HMMWV with lift kit - remove or skip it?

[HDN]

I'm considering the purchase of a M998. The price is affordable, it runs and drives, and it has an on-road title. The main problem I have with it is that it has a lift kit and pimpy rims with 40" tires.

Does anyone have any advice about installing and/or removing lift kits from HMMWVs? I have no experience with lift kits. Is this something that I can do in my driveway, or does it need a shop visit?

I've also read that lift kits and bigger wheels can put more stress on components that weren't designed to handle them, yet it seems that HMMWVs might be a little less vulnerable to this kind of modification compared to a civilian truck. Am I better off skipping this vehicle and try to find something more stock? Maybe I can buy it and make a profit reselling it

 

[Bill Nutting]

In Michigan a HMMWV with a street title is worth a lot. As Far as the lift kit goes, anything that was bolted on can be removed. That truck has plenty of ground clearance without a lift. What were they thinking?
Someone here with more knowledge may be able to tell you if stock parts were removed to install the lift kit. You should ask the buyer for any spare parts he may have as part of the deal.

 

[TOBASH]

Do not remove the lift kit!!! It is more than just a lifted body. The fuel tank and hood all need adjustment and it can be a Bear.

Just run normal rims and tires

 

[Retiredwarhorses]

If it’s just a body lift, most are done extremely poorly, removing it is quite simple, just remove the shims they used, check fuel tank to drive shaft alignment, check transmission linkage...but it just depends on how much of a body lift was installed. A 1in lift for example requires no adjustment to tank or linkage.
Now, if someone did a suspension lift? I would remove it, Hmmwv’s don’t play well with suspension lifts.
But a simple answer to your question is, remove what ever you dont like...it’s just nuts and bolts.

 

[HDN]

I didn't know there were two kinds of lifts, but I've seen them and not realized it, so today I learned

The M998 I'm looking at only has a suspension lift. Does that typically involve a shock swap and other things?

 

[Action]

I didn't know there were two kinds of lifts, but I've seen them and not realized it, so today I learned

The M998 I'm looking at only has a suspension lift. Does that typically involve a shock swap and other things?

Could just be a simple spring spacer.

 

[HDN]

Could just be a simple spring spacer.

Ok - I'll have a look at the maintenance TM to see what the stock parts look like.

 

[TOBASH]

Before you go crazy to remove the lift, be aware that there is essentially a 2 inch lift on turbocharged vehicles, yet they still look good with 37 inch tires.

Do what you will, but I might see what the rig looks like with new wheels PRIOR to reaching for the toolbox.

 

[HDN]

Before you go crazy to remove the lift, be aware that there is essentially a 2 inch lift on turbocharged vehicles, yet they still look good with 37 inch tires.

Do what you will, but I might see what the rig looks like with new wheels PRIOR to reaching for the toolbox.

What does being turbocharged have to do with a lift? Just curious. The one I'm looking at has a non-turbocharged motor. The drive train is stock.

 

[TOBASH]

In order to fit the turbo into the engine bay and under the body the vehicle gets a lift IIRC.

That allows the manifold and tubes and hoses space to fit.

 

[Action]

What does being turbocharged have to do with a lift? Just curious. The one I'm looking at has a non-turbocharged motor. The drive train is stock.

Tobash was just stating that you can look at a turbo truck and see what it looks like lifted and with stock tires. Unfortunately, the turbo models only have a 1/2" body lift.
You can barely see the spacers below the tailgate hinges in this pic. They are silver or grey.

 

[osteo16]

Pictures worth a 1000.... Lets see what you're looking at...

Ocho

 

[HDN]

Pictures worth a 1000.... Lets see what you're looking at...

Ocho

I'll have to remember to get some if I decide to look at it again. The body is done in black, so my wife would want it repainted to tan or an arctic camo for something a little different. Then I'd have to get combat rims for it.

 

[Retiredwarhorses]

Before you go crazy to remove the lift, be aware that there is essentially a 2 inch lift on turbocharged vehicles, yet they still look good with 37 inch tires.

Do what you will, but I might see what the rig looks like with new wheels PRIOR to reaching for the toolbox.

it only takes a 1/2in lift...it’s only so that you can remove or install the intake cross over.