Features to Look for in a Military CUCV – The CUCV program, also known as the Light Service Support Vehicle or LSSV, was instituted to provide the military with vehicles based on civilian trucks.
Transmission Options
The US Armed Forces use an enormous fleet of vehicles for numerous applications. Some specialize in combat and other tactical situations, but most require only standard utility, ambulance, or chassis cab functionality. These trucks are costly to purchase and maintain, so a program was instituted to reduce the number of used militarized commercial vehicles instead.
The CUCV, or Light Service Support Vehicle (LSSV), resulted from this initiative. This program began in the late 1970s and provided civilian Dodge and Chevrolet trucks with several military modifications. These trucks included the CUCV cargo, CUCV utility, CUCV ambulance, and CUCV chassis. Some military CUCV for sale have been up-armored for behind-the-frontline use, but armored vehicles like the Humvee are safer to occupy. These specialized trucks carry medical supplies, equipment, food, and other items needed to operate military missions.
Safety Features
The military needed a light utility vehicle program to replace the old M151 series “Jeeps” and other vehicles nearing the end of their useful life in the 1970s. The CUCV (or Kuck Vee, sometimes called) program allowed the army to save money by buying civilian trucks modified for military use.
General Motors produced about 70,000 vehicles, based on the Chevy C/K pickup truck, with minor adjustments to the chassis, engine, transmission, and electrical system. GM also created different vehicle body types, including the cargo utility truck M1009, ambulance body M1010, and chassis cab M1031. The vehicle was designed for back-of-the-line jobs like cargo transport, background support, and emergency medical assistance. However, it was meant for something other than frontline combat duty since it had no armor and offered little protection from improvised explosive devices or enemy ordnances.
As a result, the vehicle was not as rigid as the purpose-built military vehicles it replaced. Despite the lack of rigidity, the truck could still travel off-road and drive through water up to 20 inches deep. It could even tow a trailer or airplane. The CUCVs were also equipped with a 24-volt electrical system for compatibility with other military vehicles. The 24-volt system might give restorers a little cause for concern, but it’s better than it sounds at first glance.
Towing Capacity
CUCVs, also known as Light Service Support Vehicles or LSSVs, were military fleet vehicles that the army could purchase off the civilian market and use for behind-the-frontline roles like cargo transport and support. They cost far less to procure and buy than tactical vehicles such as HMMWVs but were sans the armor needed for direct frontline combat.
The trucks looked like standard square-body Chevy trucks with blackout lights and military bumpers. They had dual 100 amp alternators and a 24-volt electrical system to run military equipment such as radios and other sensors. They also had a NATO slave receptacle to jump-start other NATO vehicles, and they could tow a small trailer.
The trucks can carry a maximum payload of 1.25 tons, depending on their configuration. For example, the M1009 is a general cargo utility truck carrying four soldiers or six seated casualties. At the same time, the M1028FF and M1028A1 are sheltered carrier versions of the vehicle that can carry firefighting equipment and more. They could be better off-roaders and have limited off-road gearing, but they are good for hauling loads over long distances and across rough terrain. As with most military-grade vehicles, they tend to rust quickly and often have damage on their sheet metal, so if you’re looking for something pristine, look elsewhere.
Power Steering
Power steering is a feature that can make or break a vehicle’s driving comfort. It involves using a hydraulic pump to assist the driver with turning the front wheels by reducing the required effort. There are different types of power steering systems, including variable-assist, which uses a computer to control the assist torque and non-linear systems that vary the assistance ratio based on the steering angle.
Heavier vehicles require more force to turn, while lighter ones may not need any assistance. Many modern military vehicles use power steering. CUCVs are based on civilian trucks, but they have various military-specific features. While these are not necessarily things that will concern most buyers, it’s essential to know the difference between a CUCV and a standard service truck. The Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle or CUCV program was instituted to provide the US Armed Forces with lower-cost light utility vehicles. These vehicles could transport cargo, ambulances, shelter carriers, and chassis. The CUCV is a relatively small military vehicle built on the same frame as conventional civilian trucks and SUVs. The CUCV M 1008 A 1 pickup is a good example of this. The truck is a basic 3500 SRW Chevrolet pickup that has been militarized to fit the needs of the military.
