The Hummer H1: The King of the Road

The H-1 is the King of the off-road becuase it can pull off such nifty feats as running over logs a foot in diameter and driving through 3-foot deep streams. Of course, the H-1's extreme capabilities and$100,000+ price tag puts it out of mst people's reach. Which is why there is the H-2. Although a but more suited to the highway then the H-1, the H-2 is also a capable off-road machine.

As a recent article on TriValleyCentral.com notes, "The H-2 has plenty of features intended for off-road chores. Its approach angle is a high 42 degrees, with a 38 departure, which means you don't have to worry about digging the bumpers in steep dips. The extended 81.2 inches of width allow the vehicle to traverse a 22-degree slope without falling over. Ground clearance is 9-10 inches, more than most other SUVs. There are two traction control systems and a locking rear axle for rough running." Furthermore, because the H-2 is not covered by CAFE, the factory was able to use heavy-duty components without paying an extra tax for the privilege.

Read article (http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10908577&BRD=1817&PAG=461&dept_id=222087&rfi=6)

Hummers are extremely over-rated. Wow! It can crawl over A 1 foot log, that's amazing! Big deal, put a couple of grand worth of lift and tires into a older chevy pick-up and it will easily out do a hummer offroad. And what kind of heavy duty parts do H2's supposedly have, all they are is a lifted suburban frame with a different body.

Hummers can do quite a bit more than just crawl over a 1 foot log. However, they aren't for everybody or even most people. If you prefer a tricked out Chevy pickup -- cool.

Hummers can do quite a bit more than just crawl over a 1 foot log. However, they aren't for everybody or even most people. If you prefer a tricked out Chevy pickup -- cool.


Ya! I know they can do a lot more and that they are capable off-road for a stock vehicle if you can afford them. But they aren't even close to KING OF THE OFF-ROAD.

How is your Chevy truicked out? Do you have any photos you could post?

Hey Guys, can somebody give me some info where to buy a good H1 Hummer(4-8 yrs) and conditions to import it into Australia. Who can help me fullfilling to drive my dreamcar here for a good prize.
Thanks very much, Peter, see ye mates....

[email protected]

OK if anyone knows about H1s it is me I worked on them in the Army for years, trust me they are WAY overrated in the mud, I have seen them get stuck in a wet grassy (level) feild that our 22,000lbs 5-ton truck could drive through (stuff that I could drive me exploror through in 2wd). Their problem is thier very heave nose that dives into mud instantly (not as bad on the civilian hummer with the gas engine), if they were to fix the weight distrabution problem they would be much better, however they are very good on everything else because of their ground clearence and independent setup on all four corners. In their defence they are very hard to roll. They are 85 inches wide and I have seen total idiots drive these things like they were trying to kill themselves, and I never onece had to turn one back over. So to call it the king of the off-road is stupid, but I will call it a radical machine.

By the way the H2 is a piece of crap compared to the H1, take away every advantage that the H1 had (fully indipendent on all four corners, and 85inch width, 16 inch ground clearence front and rear) and keep all of its weaknesses (noseheavy, bulky, and expansive) and tada you have the H2.

By the way the H2 is a piece of crap compared to the H1, take away every advantage that the H1 had (fully indipendent on all four corners, and 85inch width, 16 inch ground clearence front and rear) and keep all of its weaknesses (noseheavy, bulky, and expansive) and tada you have the H2.
Well said. The appeal of the H1 and H2 for most buyers is as a status symbol.
One can buy all the engineering of an H2 in a GM pick up truck or Yukon, with the right options, for a lot less $$$. But as it looks less butch and radical, and its cheaper, reduces its appeal for the typical H2 buyer.
As for the H1, why this is the dream ride for some people, I will never know. Its slow, foul handling, slow, expensive, slow, unmanoeverable and, what else, oh yes, slow.
For serious off roading, being small and light weight is a tremendous advantage. There are many many off road trails not accessable to H1's because they are so wide. Besides, seriously, how many people who have spent the $$$ on an H1 or H2 ever take them off roading in any serious manner?
(And, yes, I know the same can be said of the buyers of almost all SUVs)

First of all, off road vehicles can be heavy and also be succeddful. The two ways to build a vehicle for the mud are: light with pretty wide tires so it goes across the top of the mud; or heavy, with tall tires and clearance, so it sinks down and gets traction on the hard-pack under the "goopy" stuff.

