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Buying a humvee off of gov planet

Coug

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What you mean it will fall apart on 90? I want to use this as my main vehicle. I have no vehicle at this point I would share the photos but some should be squeamish. I have to have more surgery on the the 5th. Long story short been a really bad year. Wife almost died for pregnancy, quit job because of it, roof blew off in the hurricane, now this wreck lost some mobility!


Does it have Power steering will it steer easy?

Is my outlook still 3 months to get the necessary paperwork? For my Louisiana Comrades.

These vehicles are not in good condition? I am trying to use it as a work Vehicle? Do I need to be a mechanic?
Without seeing the vehicle in question, no idea if you're going to need a mechanic right away for it or not. Most of us end up doing our own wrenching, and own other vehicles as well. A lot of the parts on these are not on the shelf at your local auto parts store, so depending on what breaks it might be days or weeks to get in a replacement part. You also need to be careful as Chinese parts have been flooding the market the past couple years, and the quality on them is terrible.

the "fall apart on 90" comment is most likely attributed to the fact that these were not designed to operate at highway speeds. 50-55 is considered max speed without some additional work and a 4 speed transmission in them. Tires aren't particularly well balanced by the military as they don't have to hit high speeds where it's a major issue. Plus, if it's been sitting for a while they are very likely to be out of round at this point. Those factors lead to a lot of vibration at highway speeds, and these tires weigh twice or more what some civi tires do, plus being large, that means there can be a LOT of vibration, literally shaking the truck apart.

You're looking minimum of 2 months if you are lucky, 3-5 months is more realistic, if everything goes well.
Looking at a few other threads, some people have had trouble licensing in Louisiana, and the "off road only" stamp on the SF97 is only going to make that more difficult.

As much as I love to see people getting into these vehicles, from the sound of the situation you are in, a HMMWV might not be the best fit for you right now. Too much going on, too many conditions between you and your wife, and so on.

These don't make good primary vehicles for most, unless you are a very competent mechanic, able to read the manuals, and have a good stock of repair parts on hand. In the military these things have a huge support network behind them, get a complete going over every 10 years by an independent facility that specializes in it, and have people who do nothing but make sure they are taken care of. They get inspected weekly by their operators, plus every time they are driven. Many shops won't even look at them because they are military, and many that do will charge accordingly.

If you're buying surplus Army, then it's likely a 20-30 year old machine. They're stored outside in every type of weather, and driven by teenagers that don't have to pay for the repairs when they break them. Operated in harsh conditions, and just generally treated like crap.
 

simp5782

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That comment is meant at the fact that the roads in Louisiana. namely 90, suck, Very badly. It will wear and tear on any components that are not up to par or have wear and tear on them. Especially the long bridge from Gray into MC. Do yourself a favor. Budget for it to be shipped to you

A truck you dont know or trust could be your death wish if you bust a tie rod or a ball joint doing even 40 on those rough roads.

Hmmwvs are not tough trucks contrary to the fact they are military. Built with the lowest bid and they have 150,000 more to replace one if it falls apart
 
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98G

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What you mean it will fall apart on 90? I want to use this as my main vehicle. I have no vehicle at this point ?

You really really want to drive one before you take the plunge. It sounds like you were never in the military and have never been in one.

Descriptions don't do it justice. The build priorities on these are completely different than a civvy vehicle.

Based on some of your comments in other threads I have the impression that crashworthiness is a high priority for you. These are really not the choice for that. No airbags, no crumple zones, only basic seat belts.

Don't get me wrong. I have one and like it a lot. I've even made some fairly long road trips in it (KS to GA and back). But you have to he a special kind of warped to enjoy them....

20190724_114912.jpg
 

BLK HMMWV

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What you mean it will fall apart on 90? I want to use this as my main vehicle. I have no vehicle at this point I would share the photos but some should be squeamish. I have to have more surgery on the the 5th. Long story short been a really bad year. Wife almost died for pregnancy, quit job because of it, roof blew off in the hurricane, now this wreck lost some mobility!

Does it have Power steering will it steer easy?

Is my outlook still 3 months to get the necessary paperwork? For my Louisiana Comrades.

