I worked at Grumman Aerospace back then. I was involved with the LLV. What I did was make the CAD images (2D CADAM) to make the illustrations that the methods group required so that they could make the manufacturing work instructions for construction of the body. I even have a brochure for it, like what you get from a car dealership. That was back in 1984
I really hope they get the new design and manufacturing worked out and don't just push through this scam deal that Dejoy made, it would be nice to have another iconic mail truck for the next 40 years.
Nice video. I used to be a mailman so i wanted to point out a few things: Mail carriers dont drive around with the door open. Thats not allowed and you can get fired for it. You're probably thinking of UPS or FedEx. I think they can drive around with the door open. Secondly, The reason the seat belt is like that is so that the driver can go without the shoulder strap. This is allowed while the driver is doing "mounted" delivery, meaning they're delivering to mailboxes that come up to the road. Other than that, they're supposed to have the shoulder strap on. Its designed that way for a reason. Glad you noticed the wheels are offset. They're like that to make really tight u-turns, which they do really well. Nothing better than pulling a u-turn on a narrow road. Also shout out to the mirror system- you can see everything including the front and rear bumper
Also you aren't supposed to get out of the LLV without turning it off first, even if delivering a quick package. The roar of the engine always lets me know my package has arrived!
These are mostly junkers now but it's amazing that the Postal Service has kept them going for so long. It's a purely functional design. Regular Car Reviews showed that they're bigger than you'd think. Another private LLV owner put an LS V8 in his to solve the speed issue. Grumman was an aircraft manufacturer and the two-piece seatbelts are usually found in aircraft. I wonder if that was a coincidence. I've seen a few second-generation mail trucks. They're slightly longer with a window behind the seats and a more rounded nose. I heard that they're Ford-based. In my area, LLVs are still plentiful but Ram Promasters are more common with the occasional right hand drive Mercedes-Benz Metris with the USPS logo over the Mercedes star.
The 2nd gen trucks you refer to are called FFV's, an abbreviation for Flex-Fuel Vehicle. They were originally called CRV's, for Carrier Route Vehicle. They were a joint venture between Ford and Utilimaster. Utilimaster built the bodies, and Ford supplied the chassis, based on the Explorer/Ranger, and their 4.0 liter flex fuel V-6 mated to a 5 speed automatic. They were produced from 1998-2000. Interestingly, there is a requirement that they be fueled with E-85 as much as possible. I work p/t for USPS delivering Amazon on Sundays, and mainly drive an LLV, although there are some FFV's in the area. The Ram and Metris minivans are newer, more comfortable, and have better climate control, but for what I do, I still prefer the LLV; just functions better for package delivery.
Been a mail carrier for 5 years and drove a lot of different LLVs as well as my own personal mail cars as well. The 2.2's seem to run a lot quieter than the iron dukes.
Funny - the first thing I think of when hearing ‘Grumman’ is not aircraft, but their aluminum canoes they used to have at my summer camp growing up. Similar bare bones rivets aesthetic actually ha
Thanks for this, Zack. Very good. I didn't know much about the interior, so I was surprised at how big the cargo area is. I also didn't know about the one year only use of the 2.2 engine. I had the 2.2 in my Cavalier, it was an excellent engine and got great fuel mileage, particularly with a stick shift. However, I do have a love for the 2.5 engine that most of these LLV's used. I had the 2.5 engine in my Fiero. It was pokey because GM made it all about high fuel mileage, but it was a mighty engine too. What I loved best about the 2.5 was the sound of the exhaust and particularly when the 2.5 is in a Fiero. Fitting an exhaust system into the Fiero required unique shapes and bends creating a sound unlike 2.5s in any other application.
European RHD (UKDM) vehicles have indicator stalks on the left along with American built RHD cars. Funnily enough when Chevy exported the 8th Gen Suburban to Australia in the late 90s, they didn’t even bother moving the gear lever to the other side as the car was wide enough for the shifter not to hit the door. The indicator stalk stayed on the left as it does for all American cars exported to Australia.
