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Displaced Floridian saying 'hello' from Afghanistan!

WinTheMindWinTheDay

WinTheMindWinTheDay

New member
7
0
0
Location
Clearwater, Florida is home. Duty station is Fort
Hey, all!

I am brand new to this whole thing, hobby and forum alike. I have always had an interest in military vehicles, 4x4s, big engines, and the desire to learn mechanics. I just never got around to really diving into it for lack of funds, and lack of time. Now, however, I am prompted to make a decision as to my next vehicle. I no longer have a means of transportation, so I have to take care of that when I get back from Afghanistan.

I figure what better time to meld it all together: get a new, dependable vehicle, put some of my hard earned money to good use, and have fun with it in the process? I am going to be purchasing an M1008 CUCV when I get back. Now unfortunately for some on here, know that I won't be keeping it stock, or restored to original condition. As a student of military history, active duty service member, and WWII and Vietnam reenactor, I realize why some may upturn their noses at that notion. Well, I just won't be able to do what I wish to do with a stock CUCV pickup.

I want to turn it into a good everyday vehicle, but also have the capability of it being a great B.O.V., or SHTF vehicle, if you will. I hope to be able to add on many practical modifications onto an already robust, generally dependable military vehicle...but first, I need to learn how, and the best ways to do that.

I am glad to have found this site. I love what I see already. I am originally from Dunedin, Florida, grew up in Clearwater, Florida, I am currently stationed at Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, NC, and as I mentioned, I am currently deployed to Afghanistan.
 
Recovry4x4

Recovry4x4

LLM/Member 785
Super Moderator
Steel Soldiers Supporter
34,012
1,808
113
Location
GA Mountains
You will not be alone with a modified CUCV. Steel Soldiers is one of the few sites that doesn't (for the most part) turn it's nose up to modded vehicles. Heck, there are more bobbed and crew cab truck here than anywhere. Again, thanks for your service to this great nation and welcome aboard. Now, if you have some down time, go to JATONKA's CUCV TM download page and save all of the TMs to your puter or flashdrive and study them intensely.
 
wreckerman893

wreckerman893

Possum Connoisseur
15,629
2,051
113
Location
Akenback acres near Gadsden, AL
Welcome to the Green Iron Laughing Accademy:cookoo:

We will not only encourage your addiction, we will enable it by selling you much stuff.

Be safe, keep your head down and know that 99 percent of Americans support you.

Thank you for your service from an old retiree that misses his soldiers everyday.
 
zout

zout

In Memorial
In Memorial
7,744
154
63
Location
Columbus Georgia
Welcome aboard from Ga.
No matter what State your from - your State of Mind on MV's is where it counts - that is what brings this site together.

Post some pics if you get the opportunities so we can hang in there with you - take care
 
SCSG-G4

SCSG-G4

PSVB 3003
Steel Soldiers Supporter
5,364
3,367
113
Location
Lexington, South Carolina
Welcome aboard! We have a forum for the CUCV's and it should provide a good bit of reading material for you till you get back. Read all the posts in that forum and you will wind up a very informed customer when the time comes to make your purchase!

Thanks for your service!
 
3dAngus

3dAngus

Well-known member
4,719
101
63
Location
Perry, Ga.
Welcome from Central Ga. There's some good stuff there at Ft. Bragg DRMO, so you might not have to go far. Be sure to check into getting a M101A2 trailer as well, because you'll need one for extra storage, camping, hauling etc. They won't be out there forever.

I miss the old Crabbie Bills, when we all used to sit around the big bench table with 15 people we don't even know, and have a family style dinner on a dirt floor, indoors, with some of the best Florida food anyone can ask for. Since they went modern, not nearly anywhere as good. Do you remember the old Crabbie Bills in Clearwater? Parents ever take you there? Really cool hangout for good grub.

I always found it nice to hear of an old remant from my old town when I was overseas. Hope that brings back an old memory or two for ya.

Thanks for the service! But I gotta give you one reminder... These vehicles are OLD. No matter what you do, something will still go wrong with them. I would caution you about putting to much money in one and then counting on it for a primary vehicle. You would be much better off getting a really good primary vehicle, low mileage, then buying a MV and using it as a backup, but put as little money into it as you could afford without getting tapped out on it.

And that would be my unsolicited investment advice of the day. Best wishes trooper! Keep us informed, whatever you decide. And keep in mind, we like pictures. Got any good pictures of any of those newer vehicles hauling in Afghanny?
I love the newer ones too. Look really cool!
 
Dave08

Dave08

Member
167
6
18
Location
Titusville Florida
Welcome to SS! What is your MOS and your tour rotation date? Spent two tours in the great sandbox as well. Depending on what you do to the vehicle you intend to get will depend on whether it will be a reliable daily driver. However, that is up to you and how much money you are going to poor into your MV. Most of us have them as secondary vehicles and project trucks to play with. Don't get me wrong, some also use them as daily drivers. I have two M109A3s that I am using as project/hobby trucks, two M35a2s, four M105A1 trailers, and an M720 dolly. Once you catch the fever then one vehicle, daily driver or not, is not enough. They are all fun to have and work on. This site is great and has a wealth of information as well.

Welcome, stay safe, and let us know if you need anything!

Semper Fi,
Dave08
 
WinTheMindWinTheDay

WinTheMindWinTheDay

New member
7
0
0
Location
Clearwater, Florida is home. Duty station is Fort
3dAngus said:
Welcome from Central Ga. There's some good stuff there at Ft. Bragg DRMO, so you might not have to go far. Be sure to check into getting a M101A2 trailer as well, because you'll need one for extra storage, camping, hauling etc. They won't be out there forever.

I miss the old Crabbie Bills, when we all used to sit around the big bench table with 15 people we don't even know, and have a family style dinner on a dirt floor, indoors, with some of the best Florida food anyone can ask for. Since they went modern, not nearly anywhere as good. Do you remember the old Crabbie Bills in Clearwater? Parents ever take you there? Really cool hangout for good grub.

I always found it nice to hear of an old remant from my old town when I was overseas. Hope that brings back an old memory or two for ya.

Thanks for the service! But I gotta give you one reminder... These vehicles are OLD. No matter what you do, something will still go wrong with them. I would caution you about putting to much money in one and then counting on it for a primary vehicle. You would be much better off getting a really good primary vehicle, low mileage, then buying a MV and using it as a backup, but put as little money into it as you could afford without getting tapped out on it.

And that would be my unsolicited investment advice of the day. Best wishes trooper! Keep us informed, whatever you decide. And keep in mind, we like pictures. Got any good pictures of any of those newer vehicles hauling in Afghanny?
I love the newer ones too. Look really cool!
Click to expand...
DRMO there has some new fangled name, but I'll check it out. I think their yard is over by Murchison Avenue...ghetto part of town indeed haha.

Crabbie Bills...I was there one time. I remember being a pest. I was young, I was dumb. Haha. The Bombay Bicycle Club was near there right?

Yeah, man, I can't wait to get back to Tampa Bay. Beautiful beaches, beautiful weather, beautiful women, just an all around beautiful time.

As far as my MOS, I am a Psychological Operations Specialist in US Army Special Operations.

I will try to post a few good pictures of my misadventures here so to speak. I just need to figure out what area on this forum is for posting those kinds of pictures. I have been combing the CUCV "FAQ" thread now for a good day or two. I have already learned a lot.
 
A

aiwiron

New member
21
2
0
Location
Tampa Florida
Howdy neighbor and when you get back to the Tampa area let me know, hope to have a truck done and running by springtime.

Keep your head low and be safe!
 
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