Where to find CMPs?

[Marauder_Pilot]

I've been on the lookout for a CMP truck to restore (Well, more realistically, resto-mod), but, unfortunately, they're damn hard to find, in any condition!

I've checked eBay, Kijiji and a handful of MV websites looking for them, and the few that do come up are always long gone by the time I see them.

I'm new to the MV community, so are there any other places I should be looking? (Besides scouring Canada's barns personally?)

[rob love]

Keep an eye on this site. There have been more than a few that sat on the sale forum for a while yet at reasonable prices.

There is also one for sale in Winnipeg right now. It was on ebay at $10,500, but I don't believe it sold. Buyer may take a reasonable offer. All the mechanical and restoration is already done.

[chris vickery]

Keep your eyes open wherever you go, ask around for friends and aquaintances to keep you posted for anything that even resembles a mv to let you know etc. I have even gone as far as posting want ads in stores, local rag newspapers etc. You never know.

You say resto/mod, this terminology worries me somewhat? Maybe a little clarification may help as true restorers and collectors ofetn have extra projects available but are reluctant to sell especially in the case of someone wanting to chop, modify or ortherwise alter original vehicles... I had this happen once with a restorable M38 that ended up as a hotrod...

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

20 years ago everybody in the hobby (and there seemed to be more of them back then) had a CMP...or three...tucked away for a restoration, often with boxes of NOS parts ready to go. Sadly, the cost, time and in many cases age prevented this from happening. But the question I have, is what happened to them all? I expected a bonanza of CMPs coming loose as these gents (or their families) came the realize the inevitable.

Where did they all go or are they still out there?

(I'd have that 12 cab Chev in B.C. too if it wasn't on the other side of the country)

One thing that's clear in Eastern Canada: if it hasn't been kept out of the weather, there probably isn't enough left to restore now anyway.

[Marauder_Pilot]

Originally Posted by chris vickery

You say resto/mod, this terminology worries me somewhat? Maybe a little clarification may help as true restorers and collectors ofetn have extra projects available but are reluctant to sell especially in the case of someone wanting to chop, modify or ortherwise alter original vehicles... I had this happen once with a restorable M38 that ended up as a hotrod...

Don't worry, I'll never restore a vehicle that has potential for a 'proper' restoration. The mod would be a more modern engine and transmission so that I could actually take it safely on modern roads and not need to rebuild the engine every 100,000 KMs. I'd never mess with the body/suspension-my dream vehicle is a CMP with a modern diesel engine but is, cosmetically, 100% old-school CMP.

For example, I'd love to get ahold of this. Rip out the existing engine, which sounds dead, and replace it with a CSB.

Although, as a personal side note: I appreciate the sentiment behind keeping things original, but I have a few issues against it. One, it's not like we need to preserve a breeding pair of CMPs to continue the line. Two, someone else already has an original one better then I could ever do it. Three, the chances of exposing these wonderful vehicles to the world is much better if they're actually capable of running on modern roads.

[Lynn Eades]

I dont know how flat it is where you live, but most of these vehicles were built to travel slowly by modern expectations, and are probably more "under braked" than "underpowered" Repowering is probably relatively easy compared with upgrading the brakes. In most cases the best one can hope for, is to have the brakes in top original condition. Keep this in mind when you fit the 7.3 litre v8 diesel in your HUP. (What is a CSB?)

[David DeWeese]

Hi Marauder Pilot,
I have an 8cwt cab 11 C8 that I went the "resto-mod" route with the drivetrain.
Lots of headaches to follow as one modification leads to another and so on...
If you find one that is reasonably complete, keep it that way. Trust me.
Thanks, David

[Marauder_Pilot]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

I dont know how flat it is where you live, but most of these vehicles were built to travel slowly by modern expectations, and are probably more "under braked" than "underpowered" Repowering is probably relatively easy compared with upgrading the brakes. In most cases the best one can hope for, is to have the brakes in top original condition. Keep this in mind when you fit the 7.3 litre v8 diesel in your HUP. (What is a CSB?)

It's...not flat around here, especially if you want to leave the Yukon. (The Alaska Highway down to BC is the definition of mountain road).

What would it take to upgrade the brakes on one? Is it possible just to put bigger brakes on it? As a note, I'm not above going so far as to replace the axels on it to fit bigger brakes.

Also, CSB = Chevy Small Block engine.

Originally Posted by David DeWeese

Hi Marauder Pilot,
I have an 8cwt cab 11 C8 that I went the "resto-mod" route with the drivetrain.
Lots of headaches to follow as one modification leads to another and so on...
If you find one that is reasonably complete, keep it that way. Trust me.
Thanks, David

What engine did you fit for yours?

[sapper740]

Originally Posted by Marauder_Pilot

I've been on the lookout for a CMP truck to restore (Well, more realistically, resto-mod), but, unfortunately, they're damn hard to find, in any condition!

I've checked eBay, Kijiji and a handful of MV websites looking for them, and the few that do come up are always long gone by the time I see them.

I'm new to the MV community, so are there any other places I should be looking? (Besides scouring Canada's barns personally?)