Independant suspension, on an off road vehicle, is not a good thing. You want the weight spread out equally, which means tires need to be on the ground (not up in the air). To accomplish this, you want a lot of flex, and that is achived through a straight axle, and usually coils. The independant suspension does not alow much flex at all.

I personally love the H1's but am not a big fan of the H2's. My $.02

The H1s are decent off road vehicles from what I've heard. I wouldn't consider them king of the off-road. The H2s are just luxury liners and I've seen a couple magazine reviews giving more complaints than compliments. They hummers are huge anyways. The "trails" here in WV are way too narrow to put a hummer through, which is another reason I fail to see how they are king of the off road world. I'd much rather have a Jeep Rubicon with a Skyjacker lift and a decent rim and tire combination on it than a hummer...I garentee I could put the jeep plenty more places.

My stepdad has an H1, and I think a large portion of H1 users take them off-road. Most could care less if it gets scratched up...

H2 owners are a different crowd...

Amen. H1's rule. Sad thing though I just found out they only have around 205 HP. Goes to say that its definantly ALL in the gearing. H1's are awesome, could care less about H2's. H3T's look nice 2 though ohh well.


Never argue with an idiot, they drag you down to their level then beat you with experience :eek7:

The H1 was designed for military use, so it had to be built to something like a 5/4 ton rating. Yes, they are heavy, cumbersome, slow amongst other things, but they do well off road. And they only have 11 inches of ground clearance under the lower control arm, a rather important piece that you would miss if it were crushed by a rock. In stock trim, it will perform most other SUVs in off road situations (keyword STOCK). The H2 is merely evolution. There was a high demend for a more civilized Hummer, also with a more affordable price tag. GM filled the gap with the H2. The H2 is plenty capable off road, probably just as much as the H1, not to mention the fact that it has more wheel travel thanks to the solid axle rear.

The H2 is plenty capable off road, probably just as much as the H1, not to mention the fact that it has more wheel travel thanks to the solid axle rear.

The IRS was what made [real] Hummers cool. It isn't supposed to be strong/flexy, but the [real] hummer's is soo beefy it gets the job done with flex or by lifting a wheel.

If someone wants a lot of flex they would put a coilover suspention on, most likely, gulp, a jeep.

Don't forget [real] Hummers have geared hubs. That is just cool.

But 'just cool' does not equal capability. :wink:

Had a fender bender today. 24 hurt, 10 killed. Do I have to get the black touch-up paint from the dealer? He's 25 miles away. That's $35 in gas.

Well said. The appeal of the H1 and H2 for most buyers is as a status symbol.
One can buy all the engineering of an H2 in a GM pick up truck or Yukon, with the right options, for a lot less $$$. But as it looks less butch and radical, and its cheaper, reduces its appeal for the typical H2 buyer.
As for the H1, why this is the dream ride for some people, I will never know. Its slow, foul handling, slow, expensive, slow, unmanoeverable and, what else, oh yes, slow.
For serious off roading, being small and light weight is a tremendous advantage. There are many many off road trails not accessable to H1's because they are so wide. Besides, seriously, how many people who have spent the $$$ on an H1 or H2 ever take them off roading in any serious manner?
(And, yes, I know the same can be said of the buyers of almost all SUVs)

This is just plain ignorance talking. Yes, the H1 is slow (a diesel with a low range final drive of 33:1 what a surprise) and if you buy it new quite pricey. But to call it foul handling and unmanueverable just tells me this person has never driven one, on-road or off-road. I use my '99 H1 wagon as a daily driver to work, it has never left me stranded.Too wide for most trails? Bah, it just means you take a slightly different line of attack. A few times a year I travel to various events that include trails rated 4++ which my H1 handles quite well and then gets me home safely. The diesel gives me 14+ mpg on the highway at 65-70mph and is pretty comfortable too.

