 |
| Years |
1992-2006 |
| Origin |
USA |
| Wheelbase |
130" |
| Engine |
6.2 L Diesel
6.5 L turbodiesel
5.7 L V-8 gas |
| Transmission |
3, 4 or 5 speed
automatic |
| Transfer Case |
NV 242 |
| Front Axle |
Independent,
Zexel-Gleason torsen |
| Rear Axle |
Independent,
Zexel-Gleason torsen |
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The Hummer or H-1 was originally introduced as a military vehicle,
but it didn’t take long for AM General to realize that no
matter what the cost, people would pay for the biggest baddest
off-road vehicle on the planet. If you have ever seen one in person
you soon realize why they are one of the most side hill stable
vehicles on the planet, they are 101” wide!
Few civilian vehicles on the planet can match the off road capabilities
of the Hummer. The Hummer can roll a tire over a 22” obstacle,
creep up a 60% grade, and ford 30+ inches of water without breaking
a sweat. Factory equipped with Torsen limited slip differentials,
35” tires, and a central tire inflation system, the Hummer
is built to go just about anywhere. Every air breathing  piece
of equipment installed on a Hummer is vented to 36” off
the ground. The geared hubs mounted above the wheel centerline
provide 12” of clearance under the lower control arms of
the Hummer and the entire drive train is tucked up neatly above
the frame rails providing a perfectly smooth underbelly. The Torsen
locking axles were quite simple in design, if a wheel started
to spin, you could simply apply the brakes and 5 times the force
would be applied to the wheel with the most traction. This system
works great and allows the big Hummer to be a capable rock crawler
given a wide enough trail.
The early Hummers were amazingly underpowered, the 6.2 and 6.5
liter Chevrolet Diesel engines struggled to move the almost 4
ton beast. Making a meager 170 h.p. and 190 h.p respectively,
the Hummer struggled to reach 60 mph in 16 seconds. In the middle
of the production run, some one decided it would be a good idea
to try out a 5.7 L gas GM marine engine, this test lasted only
one model year and the 6.5 L V-8 turbodiesel found its way back
the following year. The last version of the Hummer made for only
one year, the Hummer H-1 Alpha was the cream of the crop, sporting
a 300 H.P. Chevrolet Duramax engine and an Allison Automatic transmission.
This was the greatest of all the civilianized beasts. As soon
as AM General got it right, they discontinued making the civilian
H-1.
With all of its off road prowess, the Hummer H-1 wasn’t
much of a street cruiser. The interior was cramped in all 4 seating
positions because of the huge tunnel for the transmission and
transfer case, and the Stereo and A/C systems could barely conquer
the heat, or drown out the wind noise. The Hummer H-1 is definitely
not a practical 4-wheel drive vehicle, nor is it designed for
narrow trails and tight switchbacks, but in wide open spaces,
there aren’t too many vehicles that can come close to its
capabilities.
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