Hummer H1 vs Defender

I stumbled across this thread whilst looking for something else and thought I would chime in although it is a fairly old thread.

There are some common misconceptions with the H1 which some people have outlined here. The H1 is 30mm wider than a 100 series, the width of the body on the hummer h1 is the what the 100 series is mirror to mirror, so fold in your mirrors and tell me where it can't fit. I've owned 2 Hummer H1s and an original military humvee that was (after some minor modification to ADR) registrable here in NSW, I also have an unhealthy interest in them lol

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Originally Posted by JohnR

They do not have armored floors. Nor do the HMMWV's in standard form

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AM General says they can take a 4lb land mine in standard form, though it destroys the vehicle they say it protects the occupants, I wouldn't wanna try it though.

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Originally Posted by JohnR

The original tender went out to make a light recon vehicle but when GMC came back with design the military could seen so many more opportunities for it. The HMMWV is purpose built for the military, the H1 was a "great idea" by GM who originally purchased the rolling chasis off GMC and finished the work in their factory to make their URBAN H1 vehicles. Don't get the two confused. As for the H2 & H3's these are as much like the HMMWV as a Freelander is to a SAS LR!

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The tender went out to make a light tactical vehicle to replace the Jeep, the first Humvee was made in 1979, they went into production in 1985. AM General makes the Humvee not GMC. GM had nothing to do with the H1 apart from marketing, the H1 and the Humvee are made on exactly the same production line, the Humvee and H1 both share the same chassis/frame rails, the main difference between the Humvee and the H1 is the electrical system, the Humvee has a 24volt electrical system where the H1 has 12v, this also makes it only possible for the Humvee to ford 60" of water standard, where as the H1 is 30"

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Originally Posted by Hymie

There in no Park function in the Auto, that would complicate things in the minds of the simple. Easier to just start it with the footbrake applied and drive off

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On the military version this is true, the reason is to stop soldiers putting it in park before the TOW missile is fired as it would break the transmission on recoil, the military Humvee doesn't have keys either it has a switch the reason is because you wouldn't want to loose your keys running on the battle field only to get to your truck and not be able to start it :)

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Originally Posted by Hymie

pity if the last driver left it in "R"

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If the last driver left it in R, it wouldn't start anyway being an automatic :)

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Originally Posted by Hymie

There's no spare wheel on the Military model

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This is true, the reason being is because a spare wheel takes up space that could be used for something else more important, they have run flats instead, I'm pretty sure if I was getting shot at you'd just keep driving until the thing wouldn't drive anymore.

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Originally Posted by Hymie

later models with CTIS-Central Tyre Inflation System, were nice, just plug and forget.

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Only the special forces Humvee's had CTIS, most of the civilian models did, but it was mostly an option.

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Originally Posted by JDNSW

I think they have already ceased production. And unlikely to resume. There is a possible Chinese buyer for the name, who is expected to continue production of the H2 and H3 in the same US factories using GM as a contractor. I wonder how long that will continue?

John

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The H1 has ceased production as a civilian vehicle, you can still buy them through fleet sales in the US they're called K10 and K12 model's, they're the same as the earlier H1s though they have a 2004 interior with cloth (not leather) seats, and the 6.5 CAT tuned optimizer engine.

The H2/H3 was put up for sale and brought by China though they didn't complete the sale, AM General won't sell the H1 as it's firstly got nothing to do with GM and is still a military vehicle and they're all a bit touchy about giving anything to China, though China did get their hands on a H1 and have already made a copy, it's called the "Dongfeng"

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Originally Posted by zulu Delta 534

The H1 will probably have a fantastic resale value in a couple of years - more as a collectors item, what with GMs financial situation!
Regards
Glen

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Maybe... I brought the one I have now for less than a land cruiser from Auction but was sold at $225 000 new, so you can get them at a good price, most recently one exchanged hands for $55 000, though the most expensive one I heard of in Australia since then was a personal import and that guy paid $180k, sound's like a lot though isn't that what a range rover vouge is worth?

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Originally Posted by JDNSW

The H2 and H3 have only styling in common with the H1 - nothing else. They are simply restyled versions of other GM SUVs.

John

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Couldn't agree more.

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Originally Posted by Shonky

As for the H1 inundating the AU market, I very much doubt that will happen either. Australians have shown time and time again that large American "SUV"s are not suited to this market, preferring lighter, smaller, cheaper Land Cruisers, Patrols, Defenders etc.

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I doubt they will inundate the AU market as well, I disagree with the comment on what people prefer, it's all about choice and if I choose to have something which someone else perceives to be a larger vehicle or more expensive, then that's my choice, just because you don't see it the same way doesn't give you the right to say it's a bad vehicle, or driven by *******, nearly all of the H1 owners I know personally (approx 15 of them here in Australia) have other 4x4's as well, it's always the person that doesn't have one that hates them, the people that do have them are not haters.