Me too. I grew up in a rural area and mail delivery was done with the personal car of the mail carriers. Our carrier's car was an old 1948 Chrysler sedan. You probably would have liked that old look. dealeraccelerate-all.s3.amazonaws.com/orlando/images/4/1/41/3013a4d627ab_hd_1948-chrysler-new-yorker-sedan.jpg
Even the brown trucks that UPS use don't have A/C since UPS refuses to put A/C in them. This can be a problem on hot su mmer days as the driver can hot
I agree with you. I understand that here in the USA, there's a federal regulation that if a driver is issued a vehicle, and the work shift is eight hours or more, the vehicle must have air conditioning.
My town's postal service has several of these LLVs and I know what you mean. Over the years, I've heard God awful sounds coming from them. What cracks me up is that they come back with the same LLV the next day.
Weird! You said the steering column is a GM product, but the ignition lock and key look like a Chrysler product. GM never used a key shaped like the one in your video for the S-10, and the bezel on the lock is shaped to accept that style key. I'm pretty sure the ignition lock and key is from Chrysler.
This would be a fantastic "contractor" van or even a small moving truck. The 2.2L had headgasket issues, but they are easy to bulletproof (as a former GM dealer tech, I have done tons of them, and after replacing the original gasket and making one quick 5 minute modification, they never leaked again). Otherwise, the 2.2 is insanely reliable. These had a wider rear track BTW because they used the 4x4 S-10 rear axle, which was wider than the 2wd rear axle. That allowed the cargo area to be wider, and it improved the stability of the truck. I would take one of these any day over a modern Ford Transit Connect or Chevy City Express / Nissan NV200. Sure, the newer ones will be more powerful and comfortable... but they'll be in the dealer service department with engine, transmission, and electrical issues while the Grumman LLV would be out making money.
FYI, the current USPS logo isn't the "screamin" eagle. It's actual nickname is "sonic" eagle. It was introduced in 1993 to replace the earlier standing eagle logo. Also, the USPS logos and side stripes are reflective stickers.
United Kingdom right hand drive vehicles have had the turn signal stalk on the left for many years. The first to do this to my knowledge were Ford of Europe and the Mk2 Ford Escort of 1975 had the turn signals on the left. Other Euro Fords followed as they were updated. Same thing for GM products, Chrysler Europe and eventually British Leyland/Rover. Japanese imports persisted with the turn signal stalk on the right side since their own market was right hand drive - I owned a 1991 Corolla with the turn signals on the right which seemed quite strange by then. But eventually the Japanese followed the same trend and now all European market vehicles have turn signals on the left, even if right hand drive.
If you think the jet liners was annoying go watch Chris in the wood yard.. he is in Appleton Wisconsin and his yard is on the west end of the airport..😅🤣👍
I used to drive a box van and I used to drive with my mail man shorts on up as wide as can be with the door wide open to fight swamp ass as much as possible
I work at one of the post offices near me. I understand the revenue per post office varies from office to office. But the office I am in, we go through so much volume, that easily, per route, they can purchase and easily pay off a brand new vehicle within one month ($40,000). Again, this is PER route. Yet, here we are driving these old LLVs. Something is wrong with that picture.
Fucking great. Your car channo is the best! With some trimming and weight savings mods, maybe you could get decent fuel mileage out of one. I think it would look cooler with moon wheelcovers.
What's weird is that I've seen updated versions of these. They're a little longer with a window behind the seats and a more rounded nose. I heard somewhere that they're Ford-based.
Understandable, but when do people care about the look of their mail truck? It wouldn’t be impossible to implement the technology to the old body style, but change is good
Because you're normal. The LLV was designed when people cared about art, and now a days is all about building the cheapest things possible and screw the way that they look.
99.9% of right hand drive UK cars have indicators/signals on the left stalk it's the Japanese/Korean stuff that has it on the right... always a mind fuck but I actually prefer it on the right
1st who's Caleb ?🤔 2nd how to buy ?🤔 2nd b. Auction ?🤔 3rd great for " coyote " service or interstate human trafficking. 🤔😬 4th the OG kidnapping vehicle 😬😬 5th perfect for city " van life dwelling "🤔😁 6th bean bag perfect for a " nooner " 😁😁 7th mini camper, toy hauler 🛌🚴⛷️🏂🪂🏄🚣🏍️ 8th LS swap🤔😁 Thanks for the great videos, content, audio & editing....👌
I worked at Grumman Aerospace back then. I was involved with the LLV. What I did was make the CAD images (2D CADAM) to make the illustrations that the methods group required so that they could make the manufacturing work instructions for construction of the body. I even have a brochure for it, like what you get from a car dealership. That was back in 1984
I'd love to see the brochure!
