What model H1 to get?

[RonB]

Lockers can be put in any truck, regardless of year. So don't limit your thinking because of something that can be purchased at several places for about $1700 a diff (and that's the whole diff, so you can keep the stock ones as spares...or return the stock ones and get back $300 to $400 each). And for what it's worth, I've been wheeling for 2 years in my 97.5 and I've gone everywhere with btm the locked trucks have gone. To ease the stress on the t-case from btm'ing, I recently put a detroit in the rear. So far it's pretty point and shoot.

Just do us all a favor...if you actually get an Hummer, wheel it. Don't just drive around town like a poser. A dirty hummer is a happy hummer.

The 97.5 I got was really nice (almost too nice) when I bought it...in hind sight, I would've bought an older truck and upgraded all the half shafts/balljoints/etc so I didn't feel too guilty beating it up on the trails.

Ron B

[BACKNBLACK]

My last advice is the most important!!! GET A WARRANTY or at least have a friend who can work on Hummers. Anything H1 related is a nightare on the cost scale PM me for more information if you need it. I also own the Hummer Club of Rochester so Hummer information is plentiful.
www.hummercor.com

[Aubs]

Originally Posted by RonB

Just do us all a favor...if you actually get an Hummer, wheel it. Don't just drive around town like a poser. A dirty hummer is a happy hummer.

Ron B

This H1 would probably be used and abused, both as a trail rig and a daily driver. So no worries there. I have been using my H2 a lot lately, and actually, with frequent waxing, the scratches fade, and you can't even tell it was in the woods. Obviously, I'd try to keep it in nice shape, because there are only so many to choose from...

[ssgharkness020147]

Whats your price range Aubs? The 97.5 trucks are great as are the 98's. You just need to make sure that is has a new engine and has not been beat to hell. From there you are entering TT4 territory, as a 97.5 owner I am obligated to tell you not to buy one. If I were you I would buy the newest truck you can, and like someone else said, a warrenty would be great if you can fine one. The 04 would be a great truck, but IMO the cost of an 04 just does not justify a fancy new interior, to each there own though.

[Aubs]

Originally Posted by ssgharkness020147

Whats your price range Aubs? The 97.5 trucks are great as are the 98's. You just need to make sure that is has a new engine and has not been beat to hell. From there you are entering TT4 territory, as a 97.5 owner I am obligated to tell you not to buy one. If I were you I would buy the newest truck you can, and like someone else said, a warrenty would be great if you can fine one. The 04 would be a great truck, but IMO the cost of an 04 just does not justify a fancy new interior, to each there own though.

I think I can handle up to the mid-$40,000's.

What I worry about most is the engine issue in the 97.5 through the 01. That would SUCK if the engine pooped out. But finding one with a replacement engine is what I'd have to do. I don't know how easy that is. These are hard to find to begin with.

98's seem to be less common than the other models (probably because of the last year for Torsen II I'm guessing).

As far as a warranty, and a loan for that matter, something over 5 years old might be hard/expensive to warranty, and from what I've read, chances of financing are slim. As an example from the Exotic Warranty Co. (which no longer exists):

Example prices (as of June 2004)
2001 Hummer / H1 (end of factory warranty)
3yr/unlimited miles, $100 deductible: $7250
So I figure at least 10K on a warranty for anything older.

[ssgharkness020147]

Have you checked out Gadget's truck? He has a 98 soft top that has had EVERYTHING replaced, including the engine, and the rest of the driveline for that matter. His price is within your range, and guess what else it has??? A tan interior! Seriously, PM Gadget. You'll find his posts in this section.

[NewHummerGuy]

Aubs.....here is one i have been tracking on ebay. It is on east coast in MD (Annapolis). 2001 with several upgrades, 49k miles and a 100k mile warranty. Buy it now is $48k.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hummer-H1-H1-H1Hummer-Extras-FULL-Bump2Bump-100-000-mile-WARRANTY_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ5360QQitemZ465 1347198QQrdZ1

[RonB]

NewHummerGuy, that looks like a really nice and clean truck -- but beware of H1's with blingy aftermarket rims. The ones pictured are the wrong backspacing (I think every inch outboard puts an extra 1000 lbs or more on the geared hub spindle) and may not be the correct weight rating. Maybe they are "ok" for driving around on the street, but I wouldn't trust them offroad.

on the otherhand, if you don't care and like the truck -- steel wheels are easily to come by and great to have as an offroad set (fairly cheap too). I'd still be concerned about the geared hubs.


Ron B

[Aubs]

Originally Posted by NewHummerGuy

Aubs.....here is one i have been tracking on ebay. It is on east coast in MD (Annapolis). 2001 with several upgrades, 49k miles and a 100k mile warranty. Buy it now is $48k.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hummer-H1-H1-H1Hummer-Extras-FULL-Bump2Bump-100-000-mile-WARRANTY_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ5360QQitemZ465 1347198QQrdZ1

That's a nice one. Especially because it doesn't have all the frivolous DVD screens and crap. But yes, those rims... Those pretty much mean that you'd have to add CTIS I suppose.