Like anyone else who enjoys offroading, scratches are decals and dents are memories of a good time.

Dave

The original Hummer is a worthy vehicle, the H2 is a joke. The H2 is a overpriced statis symbol for yuppys with more money then brains. The H2 is nothing more then a Suburban with a different body. By the way, No Hummer, H1 or H2 can go down most of the trails around here, they are just too wide.

The original Hummer is a worthy vehicle, the H2 is a joke. The H2 is a overpriced statis symbol for yuppys with more money then brains. The H2 is nothing more then a Suburban with a different body. By the way, No Hummer, H1 or H2 can go down most of the trails around here, they are just too wide.

Around here being, where? I think you're overestimating your trail difficulty, besides, if an H1 can't go through it, It'll go over it.

I would have to differ about the H2, I thought they were posers too before my last outing where there were 3 H2's among 13 H1's and even though they had a more difficult time with some obstacles, they made it through two 4++ trails called Grim Reaper and Chokecherry outside Farmington, NM. If you want some documentation, I have some excellent pics of H1's and H2's on Snake and Jeep Eater.

Try this link for some pics of the event...50 pages worth:

www.storedevelopers.com/2004_durango/index.htm

Dave

Around here being, where? I think you're overestimating your trail difficulty, besides, if an H1 can't go through it, It'll go over it.

I would have to differ about the H2, I thought they were posers too before my last outing where there were 3 H2's among 13 H1's and even though they had a more difficult time with some obstacles, they made it through two 4++ trails called Grim Reaper and Chokecherry outside Farmington, NM. If you want some documentation, I have some excellent pics of H1's and H2's on Snake and Jeep Eater.

Try this link for some pics of the event...50 pages worth:

www.storedevelopers.com/2004_durango/index.htm

Dave
I live in the Black Hills of South Dakota. I'm sorry, but both the H1 and H2 are too wide for the majorty of the trails here. They just won't fit with all the trees and rocks. There are alot of trails that are too narrow for even my K5 Blazer, Most of the ones I can go down I am scrapping trees and rocks down the body, just no way around it. A couple of months ago I went wheeling, and the H1 boys were backing down the trail because they couldn't fit through where my K5 would. Seen the underside of too many H2's (Mechanic) too be deluded into thinking they would be worth a sh_t off road.

First of all, I just want to say that I am just throwing this out there for whatever it is worth. I would personally never buy an H2 and probably never an H1 either, unless I found an old one really cheap.

Lots of you guys keep saying that the H2 is simply a different body on a Suburban or Tahoe. Well, I have seen more than a few modified Suburbans and Tahoes (even stock ones) that are extremely capable off-road.

It is a proven fact that the capability of the vehicle is directly dependant on the person behind the wheel.

With that said, I can go pretty much anywhere in my '74 3/4 ton, longbed Chevy, which is up on 44's. Show me these trails that are too narrow, I guarantee I could go as far (most likely farther) on them as you could, and I'm just as wide, if not wider, than an H1 (and epecially wider than any H2).

A drunk monkey could drive a truck with 44's, pretty much anywhere.

ummm, ok. Have you seem any rock-crawling events before? That monkey sure as hell would have my respect.

H2's are quite capable in stock form by design and I have seen them at the local mud hole, perform in a respectable manner. H2's on the other hand should stay on the road, I see every now and then someone who is getting stuck or damages the front suspension trying to go where highly modified trucks go where an h1 would go. Then they complain about how the salesman told him it can go anywhere, "like the commercial". I feel sorry to see them sitting stuck in the mud, but it's also funny that a "beater" Jeep or what was once a Toyota p/u (properly equipped) pull them out and send with their tail between their legs wondering what went wrong. It's no wonder you see them with the big bling bling wheels on them now a days the belong in suburbia, made to be driven by soccer moms. Just my $.02!