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Originally Posted by Shonky

Good truck? for it's purpose (mil rig for desert environs) yes!

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It was made famous in the desert, but was designed as an all rounder, some of the specs were it had to at full payload climb a 22" vertical step, traverse a 40 degree side slope, climb a 60 degree slope, negotiate 3 ft snow drifts, wade through 30" water, or 60" with a deep fording kit, tow up to 9000lbs, carry up to 2.5 tonne payload, it had to have a full 16" ground clearance, be able to be picked up by helicopter and dropped by plane, etc.. a bit more intense than probably whatever it is your driving.

AM General imported 85 H1's into Australia in the late 90's there are approx another 45 military Humvee's that were imported after the gulf war, and a few personally imported H1's as well, It's also not that expensive to own, my mate has petrol 100series land cruiser which was far worse on fuel.

The other upside with the H1 is everything is interchangeable with the military, through the US I can get $30 ball joint's, $5 brake pads, radiator hose kits for $80, the most expensive part is buying the special lower radiator hose the RHD hummer uses, air filters and fuel filters I can buy through Donaldson, tyres though tyre power, everything else is far more heavy duty than a conventional 4x4 so it doesn't wear out as much, service them and they're fine..

Oh here's the video you guys were talking about

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWDv8ZQNeFk&feature=results_video&playnext =1&list=PL43BF68291F728FB4"]Hummer H1 vs. Land Rover D90 - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUybrEKRLYE&list=UUzpxAmMjKQney-oqze3wTYQ&index=23&feature=plcp"]Hummer - Truly Like Nothing Else(Rocks) - YouTube[/ame]

Cheers!

I think some people are forgetting the difference between the Hummer and the Humvee. The Humvee are the US Army trucks with very wide wheel space so it can fit inside tank tracks to cover any signs of themselves in a convoy. The hummer is just a silly piece of bling which costs a lot of money, is very heavy, and breaks all the time.

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Originally Posted by Travis1070

it's always the person that doesn't have one that hates them

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I don't have one but I would love to have one.
The H1 (military preferred), not one built on a Chevy Suburban chassis.

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Originally Posted by Shonky

Hummer H3? Niche market for bling-wearing, bitch-toting, coke-dealing Kings Cross wildlife.

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:Rolling::Rolling::Rolling:
HAHAHA! Thank you! That made my day! Bahahaha!
Cheers
Muppet

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Originally Posted by Travis1070

Oh here's the video you guys were talking about

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I think thats a matter of the Defender driver being incompetent! Either that or deliberately being silly to show the Hummer is superior. I don't doubt the Hummer has considerable capabilities. Its just the attitude of alot of hummer drivers that annoys me.
Cheers
Muppet

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Originally Posted by Travis1070;1679

Oh here's the video you guys were talking about

[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWDv8ZQNeFk&feature=results_video&playnext =1&list=PL43BF68291F728FB4"

Hummer H1 vs. Land Rover D90 - YouTube[/URL]

Hummer - Truly Like Nothing Else(Rocks) - YouTube

Cheers!

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If you have a close look at the Defender in the first video, you can see if the tyres were pumped up any higher they would burst, whilst the Hummer's tyres have been let down considerably. The Defender bounced on the rock, any vehicle can be made to look bad if not set up correctly, or not driven to its advantage. I know when Humvees were used in the Territory by the US military some years ago, one problem found was the wider track meant they couldn't stick to formed tracks in the bush, and many were getting spiked tyres as a result. The fuel consumption was also horrendous. I had a look inside a civilian version , some time back, very claustrophobic , that particular owner said they were quite hot inside in the tropics, as well. However, each to his/her own. [ But I can't help the feeling that people who buy these are compensating for something in their lives]. Bob

H3's are much maligned mainly by people who have never been in one but not all were bought by the bling brigade.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...12/05/1047.jpg

They were never meant to be a H1 replacement but when I bought mine, they were by far and away, in my opinion, the best value for money vehicle on the market. 50k got a H3 Adventure demo with 2,500kms on the clock. The Adventure model was manual, 5 speed with factory rear diff lock, extra low ratio low range, extra under body protection, 33’s….yes it was available without auto tranny, bling wheels and a sunroof.

At the time you were flat out buying a pretty basic Hilux for that price and 100 series was about 70k.

The approach and departure angles were unbelievable and the turning circle superb. Front articulation was typical IFS..non existent but the rear was great. I added a 4” Rancho lift, extra rear spring including a 2nd with a military wrap, longer Rancho shocks and 37’s and it drove like stock. An ARB front airlocker also helped offset the IFS.

Whilst I am not an IFS fan, being one of the major reasons for getting a Defender, the H3 was a fantastic tourer. The build quality from the South African factory was exceptional with leather interior, brilliant sound system (included a Monsoon Amp), seat adjustment in every which way, but above all, the super quiet ride, made it a pleasure to tour in. My wife rated it as our best ever.

