CUCV Snow Plow Trucks and Spreaders

[cucvrus]

Purchased 4 new Goodyear tires for the M1008 Snow plow truck. After all my life of plowing and off roading IMHO these are the best all around tires for snow and mud. They hold up well and make plowing a breeze. They are the stock LT 23585/R16 10 ply tires. This is about thee 5th set of these and before that I used the extra grip Work Horse radial traction tires. These CUCV trucks are just plain hard on tires. Have a great day. And I put the 1/2 tread ones on the 1/2 ton Chevy plow truck. I think it looks great also.

 

[ehuppert]

I'm also running the duratracs! I did go larger (285-75-16) but these are terrific tires. Not terribly noisy on the road, and grip like crazy off road or in the snow!!! Bonus, they last really well, downside, pretty pricey (but worth it!)

Eric

 

[cucvrus]

It's ALIVE Voodoo M1009

I went outback in the out back thicket and grabbed the Voodoo M1009. A few sprays of starting fluid and it's alive. Not sure why I needed to spray it. But I did and it fired right up went on fast idle and I drove it out. It has the drivers door glass smashed out and needs to be prepped for winter plow service. Looking good from where I am at. Bought 20 years ago and still going. Runs great with new tires and exhaust front to back. I think a quick trip up the interstate is in order. Have a great day. Be one with nature.

 

[Digger09]

Jersey Indian just got the plow on and tested for the upcoming season and happy to say all systems are a go.

 

[cucvrus]

I was storing this NOS drivers door glass for 20 years. Decided it was time to use it up. I dug all the broken glass out of the sash and used the urethane caulk to glue the new glass back in. I clamped it and let it set for the weekend. Easy install tomorrow. Voodoo M1009 plow truck has over 20 years of lot service. It started I ran it and it shut off. Couldn't get it started. Pondered and looked the fuel gauge was not working. It was out of fuel. That was easy. Getting ready to put the plow on for the season and keep it plugged in the next 3 months. It needs oil cooler and power steering lines. That seems to be going around lately. Happy Holidays.

 

[cucvrus]

I added a new glow plug relay to Voodoo M1009. I was called in for snow emoval on walkways. It was getting icey. So they say. Fine OT is nice. I usually use a snow plow relay but I bought a bunch of these a few months back and they work well. I have the system all stock with the ballast still hooked up and the 13G glow plugs. I just changed the relay because I thought it was starting harder and when I checked with the test light omne time it had power to the bottom stud the next time not. In the past I drilled the rivets out of the relay and cleaned the contacts and used # 6 screws to put it back together. Now I just bounce them in the scrap steel container. Happy Holidays. Stay warm winter is upon us again.

 

[cucvrus]

Voodoo M1009 was still in the shop today getting a drivers door glass put in it. I also cut a window weather strip from a scrap 2017 GMC van. I cut it to fit and trimmed it just so it fit in the window track. I installed the glass and set the weather strip in. I applied some urethane adhesive caulk and closed the window tight so it will push/press the weather strip into the door channel and adhere. Notice the rocker less design of the floor. Not my best work. But it will never rust out again. I used 1/4" X 4" X 4" steel angle and welded it fast to a steel 5/8" square stock and cover the entire floor with 12 gauge galvaneal. I done it about 7 years ago and it still is holding up well. The little door seal also works to keep out the snow and rain when driving. On the subject of restoration. This is not a good candidate. But it still has a 100% complete stock wiring and all systems on it. Plows snow very well and keeps running and going off road. Also has a perfect dash pad in it. Don't know how but it does. Currently in with a wiring issue in the plow wiring under the hood. I cut everything loose and ordered a new Western harness for less then $70. delivered. More later.

 

[cucvrus]

I had the misfortune of having a starter go out on the M1028salt spreader plow truck. When I looked up I wondered what was the RED wire? Poor picture but I also noticed the standard 5/16" bolt in the engine block holding the support bracket. Should be an M8 1.25. It was loose of course. Also nice little M6 x 1.00 metric bolt in the starter where a 1/4" x 20 standard stud and nut should be. I had to ask. Who done this to me? What is with the starter wire? why is it so long and tied to the frame and everywhere else? WOW. With starter disconnected from truck it still had enough wire to reach the work bench. Not sure what was going on here. I was able to re-tap the M8 starter support hole in the block and get everything back to normal. I removed 6 ft of wire from the starter. Crazy stuff. I don't know who done this. I do take vacations and have been out for some surgery over the past 20 years. But I am on RED alert now. I will be crawling under all the CUCV's and looking things over. This is the kind of savagery that I find when working on other peoples vehicles. These are NOT mine but are under my care. I know guys offer to assist. Going forward I will be double checking any assistance repairs. All is well. I installed a new starter and we were under way. More pictures tonight. Merry Christmas. Note I used 6.0 gas motor M10 x 1.5 starter bolts because I had a whole box of them. They are a great fit and you only need a 13mm socket to tighten them. They also are flange bolts and I am a huge fan of flange bolts on the CUCV starters. Bolt may be 5mm longer but that is great. Use some fresh threads. Torqued tight.

