The Military-Spec Chevrolet K5 Blazer M1009 That Served In Desert Storm

By Danie Botha

Talk 4WDs and war, and the Willys Jeep is probably the most obvious candidate that springs to mind. After all, the Jeep played its part in winning World War II, assisting thousands of Allied troops fighting around the world in defeating the Axis powers.

A lesser-known war hero is Chevrolet's K5 Blazer. Or the M1009 Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle (CUCV) in military code. Serving in the Desert Storm operation, the Blazers achieved a mixed bag of results. Intended to serve as a cost-effective stop-gap between the legendary Jeep and the Humvee light armored personnel carrier, tens of thousands of M1009s were said to have been supplied to the US armed forces.

This is its story.

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We take a closer look at the Chevrolet K5 Blazer CUCV, and its unique role in the US armed forces. We also take a look at some of the current light tactical vehicles (LTVs) in service with US forces, and take a glimpse into what the future of military LTV's may look like.

The Tortoise And The Hare

The brief was simple. An affordable, basic and reliable 4WD based on a civilian vehicle, to serve as a non-combat, stop-gap solution for the US military, plugging a gap between the traditional Jeep 4WD and the legendary Humvee. And so, in 1984, the Chevrolet K5 Blazer M1009 CUCV reported for military duty.

Around 70,000 M1009s were eventually made until the project was discontinued in 1987, with the Blazer continuing to serve in the armed forces until the 90s and beyond. That included being deployed in the Gulf War, where it served in a number of roles.

For its military application, the M1009 came with some unique attributes. Firstly, it is not armored. Its role was to serve as a lightweight 4WD for command, utility and communication purposes, but to do so behind the front lines. So it was never intended to head into a battle, but rather to serve as a support vehicle. The M1009 pictured here served as a forward command vehicle in the Gulf War. It is fitted with five radio systems that could relay secure voice radio messages to ground and air units.

For this purpose, it came with a complex electrical system, featuring both 24 Volt and 12 Volt set-ups. It also has an M8 chemical detection and warning system, and a decontamination kit.

The M1009 is powered by a naturally aspirated, Detroit Diesel 6.2-liter V8 engine, producing 130 hp. Yep, it certainly is no rocket ship, and when the bullets start flying, you probably don't want to be in this Blazer to escape said bullets. Top speed is limited to just 55 mph.

But speed was never the M1009's forte. It was designed to go anywhere, and to do so reliably. So it gets a specially reinforced three-speed automatic gearbox that is linked to a dual-range transfer case, beefed up suspension, and 3.08 live axles. The result is a tough old 4WD that will get you anywhere... it just won't get you there in a hurry.

Get You Some M1009!

The Chevrolet Blazer M1009 CUCV is a military appliance. So it is essentially a bare bones 4WD SUV with some cool gear, gun racks, fire extinguisher, a built-in water container, and some other cool military-only gadgets. The M1009 was utilized in many shapes and forms, to suit different applications. Some were used for transport purposes, some for military police applications and others as forward command units.

Because of its military application, it doesn't get air-conditioning. Soldiering is not designed to be comfy, after all. On the flip side, there are manually operated vents that will – once the Blazer is moving – create some airflow into the cabin. It does come standard with a heating and defrosting system, but these were probably not of much use in the Gulf War.

One cool party trick that all M1009s share is a blackout system. It offers various settings, from blackout mode with just driving lights activated, or full blackout mode, when every light in and on the Blazer is blacked out.

The Blazer M1009 is not designed to transport VIP guests in war zones, but rather to transport troops and their gear that are actively involved in a combat mission of sorts. And to get the job done in the most reliable, go-anywhere manner. The last thing one needs is for your military vehicle not to start when the bullets start whizzing past.

So the interior is as barren as a veteran Las Vegas call-girl's heart. You get 80s style maroon vinyl upholstery for the front seats and rear bench. There is no radio, power accessories nor sound insulation, whatsoever. So the ride is utilitarian, slow, uncomfortable and, well, quite militaristic. At least it has power steering.

Quite a number are up for sale on the second-hand market, going for around $18,000. You also get a spartan, hardcore 4WD that is slower than a school bus, and that is not particularly comfortable for any period of time. That said, breaking the M1009 will require an enormous amount of stupidity. Or Chuck Norris.

Items to look out for when buying an ex-military M1009 are rust (this seems to be a common issue), head and glow plug issues on high mileage units, and fuel system leaks.

Sources: Bring A Trailer, Motortrend, GM Defense, Oshkosh JLTV, Oshkosh.

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This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.