So You Want to Buy A Surplus Humvee?

[@DLR-gz6tv]

LOL.. "You Love 'em, even though they're broken". True That!

[@joshuasmith9350]

For just myself . This vehicle is about not confirming . Road isn’t wide enough ? I don’t care . Eats diesel ? I don’t care . Can it sit in the rain and be totally wet inside ? I don’t care . I want something I’m not attached to . I want it to drive . I want to beat on it . Not polish it . This is just me . Thank you Kevin for your channel . I’ve learned much from you

[@stephenbland7461]

Brilliant and honest. I own an ex military Land Rover 101 forward control, and absolutely everything you mentioned applies to my truck as well. In fact there is no rational reason to ever buy or drive one of these ex military trucks, ever. Except we do, and I can’t really explain why. Imho, they are expensive to buy, expensive to maintain, expensive to run, require a garage full of very expensive (never used to be) spares for when things unexpectedly go wrong as they always do, and definitely unreliable on the road no matter how meticulous they are maintained, and dreadful to drive. And yet, we still buy them. Baffles me, but I still love mine. My wife thinks I’m mad.

[@Kevin24Seven]

Absolutely! Just a feeling these rigs give you when driving them, can't explain it just have to experience it to understand.

[@Team_Amateur_RC]

I have had my M1097A2 for 4 months and love it. I’m teaching myself auto mechanics, off-roading and recovery. The truck is loud, hot and leaks. Just have to choose the weather, distance and area I want to drive it in. Definitely not a daily driver. Glad I didn’t have a custom one built like I originally intended.

[@Kevin24Seven]

Way more fun and gratifying when you build them yourself in my opinion!

[@bens3641]

Well, ask an though shall receive! I was hoping you'd put out another video and in fact just asked you. Well, low and behold. Thanks for sharing your hard fought and hard won knowledge. I hope to buy one soon.

[@Kevin24Seven]

Thanks and good luck on your search!

[@judsonbrant1736]

I consider myself an H1 expert, and people should know just a few things. Pros: 1. Fording water (if the fans do not kick in, exploding your plastic fan blades and overheating in 10 min) 2. Deep ruts are no problem. If your buddies have 44s or bigger tires, you can follow them. 3. Going up or down extreme angles 4. If properly equipped, you win at bumper cars. Cons: 1. Poor power and acceleration (yes, that means insufficient power on the rocks) 2. Surprisingly bad performance on flat mud, that 16 inches of clearance is only in the center. The massive a-arms will get you stuck resting on the ground +/- 5 inches, so be careful on flat mud. 3. Tipping over sideways. H1s look wide and flat, but all the weight (eng tran dif gas exh) is up high to get the 16 inches of clearance. I believe a normal Jeep or SUV on 37s will not tip as easily as an H1. They made it wider in development to help with this but be aware it will tip before you think it should as an experienced off-roader. 4. Kevin mentioned maintenance, and you will spend a lot of time and money keeping an H1 going to the grocery store or on the trail. Unlike most 4X4s, it doesn't matter how you treat it. You will be working on it. Recommendation: Make morally good but sometimes bad financial choices in life because life is short, and you will have fun. Then rip all the best parts out of the H1 and build a rock buggy that will last and be far more capable.

[@Kevin24Seven]

Edit: I don't know what happened to my first reply so retyped it- All very good points and I agree with pretty much everything you said besides the tipping point. I've offroaded a lot in Humvees and Jeeps and I think the Humvee's massive width, low overall CG (I think of it more as the body was lowered onto the drivetrain rather than the drivetrain was raised into the body), and long wheelbase makes it exceptionally difficult to rollover. That being said, its suspension simply doesn't flex much at all. This is a common problem of IFS not to mention all around independent suspension. To the uninitiated hiking tires 5 feet off the ground can be very unnerving but the Humvee just doesn't seem to care. Jeeps and other similar rigs on the other hand have far better flex with the help of solid axles but I think will usually get to a tipping point a little quicker than a Humvee in certain situations like steep side hills. The other thing I've noticed is they don't give much warning. Once a Jeep finally starts to lift a wheel you should definitely be a bit concerned depending on the position it's in. That all being said, I think the Humvee/H1 has potential to be a phenomenal overlanding platform due to its huge payload, massive interior, great brakes, very little body roll on the road, and surprisingly great ride quality (after some mods). Wranglers on the other hand are far better platforms for gnarly off road fun due to their narrower width, shorter wheelbase, far lower weight, more power, parts availability, lower cost, and perhaps most importantly- the flex and strength you get with solid axles.