These vehicles are not in good condition? I am trying to use it as a work Vehicle? Do I need to be a mechanic?
Looks like you have had a run of bad luck.
If I were you I would see if you could test drive one first before you buy one.
They require maintenance. The more you can do yourself the better .
Not sure how much mobility you lost or what is effected but depending on your size and weight you may find them quit tight inside .
Many factors will effect the comfort of your ride.
Like others have said depending on the engine and transmission that's in the one your looking at you could be looking at a top suggested speed of 55 mph.
See if you can hitch a ride in one first.
 

Milcommoguy

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Not a Hummwv "life coach"... but a bad idea for all the reasons posted. The cool factor on the outside could be the fool factor when one gets to the nut and bolts of these old rigs. For one's personal safety AND those on the road, there are a LOT of things that NEED to be inspected. There is a check list of starters up in the "sticky" area.

Whatever you paid (won) most hobbyist (MY BET) is that they have double into their rig before they feel it could be a daily driver (and that could be a understatement) Go for it has a hobby, weekend off roader, trail buster, parade / show rig or build it into a daily work horse, BUT out of the gate, not so much. Not trying to bust your chops here or anyone's else's or that matter.

Get something comfortable for family, air conditioner, cruise control, heater that works, bangging stereo, etc. and make that dream HUMMWV your second play toy.

There's nothing new on an old HUMMWV, unless you put it there, CAMO
 
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TOBASH

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This vehicle ain’t for you

You really really want to drive one before you take the plunge. It sounds like you were never in the military and have never been in one.

Descriptions don't do it justice. The build priorities on these are completely different than a civvy vehicle.

Based on some of your comments in other threads I have the impression that crashworthiness is a high priority for you. These are really not the choice for that. No airbags, no crumple zones, only basic seat belts.

Don't get me wrong. I have one and like it a lot. I've even made some fairly long road trips in it (KS to GA and back). But you have to he a special kind of warped to enjoy them....

View attachment 774974
Far from me to tell someone not to buy a HMMWV, but you should NOT buy a HMMWV.

Now I think I see what happened. You’ve had some tough times and you see a vehicle for cheap and you think it’s gonna work right out of the gate, so you figure you’ll turn it into a workhorse. That’s not how this goes.

This is not like buying a running vehicle. You are buying a vehicle with potential, but it is in really bad shape and you will need to invest roughly $15,000 and a lot of time in addition to purchase price in order to get a safe vehicle.

This vehicle also is not going to be safe in a rollover and is not like buying a civilian Arnold Schwarzenegger type Hummer/H1.

If you need a work vehicle, go out and buy a jeep renegade and spend 2 to 300 a month on your lease or bank note. Or get a CPO Ford F-150 with a full warranty.

Hummers are a hobby, rarely a daily driver. Especially not a daily driver until you invest a lot of time and $ and bloody knuckles.

This is meant as a friendly gesture. Thank God your wife is OK and I hope you guys come back and visit us when you are in a better position to own a HMMWV/FMV. Treat this like a classic car meaning that it will always have problems that will need to be fixed and the parts are not cheap. Don’t think of it as a dependable workhorse.

My $0.02.

Best,

TOBASH
 

TOBASH

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You may find this interesting.

https://youtu.be/z2fMIclqxuU
Russojap, my comments reflect my opinion of the YouTube video, and in no way are meant as a comment on you.

Just tried to watch this video... Not even into the video one minute (like Coug) and I'm convinced this guy is an idiot.

His claims are based on ignorance.

HMMWV's were never a failure. Over time military requirements changed so HMMWV's are now being replaced. IED's happened and wartime tactics changed. That does not mean HMMWV's were a failure. It means times changed. Even the original Willys Jeep was replaced with time. Does that mean that we should never have deployed them as part of the war effort in WWII?

The civilian H1 was not a failure either. Neither was Pontiac/Saturn/Oldsmobile/Saab. GM was the failure. That being said, the civilian version was separate from the military version, so this guy is comparing apples with oranges.
 
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juanprado

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Random thoughts for you in no particular order.

Louisiana paperwork will be quick and relatively hassle free but dependent on the EUC which can be a real lengthy process to get the sf 97. Not unheard of to have a 3 month plus wait.