 

[cucvrus]

All new oil cooler lines and power steering lines on Voodoo M1009. The plow is installed and Voodoo M1009 is ready for winter weather. I took it for a ride on the lot and went around a turn. Heard a metal object hit the black top and looked back. Something rolling down the road behind me. Turned around the M1009 and went back. the drivers side cab mount popped and the washer broke loose. Rust never sleeps. That was the moment it decided to leave the mother ship. I had that happen to me in a quiet moment in my garage. Sweeping the floor and putting tools away and heard a metallic object hit the floor. Looked around and thought someone was messing with me and hiding. Turned out the same cab mount front drivers side floor just decided enough was enough and dropped the washer on the floor. I went around and changed all of them on that M1009. Not doing that here. May just weld a new washer on if I can not get the bolt loose easily. Not restoring the Voodoo M1009. Every year may be it's last year. But this year it is all plowed up and ready for SNOW. Yes SNOW. Love it. Merry Christmas. Have a great day.

 

[cucvrus]

This morning the transmission went out on the salt spreader truck. It has all forward gears but no reverse. I have a day or 2 to get it back in operation again. Better get started. Can't wait for the ice and salt to be dripping down on me. More later. I have a transmission ready to go in.

 

[cucvrus]

Question for Rustystud. We have been salting , plowing and spreading cinders for a month again and the second transmission has lost the (reverse band) reverse. I think it is because the TH400 transmission is not capable of putting a load on reverse. Rustystud any truth to that? Seems logical. The truck has a big spreader in the back and is backed up ramps and the spreader is activated. Then driven down. I have a good driver in it and I doubt he is abusing the truck. Short of 4LO I doubt the truck would be any more useful with the load being backed up the hill. I have the newer truck and it has 60K on it. plows like a dream. I had 3 plow trucks broken yesterday AM. All are fixed. the main 3/4" center pivot bolts came up missing on the one with reverse out. That is an M1028. The M1009 broke a hydraulic line and the newer truck broke a bolt off the frame where the pump mounts. All are fixed and back in the fight again. Except back to no reverse again. Forward all day and stay out of tight spots. I have become quite attached to the newer truck. The comfort and durability have well proven as good as the CUCV's. Hard for me to say. I have always used the CUCV's. But since scrapping 3 of them and getting newer trucks I see they are just as capable and have more comfort. I plowed 6 hours on Sunday afternoon and still went home and spent family time. After 4 hours in the M1008 2 weeks ago I was physically drained and went home to bed. Well I have all the plows back running and the total cost was about $150. in parts and my labor. Upside I serviced all the hydraulic oil and greased everything. Have a great day. More weather coming our way again in the AM. I will report back. Over and out.

 

[cucvrus]

Something was popping and grinding this AM. A little laying on the ground and running around it tight circles revealed the right axle U joint has worn out. Before you get all brand name and they are junk. It is a Spicer Dana grease-able U joint. It has been on the truck about 2 years. Same time I rebuilt the front suspension and installed the new Warn 1/4 turn locking hubs. I must say I did a fine job. After 2 years that inner hub looks like brand new. Can't say the same for the outer handle/cover. Everything was done out in 20* weather. I like it that way. makes it nice to see and keep track of the other thins that are going on out side. Tried to find another Spicer U joint at NAPA and no good. They have SKF. Don't recall hearing of them but they will be pressed in place before the sun goes down today. I have 4K pounds of bagged salt in the bed. Pulls like a tank and I have been using the truck 48 hours straight. I have couple drivers and salt plow and extract vehicles from the ice storm. We have about 500 new truck chassis on site. Ever drive a cab chassis on ice? Fun. Big Red is very useful and in high demand. Till then I have someone in my new GM truck and that can't be. It will soon look like Big Red. I was impressed that the internal hub looked that good after over 2 years. Have a great day stay warm. I hope the ice goes away soon.

 

[cucvrus]

The temperature hit a whopping 25* today. Check out that quality part. Like I always say. I don't care where the part is made. I learned a long time ago. They are all about the same. I called NAPA. I ask for brand name this is what they stock. I am in business. Down time is lost income. I will have it back in service before night fall. I sent the axle out to get the new U joint pressed in. I have other things to do. I took the time to remove it and will reassemble it. This is why I grease and oil things weekly. I think the needles in the U joint broke under a hard pull or when it was plowing the ice water. It just started squeaking today and before it failed it was time to replace it. If I had the axle back I could have this back together in 1/2 an hour. have a great day. Grease gun in hand and greasing in a few moments.

 

[doghead]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SKF

SKF is good stuff.

