I may be able to buy another truck soon, and was wondering what you guys think it is worth.


It is an ex-military 1&1/4 ton Chevy communications truck. long bed, 60 front, 14 bolt rear, 4.56, locked rear, L/S up front, stock wheels/tires, and that nasty green paint :p
6.2L Deisel, TH400, 205 (or is it a 208?).

A buddy bought it from one of those surplus places a few years back for about $6k, and I may be able to get my hands on it now. From what I gather, it may have some "problems" now, but I don't know what yet. Mileage should be somewhere around 60k.

I am considering buying it for low cost short term tow rig to replace my V10 '99 F250... Tired of truck payments, and I would use the Chevy until I can save up and get another tow rig and pay CASH for it.

And if not for a Tow rig, then the parts alone in this truck would make a heck of a buggy :D:D:D:D

So what do you think it is worth, based on what I said above?

I know some of you don't like the 6.2L, but another friend bought one of them at the same time and put a Banks turbo on it and that thing would pull great....

I dont know if I could accurately answer the value question, but you know what the parts in it are worth. I would say a great price would be around 1000 to 1500. I wouldnt go more than 3000 unless the guy has upgraded the interior and so on. If the 6.2 runs good then yes the Banks turbo kit is good and only less than 2k. That would make a pretty capable cheap tow rig if you dont mind the green paint

That's a wicked tow vehicle!

Go Banks and don't look back.

It is a stout platform that should be worth around $3500.00 or so.

I love those things!!!!!!:usa: :usa: :usa: :usa:

FWIW, I replaced many heads and head gaskets on those 6.2's when I was in the Marines. It is not the most stout engine.

Hey David we need to start a club.

The Cheap Bastard Beat Up Ugly Old 6.2L Tow Rig Club. :D

Originally posted by Paul Gagnon
Hey David we need to start a club.

The Cheap Bastard Beat Up Ugly Old 6.2L Tow Rig Club. :D

I like it.... no dues though... that would go against the club name :p

Hey David, word to the wise, the 24v glow plug timer (black box) on the CUCV 6.2 diesels can be a rare and $pricy$ little item, just make sure that this isn.t the 'little problem' before you lay down the cash.....
I found this out from a guy I was buying some HMMWV parts from, he said that he couldn't keep them around...

that should be a 208 on the t case but i believe its a heavy duty version. the cuccv trucks have risen a bunch in the last two years just because the parts are worth a fortune. i would say 3500.00 or less as far as the 1500 to 2k range you would be one lucky sob if you got it that cheap. i sold a set of axles out of mine last years for 2grand in 2 days. i might bump the bid to 4k if it was real straight and unmolested. mike

Originally posted by DRM
I like it.... no dues though... that would go against the club name :p

No dues and no meetings. :)

Well, got a little more info.

The truck has 50k miles on it, and has had less than 15k put on it in the 4 or so years he has owned it (purchased it direct from a surplus place).

Seems like there is some kind of short - batteries (I am pretty sure it is 24 volt system in the truck) are draining. Should not be a big problem to work out though.

Looks like I can get it for between $2500 and $3000.

I am gonna go look at it in the next few days, and then make an offer in a week or so....


So, any comments based on this new info?

It's worth nothin.....just give the pink to me :flipoff2: LOL

Originally posted by DRM
So, any comments based on this new info?

If it's in good shape, go for it. Drive it till the 6.2 dies, and then if you don't wanna put a new motor it, hyrbrid or buggy it, or part it out.

Originally posted by CRO
Hey David, word to the wise, the 24v glow plug timer (black box) on the CUCV 6.2 diesels can be a rare and $pricy$ little item, just make sure that this isn.t the 'little problem' before you lay down the cash.....
I found this out from a guy I was buying some HMMWV parts from, he said that he couldn't keep them around...

Well, since I am being told the problem is a wiring "Dead short" that drains the batteries - could this be the issue?

