Hummers & HMMWV's Compared
Updated February 3, 2014
Here is a list of differences between the HMMWV's (High-Mobility Multi-Wheeled Vehicle) and Hummers The body styles are very similar, however the soft-top is different for the military then civilian and the military hard doors are different then the civilian full hard doors and the civilian half soft / hard doors. (Military Vehicle Variants Listed at the end)
This list is generalized and is not meant to be a comparison from year to year of the Hummers and / or Humvees. Both have changed in options and architecture since their first conception (1985 for the Humvee and 1992 for the Hummer).
Here are a few differences regarding crash test comparisons of H1s and '80's era HMMWVs:
ALL H1's have;
A hood restraint system (helps prevents the hood from intruding into your space and completely ruining your day)
A collapsible steering column (helps your ribs continue to protect your heart, lungs, and other important stuff)
A windshield glass retention system (helps keep your head on your shoulders)
A 3 Pt. restraint (seat belt) system (helps keep your head, etc. from spoiling the appearance of your vehicle's interior surfaces)
A T-Case restraint system (helps keep you from getting too HOT by reducing the likelihood of the T-Case and rear prop splitting open the fuel tank)
This is why AM General (the contracted manufacturer) and our Government (the specifier and original owner of ex-mil. HMMWVs) is none to happy to see 80's vintage HMMWVs in private hands and in use On-highway and Off-road?
The largest difference between the two is the electrical system
HMMWV's Have:
- 100% waterproof electrical system (gauges, instrument panel, wiper motor, etc.)
- 24 Volt electrical system (2 batteries in series under pass. seat)
- 100% Waterproof Horn
- Blackout light for lights out driving (next to drivers side turn signal on the hood)
- Taillights and turn signals are equipped with blackout accessories (small lights barely noticeable)
- Ability to turn off every light on the vehicle while driving
- 4 Side Marker lights and 6 Reflectors (no marker lights on front or rear)
- Large style marker lights (semi-circle - similar to side lamps of 92-01 Hummers, they just have 12v bulbs)
- Deep fording kit as an option
- Small box receptacle by passengers foot well (under truck) to activate system by use of pressure
- Completely air lockable fuel, and oil fill tubes
- Extra vent tube on the CDR valve
- Vent running up the air stack when installed
- Solid rubber cap on air cleaner assembly (duckbilled on Hummers)
- Power steering, geared hubs, fuel tank, lift pump all sealed and vented
- Foldable Windshield (after detaching the roof, of course)
- Different windshield frame
- Different windshield wipers / motor / spindles
- Seat compartments (not wasted space as in Hummers)
- Space available under rear seats and a medical kit under the front pass seat next to the batteries
- 3 speed transmission without park (GM THM400 - park pawl would not hold the vehicle at GVW)
- Current have 4 speed trans with park (GM 4L80E)
- Top speed - 55MPH (long durations - the trucks with 4spds can go faster but,
convoy speeds and Speedos still register 60mph as top speed / over speed) - 2.73 Rear-Axle Ratio (3.08 for some newer models) *Add 1.92 to get total drive ratio (from geared hubs)
- GM Diesel 6.2L NA, 6.5LNA, 6.5L Turbo All were / are options for Humvees
(no gasoline power engines) - Torque Sensing differentials (Torsen) 4.0:1 ratio
- Park Break attaching to the drive shaft (GM 6.2L Diesel Humvees only)
- Hydraulic Fan clutch
- Single thermostat
- Single fuel tank
- Small Washer fluid tank
- No cruise control (there is a throttle lock though - not to be used as a cruise - it won't turn off when the brakes are applied)
- Steering wheel lock (cable from under dash)
- No ABS
- No CTIS (Option on some Humvees - newer trucks have the CTIS equipped hubs but do not have the lines nor the compressor)
- No A/C (unless Ambulance or armored)
- STE/ICE (simplified test equipment, internal combustion engine) diagnostic connector - next to the gear shifters
