K5 front D/S vs M1009 front D/S

[jeffhuey1n]

Before I ask the question, I'll start with what I think I know: the K5 Blazer has a 1/2 ton chassis and suspension. The M1009 has a 3/4 ton suspension on a 1/2 ton chassis. There's some extra bells and whistles that go with the M1009 to beef up the under carriage so it can take a beating and keep on ticking.

The M1009 has stronger axles than the K5.

Here's the question: are the rear and front drive shafts (propeller shafts per the TM) a one-for-one swap with the K5 drive shafts (especially the front)? What I mean is are they exactly the same?

I've looked through many, many threads and the only thing I could find is that the front K5 will fit the M1009.

 

[Barrman]

An extra leaf spring was added to make it a "3/4" ton. Same axles as the K5. Just find parts for a 1985 K5 and they will match.

 

[Cucvnut]

the Axles are the same just with 8 lug instead of 6 lug

 

[grayw0lf]

the Axles are the same just with 8 lug instead of 6 lug

Still 6 lug.

 

[rnd-motorsports]

the k5 and 1009 are both still 6lug the both use the same axles just a extra leaf in the back to up to 3/4 ton spec for military also many k5 sold to public came with the 700r overdrive trans and the front drive shafts may be just a bit longer becouse of it but should still interchange!

 

[Cucvnut]

Still 6 lug.

sorry i was thinking of reg civvy 3/4 trucks

 

[Crash_AF]

They call the M1009 3/4 ton, but that's because it has a 1500 lb cargo rating. The Military is very literal about interpreting the ratings unlike the manufacturers who just assign the 1/2 - 3/4 - 1 Ton ratings based on use. Heck, a new 2011 F-350 4x2 DRW truck has a payload of 6520 lbs, and it's a "1 Ton" truck... The military would call that a 3.25 ton truck.

The springs on the 1009 are the heaviest factory trailer tow/snow plow springs available. And yes, the front driveshaft might be different because the Civilian K5 did not have a TH400 option in 1984.

Later,
Joe

 

[jeffhuey1n]

Thanks everyone, appreciate the information. I'll hit the junk yards and see what they got.

 

[NC Cucv]

I have an 84 M1009 CUCV and does anyone know what comes stock in the rear diff ? I think it has a gov lock set up. Which I have have read is not the best set up. I am thinking of welding the spider gears for better performance off road. However I still do a lot of on road driving. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Barrman]

A stock M1009 will have a 3.08 gear ratio and the gov loc rear. Try the truck off road before you do much to it. You will be amazed at how well it works once you put the tcase in 4 low. I love the off road performance.

If you don't like the way it is or feel the need to power your way through everything. It would be better to install some real 3/4 ton axles with 8 lug rims and a real locker in the back.

 

[patracy]

sorry i was thinking of reg civvy 3/4 trucks

Light duty 3/4 trucks came with the 8 lug axles in this gen of truck. The 89 and up trucks had a 6 lug 3/4 ton option. Both trucks would have had a 9.5" 14 bolt semi-floater rear end.

The heavy duty 3/4 ton trucks came with the FF 10.5" 14 bolt rear. Which was only available in 8 lug. (Although there are some aftermarket hubs out there to downsize it to a 6 lug pattern.

 

[Anubis8472]

the k5 and 1009 are both still 6lug the both use the same axles just a extra leaf in the back to up to 3/4 ton spec for military also many k5 sold to public came with the 700r overdrive trans and the front drive shafts may be just a bit longer becouse of it but should still interchange!

The front springs are different then the civvy k-5's as well.
Been trying to find a set for some time now.
The closest I can match is an OE replacement part listing for a 73'/74' k-30 leaf.

Front DS has been a challenge as well, the civvy models didn't have a TH400 set up.
I've seen some on ebay but I think for the money/shipping I might have my current DS rebuilt locally.

 

[Cucvnut]

The t case is the same a drive shaft will bolt up from a civvy truc.

 

[reloader64]

NC Cucv, driving on a hard surface with any type of locked rear end is a pain in the neck at best, and possibly dangerous at worst. I have a pickup that's been hot-rodded up some, and I put a mini-spool in, cause I'm cheap. Going around any corner will get you some attention, due to the squealing of the inside tire. Plus, I absolutely refuse to drive it in the rain.

Scott

 

[Anubis8472]

The t case is the same a drive shaft will bolt up from a civvy truc.

The question isn't that the T-case is the same, the real question, is the T-case in the same location.

Civvy trucks did not come with the TH400 combo, the transmission/adapter will dictate the location of the T-case.

It's important to match exactly to avoid future issues.
Example, say you swap in a different shaft that happens to be an inch shorter.
It's a slip shaft so no biggie .... untill say you lift the truck, now that inch difference becomes critical.

I havn't found any confirmation that the civvy vs 1009 shafts are the same length.

 

[Varyag]

A friend of mine has a civy K5 with an sm465. When we were looking at the two I am almost positive that we counted the same number of leafs in the spring packs. We only counted the rear ones though.

 

[jeffhuey1n]

I forgot all about this thread; thank you for bringing it back up. I went to the local "parts re-utilization" stores (junk yards to anyone else...they got grumpy when I said "junk" to them. They "dont sell junk!") . Found a front shaft off a 1/2 ton rated suburban. Part was nasty as all get out. replaced the u joints, spent hours with it in the parts cleaner, did a poor mans rebuild and once it was all said and done, it fit and now I have 4X4 for my M1009.

Now if I could only get the starting and fuel delivey problems fixed.

Additional info: I just got back in to the house. Dogs will be dogs.. Anyway, both front and read hubs are 6 lug. I'll have to do more searching to identify whether or not they are sstock" to the M1009 but i suspect they are

 

[AJMBLAZER]

The drivetrain, suspension, and frame/body on the M1009 is all just GM parts bin stuff. Nothing is special about it. The suspension is just the heaviest rated stuff GM offered for a K5 of that era, the axles are box stock standard 28 spline 8.5" 10 bolts with a Gov Lock in the rear and an open front diff.

In the 80's GM started setting up their various adapters so they ended up with the same length driveshafts no matter what trans/transfer case were in the truck.

Only thing military specific to the CUCV trucks were the 12/24 volt charging system and related parts (and most of those parts were existing GM parts bin stuff just used in different ways) and the D rings and their mounts. Well, brush guard too.

 

[cpf240]

Only thing military specific to the CUCV trucks were the 12/24 volt charging system and related parts (and most of those parts were existing GM parts bin stuff just used in different ways) and the D rings and their mounts. Well, brush guard too.

...and the fuel cap / filler neck, black out lights, rifle rack...

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Yeah yeah yeah...



...oh, and CARC paint.