[MRCA] [MMRCG] New Vehicle

Tue Oct 13 12:31:09 EDT 2026

Have to add that rear differentials on them aren't fantastic.   Also - 1985s
and forward were rustproofed where the 84s weren't.  It makes a big
difference.   The factory glow plug system is problematic.  On all the CUCVs
I've been responsible for I've changed it out to a manual system with AC60G
no-swell glow plugs and haven't looked back. 

Most of the ones you'll find now have been through someone else's hands
since the last National Guard unit.  First thing they take out is the radio
mount platforms and sometimes the 24V junction blocks in front of the rear
seat passenger-side.  Sometimes you get lucky on Ebay with the rack kits.
The basic setup was the one radio rack on the passenger side behind the
passenger's seat big enough for RT-524 and R-442.  The optional radio rack
goes on the driver's side and would take another RT-524 or equivalent.   I
don't think I've seen a single one come out of GSA ex-USDA Forestry, BLM or
whatever which has the rack(s) still in place.  I've seen additional
driver's side smaller racks mounted in the back where the jerrican / decon
can usually lives - for the GRC-213 I think. 

The 24V power block on the passenger side gives you 24V+ and - run directly
to the same blocks mounted on the firewall in the engine bay.  What I did
with my 24V+ block inside the vehicle was isolate the far right two
terminals and run a 12V+ feed to that so I don't keep having to go through
the firewall for anything I want to add there.  

From: MMRCG at groups.io <MMRCG at groups.io> On Behalf Of Andy Hill via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2026 8:53 AM
To: MMRCG at groups.io; RAFANTINI at salisbury.edu; mrca at mailman.qth.net;
milsurplus at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [MMRCG] New Vehicle

My M1009 CUCV has been my daily driver with a short break for well over 20
yrs.  Change the starter relay, get the radiator professionally checked,
change to an OEM type reduction starter, and hard mount a decent-sized
external transmission cooler and they're extremely reliable and have very
long legs on the highway.  Mine's been everywhere including Alaska and back.
Zero complaints (well.apart from the price of diesel at the moment but
that's neither here nor there.)

My radio setup in the thing:  

AN/VRC-83 (PRC-113 with the amp)
RT-1523 SINCGARS transceiver with the AM-7239 and AM-7238 50W amp plus
LS-671 Speaker/ remote

AN/UYK-128 FBCB2 Computer (Terrestrial)

AN/VSQ-1 EPLRS
AN/PSN-13A DAGR GPS 

and for HF I was originally going to go AN/GRC-213 (vehicle installation of
the PRC-104) but a deal came up on the Motorola Micom 2RS and the
accompanying F-2265 Motorola tuner which is now installed and hooked up to
the AT-1011 (I have the original heavy-spring GRC-206 antenna base and a
Harris tilt adapter but want to go with the AB-1335/G (4245) style one so I
can run the 32' whip.  The Micom gives me 125 W HF which is fine for what I
do and it has the U-229 audio connectors for all the usual handset/ headset/
mic hookups (H-189s vs. the H-250s give a lot better modulation in the
playing I've done so far.) 

SATCOM is next.  I had a nice LST-5A and stupidly sold it.  I was holding
out for a reasonably priced AN/PSC-5 Spitfire/ Shadowfire but like all the
PRC-117s out there any demil card pull makes them paperweights. 

I thought of doing the GRC-215 Regency Net setup in one originally but got
as far as the computer display before all the RN stuff dried up.   I thought
that Regency Net/ Flaming Arrow Net/ Cemetery Net would be a great talking
point at shows, plus the M1009s were meant to be the Team Terminal platforms
as a bonus.

From: MMRCG at groups.io <mailto:MMRCG at groups.io>  <MMRCG at groups.io
<mailto:MMRCG at groups.io> > On Behalf Of Ray Fantini via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2026 7:34 AM
To: 'MMRCG' <mmrcg at groups.io <mailto:mmrcg at groups.io> >;
mrca at mailman.qth.net <mailto:mrca at mailman.qth.net> ;
milsurplus at mailman.qth.net <mailto:milsurplus at mailman.qth.net> 
Subject: [MMRCG] New Vehicle

I have been campaigning around with the M151A1 and its load of radios for
several years now. It's been a blast doing shows like MRCA Gilbert,
Hagerstown MVPA show and the Delaware Goes to War event. But the M151 has
its limitations. I am considering migrating to a M1009 CUCV . The biggest
advantage to the CUCV is that it can be street driven and not have to be
transported everywhere by trailer.

Imagin if I worked at it, I could get plates for the M151 but the thought of
driving it great distances to and from events and on modern highways is not
at all appealing. Although there may be questions about operating a CUCV at
highway speeds for prolonged distances.

The real question is what about radios? The Mutt is equipped with a
AN/GRC-106, VRC-12 (RT-524) and a URC-110 to provide HF SSB along with high
and low VHF.  More than adequate for voice, RTTY and NCS at events but have
been thinking of a couple of different ideas for the CUCV.

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