If you’re thinking about buying a Humvee, you’ll want to understand what it is before committing. The process can be long and complicated, so it’s important to plan.
Unlike standard fleet vehicles, which get replaced regularly, tactical vehicles like the Humvee are kept in a separate rotation. They can be difficult to buy and even more challenging to make street legal. Contact Street Legal Exports now!
Humvees are known for their toughness and durability, but they have a long list of issues that could prevent them from running at peak performance. When they are properly maintained, however, a Humvee can last for 500,000 miles or more. If you want to get the most out of yours, consider keeping it on pavement and away from dirt and other rough terrain. The extra stress on the vehicle will shorten its lifespan and require more frequent maintenance.
The history of the Humvee started in the 1980s when the US Army began looking for modernization for its fleet of Jeep trucks. The goal was a jack-of-all-trades solution that would replace the existing fleet of M151 vehicles. After a series of tests, AM General won a contract to design prototypes of the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) or, as it is more colloquially known, the Humvee.
In the early years of the Iraq War, Humvees became famous for their ability to navigate difficult terrain and carry heavy cargo. Unfortunately, they were also a favorite target for roadside bombs and small arms fire. Troops crewing the soft-skinned vehicles found themselves on the losing side of the battle. Adding bolt-on armor kits helped to mitigate the threat of IEDs, but they also added weight and taxed the chassis.
The Humvee’s popularity increased after it was endorsed by Hollywood tough guy Arnold Schwarzenegger and featured in the action movie Kindergarten Cop. Since then, it has become an icon of the American military and is used by armed forces around the world. While a Humvee may have a reputation for being overbuilt, it is a useful and versatile vehicle for any military task.
Design
The Humvee (officially the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle or HMMWV) is a four-wheel drive military automobile. The United States military uses it and has supplanted older Military light utility vehicles such as the original jeep and the Vietnam-era M151 1/4-short-ton MUTT, the M561 Gama Goat and their ambulance versions, the CUCV, and others. It is also used in civilian adaptations.
The design of the Humvee is no-nonsense and practical, with a wheel at each corner to navigate rough terrain. It has served across a number of conflicts and is a stalwart of the US military’s wheeled fleet.
Originally, the Humvee was unarmored, but the threat of roadside bombs forced the US Army to bolt on armour kits and to replace frontline vehicles with the newer MRAP model. However, the MRAP’s body armor was found to be largely ineffective against modern IEDs, with 67 US soldiers killed in Iraqi attacks. The US Army is now in the final stages of a competition for a replacement to the Humvee, known as the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, or JLTV.
With thousands of Humvees still in the US inventory and several programmes advancing unmanned ground vehicle technology, a 21st-century rebirth for the workhorse could be as a low-cost autonomous model. Rather than adding more bulk with more armor, which reduces the speed and agility of the vehicle, a converted Humvee equipped with an autonomous control system could become a mobile scout at the forefront of a unit’s advance. This would allow the vehicle to avoid dangerous situations without compromising its primary mission of transporting troops.
Performance
Since 1985 the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or Humvee, has been a workhorse for the military. It is a four-wheel-drive, diesel-powered, off-road capable truck that can carry a variety of gear from machine guns to tube-launched optically tracked wire command-guided anti-tank missile launchers.
Despite its imposing size, the Humvee is relatively quick off-road thanks to independent front and rear suspensions and advanced shock absorbers. Portal axles raise the drivetrain above the wheels, and an aluminum body reduces weight to boost performance. The vehicle is also highly maneuverable, and its six-foot height and wide stance (seven feet) give it excellent ground clearance.
The Humvee is equipped with a variety of security features including bulletproof windows and doors to protect its occupants from mortar attacks. However, adding these extras came at a cost, as the added weight reduced fuel efficiency and increased mechanical wear. To combat this issue, the military began bolting on armor plates, but this was only a short-term solution.
Having a 190-hp, naturally aspirated GM 6.2L diesel engine and a hefty load in the back, the standard Humvee is not known for being a speed demon. On the Banks chassis dyno, one HMMWV put down just 113 horsepower and 219 lb-ft of torque, which is more than enough to get the vehicle down the road, but not nearly fast enough to compete with other modern four-wheel drives.
With thousands of Humvees still in service, the military brass is always looking for ways to make them quicker and more efficient. With several programmes advancing unmanned ground vehicle technology, it is possible that the Humvee will experience a 21st century rebirth as an autonomous platform.
Modifications
After the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, the US Army recognized that its fleet of Humvees was ill-equipped for front-line combat. These soft-skinned vehicles were susceptible to roadside bombs and lacked adequate armor to protect the crew from small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. As a result, the vehicle’s crews were suffering high casualties. Luckily, the new Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) is better suited for front line combat than the Humvee.
Since its introduction, the HMMWV has undergone many modifications to make it more capable and durable. For example, the suspension was upgraded to improve ride quality and handling on rough terrain. The engine and transmission have been improved as well. Additionally, the Humvee’s body is made of aluminum rather than steel, which helps reduce weight and corrosion. This makes the vehicle easier to maintain and repair.
Humvees can be slung from a helicopter for airdrops, and they’re also easy to transport on the back of another vehicle. The vehicle’s chassis features loops that can be hooked onto other vehicles, which saves space and time on the battlefield. In addition, the Humvee’s design allows it to fit inside most C-17 cargo planes.
The interior of the Humvee can be customized to suit your needs. For example, you can install a custom dashboard to give your vehicle a sleek look. You can also upgrade the seating to increase comfort and safety. Humvee seat upgrades are available in a variety of styles and materials, so you can choose the ones that best suit your taste.
The Humvee is a powerful and versatile vehicle that’s been used by the military in a variety of missions. It has conquered mud, sand and rock; pulled trailers down the highway; evaded detection in the desert; and jumped continents with Marine Expeditionary Units. But the Humvee isn’t done evolving yet. It will soon be replaced by the even more advanced MRAP, a lighter and more agile vehicle that’s built to withstand even more intense missions.
Price
The price of a military Humvee can vary, depending on size and model. Most are sold through weekly online GovPlanet auctions, and the opening bid is determined by vehicle size, model and milage. You can get a great deal on a Humvee by attending these auctions in person or using third-party shipping services.
If you’re a serious off-roader, a military Humvee is the way to go. These vehicles are designed to withstand rough terrain and can take on deep water immersions with ease. They’re also incredibly powerful and can drive up steep hills without losing control.
A military Humvee is a versatile vehicle that can be used for many different purposes. It can be used to transport supplies, weapons, medical equipment and other necessities. It can also be used to provide security and support in situations where other vehicles would be unsafe or not able to get through.
HMMWVs are unique in that they can be sling-loaded by helicopter and dropped from the air without needing to land. They can also be transported in C-130 Hercules aircraft and even in the Lockheed C-5A Galaxy.
These trucks have a lot of advantages over other vehicles, such as being able to travel over difficult terrain, sand and other obstacles. They also have a very sturdy and robust construction, making them easy to maintain. They’re also easy to customize with additional features, like off-road lights and other accessories.
HMMWVs are popular among off-road enthusiasts and can be modified with armoring from companies such as Armormax. However, their fuel economy isn’t the best, as they typically get 8 to 9 miles per gallon on the highway and 4 around town.