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: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Andy Hill via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2026 8:53 AM
To: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
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: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Ray Fantini via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2026 7:34 AM
To: 'MMRCG' <[email protected]>; [email protected]; [email protected]
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.

_._,_._,_

Groups.io Links:

You receive all messages sent to this group.

_._,_._,_