Around here being, where? I think you're overestimating your trail difficulty, besides, if an H1 can't go through it, It'll go over it.

I would have to differ about the H2, I thought they were posers too before my last outing where there were 3 H2's among 13 H1's and even though they had a more difficult time with some obstacles, they made it through two 4++ trails called Grim Reaper and Chokecherry outside Farmington, NM. If you want some documentation, I have some excellent pics of H1's and H2's on Snake and Jeep Eater.

Try this link for some pics of the event...50 pages worth:

www.storedevelopers.com/2004_durango/index.htm

Dave

Hate to inform you, but our Trailblazer could probably do all of that.

Not that i have anything against Hummers, i think they are awesome machines.

Thats just a really bad example.

A drunk monkey could drive a truck with 44's, pretty much anywhere.

Have you ever driven off-road in a small truck, then in a big one? The bigger it is, the more difficult driving it is. You have to manuver it MUCH more accurately than smaller trucks. Since you can't see as much of the ground near you, you have to remember EXACTLY where each rock, tree stump, or hole is so you don't drive in it when you get close. Bigger trucks with taller tires are CAPABLE of going more places due to clearance, but the driver has to be good enough to get it around all the things that will get it stuck. My truck (pretty much stock) will make it almost anywhere trucks with bigger tires can go, with the exception of ruts made by bigger tires, and up vertical drops over 12-16"

However, if such a monkey does infact exist, I would very much like to see his/her driving abilities while intoxicated.

I would rather put money that would go into a H1 or H2 into my own rig that was built by my own hands, and not bought off a lot. I think I would have more respect, and not do foolish things. I hate the H2's and the new H3's. The older H1 have a better look that I like. But unless I win the lotto, its out of my reach.

I've got a question for someone with answers. My dad is looking for a tow vehicle that will get him and his 3/4 ton trailer anyware without to much trouble. Will the H1 do that?

The Alpha probably will but I think the previous H1's had pretty weak diesel engines.

take the hummer to Johnson Valley and do some of the trails there like x rated, and sledge hammer ;)

boy cant believe im going to feed into this thread...

want to know about the h1 and h2?
I am a member of other "offroad" sites.....

just search for member name

RootBreaker
www.pavementsucks.com (http://www.pavementsucks.com)
www.coloradok5.com (http://www.coloradok5.com)
www.njfourwheelers.com (http://www.njfourwheelers.com)
www.truckporn.com (http://www.truckporn.com)
www.fullsizechevy.com (http://www.fullsizechevy.com)

now go over there and search...

Just watched a video of a stock h1 trying to do a mini rock garden.. after many attempts a beatup jeep cherokee did it like it was nothing...

also
h1's are too wide.... yes they are and no getting around that...

my buds just went wheeling and guess what they found in the middle of a trail? H2 with the passenger (wife) screaming at the driver (husband)


h1's are so great that there is a hummer dealer on rt13 in delaware that has about 8 of them... winches, off road lights, 35" tires, HOOKED UP... sticker price of $149,000 on sale for $42,000... why are they still sitting there?

so I have wheeled a fullsize chevy pickup all my life... matter fact the same one.. just keep on modding it... myself, wife and son fit in it right now but the wife is pregnant... so could buy a suv but dont think so... gonna do a crew cab on my frame.. it is all about the fabrication...


so all suv owners dont wheel...
tell that to my friends...
1993 suburban on 35" swampers
1998 s10 blazer 4 door (2" body lift) we just put a 6" susp lift and 34" ssrs
1997 tahoe on 35" boggers
there are more too....


you cant and i repeat CANNOT beat a old school chevy for offroad... yeah a h1 is capable in an open area where it has extreme angles but not a rock garden...

H2's are capable... exept for that capable h2 video floating around on the sites I listed above... where the h2 busts a tierod trying to do really nothing.......



oh and I wont say much of my truck but will post one pic and say one thing.....

