If any of you folks have seen pictures of the DoD bone yards in Saudi after
the Persian Gulf Games, don't you think that it is a might strange of the
incredible numbers of trashed CUCVs left behind? The CUCV series of trucks
literally disintegrated in daily use as a tactical vehicle in the desert.
It may have made sense economically as a Post vehicle driven
occasionally off road, but you wouldn't trust your life on it in a tactical
situation. It was cheap, available and politically expedient. Like the M715,
M880 and probably the CUCV II. The older, purpose built MV's are around
because the off the shelf vehicles just can't hack it in a drawn out
military environment of abusive missions, poor maintenance and relatively
untrained drivers.
Course maybe the addition of 'Onstar' might change that.
Ron
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ed Kirkley" <mojoedd@bellsouth.net>
To: "Military Vehicles Mailing List" <mil-veh@mil-veh.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2002 12:38 PM
Subject: Re: [MV] Very Poor Judgement
> I have to agree with everything that Julian says. My CUCV is just fine
and
> I'll be glad to put it up against anyone's Duce in a cross country run,
> anytime, any day. It's a very dependable vehicle and since I've had it
it's
> had very few problems and they have been taken care of in short order.
>
>
> Ed Kirkley KG4OUJ
> MVPA 18977
> 1984 M1009
> M103 Trailer
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Julian Burke" <julianb@esper.com>
> To: "Military Vehicles Mailing List" <mil-veh@mil-veh.org>
> Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2002 10:17
> Subject: [MV] Very Poor Judgement
>
>
> > I thought we had covered this point before and also what this list is
for.
> > It is general enjoyment and to talk about MV's and help find parts we
> > normally can't find. Although we all have our opinions, I prefer not to
> > "trash" other people's ideas about their preference of MV's. When I
post,
> I
> > ALWAYS sign my name at the bottom of the posting so someone can relate
to
> me
> > or find me if necessary. Point in mind here is the posting from
M35A2USA
> > trashing the CUCV series. Let's look at this point for a moment. He
says
> > they aren't 24 Volt. Not exactly, mostly half and half BUT they will
> > operate 24 volt radio systems and will slave other MV's so that's not
> > entirely true. Quote " No different than GM getting the contract and
> making
> > the CUCV the worthless piece of rubble that it is." Let's call a spade
a
> > spade here. Why do dueces rarely bring over $1800 at auction that RUN?
> > CUCV's that have been parted out usually bring more than that that don't
> > run! There is a reason for this so think about that one. Dodge
M880
> > family-same thing as a duece. 715's? Same! Would I ever start out
cross
> > country with a duece? NO WAY!! Let's go off on another tangent here;
the
> > 151 jeep. It's really a poorly engineered vehicle that after 50 miles
you
> > are really tired of it! It kills me to drive mine to a parade and have
to
> > drive it home return trip. But I love it!! (I just don't drive it as
much
> > as my CUCV's) The CUCV family that Uncle Sam bought was in reality the
> only
> > machine that ever made sense in the military system. You can buy parts
> for
> > it from any Chevy dealer. Almost any mechanic can fix it. You can
drive
> it
> > cross country and not be a nervous wreck after driving it. You know it
> > won't break down on a trip once it is running. Why would anyone call it
a
> > "piece of rubble". My CUCV's don't let me down at the last minute
either
> > like many other types of MV's. They don't break down in the middle of a
> > parade either. A CUCV will do about 85% of what a Humvee can do at less
> > than half the cost! Soldiers prefer to drive a CUCV vs a Humvee. (ask
> any
> > of 'em!) Maintenance? Same thing! Although I have no need or want of
a
> > M35, I admire them. You have to be a special kind of person to want
one.
> > (to store one too!) Parts can be pricey or hard to find for one. I
DON'T
> > WANT ONE!!! BUT I love them just the same as I would any of my vehicles.
> > Food for thought. Jullian Burke
> >
> >
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>
>
>
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Feb 06 2002 - 11:49:25 PST