Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle

CUCV II
CUCV II
Overview
Manufacturer	General Motors
Model years	1987–2000
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door SUV ; 2-door pickup ; 4-door pickup
Platform	GM GMT400 platform
Powertrain
Engine	350 in³ (5.7 L) L05 V8 ; 454 in³ (7.4 L) L29/L21 V8 ; 6.5 L Detroit Diesel V8
Transmission	4-speed 700-R4 (4L60) automatic ; 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	varies by model
Length	varies by model
Width	81.2 in (2.06 m)
Height	75.4 in (1.92 m)
Curb weight	varies by model

CUCV
CUCV
Overview
Manufacturer	General Motors Defense
Model years	1984–1987
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door SUV ; 4-door SUV ; 2-door pickup ; 4-door pickup
Powertrain
Engine	6.2 L Detroit Diesel V8
Transmission	3-speed TH-400 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	131.5 in (3.34 m)
Length	varies by model
Width	81.2 in (2.06 m) ; wider for dual rear wheel models
Height	75.4 in (1.92 m)
Curb weight	varies by model

M880/M890
M880/M890
Overview
Manufacturer	Dodge
Production	~44,000 units
Model years	1976–1977
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door pickup
Powertrain
Engine	Chrysler 318 cubic inch engine V8
Transmission	Torqueflite 727 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	131 in (3.3 m)
Length	varies by model
Width	79.5 in (2.02 m)
Height	73.85 in (1.876 m)
Curb weight	varies by model

The Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle (CUCV) (later Light Service Support Vehicle (LSSV)) (CUCV /ˈkʌkviː/ KUK-vee)[1] is a vehicle program instituted to provide the United States military with light utility vehicles based on civilian trucks.

Unloading a LSSV Silverado & trailer, Yokota Air Base, Japan

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, 1¼-ton trucks and M151 series ¼-ton "jeeps' approaching the end of their service life in the mid-1970s.[2] 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.[3]

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,[4] 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.[4] 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).[2][4]

The 1¼ ton M880-series was based on the Dodge W200, a ¾ ton capacity 4×4 civilian/commercial truck. The 880/890 had a 2,500 lb cargo rating, enabling it to have a ⁵⁄₄-ton load rating. The similar 1¼ ton M890-series was based on the Dodge D200, a ¾ ton capacity 4×2 civilian/commercial truck.[4][5]

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.[6] 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.[4]

Powertrain

All M880/M890s were powered by Chrysler's 5.2L 318 gasoline engine with a two-barrel Carter or Holley carburetor. These were rated at 150 hp (110 kW) and 230 lb⋅ft (310 N⋅m). Most were equipped with the Loadflite 727 3-speed automatic transmission, though a few left the factory with a 4-speed manual. The 880s used a 2-speed 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 70 mph (110 km/h).[4]

Variants

M880: Standard 4×4 pickup[6]
M881: M880 fitted with additional 100-amp 24-volt generator[6]
M882: M881 fitted with additional 60-amp 24-volt generator and communications equipment[6]
M883: M881 fitted with slide-in shelter kit[6]
M884: M880 fitted with 100-amp 24-volt generator and slide-in shelter kit with tie-downs[6]
M885: M880 fitted with slide-in shelter kit with tie-downs[6]
M886: M880 ambulance[6]
M887: M880 maintenance[6]
M888: M880 telephone maintenance[6]
M890: Standard 4×2 pickup[6]
M891: M890 fitted with additional 60-amp 24-volt generator[6]
M892: M890 fitted with additional 60-amp 24-volt generator and communications kit[6]
M893: M890 ambulance version[6]

Operators

1976 [4] M886
M880 variant with non-military modifications
M882
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.[9] 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.[9][10] The M1008 was the basic cargo truck, the M1010 was the ambulance, and the M1009 was a Chevrolet K5 Blazer uprated to ¾-ton capacity.[9][10] With the exception of the M1009, the trucks were all rated as 1¹⁄₄ 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).[9][10] The M1031 was the chassis cab. These latter trucks were all rated for heavier 3,600 lb (1,600 kg) or 3,900 lb (1,800 kg) loads, compared to the M1008s 2,900 lb (1,300 kg) load capacity. The M1028A2 (converted M1031 or m1028a1) and m1028A3 (converted M1028) models had dual rear wheels.[10] 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.[11]

GM produced some 70,000 CUCVs from 1983 to 1986 (model years were 1984–1987), though most were model year 1984.[9] Chevrolet continued to build CUCVs in low numbers from 1986 to 1996, mainly to accommodate military markets that needed replacements for existing CUCVs.