SteveL

Looking for transport please to relocate a jeep from Northants location near M1 Jct 16 just 17 miles to new storage. Please respond here or PM. Steve

Hi, I have a recently acquired 1973 M151A2 Mutt and I am (was) about to submit a V55/5 First Vehicle Tax and Registration. The vehicle was imported from Belgium. I have the original Dutch Registration documents with all dates and serial number corresponding. I have a NOVA acknowledgement from HMRC. I have an age verification letter. So - what class of vehicle should I register it? Is it exempt from Road Tax (after the First Vehicle Tax)? As a vehicle built for the military it IS exempt from Type Approval? And does that mean I do not need to complete CO Particulates HC NOx and Sound Level details? Does it require an MOT? Which throws up the no seat belts, red rear indicators etc questions AND if it does require one does that mean it has to be trailered to my local MOT station AND anyway my insurers have now recorded it as Laid Up because of the time it has taken to gather all the documents for registration, so definitely no road use. I am a mature professional adult who regards myself as reasonably intelligent but (perhaps early onset?) I have trouble getting my head round all this! OK not really mayhem but – help – please! :nut:SteveL

Hi Armoured Farmer, I have since found accommodation, it is undercover and my landlord is great but I am unable to put out my gear and tools because of some quite heavy dust from his business on site. Ideally I am looking for a secure reasonably clean, dry space with power and light where I can get my tools and shelving out - but I am willing to share, so would be pleased to hear if you have any suggestions. P Perhaps PM?

That's great. On Steel Soldiers you will see the general advice for getting a new CUCV is to change the fluids, anything rubber (seals, belts etc) and definitely do the Doghead Relay Conversion. This is swapping the original GM starter relay, under the dash, for a more robust starter solenoid to avoid the starter running away and frying wiring and batteries. Just search Doghead Relay and there is a simple set of instructions with photos. I have found a UK site on eBay which does a solenoid for £9.99 and it took me about an hour and a half to fit it - and I am no mechanic. The other thing is to watch for broken or detached wiring grounds (earths) of which there are loads on CUCVs. Again SS will tell you where to locate them. I have a 1985 M1009 Blazer. Re batteries - just look up in the TM the correct way (and sequence) they should be connected - my truck helpfully has numbers painted on the connectors to match those on the batteries. I expect your problems are a combination of you and your mechanic being unfamiliar with how these trucks are set up, likely a cable has been connected wrong or a loose wire or a blown fuse - again under the dash and they are just standard fuses. Remember CUCVs are mass-produced commercial vehicle with parts common to many GM and others products and they are well supported in the US, Europe and by American car parts suppliers in the UK. Keep me posted. Steve

Hi Helen, Right - my first piece of advice is - don't panic! Then - try this site Steel Soldiers which is US-based and the link should direct you to the CUCV section covering your truck and all the variants. After joining (very simple) you should find EVERYTHING you need to know about these trucks by checking out the stickies and FAQs. I am a complete mechanical dunce (apart from working on Vivas and Cortinas many years ago). I do know enough to see that the CUCVs are very simple mechanically - though the 24 volt electrics with two alternators and two batteries initially appears to be complicated. It is NOT complicated and an hour searching Steel Soldiers should make things a bit clearer. It is also a source for the online US Govt Technical Manuals which you can download as PDFs to your pad or mobile, and contain very simple instructions to do ANYTHING on these trucks and with easy to follow diagrams and drawings. I see you are having trouble with the batteries and I wonder if this is because the system has been changed to 12 volt? Again Steel Soldiers should be able to help here. Thirdly - if you are at a show in the UK (Overlord 2015 this weekend) and see someone with a truck like yours just ask them for some help and advice. You will find everyone will be eager to pass on their knowledge. I can get back to you with some more help on where to get parts (again surprisingly easy). Hope this helps - and welcome to the world of Cucvees! Steve

Hi Lady Luck, Just seen your post about your M1008 (there's no doubt it is the military version - and while it is very RED it also looks to be very tidy). I have an M1009 and will gladly help where I can with where I have sourced parts etc. And I have experience of the dreaded MOT calling for the US-style headlights, flashers and orange markers to be modified. I am not an expert - but I now know who and where to ask for help. Steve

Looking for storage and workspace within 15 miles of M1 Junction 16 (A45 Daventry) for medium-size MV (M1009 Chevy Blazer). Anything considered, barn, hangar, lock-up shed, mud hut, tepee? Please reply on site and can then PM. Thanks. :-)

Hi Guys, Good to see this thread started. I have just bought a 1985 M1009. I hope to have it home soon. It is currently waiting the arrival of a speedo drive gear and passed the MOT with some work on the steering. It has also had some welding to the floor/pillar (yes, it has rust in the usual places) and the tailgate. I am loooking forward to getting in and finding exactly what I have let myself in for - this is my first MV after years of wandering the show fields and getting the hang of which dash lights should stay on and which should go out! I am amazed there has not been more of a response to this thread - I counted more than 20 CUCVs registered in the last War & Peace programme (though some were from the continent) and a dozen of them were M1009s. Look forward to picking up some tips. Steve PS I got my Blazer through putting a wanted ad on this forum.

Hi Rick, If you could give me more information that would be great, thanks, Steve

Hi Mark and many thanks for your contribution. Yes, I have seen that site and while very secure the wooden bays on offer are not tall enough even for my M1009 at just under 2 metres. I am trying to get round farms and yards and I am keeping them peeled and fingers crossed. Thanks again, Steve

Hi, Storage needed in Northants (possibly, just over the border into Warwickshire considered) preferably within 15 miles of M1 Jct 16. Any help on this gratefully received. SteveL

Hi Mark, Thanks for coming back to me. Yes I am interested in both. Can you give me more info please. Steve y.larner@btinternet.com

Hi JCB, I have just joined the forum and spotted your post. Nice truck and good to see a well executed camo scheme. I am looking for a CUCV (see my Introduction posted Sun, Jan 20, 2012) – not too fussed on which type though I guess the Blazer M1009 will be more practical. I would be very grateful if you could give me any tips on what to look for. I see yours has the lift kit – was this fitted in-service (I guess USAF looking at the registration number), I have pal with an M1008 (now converted into an M1031 Contact Maintenance Truck) with this but his was fitted out of service to take the Humvee tyres. Anyway, any help would be much appreciated. Steve L

Hi, I am Steve from Northants and have been interested in military vehicles for many years but 2013 is hopefully THE year for me to buy, drive and display one. My main interest is in post-war US vehicles and, after a lot of research and talking to the unfailingly helpful owners and others on the show field, I have settled on the Chevy CUCV series or the M151A2 MUTT (see my appeal in the Wanted section). So guys, your advice and guidance on my choice will be most appreciated, along with any suggestions for storage in the Northants area within 15-20 miles of Jct 16 M1. I look forward to some great discussions on the HMVF and (is it too late to wish it?) Happy New Year!