[AT] smoking/gas bottles, now O.T.

Steve W. falcon at telenet.net
Fri Jul 8 12:34:40 PDT 2005


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "ken knierim" <wild1 at cpe-66-1-196-61.az.sprintbbd.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group"
<at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Friday, July 08, 2005 10:37 AM
Subject: Re: [AT] smoking/gas bottles, now O.T.


>
> >
> > > On Thu, 2005-07-07 at 18:26, DAVIESW739 at aol.com wrote:
> > > > The military ones are couldn't say for the  civilian models.
> > >
> > > I looked under the hood at one... definitely gas powered; pretty
sure
> > it
> > > had a GM 350 gas engine (CRS). Apparently you could get a diesel
as an
> > > option. H2 models are (I think) exclusively gasoline and
constantly
> > > thirsty. Someone told me (and I don't know otherwise) that the
H2's
> > are
> > > basically a Denali frame with different sheet metal. Many of the
folks
> > I
> > > see with H2's could get by with an Escalade... they get more use
> > status
> > > symbol than a 4 wheel drive vehicle.
> > >
> > > Ah, well... I gripe about buying gas for my Blazer. I can't
imagine
> > > buying a NEW vehicle. :^)
> > >
> > > Ken
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > H1- Diesel ( Duramax 6.6L ) Allison auto. Original Hummer, purpose
built
> > chassis, gear reduction hubs with 16" of ground clearance
> > Dressed up with insulation and padded interior. Still as rugged as
the
> > military model, just more comfortable.
>
> The H1 I looked at had a gas engine in it; it was an civilian early
one.
> It was my understanding that the Duramax (and the Allison they put
> behind it) came out after the H1's were in production. I believe they
> were using the earlier GM normally aspirated version at the time.
Maybe
> they went to the Duramax later?
>
> Certainly the turbodiesel would be a step in the right direction for
> something like this. I had heard that they put the gasoline engine in
> them so that civilians could drive them in traffic; there seemed to be
> some concerns with the diesel, emissions, and folks who didn't know
how
> to drive them. This was quite some time ago and CRS may apply...
>
> >
> > H2- Gas ( Vortec 6.0L ) First civilian only vehicle. Actually
nothing
> > more than a chopped Chevy Yukon  chassis with a body styled after
the
> > H1.
> > 9.5" ground clearance.
> >
> > H2 SUT- Gas  ( Vortec 6.0L ), Hummer version of the Avalanche
> >
> > H3- Gas (Vortec 3.5L). Only Hummer vehicle that has a manual trans
> > available. Based on the Trailblazer chassis.
> >
> > They all have the aerodynamics of a brick on stilts. The H1 handles
> > pretty good IF you pay attention. The H2 is top heavy and wallows
like a
> > pig.
> > Have been in one H3 so far. Think SARDINES.
>
> Does not paint a very appealing picture. I HAVE seen what the civilian
> H1's are capable of out in the desert. Other than taking the whole
road
> and the shoulders too, they seem to be very capable vehicles (if you
get
> someone that's not afraid of scratching the paint or skid plates). But
> after hearing horror stories about maintenance I'm very happy with my
> Blazer. I know I can get parts for it when I break something. :^)

True the Duramax came out later BUT the original engine for all H1s was
diesel. Usually the 6.2 either multifuel (military) or diesel
(civilian). A gas engine swap is very easy with the earlier ones since
they used a GM TH400 transmission. I know of two companies that were
doing the swaps because the original diesel was a real dog on the
highway. Top speed was only 70 mph and forget about trying to pass. The
gas conversions used GM crate engines, 350 or 454 are both real popular
and looked factory, but they were not. Maintainance isn't real bad IF it
is related to the engine or trans. Suspension or gearbox you don't want
to know about. I had one in the shop that the guy had damaged the outer
gear reduction drop box/spindle assy. $1,200.00 just for the parts!!!!!.
Plus because both ends have independent suspension with interchangable
parts you really have fun doing alignments. Add in the skid plates and
rock bars that you have to remove to work on most of the parts and it
gets fun....
Off road the Hummer rules the domestic market for real capabilities IF
the trail is wide enough. It is possible to get them buried but you have
to be trying or stupid.

The H2 was built for one reason. MONEY. GM "heard" a lot of folks wanted
the abilities of the H1 in a smaller and more comfortable status symbol
vehicle. It's largest fault so far is the lovely GM/Eaton rear
differential. The G80 option for Rear Differential Limited Slip. Should
be called the Rear Grenade Posing as a Differential. If they make it
past 40K miles your doing REALLY good. When they finally fail they go
out with a BANG.

The H3 was made for the city yuppy who is having a tough time parking
the H2 in the small parking spots.... Off road they are a JOKE. I don't
know how GM did it but they made the interior smaller than it's parent
vehicle. The rear seat is ok for two but for the 3 it supposedly handles
you better be on REAL good speaking terms OR be the size of 10 year old
children.


Steve Williams
Near Cooperstown, New York





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