Normally I just monitor the list postings for info pertinent to my M38A1 and a
couple of friends' M38 and M151A2, but couldn't pass up the opportunity to
(hopefully) answer a couple of questions that have come up recently regarding
Hummers and Humvees. Please don't take the "hummrworld" screen name as being
in any way commercially connected with a business. It's a place. It's
privately owned land in Tennessee with over 30 miles of offroad trails built
and maintained specifically for the hosting of three previous National Hummer
Rallies, and the soon to be fourth one this spring. I am one of the
organizers for these events, as a personal favor to my friend who owns the
land. A small group of us have hosted a total of one hundred civilian
Hummers, along with a few privately owned military Humvees, (all at one time!)
for four days of "moderate" to "extremely difficult" trail running during
these rallies, all just for the fun of it.
Mark Blair and Chuck Chriss:
Yes - most of the major components of the civilian "Hummer" will interchange
with the military M998 "Humvee", although as with any vehicle, there will be
year/model specific differences. A.M. General has even been known to
introduce a new or improved component during the middle of a production run,
though they probably wouldn't admit it. One of the "upgrades" we do to our
civilian Hummers is to install armored military version heavy-duty half-shafts
(axles), as we have a nasty habit of destroying the civy ones. I don't think
a cross-referenced list comparing military to civilian components exists, but
perhaps a civilian dealer in your area could shed more light on that subject.
Jonathon:
As far as I know, both the civilian Hummer and the military Humvee have
riveted and adhesively bonded "unibody" aluminum chassis construction. These
trucks are extremely heavy as it is, without being made out of steel. They
have always used an adhesive between riveted body panels, which translates
into a very rigid chassis, without much flex. We have never had one come
"unglued", even when bent to the point of tearing holes in the aluminum. Some
of the many military variations over the years may have armored steel
components for personnel protection in tactical situations or for other
mission-specific purposes. The civilian versions can be ordered with steel
underbody protection to prevent undue damage to the aluminum floorpans and
running gear. The suspension subframes, a-arms, and bumpers are steel.
I am more familiar with the trail handling characteristics of these vehicles
than I am with the mechanics, although I have turned a wrench or two out of
necessity.
Anyone with any real field experiences with either the civilian or military
versions knows just what "necessity" means. They are great trucks, IF driven
correctly (If not they tend to break!).
David M.
Chattanooga, Tennessee
1956 M38A1 "Front Line Ambulance"
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