 

[cucvrus]

WOW. Who would have guessed. It's made in China. That China thing is always a controversial subject here. But I do agree. It is all fixed and back in business. My goal was met before 3PM. And I did get out my cordless Milwaukee grease gun and greased every fitting on the lube order. No matter if they are in someone's opinion the best parts in the world or the worst parts in the world. I grease them every week during winter and they seem to last for over 20 years. I must be doing something right. I break a lot of parts and I fix them. Things wear out and I change them. I keep them all the same for simplicity and they all keep going. Rust is the killer. I am leaning more towards newer trucks myself for comfort but that is understandable. With my 2007 Silverado it has 180 K on it plows snow and never done a thing to any driveline parts. Same engine and transmission. It has a lighter Snow Dog plow on it. Worst plow I ever bought but the truck has been infallible. But rust will consume it also. I scrapped an M1008 a few years ago that the axle housings were rusted thru on. Frame was gone. It happens. Have a great day. So its a go with the SKF U joint. Un- grease able is stronger. But they don't break ever they wear out from salt and wetness.

 

[cucvrus]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SKF

SKF is good stuff.

Reminds me of the History Channel where the US B17 / B29 flying fortresses bombed the ball bearing plants in Germany. With out bearings you can build nothing.

 

[rustystud]

View attachment 717754View attachment 717755View attachment 717753View attachment 717752View attachment 717751Question for Rustystud. We have been salting , plowing and spreading cinders for a month again and the second transmission has lost the (reverse band) reverse. I think it is because the TH400 transmission is not capable of putting a load on reverse. Rustystud any truth to that? Seems logical. The truck has a big spreader in the back and is backed up ramps and the spreader is activated. Then driven down. I have a good driver in it and I doubt he is abusing the truck. Short of 4LO I doubt the truck would be any more useful with the load being backed up the hill. I have the newer truck and it has 60K on it. plows like a dream. I had 3 plow trucks broken yesterday AM. All are fixed. the main 3/4" center pivot bolts came up missing on the one with reverse out. That is an M1028. The M1009 broke a hydraulic line and the newer truck broke a bolt off the frame where the pump mounts. All are fixed and back in the fight again. Except back to no reverse again. Forward all day and stay out of tight spots. I have become quite attached to the newer truck. The comfort and durability have well proven as good as the CUCV's. Hard for me to say. I have always used the CUCV's. But since scrapping 3 of them and getting newer trucks I see they are just as capable and have more comfort. I plowed 6 hours on Sunday afternoon and still went home and spent family time. After 4 hours in the M1008 2 weeks ago I was physically drained and went home to bed. Well I have all the plows back running and the total cost was about $150. in parts and my labor. Upside I serviced all the hydraulic oil and greased everything. Have a great day. More weather coming our way again in the AM. I will report back. Over and out.

I'm sorry I haven't been reading posts as much lately. The wife is dealing with her moms home. Her mother passed away last month and my wife and her brother are going through everything. That left me here taking care of the ongoing construction and the boy.
I got your PM and I'll post my answer here to.
The TH400 rear band is only used in "manual first" and "reverse" . There are no adjustments for the band. It has a "selective" apply pin that is measured and installed during a rebuild. Most shops don't even have the special tool used to measure the pin though. Of course I have several as I never through away or sell my tools. Be that as it may, usually you never have to replace this pin as once it is set from the factory that length never changes. The only thing that changes is the bands. Thankfully most all bands are extremely accurate in their manufacture specifications.
What we can do if a band is repeatedly failing due to severe use is 1) Install a heavy duty band. The best are made from "Kevlar" . 2) we can increase "line pressure" . You have to be careful when increasing line pressure though. You don't want extreme pressures against all seals and rings. I know in racing applications they increase pressure to over 300 PSI all the time. The thing is race transmissions are rebuilt all the time ! Just like the engines. Thankfully "Sonnex" makes a line pressure valve that "slowly" increases pressure instead of just "slamming" it on. I have this in my transmission and it works great. Yes I've increased line pressure the "old way" by shimming the pressure regulator in the past. I also know the consequences of such an action. The transmission can shift so hard you break drivelines ! Besides breaking you head against the rear window ! Done that, have the bump to prove it.
So for this application that "cucvrus" has I would get the Kevlar band and the Sonnex line pressure kit.
Hope this helps.

 

[cucvrus]

I removed the plow from the Silverado pick up today. I kept the plows on the CUCV's. No snow removal just using the plow as a push assist on the cab chassis that are stuck in 6" ice holes. They froze fast to the ground. I had a guy come to pick up a finished truck. He came walking back about an hour later and said he was stuck. The truck was teetering on the rear axle pumpkin and buried up to the center of the wheels. I told him if he spun about 5 more minutes I think he could have got out. He said really. I said yea got out and changed the tires. They were cut and grooved on a brand new truck. Nobody home. I pushed and pulled a lot of trucks in the past week. never a dull moment. Yesterday it was in the 50's today it never went above freezing. Have a great day. I think I will work wood again to night and get that area cleaned up for CUCV production.

 

[cucvrus]

This was never covered in the TM's. Well maintained. Only driven during and after snow storms. Lube order followed closely and still problems like this. Man the old M1009. Reminds me of an old song. You picked a fine time to leave me loose wheel. 2 foot of snow and plowing to do. That is an easy fix. Be back on the road in 4 hours. Autozone here I come. . Have a Great Day.

 

[doghead]

What are you getting at AutoZone? Epoxy, JB Weld?