CUCV vs civilian model differences?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

NCBurb

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2020
Posts
106
Reaction score
63
Location
WNC
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
Suburban
Engine Size
6.2L
Good morning, not sure if this is the right forum, but after searching around I didn't find anything on it. I am wondering what the differences are between the CUCV models and the regular "civilian" models. I have found a lot of CUCV manuals online, but am not sure how applicable they would be. (I do have a diesel, I'm guessing it's the same engine at least)
Also wondering about parts interchange, etc. What are the differences?
I appreciate any information. thanks,
 

Vbb199

B-rate Hillbilly Customs
Joined
Jan 12, 2018
Posts
8,875
Reaction score
14,900
Location
Salisbury NC
First Name
Vince
Truck Year
89, 79
Truck Model
89 Suburban R1500, 79 C10
Engine Size
350, 502
One right off the top of my head is, cucv is 24v system.
Civilian is 12v system
Which means wiring, injection pump, alternators and batteries are different.
 

Vbb199

B-rate Hillbilly Customs
Joined
Jan 12, 2018
Posts
8,875
Reaction score
14,900
Location
Salisbury NC
First Name
Vince
Truck Year
89, 79
Truck Model
89 Suburban R1500, 79 C10
Engine Size
350, 502
Then you get into the gauges, the cucv has dummy lights for battery voltage, oil pressure and engine temp only thing that matters is how fast its going, and how much diesel its got in it.


Nothing else apparently matters.
 

BKING33

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2020
Posts
268
Reaction score
751
Location
York Springs, PA
First Name
Brian
Truck Year
1987, 1989
Truck Model
K30, Suburban
Engine Size
6.2, 6.2 turbo
Starter and glow plug are 24 volt also. Other than 24v stuff they r pretty much a 1 ton. I have 2 cucv tk
 

AuroraGirl

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2019
Posts
9,202
Reaction score
6,171
Location
Northern Wisconsin
First Name
Taylor
Truck Year
1978, 1980
Truck Model
K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
NP208 shifter has no backlight. Nonsensical creature comforts! Just like those ******* gauges
 

Vbb199

B-rate Hillbilly Customs
Joined
Jan 12, 2018
Posts
8,875
Reaction score
14,900
Location
Salisbury NC
First Name
Vince
Truck Year
89, 79
Truck Model
89 Suburban R1500, 79 C10
Engine Size
350, 502
NP208 shifter has no backlight. Nonsensical creature comforts! Just like those ******* gauges


I keep seeing all this crap about that back light, what 208 do you have that doesn't have a backlight???

Every 208 and 241 I've seen has a plastic bezel to indicate what gear you're in, that lights up.

The 203 and 205 are just a rubber boot. (at least that's what I've seen)
 

shiftpro

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Posts
4,855
Reaction score
6,085
Location
BC Canada
First Name
shiftpro
Truck Year
73-87
Truck Model
1500, 2500, 3500
Engine Size
350, 383, 454, 496!
What was the reason to do with 24V...?
 

Bextreme04

Full Access Member
Joined
May 13, 2019
Posts
4,170
Reaction score
5,064
Location
Oregon
First Name
Eric
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
K25
Engine Size
350-4bbl
What was the reason to do with 24V...?

All US military vehicles(and NATO) use a 24v charging and starting system. This allows any vehicle to jump start any other vehicle and also allows common batteries to be used. The CUCV's will also have a NATO slave port that allows a standard military slave cable to be used.

The lack of a backlight for the transfer is probably due to it not being necessary for normal driving. It simplifies NVG operation. The old HMMWV's also didn't have a backlight on the gear shift(which had the T-Case shifter included)
 

SDJunkMan

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2017
Posts
1,794
Reaction score
2,632
Location
Black Hills of South Dakota
First Name
Jeff
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
The CUCV uses a J code diesel, not really sure what is different between it and the standard diesel. Also all CUCV's are built to 1984 specs, no matter what year they were built. The wiring on them is totally different than civilian trucks, mostly due to the 12/24 volt system. They are only partially 24 volt, the lights, wipers, heater blower motor, and horns are all 12 volt.
 

Bextreme04

Full Access Member
Joined
May 13, 2019
Posts
4,170
Reaction score
5,064
Location
Oregon
First Name
Eric
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
K25
Engine Size
350-4bbl
The CUCV uses a J code diesel, not really sure what is different between it and the standard diesel. Also all CUCV's are built to 1984 specs, no matter what year they were built. The wiring on them is totally different than civilian trucks, mostly due to the 12/24 volt system. They are only partially 24 volt, the lights, wipers, heater blower motor, and horns are all 12 volt.

I believe there are several variations of J-code also. The CUCV's all have Military spec J-codes.. which would be, at a minimum, no emissions equipment and probably a slightly higher power output.
 

AuroraGirl

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2019
Posts
9,202
Reaction score
6,171
Location
Northern Wisconsin
First Name
Taylor
Truck Year
1978, 1980
Truck Model
K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
I keep seeing all this crap about that back light, what 208 do you have that doesn't have a backlight???

Every 208 and 241 I've seen has a plastic bezel to indicate what gear you're in, that lights up.

The 203 and 205 are just a rubber boot. (at least that's what I've seen)
the CUCV has the floor console just not light bulb or socket or wiring to it
 

Turbo4whl

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2019
Posts
2,868
Reaction score
6,440
Location
Downingtown, PA
First Name
Wayne
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
Jimmy
Engine Size
350
I believe all the two-way radios in the military units are 24 volt for a little more kick, than what 12 volts can do. One more reason they are 24 volts.
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
42,029
Posts
907,708
Members
33,522
Latest member
Laqota
Top