When the U.S. military needs a vehicle, it's got to be rugged and tough. You're likely familiar with the HMMWV, also known as the Humvee, which would eventually become the primary "jack-of-all-trades" choice for a light four-wheel-drive military vehicle. But back in the early 1980s, the Humvee program was still in its infancy, and the vehicle that filled this role was based on something you should be equally familiar with: the Chevy K5 Blazer. This heavily-modified, diesel-powered Blazer — built by GM for a U.S. government contract — was known as the M1009 CUCV.
Photos courtesy of Mecum Auctions & Bring a Trailer
M1009 CUCV History
Above: A CUCV in use during a field training operation, followed by a 2-1/2-ton 6x6 "deuce and a half" cargo truck. (U.S. Army photo by Kaye Richey)
CUCV, short for Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle, was a U.S. government program which developed military trucks based on commercial-grade vehicles. However, these trucks were far from the same spec you could buy at your local dealership — they featured some unique modifications specific to their utilitarian purpose.
Above: CUCV variant lineup photo courtesy of GM Defense
General Motors won the contract to build over 70,000 of the original CUCV trucks from 1983 to 1986, and they came in a few variants. The M1008 (pictured above on the left) was a Chevrolet K30 "Square Body" pickup uprated from 1-ton to 1-1/4-ton (nicknamed "five quarters") payload capacity, while the M1010 was an ambulance version of the M1008. Our subject today, the M1009, was a K5 Blazer upgraded from its 1/2-ton civilian rating to 3/4-ton rating.
M1009 CUCV Differences from the K5 Blazer
The M1009 CUCV was mostly assembled from existing GM heavy-duty truck parts, and was powered by a 6.2L naturally-aspirated Detroit Diesel V8 paired with a three-speed TH-400 automatic transmission. You might be thinking that doesn't sound like a very powerful combination, and you'd be right — even without needing to meet federal emissions standards, it only made 155 horsepower. The CUCV was also governed to 55mph top speed, so the 0-60 time was literally nonexistent.
All CUCVs were four-wheel drive. The M1009 featured an NP-208 transfer case as well as 10-bolt solid axles front and rear with tall 3.08 gears. The rear axle was equipped with an Eaton locking differential.
The CUCV also came with a military style 24-volt electrical system with two 12-volt batteries and two 12-volt alternators connected in series. It featured electrical connectors for military radios, as well as an external connection point in the grille for the standardized NATO 24V jump starter plug.
Above: The VIN plate for the CUCV said "United States Property" at the top and featured the government contract number at the bottom.
In order to reach the 1,200-pound payload capacity and 3,000-pound towing capacity, the M1009 CUCV was equipped with stiffer springs from GM's heavy-duty truck line.
Above: Even if you overlook the military green paint, a brush guard on the front bumper and large antenna bracket on the rear fender are clear indications you're looking at a CUCV.
In 1987, the original CUCV was replaced by its successors, GM's CUCV II (based on the 1988-98 Chevy C/K series) and AM General's HMMWV. The former was primarily used for utility and officer transport purposes, while the latter was adapted for combat duties. However, the CUCV lived on thanks to its extreme durability. Many CUCV trucks were used by the military through the late 1990s and early 2000s, and even after that they were retired and resold on the civilian market.
The M1009 CUCV pictured here is one such retired and repurposed example. It was sold by the government and eventually made its way to a Bring a Trailer auction, where it was bought for $18,500 in 2023. The following year, it showed up again at a Mecum auction in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
In addition to the standard CUCV features, this CUCV got aftermarket suspension parts for a 2.5 inch taller ride height and was refinished in satin green with black "U.S. Army" markings. It also received a refurbished interior with a new dash pad, floor mats, Bluetooth radio, and new burgundy vinyl seat upholstery (a bit of an unusual color combination, but to each their own).
If you can get your hands on a surviving CUCV, they make for extremely cool project trucks, as long as you're willing to deal with some of the quirks like the 24V electrical system. Who wouldn't want to look like G.I. Joe himself rolling around in a military-grade, diesel-powered off-roader?
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