[@shampuxsaez7116]

Good to know ur info

[@greghampton4699]

Your video is spot on. I debated on a HMMWV or a Jeep for about a year. I've wanted a HMMWV ever since driving one in the Army so it didn't seem right to get a Jeep. Not one day goes by that I wish I had not went with the HMMWV. Even just going to get groceries is a great time. Mostly my wife and I take it when going out to dinner. Nothing but smiles. After restoration I entered my first car show and won two trophies. The Jeep next to me barely got any looks. Jeeps are great off roading vehicles, so you just have to decide what is right for you. Not sure what you had to do for insurance but I had to go through a classic car insurance company to get full coverage which limits your yearly drivable miles and no off-roading, but what they don't know won't hurt them, tee-hee. Thanks for your videos, I especially found the painting video you did very helpful and I also recommend the Monstaliner brand.

[@Kevin24Seven]

Thanks man, sounds like you are having a great time with it! State Farm has actually been great to me you may want to give them a shot!

[@Team_Amateur_RC]

I have State Farm as well for my Humvee. Very easy to work with.

[@greghampton4699]

I have SF for my other vehicles but for the HMMWV my agent said they could only insure it with liability@@Kevin24Seven

[@NickDoddTV]

Seems legit.

[@SupraPolli]

Hi and "+1" from Germany .. Great Video :) .. I love my 1123.. Dont wanna miss it... Not for one day!

[@benjilacombe7478]

Your not kidding about prices. Had to shell out the coin for hard doors so I built my own steel hard roof to make up the difference. Also finding out that some suppliers aren't that great to work with. How did you like lifting those doors in the bed of your truck, at about 78 ibs each ( have the same ones) they offer quit a workout. Glad your showing your progress.

[@Kevin24Seven]

Its always a fun test for my back lol, I'm hoping the truck will be a bit less loud inside since they are so bulky haha. What I don't understand regarding the pricing is who is actually buying this stuff? You want rock sliders on a Jeep and they are maybe $250. The same rock sliders on a Humvee are $2500 and a lot of times worse fitment and quality. Its crazy!

[@benjilacombe7478]

@Kevin24Seven I restored a Lamborghini Diablo years ago, it's exactly the same thing...name brand. I also think since H1 prices doubled, that could have something to do with it. I have about $600 in my roof and rear curtain build (1/8 steel), so it saved me a lot. I'm not a machinist or have a lot of fabricator tools, but having a good welder and grinders comes in handy and can save money if you have time. You have a lot of sound deadening, so it should help out. There's people out there with money, think about the ones who do can afford a motor swap...ouch.

[@Kevin24Seven]

@benjilacombe7478 paying a company to swap a motor is insane to me. Not knocking it but I wouldn't even want to from the standpoint of not knowing what to do if something goes wrong. At least when my own rig jobs fail I know how to correct them haha.

[@benjilacombe7478]

@Kevin24Seven That's a good way of thinking. When I bought the Diablo 6 months later, I sold it because of the possible engine issues and cost. I then found another Diablo without the drivetrain. I used a LS3 w/porsche transaxle. Made it better in every way than the original. Took 8 years to restore that car, did it all myself to save money and know how to work on it. I eventually sold it, had someone else did the work I would have lost a ton. Google "Lamborghini with LS3" or "Devil has a change of heart." So, your spot on doing it yourself. I wish I knew someone who had patience to help me when I have questions regarding the humvee since their not so common. I'm new to them but learning, thanks to all the youtubers and you alls videos.

[@Kevin24Seven]

@@benjilacombe7478 that's awesome dude I'll check it out!

[@Chadhockey1]

I have one getting delivered in a few days and can’t wait to mess around with it. I have the intention of using it for trails up in the mountains of CO since I’m not a fan doing it in my Raptor. Hoping mine isn’t gonna be a lemon and constantly required fixing

[@Kevin24Seven]

In my experience they aren't ever really lemons, but you must be willing to work on them to keep them going.

[@Chadhockey1]

Know of any good places to get tires for it? Preferably new tires not old 90% tires

[@Chadhockey1]

Oh and how are those split doors you bought? I’m looking between federal military parts, west Kentucky doors or some Plan B supply doors but not sure which one I actually want to get yet

[@Kevin24Seven]

@Chadhockey1 tires on the stock wheels are tough. Basically your options are surplus tires or Intercos since nobody really uses a 16.5 inch wheel. Intercos are great but very expensive and very heavy. I ran the radial TRXUS ones on my previous Humvee and they worked very well. On the build I'm gonna go to a 17 inch wheel to save a bunch of weight,.not have to deal with the two piece wheels,. and increase my options.

[@Kevin24Seven]

@Chadhockey1 also doors seem solid but I haven't bolted them us and used them yet so only time will tell.

[@vipermuscle440]

The exact same could be said about side by sides. They are dog ass slow, obnoxiously loud and uncomfortable. Difference is they are waaaay overrated and overpriced. I’ll take the Humvee everyday. People that buy side by sides could spend that money on a really nice jeep to be honest.