The glow plug system can draw some serious amps, basically the glow plugs are supposed to come on when you turn the key and run for a few seconds and then shut off.
If they are running all the time it *could* seem like a dead short that is sucking down the batteries.
try testing the glow plugs for voltage after the engine has started( most glow plugs are actually a low voltage type .so not 24v)

these guys undoubtedly have more info and experience than I do.....www.62-65-dieselpage.com

:D

another link with good info.. http://www.babcox.com/editorial/us/us129712.htm

Thanks - I will check that stuff out. I was also told the ignition key switch is out, so he uses a push button switch to start it on the dash... I am willing to bet that all figures into the issue as well...

with 4.56 gears and 235/85/16 tires you are going to find that it screams going 60 mph. the glow plugs are different from the civ. 6.2 and the mil 6.2. i put a set of civ. plugs in my cuccv and burnt them out in less than a min. so there went 67.00 bucks. see if it has the dual 24v alternators on it. they are 100 amps apiece. then figure out haw to make a welder out of one and save me the time. you can unplug the glow plugs and see if that is your problem on the battery drain. the first thing i would do is dissconect the bats, charge them then load test them. it seems that when you run dual batts when one goes it kills the other. that would be my first starting point. good luck with it mike

to test the glow plugs just disconnect them and ohm them out. they read open if they are junk. mike

Yeah, the stock tires blow on the road... Will be upgraded asap to some 33's most likely to bring it back to something bearable :)

I will check the other stuff as as soon as possible and post back with what I find....

Originally posted by gunracer1
the glow plugs are different from the civ. 6.2 and the mil 6.2. i put a set of civ. plugs in my cuccv and burnt them out in less than a min. so there went 67.00 bucks.


So is this gonna be an issue for finding replacement parts or what?

its not that hard to find parts but they are more than a few things different with the 24v system. and you won't be picking up electrical parts at a local auto zone. danial at usa 6x6 has a bunch and many others so you can get the parts, but it will take alittle time. i bought mine with the idea to fix it up then blew it off and parted it. just decided that it wasn't worth that to me. if you can pick it up cheap and running go for it. it will run with out the glow plug controler. just a pain to start on a cold day. i have found that toyota brake cleaner that comes in a red and black can starts a diesel better than anything i have ever tried. nice and smooth with no rattle. i pick it up at the toyota forklift parts house, expensive but worth it. you could make up your own glow plug switch pretty easy and bypass the mil crap. for less than 50 bucks. mike

I may come to you for info if I get this :p :D ;)

So what about as a trail rig? Pull the body off, chop the frame, 4 link rear, 1/4 eliptical springs, all tube body.

It already has everything I would need really... right? What about low gearing for the Tcase though? Can you do a doubler behind the TH400?

I could sell the Dodge Dana 60 I was gonna use under my Toy buggy, install the ARB front into the this one instead...

Use the money from selling the other 60 front to go into this one...

How about it? Ready made trail rig for $2500???

i thought real seroius about a s-10 hybrid with a big block. just yank the body off and slap on some 44s. to hell with all the flex, just pull out some leaves in the rear and flog it. the 208 seems to hold up real well, i even know of some guys that swaped 205s for them and they beat the shit out of there stuff. i have to go pick up one in the next week to part it out. thinking about getting a 98 up 2 wd s10 and putting the axles uder it and a divorced 205 for a daily driver/trail rig. i cheap set of mil 37s and hummer wheels and run it. make a custom flat bed and a exocage whould be a cool rig. plus still have air and cruise. i will help you out with anyinfo i can. later mike

Thanks :)

Man, thinking of this as a trail rig really gets me thinking...

I already have my Toyota torn down to just a cab and frame, I was gonna have to swap in 60's front and rear, 4.3L, TH350, etc... cut up the cab, full tube rear section for added seating (or go full tube body).

I already bought the 4.3L ($650), Tcase adapter, Dana 60 front ($700)....

But I could do the same things to this mil Chevy, and not have to swap in anything. Just add the front ARB I already have, go to crossover steering, keep the front suspension stock, chop the rear frame and go 3/4 link w/ 1/4 eliptical in the rear, and build an all tube body...

Basically the same mods I would be doing to my Toyota, but saves me the trouble of swapping in axles, engine, and tranny...

Hmmmm......

now you are getting into my problem. i have a 2cucvee'2, 2 1/2, kiaser 715,4 cruisers,2 zuks 92 blazer, and a but load of parts. so i just can't make up my mind what the hell i want to do.