Bane of my existence... CUCV simply doesn't want to be cooperative.

[SGoldman]

I bought a 1985 CUCV about two years ago. Since then the front end has been worked over twice. the rear has had a gear explode and then rebuilt.

But all of that is nothing compared to the fact that for some reason my vehicle does not want to shift correctly the gentleman whom sold it to me "fixed" it, however it always seems to slip back into not shifting correctly.

What I am trying to figure out is what exactly is going on. I have replaced several vacum hoses, changed trans oil, and tried a few other things.

Any help would be fantastic. I am VERY VERY new to diesel vehicles and you will probably have to explain it to me like i'm a child for me to understand otherwise I may just give up and sell it at this point as it has been a money sucking pit and I cannot drive it unless I figure out what is going on.

Also the fuse box melted when the man whom sold it to me wired in a cigarette lighter piece.The wiring is going to be its own messy monster to fix and I have to find a new fuse box.

 

[Tinstar]

What model CUCV do you have?

 

[cpf240]

What is it doing when it has the shifting problems? Aside from issues inside the trans, the system is pretty simple. There is a vacuum pump on the back of the engine that provides constant vacuum to the vacuum regulator valve on the side of the injection pump, which controls the amount of vacuum seen by the vacuum module on the side of the trans. Any one of those parts could have a problem, or one of the vacuum lines could be bad. There is also a metal portion to the vacuum line, and I've read here that at least one person found theirs had a hole worn into it. A common problem is the little rubber connector that the vacuum lines connect to at the vacuum regulator valve goes bad. The part is no longer available, but is not really needed. The lines can be connected directly to the vacuum regulator valve, just remember Top to Transmission. Some testing with a vacuum gauge will help you determine if the vacuum system is the problem or not. A transmission shop can check the trans line pressures, etc.

Sadly, you can't replace just the fuse box, it will need the harness it is part of as well, which I believe consists of the entire dash harness. Perhaps you can rewire the damaged portions to inline fuses?

 

[SGoldman]

It is a CUCV 1009.

I unfortunately cannot a ford a transmission shop currently as the nearest one to me that knows anything about this old truck is almost 3 hours from me.

Too many melted fuses to in line rewire it trust me I already considered that. Do you know where I could get a new box and harness?

 

[SGoldman]

Specifically it seems like it's skipping 2nd gear all together or it is raising rpms so high I cannot hear the shift happen. Sometimes I can't get it above 30mph without the engine screaming loud enough I cannot hear my own thoughts.

 

[Gripy]

Either bad vacuum system/ or the trans needs to be rebuilt. Any shop worth their salt should be able to rebuild a TH400.

Did you measure what vacuum you're getting before and after the vacuum regulator? What is it?

 

[Tow4]

If the vacuum valve at the injection pump is inop and not passing a vacuum signal to the transmission, it will not shift. You can by-pass the valve to test the transmission. Just plug the line from the vacuum pump into the transmission line. The transmission will now shift. Probably straight from first to third. You can manually shift to verify all the gears work.

Check the vacuum pump by putting your finger over the open vacuum pump hose with the engine running to see if there is vacuum.

 

[SGoldman]

Will be replacing the vacuum lines and modulator. Will see what happens from there.

Also Does anyone know where to acquire a new fuse box?

 

[riggermedic]

New fuse panel

Check the classifieds, saw wiring harnesses on there yesterday

 

[riggermedic]

For sale I have tons of Cucv parts for sale, Its mostly small Stuff that can fit in totes. Three Totes total full of CUCV parts like full wiring harness, interior parts, to 6.2 diesel parts. Also have two totes with some civilian parts. Everything is for sale, but if you need small CUCV parts I probably have them. Yes I have a PayPal account. I also have a 6.5 turbo intake and Chevy 8.1 496 parts

small list of things with prices(classified rules) I have tons more stuff than this listed

Multiple wiring harnesses-100bucks
blackout lights Large-30
blackout lights small-20
Exterior Trim pieces-20
4x4 Shifter Indicator-20
gauge Bezels-50plus shipping

Pictures aren't the best I know but its just to give you an idea of what I have.

​I don't know how to hyperlink, search for this post in classifieds
i have no affiliation, just being helpful

 

[nyoffroad]

While replacing those vacuum lines make sure you pull the tranny dipstick and look at and smell the ATF. Is it at the full mark? Is pink in color or dirty brown? Does it smell burned?
If it's brown and or burned smelling then do a tranny service, it's easy and yea you can do it yourself/ TH400 are real hard to kill!

 

[wreckerman893]

It is my considered opinion that all CUCV's are wretched inventions of Satan that exist just to make someone lose their religion when attempting to work on them.

 

[rsh4364]

It is my considered opinion that all CUCV's are wretched inventions of Satan that exist just to make someone lose their religion when attempting to work on them.

I felt the same way with my first 1009,but I learned a lot from it and then bought another one and fixed the problems before they were problems.If it weren't for this site I would have scrapped the first one and given up.