M_P, why don't you look at acquiring one of the many bobbed M35's that abound on ebay? One of those sounds like it's right up your alley. They'll run 60mph all day on the highway and have the brakes to safely bring them to a halt, plus they can tow anything you want. Most purists aren't interested in seeing a rat-rodded CMP and other than installing a more modern 235, 261, or 250 cu. in. six for better dependability, they're best left stock for a better resale value and greater historical value. My 2 cents worth.

Cheers, Derek.

[r.morrison]

Derek: Couldn't agree with you more.....Robert

[Alex van de Wetering]

I intend to go the stock route with my CMP, but I have seen a number of upgraded CMP's over the years, and although not my cup of tea....some looked really smart. Fitting a more modern diesel is something that has definately been done before, and I think I remember one or two for sale in the UK. But, as David mentioned, you have to avoid going from one mod to another. I think David did a clever job on his 8cwt, but I have also seen less succesfull attempts with bad nose jobs on cab 13's as a result.

A bit more speed would be nice...better braking and handling would even be better.....but you don't really plan to drive 100.000km in a CMP??

Also check the forum, as the subject of Nissan (?) diesels and other engine upgrades have been discussed here before.

Alex

[cletrac (RIP)]

For what you want, take a Chev CMP 13 cab (more interior room and easier to get in and out of) and put in a 261 Pontiac engine. (150 hp) Adapt a T5 overdrive 5 speed or the like onto the Chev bellhousing and you could drive it at 65 mph or so. Put some soft modern non military 16" tires on it and remove a few spring leaves from each corner (the shorter ones make the most difference) and the ride will be greatly improved. Rebuild the stock brakes and you won't have any trouble stopping. If driving in the mountains use the gears for engine braking like truckers do so you're not totally relying on the brakes. Restore the body and nobody will know the difference. It'll be kind of noisy and the cab will be kind of cramped and it'll ride a bit harsh and you won't win many races but you'll be able to go on those back mountain roads without much trouble.

[Marauder_Pilot]

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

Interesting discussion.

Too each his own after all it will be your truck..... if you want a old looking vehicle that will handle, perform and generally drive like our modern pick em up truck I would suggest you get a wrecked modern pick up.....strip the body work and transplant a CMP body box on the modern power train...

I'm not above that, either-while I'd never dream of 'rodding' a CMP, I'd love to have one that I can drive on modern roads. It's something I may have to put some rese

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

Welcome to the forum.
Have you a name?
I might be a bit old fashioned, but I dont usually bother to talk to people who dont have a name with their post.( there are others here)
I guess after you've found one (a CMP, not a name), done it up, repowered it with a 350?, and given yourself a fright. Then we will see how you deal with it.
Along time back I met a bloke over here, that put a 350+auto in a CMP. He said it was great! Back then, when I was younger, going was more important than stopping, so I never asked about brakes.

I'm not looking to make a CMP that'll drag race and smoke tires, just be able to cruise safely at 55-60 MPH.

Also, added my name up there-I didn't really notice that this is one of those forums more oriented towards using real names when I registered.

Originally Posted by sapper740

M_P, why don't you look at acquiring one of the many bobbed M35's that abound on ebay? One of those sounds like it's right up your alley. They'll run 60mph all day on the highway and have the brakes to safely bring them to a halt, plus they can tow anything you want. Most purists aren't interested in seeing a rat-rodded CMP and other than installing a more modern 235, 261, or 250 cu. in. six for better dependability, they're best left stock for a better resale value and greater historical value. My 2 cents worth.

Cheers, Derek.

I've looked into bobbed Deuces before, and they're certainly an option-I just like the CMP better.

And, again, not trying to rod it, just to make it a bit more practical.

Originally Posted by cletrac

For what you want, take a Chev CMP 13 cab (more interior room and easier to get in and out of) and put in a 261 Pontiac engine. (150 hp) Adapt a T5 overdrive 5 speed or the like onto the Chev bellhousing and you could drive it at 65 mph or so. Put some soft modern non military 16" tires on it and remove a few spring leaves from each corner (the shorter ones make the most difference) and the ride will be greatly improved. Rebuild the stock brakes and you won't have any trouble stopping. If driving in the mountains use the gears for engine braking like truckers do so you're not totally relying on the brakes. Restore the body and nobody will know the difference. It'll be kind of noisy and the cab will be kind of cramped and it'll ride a bit harsh and you won't win many races but you'll be able to go on those back mountain roads without much trouble.

Now this is pretty much exactly what I want to do. Maybe find an engine that can be adapted for fuel injection, although there's still something to be said for carbs...

Tires would be replaced, at least for long-distance travel, by some modern all-terrains (I'm a big fan of BFG TA K/Os, myself)-I'd keep a set of military tires for show and fun, though.

I'm not all that picky on the ride. I've owned nothing but Jeep Wranglers and CJs all my life, and driven almost nothing but them and service vehicles.

[stovebolt]

Don. Give Mike a call at Midnight Sun Sheet Metal & Heating in Whitehorse.
(867) 668-2956. He has a collection of WWII parts trucks. I didn't see any CMPs but he might know of one. Good luck, Joe.