what's left and recoup some of it back.
(11-17-10)
Got the radiator drained, disconnected the radiator and heater hoses, oil and tranny lines, wiring harness, and have the core support loose but got to dark so hopefully tomorrow and pull it.
Also learned it is an emission free J Code 6.2 so that’s another plus.
(11-19-10)
Just about ready to break out the tripod halogens...Do have a 4 day weekend next week so depending upon what I get done this weekend, I should make some good progress.
(11-20-10)
Made some real progress today.
Took most of the day but got the engine and tranny pulled together from the Crew Cab. Instead of fighting the motor mounts I unbolted the frame mounts and tranny mount, disconnected the exhaust, driveshaft, speedo cable, and shift linkage and it came out with a little persuading. Found another of the 101 uses for the Hi-Lift Jack...
Had a large can of oven cleaner I've been saving for no reason and emptied it on both. After the clean up and separating the tranny It’s now on the engine stand to evaluate anything I need to transfer over from the original engine.
After getting the engine removed and looking over the firewall cover, I'm going to try and use it as well. Might give a decibel of noise reduction.
(11-27-10)
Fought the reinstall of the 6.2 for a couple hours yesterday trying to get the tranny bolts to line up so today I started off the moring pulling the dash pad, speaker, cluster, wiring harness, firewall covers, wiper motor, and stainless gutters on the donor Crew Cab. All went relatively well.
Then spent a couple more hours after on the 6.2 and decided to just pull the front clip on the CUCV.
It was a real pain with the bumper and brush guard on but I did get it off. I think I will probably take the fenders off when I reinstall it.
After I got the clip off the 6.2 seamed to go in a lot smoother and I got all bolts started and even was able to persuade the dipstick into place to catch the upper bolt and the starter shield to catch its correct bolt just at it got dark tonight.
I will say the upper two bolts started pretty easy from the top since I was not fighting a HEI distrib for clearance.
Hope to get them tightened down tomorrow and begin getting everything else hooked up.
(11-28-10)
Made better progress today...used the pry bar under the manifolds and was able to get the motor mount bolts in on both sides with a little frustration.
Got all the tranny bolts tightened down, center firewall pad mounted, p/s pump mounted, and the wire to the gas tank fished through the flexible conduit and connected, before having to stop and go for the annual quest for the Christmas Tree.
At least it was sunny but in the 30s versus last year with foot of snow on the ground.
Didn't get as much done as I hopped for my 4 day weekend but further then I was a week ago for sure.
(3-15-11)
Finally getting some decent weather again so spent a few hours Saturday and all day Sunday working on the CUCV.
Not getting 12v to the Alt and Glow Plug Relay for some reason. Dropped the starter to check the fusible links on the starter harness. Traced the wire to GP relay and is all good as is the wire to the Alt. Ran a separate 6 gauge wire from the battery to the GP relay it is getting fire. Took a few cycles to get it started and all the fuel lines purged but she took off after that and seems to run pretty good.
Disassembled the front clip and got the radiator support and passenger fender mounted. installed the Crew Cabs wiring harness in the dash and got the tilt column installed.
(5-14-11)
I swapped in the crew cabs interior dash harness and all the gauges work but the low water is staying on.
Installed the tilt wheel.
Ordered and received some red LEDs from superbrightleds.com to bulb the cluster and heater back lighting. I've seen some builds on cleanup, painting the cluster housing and may end up doing that (left mine stock light blue) as I'm not getting the results I'd hoped and heard from others who did it with redoing it.
Need to install the cigar lighter socket in the ash tray still and try to get the dome lamp fished (the CUCV does not have a dome lamp and has a plate tacked over the hole)
(6-5-11)
Weather is getting real nice and I'm finally catching up with other things so I can get back on this.
I have about a quarter play in the steering wheel from side to side so need to figure that out and hopefully close up the dash in the next few weeks, and take a test drive.
Anyone have any ideas on the low water lamp. I have not ohm’d out the wire but rad is full and the wire is plugged into the sensor on the tank below the fill cap.
(6-6-11)
Looking for all of the cruise parts for a 6.2...
I forgot to mention I was able to sell the 2wd Crew Cab locally on CL after keeping a few items. If you see my parting a 6.2 ad you will also see that I've been able to part a few items from the pulled CUCV motor so I'm actually at almost a $100 in the black from the donor truck purchase to gain the replacement engine.
The donor truck supplied 12V engine harness, dash harness, gauge cluster, good brown dash pad, engine, radiator, firewall insulation and a few items I actually resold separately.
CUCV options added to date:
firewall insulation
tilt wheel w/intermittent wiper switch and cruise
gauges (oil pressure, water temp, voltage) and red back lighting
power locks and windows including tailgate ready to be installed
gathering A/C parts