I tried getting stuck to test out my new 15,000lb ramsey patriot winch.. funny thing is no matter what I tried... couldnt get stuck... may be the detroits front and back had something to do with it... also yeah I know.. find a bigger hole.....

http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/271798/fullsize/RootBreaker2.jpg

from an earlier post


h1's are so great that there is a hummer dealer on rt13 in delaware that has about 8 of them... winches, off road lights, 35" tires, HOOKED UP... sticker price of $149,000 on sale for $42,000... why are they still sitting there?


If this is true you should buy them and sell them for salvage.
Come to think about it, tell me the dealers name and I'll buy some of them.

Oh, I had another thought,If hummer h1s are too wide then so is a regular pickup truck, compared to my KTM. I can go places a truck won't fit. Man you have to keep things in perspective. All vehicles are good for some things and not others. For everything your truck is good at, there are just as many it isn't.

Not bashing your Gm truck, I have three of them. Drive my 83 every day. Wife drives her own duramax, never had a problem except injectors (full warranty). Several other trucks used on the farm, only had problems with the fords. In my opinion Fords are made a little less exspensive and it shows. Just like case tracktors.

What is the king of the road then?

I agree that an H1 isnt all its cracked up to be but damn I would trade my beefed up Jeep XJ (cherokee) for one. They are wide but then again so is my Jeep, you find a trail you can fit on or make it fit. Plus if I had an H1 that thing would have scratches on it like you wouldnt believe, if I could afford the tag on one i would wheel the living shit out of it, why? cause i could so what if there is a tree in the way run it over or go around it. H2s yes they are a joke, capable yes but still a joke, I acted like i was going to trade my Jeep for one so i could take it on their little test track ya I hated it told the guy wouldnt consider it unless he let me take the Jeep on it, MY Jeep with 4.5" lift 33x12.50 tires and a rear locker did the entire thing without breaking a sweat. Oh yeah and just to drive the fact in that the Jeep was still better had the system blarin with Pantera just to make him mad. And they told me Jeeps couldnt do it. And i realize that wheelin a fullsize truck is different from wheelin mid small to mid size jeep but I have wheeled a fullsize truck it was fun and all but for me the Jeep fits.

Oh yeah rootbreaker love the truck, thinkin bout findin another full size truck to beat on.

I have pictures of an H1 picking up a wheel in a small ditch where a suzuki vitara didn't.

How far can an H1 go without using the difflocks? Crossing them up looks ridiculously easy to do.

it's all about the '92 Hilux. my friend has three of them, all with 5.9s in various states of tune. we take them off-road, jump them, make them nose-dive etc.. everything we thorw at it it takes, never had a problem.

it's all about the '92 Hilux. my friend has three of them, all with 5.9s in various states of tune. we take them off-road, jump them, make them nose-dive etc.. everything we thorw at it it takes, never had a problem.

How exactly do you fit a 5.9 into a hilux?

The H1 are noseheave as hell, as soon as they hit the mud they nose dive and stick like glue. They make a great trail truck but its not a supertruck offroad. The H2 is an overglorified Chevy SUV. I have not driven the H3 yet I heard that it is OK though.

The H1 are noseheave as hell, as soon as they hit the mud they nose dive and stick like glue. They make a great trail truck but its not a supertruck offroad.

Stock it's certainly a supertruck when compared to just about any other stock truck.

lol how the hell did they manage to make the curb weight of those H1 beasts 8000 pounds!!!!!! and the H2 is not far behind at 6400 pounds!!!! you know what the curb weight of a 73-87 chevy truck is!!! anywhere from 3800 to in the 4000's!!! how can they make an H1 TWICE as heavy as an older truck that happens to have a big block... what is the real mileage of these things on the road (not manufacturer's listed mpg...the real one)... im guessing about 5ish?

Stock it's certainly a supertruck when compared to just about any other stock truck.

Supersized and superheavy:grinyes:

You will see an awfull lot of these comming back from overseas, as the do not provide much protection against roadside bombs, so likelly they will be fased out. Look for surplus auctions.

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