Probably have both sure
I really hope they get the new design and manufacturing worked out and don't just push through this scam deal that Dejoy made, it would be nice to have another iconic mail truck for the next 40 years.
Gaga Google
Nice video. I used to be a mailman so i wanted to point out a few things:
Mail carriers dont drive around with the door open. Thats not allowed and you can get fired for it. You're probably thinking of UPS or FedEx. I think they can drive around with the door open.
Secondly,
The reason the seat belt is like that is so that the driver can go without the shoulder strap. This is allowed while the driver is doing "mounted" delivery, meaning they're delivering to mailboxes that come up to the road. Other than that, they're supposed to have the shoulder strap on. Its designed that way for a reason.
Glad you noticed the wheels are offset. They're like that to make really tight u-turns, which they do really well. Nothing better than pulling a u-turn on a narrow road. Also shout out to the mirror system- you can see everything including the front and rear bumper
Also you aren't supposed to get out of the LLV without turning it off first, even if delivering a quick package. The roar of the engine always lets me know my package has arrived!
These are mostly junkers now but it's amazing that the Postal Service has kept them going for so long. It's a purely functional design. Regular Car Reviews showed that they're bigger than you'd think. Another private LLV owner put an LS V8 in his to solve the speed issue.
Grumman was an aircraft manufacturer and the two-piece seatbelts are usually found in aircraft. I wonder if that was a coincidence.
I've seen a few second-generation mail trucks. They're slightly longer with a window behind the seats and a more rounded nose. I heard that they're Ford-based. In my area, LLVs are still plentiful but Ram Promasters are more common with the occasional right hand drive Mercedes-Benz Metris with the USPS logo over the Mercedes star.
The 2nd gen trucks you refer to are called FFV's, an abbreviation for Flex-Fuel Vehicle. They were originally called CRV's, for Carrier Route Vehicle. They were a joint venture between Ford and Utilimaster. Utilimaster built the bodies, and Ford supplied the chassis, based on the Explorer/Ranger, and their 4.0 liter flex fuel V-6 mated to a 5 speed automatic. They were produced from 1998-2000. Interestingly, there is a requirement that they be fueled with E-85 as much as possible. I work p/t for USPS delivering Amazon on Sundays, and mainly drive an LLV, although there are some FFV's in the area. The Ram and Metris minivans are newer, more comfortable, and have better climate control, but for what I do, I still prefer the LLV; just functions better for package delivery.
lol the f35 f14 f18 a10 and more
I’m about to start as a mail carrier and will be driving these a lot. How timely this review is for me! Thank you!
Heard that. It’s gonna be craziness
Been a mail carrier for 5 years and drove a lot of different LLVs as well as my own personal mail cars as well. The 2.2's seem to run a lot quieter than the iron dukes.
Oh hey! This very LLV was on RCR's channel back in April, good to see it's getting into other hands for reviews and whatnot.
It's available to anyone who wants to come check it out :)
Funny - the first thing I think of when hearing ‘Grumman’ is not aircraft, but their aluminum canoes they used to have at my summer camp growing up. Similar bare bones rivets aesthetic actually ha
I think mostly of the Apollo Lunar Excursion Module. ('cause I'm _that_ old)
The F14 and the B2.
@@jimurrata6785 same
Thanks for this, Zack. Very good. I didn't know much about the interior, so I was surprised at how big the cargo area is. I also didn't know about the one year only use of the 2.2 engine. I had the 2.2 in my Cavalier, it was an excellent engine and got great fuel mileage, particularly with a stick shift. However, I do have a love for the 2.5 engine that most of these LLV's used. I had the 2.5 engine in my Fiero. It was pokey because GM made it all about high fuel mileage, but it was a mighty engine too. What I loved best about the 2.5 was the sound of the exhaust and particularly when the 2.5 is in a Fiero. Fitting an exhaust system into the Fiero required unique shapes and bends creating a sound unlike 2.5s in any other application.