Truck has no a/c. Since there is no ac the stock defroster is barely adequate. Not the best in 100% humidity and all the rain we have here.

Soft tops will leak no matter what at doors etc. not a weather tight vehicle.

Not a secure vehicle. Soft doors, canvas top easy to get into and worse easier to vandalize for theft. Not easy to find replacements close by. Tools and contents will not be specially secure unless you install and bolt down a work box.

Power stg is good but a wide vehicle especially on narrow 2 lane roads. The power stg also works the fan clutch.

Since the truck is so wide, overall visibility out of right mirror sucks and no stock rear view mirror.

Maintenance is not outrageous but not simple either. For example, fuel filter is military only.

Truck is 24v and not easy to find the batteries nor a simple jump will get you going.

Most tire shops will not work on these rims or even know how to. O -rings for rims will not be readily stocked. very few have the spare tire rack or even a spare.

Most of these will do 55 at tops. Mine seems to be an exception. Don't count on it.

A fun truck but not my recommendation for a daily driver or work truck. You are welcome to see mine and check it out.

Stock seats are not terribly comfy. Upgraded bucket seats better but not common on gp trucks
 
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obijohn

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As others have pointed out, the type of questions being asked by the original poster indicate that a surplus HMMWV is not the right vehicle for him at this time. The $10K or more he'd spend on buying one plus the couple grand to get it delivered plus the grand or two to get a decent, low mile HMMWV running dependably would be far better spent on a late model used pickup. You'd get A/C, much better fuel economy, better passenger safety, lower total cost of ownership, and higher reliability. The OP needs a vehicle to get him back and forth to work cheaply and reliably, and while a HMMWV can be reliable given sufficient ongoing maintenance, it will never be cheap. These vehicles weren't designed to be inexpensive daily drivers, they were designed to carry troops and light equipment across challenging terrain reliably if given frequent preventative maintenance. They're being replaced now because in the mid-2000s and a decade after Somalia someone finally figured out that they don't handle small arms fire or IEDs well... although I'd expect to see them continue on after refurbishment as an inexpensive alternative to the armored replacements when not exposed to combat situations.

In short, the OP should be looking through his local Autotrader for his new-to-him vehicle instead of the GovPlanet website.
 

TOBASH

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Seems to me this guy posted and then ghosted. Not sure this thread continues to be worth the effort, IMHO.
 

St1300pa

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Just get it and live with it! How many times in life we did it wrong then move on with memories. I wasn’t in military, never drove an hmmwv before then I bought mine back in 2015 via govplanet.. and enjoy since then.. of course it will need repair there and there . Now I’m waiting to on EUC for my m1078 . I’m back for more... enjoy it while you can!
 

98G

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Just get it and live with it! How many times in life we did it wrong then move on with memories. I wasn’t in military, never drove an hmmwv before then I bought mine back in 2015 via govplanet.. and enjoy since then.. of course it will need repair there and there . Now I’m waiting to on EUC for my m1078 . I’m back for more... enjoy it while you can!
If he was buying it for a toy, then I'd agree with you 100%.

What he wants is dependable primary transportation that is safe in a crash. A HMMWV just isn't the best choice given those requirements.
 

St1300pa

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Seriously, if he think about safety then he shouldn’t get out of the house! Peoples are crazy out there . No matter how safe your vehicle or with all hightech stuffs you still get hurts! My case I drive my hmmwv almost daily at least parts for my hmmwv from eBay cheaper then my panamera a lot!
 

russojap

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I'm really curious about who recommended he get a military vehicle to begin with and why.

I think he originally was considering a deuce, but the steering was going to be an issue. He probably should have considered an M35A3 for crash worthiness and easier steering. Although it's probably the last thing he actually needs.

Similar to how I need my M35A2. :roll:
 
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krazyk

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May I ask what is his infatuation of driving one of these on the street? They suck for everyday use. I spent most of last week driving a M1097 heavy variant on the roadway (its plated of course) and its not fun at all. Its cool every once in awhile on a sunny day but otherwise its not fun or practical for all the reasons already mentioned. They are special purpose vehicles not DD's. It would be punishment to be stuck driving one on the roadways on a daily basis.
 
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