Need advise of a truck search

[Ephraim76]

I'm new here and new to this. I am beginning my research on what to buy. Suggestions of years to look for or look out for with hmmwv models? Which years are better and why? I'm pretty convinced I need the 6.5L as I will be on the highway. Anyone have a xperience buying from gov planet live in ma? Would like to come see yours and pick your brain too

 

[Mario]

How much are you willing to throw at this thing?
Do you need a turn key or are you willing to mess with it for few (several) months to get it road worthy?
If turn key, are you looking for a 2 or 4 door, open or enclosed, soft or hard top?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[TOBASH]

Find a picture of what you like online. Should be easy to find. Search "HMMWV" and search "M998". Do not search "Hummer" or "H1" unless you want a civilian model. Then post online for forum members to help you.

Then I suggest a 30 year old model. I won't go into why. (They all look the same outwardly, but things were modified and improved over time).

ALSO consider buying a retired USMC (Marine Corp. Vehicle) rather than from other divisions. (I will not discuss why, and you should search the forum regarding this issue.)

I will NOT discuss title issues and I will not discuss insurance issues. Suffice it to say you need to search this forum and read this forum and be prepared.

DO NOT EVER post questions on this Forum about how to get a title! Read the stickies. It is forbidden.

There are stickies regarding title issues and insurance companies that will insure these vehicles. THERE ARE ISSUES.

You need to read the stickies before just jumping in!!!!!!

Your's is a socialist state so make sure you won't have issues insuring and titling PRIOR to your purchase.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK PRIOR TO PURCHASING.

If there are owners on this forum from the great state of Massachusetts, perhaps they might PM you about what to do. ( I hope my request here helps motivate members to contact you).

Welcome!

T

MODERATORS / MODS - I have tried to be informative without going over the line. If you feel I have gone over the line, please feel free to delete my post and please PM me.

 

[jeffy777]

When I looked at getting a HMMWV. I was asked what did I want it for? I did not want a daily driver. I wanted to tinker with it and to learn about it. A hobby for me. My nephew was 63Bravo which means he was a mechanic in the military. He said if it ran and had all the gauges and stuff and moved without any leaks I was probably ok. He said to me (others have said he was wrong) the oil pressure should be between the 30 and 60 after starting (he said too low or too high means different things). You will want no noticeable blow-by. I have started looking at the oil sample analysis and I think there is a lot there.

A HMMWV is a fantastically modular system. So you can do a lot. Not bad to work on.

If you are interested in highway speeds you will want the 4L80 transmission. The engine size will not be as necessary as the transmission. Normally(I have never seen on GovPlanet a USA Goverment sold) a 4L80 without having the 6.5. But I have seen quite a number of 6.5 without the 4L80. You can tell the 4L80 is there because it will have Park on the selector.

So there is my advise from what I little I know, what I have been told and the ideas I have. Good luck!

I love my HMMWV!

 

[Wire Fox]

I'm with Jeffy: the biggest thing you'll need to hold highway speeds will be the 4L80E transmission, which is most easily noticed by what shifter is installed in the truck. Even still, you're not going to be going 75 MPH+ in one...they're just not geared to hold that speed. If you want to buy one at auction with this, that pretty much means you'll have to be buying one of the M1123s or any of the other "A2"-general HMMWVs they might list in the future. ...otherwise, you can check out the classifieds on here, on eBay, or gamble on your local Craigslist ads to see what's out there. Make sure you're aware of the registration process in your state as there is frequent difficulty with getting HMMWVs titled and registered. Like TOBASH said, you can't really ask about those processed here. I don't make the rules, it's just what they are...

 

[riderdan]

I was just where you are a few months ago (have wanted a humvee since I got out of the service many moons ago, but just got serious this year). The advice posted so far is good, especially thinking about what you want to do with it and investigating registration. For me, I plan to just drive around the little town where I live a couple times a week. No highway rides for me (I well remember being passed like we were sitting still on the Autobahn--not fun) and definitely not a daily driver/grocery getter. So I bought an older M998 in reasonable condition in the configuration I wanted (four-man soft top) that was already titled.

Do think carefully about and fully research titling in Mass. One thing I was concerned about in my search was buying a truck and then having titling/registration problems. Apparently even conservative Kansas, home to a ridiculous number of veterans, can be picky. So do your due diligence and if possible talk to other Mass folks about your issues. Two different guys from Kansas pointed out a few pitfalls to me that I was able to avoid based on their advice. We're not supposed to get into specifics on the forums, so hopefully you'll get some helpful PMs as TOBASH said.

One final thing, which is true of all car buying endeavours: don't be in too much of a hurry. Decide what you want, how much you will pay, and then stick to it. Don't settle for a two-man engineless beater because the money is burning a hole in your pocket. I talked to a whole lot of sellers before settling on the truck I bought, and I think the patience paid off.

Welcome to the forum, and good luck in your search.

 

[hplacess]

I was just where you are a few months ago (have wanted a humvee since I got out of the service many moons ago, but just got serious this year). The advice posted so far is good, especially thinking about what you want to do with it and investigating registration. For me, I plan to just drive around the little town where I live a couple times a week. No highway rides for me (I well remember being passed like we were sitting still on the Autobahn--not fun) and definitely not a daily driver/grocery getter. So I bought an older M998 in reasonable condition in the configuration I wanted (four-man soft top) that was already titled.

Do think carefully about and fully research titling in Mass. One thing I was concerned about in my search was buying a truck and then having titling/registration problems. Apparently even conservative Kansas, home to a ridiculous number of veterans, can be picky. So do your due diligence and if possible talk to other Mass folks about your issues. Two different guys from Kansas pointed out a few pitfalls to me that I was able to avoid based on their advice. We're not supposed to get into specifics on the forums, so hopefully you'll get some helpful PMs as TOBASH said.

One final thing, which is true of all car buying endeavours: don't be in too much of a hurry. Decide what you want, how much you will pay, and then stick to it. Don't settle for a two-man engineless beater because the money is burning a hole in your pocket. I talked to a whole lot of sellers before settling on the truck I bought, and I think the patience paid off.

Welcome to the forum, and good luck in your search.

+1 take your time