I don't believe this LLV ever had the USPS stickers. It was never a postal vehicle, and instead received a generic Grumman livery.
That 2.2 is bulletproof once you update the timing chain and tensioner. Had a 00 cavalier with 400k until it spent a year in Indiana.
I'll add it to my to-do list 👍
European RHD (UKDM) vehicles have indicator stalks on the left along with American built RHD cars.
Funnily enough when Chevy exported the 8th Gen Suburban to Australia in the late 90s, they didn’t even bother moving the gear lever to the other side as the car was wide enough for the shifter not to hit the door.
The indicator stalk stayed on the left as it does for all American cars exported to Australia.
I think this is the same one Mr.Regular reviewed. I would love to have one of these as a work truck. Would be great for doing mobile mechanic work
This man did a review on a mail truck... EPIC haha 😎
7:11 as a kid whos parents owned a van before auto sliding doors were a thing, nearly every day.
I knew I heard that same sound before! Thanks!
Imagine putting the cobalt SS engine in this And putting some fresh wheels on it this thing will look sick and be a total sleeper.. somewhat lol
Some guy put an LS in one. It hauls, but not mail.
That hand brake looks quite a lot like the ones on the on the H1 Alpha
i love the old look of these!
Me too. I grew up in a rural area and mail delivery was done with the personal car of the mail carriers. Our carrier's car was an old 1948 Chrysler sedan. You probably would have liked that old look.
dealeraccelerate-all.s3.amazonaws.com/orlando/images/4/1/41/3013a4d627ab_hd_1948-chrysler-new-yorker-sedan.jpg
Even the brown trucks that UPS use don't have A/C since UPS refuses to put A/C in them. This can be a problem on hot su mmer days as the driver can hot
I agree with you. I understand that here in the USA, there's a federal regulation that if a driver is issued a vehicle, and the work shift is eight hours or more, the vehicle must have air conditioning.
Been waiting for a review of the Grumman LLV and it's definitely well worth the wait! 😊
never thought a mail truck would make a appearance!
The one on my route has a rod knock like a mf and still runs!
My town's postal service has several of these LLVs and I know what you mean. Over the years, I've heard God awful sounds coming from them. What cracks me up is that they come back with the same LLV the next day.
Weird! You said the steering column is a GM product, but the ignition lock and key look like a Chrysler product. GM never used a key shaped like the one in your video for the S-10, and the bezel on the lock is shaped to accept that style key. I'm pretty sure the ignition lock and key is from Chrysler.
It is, weirdly all the locks are from Chrysler. Unsure why though. But rhe column itself is the GM part number
Dawg if you’re so excited to drive this thing, my office is hiring CCA’s 😂
Same 🤣 we need at least 2 CCAs right now
@@carfanactic2 Seems like every office needs at least 2 ccas all the time lol
This would be a fantastic "contractor" van or even a small moving truck. The 2.2L had headgasket issues, but they are easy to bulletproof (as a former GM dealer tech, I have done tons of them, and after replacing the original gasket and making one quick 5 minute modification, they never leaked again). Otherwise, the 2.2 is insanely reliable. These had a wider rear track BTW because they used the 4x4 S-10 rear axle, which was wider than the 2wd rear axle. That allowed the cargo area to be wider, and it improved the stability of the truck. I would take one of these any day over a modern Ford Transit Connect or Chevy City Express / Nissan NV200. Sure, the newer ones will be more powerful and comfortable... but they'll be in the dealer service department with engine, transmission, and electrical issues while the Grumman LLV would be out making money.
FYI, the current USPS logo isn't the "screamin" eagle. It's actual nickname is "sonic" eagle. It was introduced in 1993 to replace the earlier standing eagle logo. Also, the USPS logos and side stripes are reflective stickers.
United Kingdom right hand drive vehicles have had the turn signal stalk on the left for many years. The first to do this to my knowledge were Ford of Europe and the Mk2 Ford Escort of 1975 had the turn signals on the left. Other Euro Fords followed as they were updated. Same thing for GM products, Chrysler Europe and eventually British Leyland/Rover. Japanese imports persisted with the turn signal stalk on the right side since their own market was right hand drive - I owned a 1991 Corolla with the turn signals on the right which seemed quite strange by then. But eventually the Japanese followed the same trend and now all European market vehicles have turn signals on the left, even if right hand drive.
