Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle

The Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle (CUCV) (later Light Service Support Vehicle (LSSV)) (CUCV ) is a vehicle program instituted to provide the United States military with light utility vehicles based on civilian trucks.

CUCV/COTS

The Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) concept, which translated into the CUCV program, was originally intended to augment the purpose-built but expensive Gama Goat 6 x 6, -ton trucks and M151 series -ton "jeeps" approaching the end of their service life in the mid-1970s. Initially, Dodge D series trucks were provided in the late 1970s with several military modifications. In the mid-1980s, Chevrolet C/Ks replaced the Dodge vehicles in CUCV I and CUCV II guise. GM CUCVs were heavily redesigned in 2000 and their name was changed to Light Service Support Vehicle (LSSV).

CUCVs are intended to perform "background" roles, providing support for frontline forces, such as cargo transport, troop transport, first aid, and communications. CUCVs are not built for direct frontline combat use, as evident by their lack of bulletproofing and protection from ordnance. Like many of the vehicle parts, the windshield, cabin glass, and body panels are civilian-grade and offer no protection from firearms or explosives. As a result, some CUCVs were replaced in the 1980s and 1990s by the HMMWVs they were to augment.

The U.S. military continued to keep CUCVs in active service long after their projected lifespan. CUCVs of all generations are still in U.S. service, though many M880/M890s and CUCVs have passed through military surplus sales into civilian ownership. CUCVs and LSSVs are in use as support vehicles for military police, troop transport, range control, facilities, and maintenance.

Dodge M8XX Series

In 1973 Chrysler began developing militarized adaptations of their civilian Dodge trucks. In 1976 the M880/M890 series was put into production under a large contract, intended to replace previous Dodge M37 and Kaiser Jeep M715 trucks and their variants. The M880/890 trucks were adopted as part of a drive by the U.S. military to use COTS vehicles, with appropriate modifications, where such usage was feasible. An armored variant was built by Cadillac Gage as the Ranger. For almost a decade the Dodges were referred to as "880", "890", or most commonly called "five-quarters"; (the term "CUCV" did not appear until the 1980s when GM was contracted to replace the M880/890 trucks).

The ton M880-series was based on the Dodge W200, a ton capacity 4×4 civilian/commercial truck. The 880/890 had a 2,500 lb cargo rating, enabling it to have a -ton load rating. The similar ton M890-series was based on the Dodge D200, a ton capacity 4×2 civilian/commercial truck. In Canadian service, the base vehicle was the 4-speed standard transmission, Power Wagon model, which was slightly heavier and costlier than the W200.

The M880/M890 had a conventional 12-volt electrical system; a separate 24-volt system was added to certain variants of the trucks to power communications units, but this precluded power steering on those units—the pump location being taken up by the 24-volt generator. The gasoline engine was out of step with the military's move toward diesel engines during this time period. The lack of power steering was a hindrance in off-road, close quarters, and snow-plowing duties (although most civilian and Air Force models had power steering). Around 44,000 M880/M890s were produced during the 1976–1977 model years and were used by the Army and Air Force until the late 1990s.

Powertrain

All M880/M890s were powered by Chrysler's 5.2L 318-cubic inch gasoline engine with a two-barrel Carter or Holley carburetor. These were rated at and . Most were equipped with the Loadflite 727 3-speed automatic transmission. The 880s used a 2-speed New Process Gear NP203 transfer case. A Dana 44 4.10:1 front axle and floating Dana 60 4:10.1 rear axle completed the setup. The trucks were equipped with front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. They had a military-rated top speed of .