Again the uninformed always bagged it as a gas guzzler but in stock form it ran at 14L/100kms, economy I would have died for in various Patrols. The 5 cylinder in line petrol was never hot off the line but was certainly not alone in that area. I supercharged mine which did give it a heap more mumbo jumbo but even then fully loaded on a trip I got a consistent 17.2L/100kms on trips.

I carried a bit of weight as it was set up as a 2 person tourer with custom drawers, 60L water tank, extra 50L petrol tank, roof rack, awnings, 2 spares, bullbar, winch etc etc.

A lot of people didn’t like the high shoulders and flat front screen but I loved it. Whilst every, and I mean every bugs bum went through its mouth, no slip streaming here….very little sun came in which made it far more comfortable than the variety of vehicles with the air tunnel designated long sloping front window which when touring has the same effect as a hot house on a tomato. The same for the side windows. The other thing was that the window and the rear view mirror were not nestled against your top pocket..if I wanted to adjust the rear view I had to reach forward..it was great to have some decent personal space.

The weak links were the front diffs…mine was replaced under warranty… and the front CV’s, of course. Other than that I didn’t have any reliability issues that were not self induced.

Looks like an interesting rig, not a fan of the shape of them but sounds like very good value for money.

As for the h1, I saw Travis' in action at wallaroo a few years back, we did a trip out there with several unusual vehicles and i was very impressed with how capable the h1 was. It drove everything in the quary there including the areas the Pinzgauers and FC101s couldnt and it did it all with ease.

h1 in the quary - the video doesnt really do the climbs justice, they arnt super crazy but they arnt exactly easy either. Also sorry about the shaky cam work, most of it was shot by my nephew who was 10 at the time
AULRO Trip Stockton beach and Wallaroo nov 09 - H1 Hummer in action - YouTube

same areas in the other vehicles.
AULRO Stockton Beach and Wallaroo - Pinzgauer - YouTube
AULRO Trip Stockton beach and Wallaroo nov 09 - YouTube

I have to agree (was also on the Wallaroo trip) - the H1 was quite spectacular - particularly its stability going up, going down and going sideways. I was surprised it did not have more ground clearance under the sills (rock sliders helped there) and wheel travel was less than expected but still good - neither seemed to slow it down though.

While not my cup of tea it certainly is a most capable offroad vehicle.

Garry

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Originally Posted by Disco Muppet

I think thats a matter of the Defender driver being incompetent! Either that or deliberately being silly to show the Hummer is superior. I don't doubt the Hummer has considerable capabilities.
Muppet

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I agree that the vehicle's capability depends a lot on how competent the driver is, no doubt a properly driven D90 would be quiet capable, who knows what circumstances that video was shot in, it could have been the guy's first time off road, and as a result it puts the D90 in a bad light to people who just want to hang sh*t on it.

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Originally Posted by Disco Muppet

Its just the attitude of alot of hummer drivers that annoys me.
Cheers
Muppet

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What attitude's that? you must know a lot of Hummer owners :D

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Originally Posted by timbo

I think some people are forgetting the difference between the Hummer and the Humvee. The Humvee are the US Army trucks with very wide wheel space so it can fit inside tank tracks to cover any signs of themselves in a convoy.

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I hate to keep doing this, but up until 2003 there was only one Hummer, what everyone know's as the H1, so the Hummer H1, or H1 whatever you want to call it is exactly the same as the Humvee (generally speaking), I think it's important not to confuse the 2's and 3's, but even they, in their own class are capable fourby's

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Originally Posted by timbo

The hummer is just a silly piece of bling which costs a lot of money, is very heavy, and breaks all the time.

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What are you basing your opinion on? on the weigh bridge my H1 was 2706 which is heavy, but bear in mind it has a payload of 1800kgs, if you look at a 200 series cruiser they weigh 2640kgs and have a payload of 710kgs, the 200 series is also longer and taller, but only 23cm less the width, I've only ever broken a half shaft (CV joint) on the first one I got which I put down to my own inexperience.

I don't particularly like them all blinged up, but whatever people want to do with their car is their business, they can cost a lot of money, but it's not always the case, certainly not in my case anyway, out of the 3 I had the most I paid was 75k the cheapest was 40k comparable to what's on the market as far as new fourby's go with the 2012 defender being 60k with the new vouge being between 160k and 240k, and the new cruiser being anywhere from 60k-100k, a H1 for less than any of those isn't so expensive is it? and in Nugget's case for what he got its cheap by comparison, especially that GM Hummer gave full warranty off road.

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Originally Posted by cal415

As for the h1, I saw Travis' in action at wallaroo a few years back, we did a trip out there with several unusual vehicles

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Geez that was 2009? that was a good day, I'd be keen to do another trip sometime, but it's always finding the time that's the problem.., I remember that was really really hot and I think Garry you drove some km's to make it...