Would make a fair "mystery machine," although that 15 MPG is nothing special.
If you think the jet liners was annoying go watch Chris in the wood yard.. he is in Appleton Wisconsin and his yard is on the west end of the airport..😅🤣👍
Part of me wants to see what this would look like after a thorough professional detail
Hey me too
I love when people ls swaps theses 😄👌🏽
So classic! Love it
I’ve always wanted one of these, thought they would make a badass little camper
Makes a Ford Model A look kinda luxurious!
Hahaha! How did I know you were going to say that Paul! God bless you.
Was this the same Grumman that was on Regular Car Reviews?
there’s a white 2015 kia k900 at naperville audi that i think you might like to review
Those are nice!!!
I used to drive a box van and I used to drive with my mail man shorts on up as wide as can be with the door wide open to fight swamp ass as much as possible
I work at one of the post offices near me. I understand the revenue per post office varies from office to office. But the office I am in, we go through so much volume, that easily, per route, they can purchase and easily pay off a brand new vehicle within one month ($40,000). Again, this is PER route. Yet, here we are driving these old LLVs. Something is wrong with that picture.
I never knew who made them
All the mail trucks in my state still use the 2.5 iron dukes.
We still have these in Baltimore Maryland but we also has Caravans 2
is this the same one RCR did?
Yup, same one from RCR.
How did Caleb buy it?
WOAH MAN, RELAX! IT HASNT EVEN bEEN 30 YEARS, LET ALONE OVER 30....
Fucking great. Your car channo is the best!
With some trimming and weight savings mods, maybe you could get decent fuel mileage out of one.
I think it would look cooler with moon wheelcovers.
Yes, moon hub caps. No, to your potty mouth.
It looks better than the new design. They should have just kept this design and added new technology.
If you're referring to the Oshkosh NGDV, you're right. That thing is flipping ugly.
@@davidfrischknecht8261 i agree.
@@davidfrischknecht8261 I am it's frightening. It's sad a vehicle designed 30 years ago is better looking.
What's weird is that I've seen updated versions of these. They're a little longer with a window behind the seats and a more rounded nose. I heard somewhere that they're Ford-based.
Understandable, but when do people care about the look of their mail truck? It wouldn’t be impossible to implement the technology to the old body style, but change is good
Long Life indeed!!! I’m jealous!
Man... How do you get one of these?
wow. ok your old mailman approves. and yes I started in a jeep.
I assume believe I have seen that car for Canada post mailcar
Damn, man! No blue top, no kackey , no parking near a mailbox! Damn! They're not playing are they?! 😮
I was told I could larp as UPS instead, it'd just be copyright infringement instead of an felony 😇
Yo it’s Kalebs!
😎
Do u not live in Illinois anymore????
Cool video
Jdm kids - ITS RIGHT HABD DRIVE
im at a point where i like the look why am i like this😂
Because you're normal. The LLV was designed when people cared about art, and now a days is all about building the cheapest things possible and screw the way that they look.
99.9% of right hand drive UK cars have indicators/signals on the left stalk it's the Japanese/Korean stuff that has it on the right... always a mind fuck but I actually prefer it on the right
Some guy actually did ls swap a mail truck
Daaaang this will be a good one
I'd love to drive one of these!
Cool😀
1st who's Caleb ?🤔
2nd how to buy ?🤔
2nd b. Auction ?🤔
3rd great for " coyote " service or interstate human trafficking. 🤔😬
4th the OG kidnapping vehicle 😬😬
5th perfect for city " van life dwelling "🤔😁
6th bean bag perfect for a " nooner " 😁😁
7th mini camper, toy hauler 🛌🚴⛷️🏂🪂🏄🚣🏍️
8th LS swap🤔😁
Thanks for the great videos, content, audio & editing....👌
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS
VAN LIFE!!!
1st view 1st comment🔥
A joke on wheels 😅
Biggest shit boxes in history
You're a young man, and already have a "bucket list"? You gotta lose some weight, man.
I work for USPS and I cannot buy one. Where the FUCK do these people get these things? Because I am in the market for one. Tell Caleb to hit me up.