Variants

* M880: Standard 4×4 pickup
* M881: M880 fitted with additional 100-amp 24-volt generator
* M882: M881 fitted with additional 60-amp 24-volt generator and communications equipment
* M883: M881 fitted with slide-in shelter kit
* M884: M880 fitted with 100-amp 24-volt generator and slide-in shelter kit with tie-downs
* M885: M880 fitted with slide-in shelter kit with tie-downs
* M886: M880 ambulance
* M887: M880 maintenance
* M888: M880 telephone maintenance
* M890: Standard 4×2 pickup
* M891: M890 fitted with additional 60-amp 24-volt generator
* M892: M890 fitted with additional 60-amp 24-volt generator and communications kit
* M893: M890 ambulance version

Operators

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File:Dodge military ambulance, Southport.JPG, 1976 M886
File:USA Autó 2008 - 002.jpg, M880 variant with non-military modifications
File:Dodge M880 CUCV.jpg, M882
File:US Army Ambulances.jpg, 1977 M886s

General Motors

General Motors and AM General have produced CUCVs since 1984 in three distinct generations: CUCV, CUCV II, and LSSV.

CUCV

Replacing the M880/M890 series, the CUCV represented General Motors' first major light-truck military vehicle production since World War II. GM CUCVs were assembled mostly from existing heavy duty light commercial truck parts. The CUCVs came in four basic body styles: pickup, utility, ambulance body and chassis cab. The M1008 was the basic cargo truck, the M1010 was the ambulance, and the M1009 was a Chevrolet K5 Blazer uprated to -ton capacity. With the exception of the M1009, the trucks were all rated as 1 ton (commonly called a "five-quarter"), even though some of them had payloads in excess of that. There were heavier-duty variants, including the M1028, M1028A1, M1028A2 and M1028A3 shelter carriers (the shelter being a mobile command, communications or intelligence operations enclosure). The M1031 was the chassis cab. These latter trucks were all rated for heavier or loads, compared to the M1008s load capacity. The M1028A2 (converted M1031 or m1028a1) and m1028A3 (converted M1028) models had dual rear wheels. Many M1028s were upgraded at the company level to M1028A2 and A3 specs—the dual wheel rear end arrangement was a result of the M1028 flipping on its side because of the high center of gravity when carrying equipment shelters.

GM produced some 70,000 CUCVs from 1983 to 1986 (model years were 1984–1987), though most were model year 1984. Chevrolet continued to build CUCVs in low numbers from 1986 to 1996, mainly to accommodate military markets that needed replacements for existing CUCVs.

Powertrain

All CUCV Is were powered by GM's 6.2L J-series Detroit Diesel V8 engine non-emissions diesel. These were rated at and , which was more than the emissions diesel engine of the time. They were all equipped with the TH-400 automatic. All but the M1028A1 and M1031 used the NP-208 chain drive transfer case. The M1028A1 and M1031 units had a slip-yoke rear output version of the NP-205, which was specified mainly for its PTO capacity. The CUCV series had a governed top speed of .

Axles

The M1009 Blazer used 10-bolt axles (front and rear) featuring 3.08:1 gears. The rear axle was equipped with an '' Eaton Automatic Differential Lock'' (ADL) while the front was a standard open differential. The M1008 trucks used open Dana 60 front axles, with the M1028 and M1031 variations often having a Trac-Lok limited slip. In the rear, the M1008s used the GM 10.5" Corporate 14 Bolt Differential with No-Spin lockers (the commercial trade name for the Detroit Locker). Rear axles on M1028A2 and A3 duallies are Dana 70 HD. The axle gear ratios were 4.56:1.

Electrical

As with other military vehicles, the CUCVs used a 24-volt electrical system. It was actually a hybrid 12/24-volt system that used 24-volts under the hood, 24 volt starter, complete with dual 100 amp alternators, the mandatory NATO slave receptacle for jump starting any NATO vehicle, and hookups for military radios. The rest of the truck was 12-volt.

