Is a HMMWV a POS?

[unclebilly]

It looks like I can get an ex military HMMWV for less money than it costs to buy a side by side for our farm… we had a unimog 406 years ago and it was a bit like a Swiss Army knife with all spoons.

Would a H1 hummer pickup be any better? I know we have guys who drove these in service. What are your thoughts?

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

It looks like I can get an ex military HMMWV for less money than it costs to buy a side by side for our farm…

What are your thoughts?

A friend had an H1. It was a gas hog, took some effort to get in and out, rode hard, and for such a big vehicle it had remarkably little room inside.

It would depend on what you need it for. A side x side would be more nimble, faster, ride better, ingress and egress would be much easier, and it would use less fuel. The H1 would haul heavier loads and pull bigger stuff.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

A friend had an H1. It was a gas hog, took some effort to get in and out, rode hard, and for such a big vehicle it had remarkably little room inside.

It would depend on what you need it for. A side x side would be more nimble, faster, ride better, ingress and egress would be much easier, and it would use less fuel. The H1 would haul heavier loads and pull bigger stuff.

I remember reading an article about them WAY back. They rode really rough because their springs were VERY stiff. The reason given was that they could potentially be dropped out of a plane and even with parachutes they still hit the ground pretty hard.

I think they could forge through fairly deep water and take on some pretty rough terrain but were big and slow and uncomfortable. The good news is that the cockpit is armored, right?

I guess it depends upon what you need it for. If they are that cheap...

How easy is it to get parts?

[IROC]

I used to work on a military program that used HMMWV as the platform. So I was all over these things/rode in them/etc. I would say that you don't want the military version. Zero creature comforts, loud, uncomfortable and slow.

For farm/pure offroad use it might not be a bad idea, though. I wouldn't consider it for anything else.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by IROC

I used to work on a military program that used HMMWV as the platform. So I was all over these things/rode in them/etc. I would say that you don't want the military version. Zero creature comforts, loud, uncomfortable and slow.

For farm/pure offroad use it might not be a bad idea, though. I wouldn't consider it for anything else.

Right if it's cheap enough and just for tooling around the farm or maybe the rare drive to the feed store (assuming it's close) then probably not a bad thing.

[Arizona_928]

I have a m1038. It's a very capable off road platform. On road they suck. They don't go that fast either. 55 mph is the sweet spot.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

A friend had an H1. It was a gas hog, took some effort to get in and out, rode hard, and for such a big vehicle it had remarkably little room inside.

It would depend on what you need it for. A side x side would be more nimble, faster, ride better, ingress and egress would be much easier, and it would use less fuel. The H1 would haul heavier loads and pull bigger stuff.

Spot on.

A few of my friends have owned the civilian version (years ago when they were a fad), one bought on surplus (They made almost 300K).

They are oddly cramped and unless you are off road they handle like the Queen Mary, ride like a buckboard and have the turn radius of a comet.

That said, if I had the acreage to support having one, it would be a cheap hoot

[unclebilly]

Thanks guys. I’m going to bid on one and see what happens. I want a 6.5 Tirbo with a the 4L60 tranny (Overdrive).

[908/930]

I went for a drive in a US military one about 25 years ago at MCB Quantico, what a beast, about 3' space between the driver and passenger, thin green pillows for seat cushions. Pretty capable truck though.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

Thanks guys. I’m going to bid on one and see what happens. I want a 6.5 Tirbo with a the 4L60 tranny (Overdrive).

We've got a bunch of smooth round fence posts that the missus wanted pulled. I was able to get those pulled using leverage. But we've got about 4-6 railroad ties that are very firmly in the ground. I should get one of these HMMWV. I'm betting that they've got the grunt to rip that crap right out of the ground. LOL. Cool, I hope you get a good deal.

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

A friend had an H1. It was a gas hog, took some effort to get in and out, rode hard, and for such a big vehicle it had remarkably little room inside.

It would depend on what you need it for. A side x side would be more nimble, faster, ride better, ingress and egress would be much easier, and it would use less fuel. The H1 would haul heavier loads and pull bigger stuff.

100%

You will need to go to a junk yard and get a proper seat, otherwise you just sit on some POS cushion that doesn't do anything. The steering wheels are hard plastic and the dash is metal. I almost face planted into one when my driver stopped way too hard.

The gigantic trans tunnel pushes the seats far out to the edges of vehicle. But makes a good place to sleep ...

I've seen where guys have wrapped the steering wheel with 550 cord or similar to give it some grip.

And 55mph is it, no mas.

[908/930]

Here is the side by side you want, race suspension powered by 6cyl turbodiesel. Not sure what ever happened to it. Quite the blast through the desert.

Pic did not load.

[908/930]

Here it is.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by matthewb0051

100%

You will need to go to a junk yard and get a proper seat, otherwise you just sit on some POS cushion that doesn't do anything. The steering wheels are hard plastic and the dash is metal. I almost face planted into one when my driver stopped way too hard.

The gigantic trans tunnel pushes the seats far out to the edges of vehicle. But makes a good place to sleep ...

I've seen where guys have wrapped the steering wheel with 550 cord or similar to give it some grip.

And 55mph is it, no mas.

Problem solved!

[LWJ]

Never been in one. But, stupid cheap. Durable. Sounds like an off road joy ride monster.

I’d buy it.

[matthewb0051]

Nice Steve. Too bad that wouldn't have survived the First Sergeant's or Command Sergeant Major's scrutiny.

Here is the spartan (ness) of an early model:

[unclebilly]

hmmm. it looks like most of these were not turbo charged. I was expecting that a 2008 or newer would have had the 6.5 Turbo engine.

I still plan to bid on one and roll the dice.

[911_Dude]

The most interesting part of their design is the quest for ground clearance. The engine/trans tunnel in the above pic shows how everything is lifted away from the ground. Also, somewhat unique, is the drive axles are not centered on the wheels. They enter at the top of the hub and must have some gearing in each hub. Its got a pretty clean underside as far as clearance.

[matthewb0051]

I've driven several with very sloppy steering and that's being polite. They also love to drift as you drive them on the road which ever way the pavement sends it from groves and other pavement issues.

Off road is a different story and they really shine there.

[flipper35]

Sounds like some models had issues with the block cracking by #8. Might check that to be sure.