From: Julian Burke (julianb@esper.com)
Date: Sun Apr 21 2002 - 14:23:45 PDT
Well, I see it's time to get out the "Wash and Wear" answers to the new
generation of the CUCV's. Every six weeks or so one asks the same questions
that were asked before! Because of their cost, they are rather scarce in
the military system. When one encounters them for the first time, they
attract lots of attention!
The original CUCV's were produced in the 1984-86 time period (mostly 1984)
and generally are referred to as the "CUCV" which is a military acronym for
"Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle". It is pronounced "CUT-V" but NEVER
spelled that way. GM changed their body shell style several times to date
since the last of the 1987 body style. 1988-1997, 1988, 99-2000, 2001>.
However, models using the 6.5 Turbo Diesel use the SAME body shell as the
1996 model through 2000. This means the 2000 model TD is the same body
shell as the 1988 model. Chevrolet had been building a few CUCV's since the
1986 model year in dribs and drabs mostly to accommodate military markets
that need replacements or other units that need this style of vehicle.
These units are, by the way a very good machine and deliver good service as
well as comfort for the user.
In 1996 Chevrolet decided to start building a new generation of a CUCV to
try and regain their marketplace in this niche. Mostly the Air Force were
buying a small quantity of these units and then GM dubbed them as the CUCV
II generation. These were produced through 2001 and were civvy units sent
to another plant for "militarization" on special order. They are basic
C30's (1 ton chassis) that were originally built as white in color with gray
vinyl interiors. After the usual 383 green CARC paint jobs, the bumpers and
grill were the next to get customized with pintle and towing/loading
shackles, extra leaf springs installed to give them a 5/4 ton rating and a
host of other small changes. Only on special order would they be a 24/12
volt system. All heavy duty items are used. (Very similar to the early
CUCV's)
In 2001, GM canned the 6.5 TD engines to introduce the new generation of a
Turbo Diesel dubbed the "6.6 DuraMax" which was a combination effort of
Isuzu and Detroit Diesel. Isuzu is a Japanese concern that has been in the
diesel business since about the '40's or earlier. GM bought a large
percentage of them around 20 years ago and may now own most of if not all of
Isuzu products. Isuzu engines are a very good product and are used all over
the world. The 6.6 DuraMax however may see some changes in the very near
future as they "prove" themselves. They are a cast Iron block with aluminum
cylinder heads. They are the most powerful engine with respect to Ford and
Dodge. It is a totally "electronic" controlled engine and it is the most
quiet of all the truck engines. It is coupled with an Allison 1000 series
transmission that had been previously used in larger trucks i.e.; school
buses, dumps and etc. Of all the gauges on the dash of a Chevy truck, one
will find a transmission temperature gauge for this transmission! So far,
the diesel mechanics at Chevy dealers have been instructed to replace the
whole engine if it goes beyond small problems and gaskets.
Since the inception of this new engine, it put AM General in a quandary as
what to do with the Humvee as they have been purchasing the 6.2/6.5 engines
and trannies from GM. It looked like AMG was going to have to redesign the
Hummer to accommodate a new type of power plant. Well, AMG put on their
thinking caps to get out of this ordeal and made a swap of property rights
with GM to manufacture the 6.5 engine themselves! What a breath of fresh
air for them as they now have control over the whole process and manufacture
of the Hummer. All GM diesel engines are produced in Moraine, Ohio. AMG
built a new facility next door to the old facility using labor and all of
the old tooling. They also produce "extra" units to accommodate the needs
of GM, utility truck manufacturers and replacement engines for all who still
use the 6.5. They also doubled in price too! What did AMG give up and
trade? The HUMMER namesake. GM has a joint venture building H2's as they
are called right next door to the AMG Hummer plant in Mishawaka, Indiana.
GM produces about 300 6.6 DuraMax engines a month presently until they can
get more efficient in that process. Let's think about the Hummer for a
moment as to its' evolution. Other than the 6.2 engine being updated with a
drop-in replacement 6.5 and the tranny updated with a 4 speed 4L80E with a
"PARK" position, it is the same Humvee that was invented 20 years ago!!
In 2002, GM introduced the CUCV III with the new body shell. Both the II
and III come with AM-FM stereo and Air Condition!! They also come with nice
available options as: Brush guard, Air Compressor (149 psi), On Board
Navigation System, 120 VAC Inverter, front or rear winch and runflat tires!
Also get this: Removable seat covers in mil-spec! Yes, of course they're
all 4 X 4. They have exported some to other countries and in the future,
you will see more of them. GM has had their military defense sales page up
for some time. These trucks are a real pleasure to drive and will do pretty
much what a Humvee will do with lower operating costs. Click on the sites
listed below and bookmark them for more info:
http://www.62-65-dieselpage.com/2001.htm
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.4 : Tue May 21 2002 - 23:25:31 PDT