Variants

* M1008: Basic General Motors Model K30903 except an NP208 transfer case where as the civilian model came with the NP205. The M1008 was the most numerous of the CUCV truck types. It was often seen with troop seats for eight in the bed. Fitments included a brush bar, front and rear tow hooks, and a pintle hitch. These trucks are rated to tow and were often used to tow the M101 -ton trailer.
* M1008A1: M1008 fitted with additional 100-amp 24-volt generator and communications kit.
* M1009: Utility version of the Chevrolet K5 Blazer. The M1009 is a utility rig built from a Blazer and could be used for command and control, as well as officer transport. Often seen with radio sets installed, however the large square tube stock mounts prevented the rear seat from being lowered. The M1009 was rated for a payload and a towed load. It used the heaviest duty GM springs available for the chassis and the rear axle was a 10-bolt unit. It rolled on 10.00-15 tires, had 3.08 gears and a rear Eaton automatic differential lock.
* M1010: Ambulance version of the M1008.
* M1010 SMC Command USMC command post vehicle.
* M1010 SMC Ordnance USMC ordnance repair truck.
* M1028: Shelter carrier version of the M1008.
* M1028A1: Shelter Carrier w/ PTO version of the M1008.
* M1028A2: Dual rear wheel w/ PTO version of M1028A1.
* M1028A3: Dual rear wheel w/ NP208 version of M1028A2.
* M1028FF: Fire fighting version of the GM1008.
* M1031: Chassis-cab model

Operators

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File:1984_M1009_CUCV.jpg, 1984 M1009 CUCV in the snow
Image:GMC CD 10516 - Flickr - Joost J. Bakker IJmuiden.jpg, M1009
File:Chevrolet K30 Pick Up with box pic3.JPG, M1008A1
File:Gulf War C-5A reserve aircraft.jpg, CUCVs loaded in a C-5A reserve aircraft, c. 1990
File:Belgian AF loading US CUCV on C-130.jpg, USAF M1008 being loaded into a Belgian Air Force C-130, 1998
File:Chevrolet M1009 (1984) owned by Graham Worsfold.JPG, M1009

CUCV II

In 1987, Chevrolet started building a new generation of CUCV. The US Air Force initially bought small batches of these units, dubbed the CUCV II. Produced through 2001, CUCV IIs were basic civilian Chevrolet C/K, Tahoe, and Suburban units sent to another plant for "militarization" on special order. The trucks were originally white in color with gray vinyl interiors. They received CARC exterior paint (Forest Green, Desert Sand, or 3-color camouflage), a brush bar, a pintle hitch, towing/loading shackles, extra leaf springs to give them a 5/4 ton rating and a host of other small changes. All CUCV IIs have a 24 volt dual-battery starting system, the rest of the truck is 12 volt.

These light utility vehicles were available with three engines: a Vortec 7.4-liter V8, a 5.7-liter V8, or Detroit Diesel 6.5 L V8. Each engine was coupled with a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission. All CUCV IIs have full-time all-wheel drive; a front-mounted winch was available as an option.

Variants

* Type A: Two-door utility vehicle, with space for a driver and four passengers. Based on the K5 Blazer/Tahoe
* Type B: Cargo truck, with open utility bed; seats could be fitted for troop transportation. Based on the Silverado
* Type C: Ambulance, accommodating 4 stretchers or 8 seated casualties
* Type E: Shelter carrier
* Type F: Communications shelter carrier
* Type S: Four-door command car, with space for a driver and five passengers. Based on the Suburban

Operators

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LSSV

When production of the CUCV II ended in 2000, GM redesigned it to coincide with civilian truck offerings. The CUCV nomenclature was changed to Light Service Support Vehicle (LSSV) in 2001. In 2005, LSSV production switched to AM General, a unit of MacAndrews and Forbes Holdings. The LSSV is a GM-built Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, Chevrolet Tahoe, or Chevrolet Suburban that is powered by a Duramax 6.6 liter turbo diesel engine. As GM has periodically redesigned its civilian trucks and Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) from 2001 to the present, LSSVs have also been updated cosmetically.

The militarization of standard GM trucks/SUVs to become LSSVs includes exterior changes such as Chemical Agent Resistant Coating (CARC) paint (Forest Green, Desert Sand, or 3-color Camouflage), blackout lights, military bumpers, a brush guard, a NATO slave receptacle/NATO trailer receptacle, a pintle hook, tow shackles and a 24/12 volt electrical system. The dashboard has additional controls and dataplates. The truck also can be equipped with weapon supports in the cab, cargo tie down hooks, folding troop seats, pioneer tools, winches, and other military accessories. In the Canadian Army these vehicles are nicknamed "Milverado," a portmanteau

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