- 6 100% waterproof guages (fuel, water, oil, electrical, speed, air) 2 warning lights (wait light, e-brake light)
- Originally setup with 8 bolt 2-piece rims for low pressures or bias-ply tires (Trucks now are being converted to the 12 bolt 2-piece)
- 2 point seat belt harness
- Low-back seating (some models have high backs)
- Rear seats fold down and mold into the bed to continue the bed further forward
- No key needed for start or operation
- CARC Paint
- Slave receptacle for the electrical system (under front pass-seat)
- HVAC Unit different
- Non-catalytic system (exempt)
- Standard 36" tires (Bias-ply - old style not in current use for A2's)
- Light duty half-shafts and ball joints (accept on ambulances and some other models) - therefore the control arms have different sized holes in them
- Ballistic grills available
- Arctic kits available (harder fuel injection system, more interior cushion / padding)
- HD Civilian style rear bumper available as an option (otherwise no bumper)
- Tool storage under rear of truck (where aux fuel tank is on a civ truck)
- Tool storage also under hood where Hummer Batteries are placed - (newer models)
- Different frame rails (7,700 GVWR - increased on newer Humvees)
- GVWR of 10,300 (most common now), and 12,1000
- 12,100 variants have super duty suspensions - totally different then any other HMMWV suspension
- Steering column, pump, and box are different then civilian
- No Actual VIN number, just a serial number and national stock number
Hummers Have:
- CTIS
- Duel fuel tanks
- 14 Marker lights (5 front, 5 rear, 2 left, 2 right)
- Small rectangular marker lights
- No reflectors
- Heated Fuel filter (used to pre-heat the fuel for easier starts)
- Square style turn signals and taillights
- Traction system TT4 (later models)
- ABS (later models)
- TT4 equipped Hummers have Torsen 1.7:1 ratio differentials (others are the same
as military) - A/C
- Stereo
- Cruise Control (later models)
- 8 non-waterproof gauges (fuel, water, oil, speed, CTIS, electrical, Air filter is the
same as military, Tach) plus warning lights - 3 point seat belt harness
- 12 Volt Electrical system (2 batteries in parallel over RH front wheel post '93)
- Waterproof electrical system up to 30 inches (interior / marker lights NOT waterproof)
- 2 thermostats (turbo equipped engines only)
- Large capacity washer fluid (later models 99-current)
- Hood Decapitation devices installed
- Non-movable windshield
- 4-Speed with park transmission
- Engine Options for Hummers
- GM Diesel 6.2L ('92/3), 6.5L NA (94-current), 6.5L Turbo (96-current)
- GM Gasoline 5.7L No longer offered (short build duration mid 90's)
- Skid plate protection
- Rocker panel protection
- Interior complete and appeasing - creature comforts (carpet / vinyl, glove box,
accessory outlets) - Heated windshield
- Hard doors are actually Solid
- Keyed ignition
- Top Speed - 75 MPH (long durations)
- Undercoated body
- Sealed body
- Rear HVAC Unit
- Gear shifter lights up for both T-case and trans
- Catalytic converter
- Standard 37" tires
- Heavy duty half-shafts and ball joints
- Tilt-wheel
- Have a VIN on dash visible through windshield
Variants of the Humvees
Truck, Utility: Cargo/Troop Carrier
M998 (2 or 4 door soft top)
M998A1 (2 or 4 door soft top)
M1037 (S250 shelter carrier)
M1042 (S250 shelter carrier w/ winch)
M1038 (soft top w/ winch)
M1038A1 (soft top w/ winch)
M1097 (heavy variant)
M1097A1 (heavy variant)
M1097A2 (heavy variant)
M1123 (heavy variant)
Truck, Utility: TOW Carrier
M996 (hard top)
M996A1 (hard top)
M1121 (hard top, heavy variant)
M1045 (supplemental armor)
M1045A1 (supplemental armor)
M1045A2 (supplemental armor)
M1046 (supplemental armor w/ winch)
M1046A1 (supplemental armor w/ winch)
Truck, Utility: Armament Carrier
M1025 (hard top)
M1025A1 (hard top)
M1025A2 (hard top)
M1026 (hard top w/ winch)
M1026A1 (hard top w/ winch)
M1043 (supplemental armor)
M1043A1 (supplemental armor)
M1043A2 (supplemental armor)
M1044 (supplemental armor w/ winch)
M1044A1 (supplemental armor w/ winch)
Truck, Ambulance
M996 (armored, 2 litter)
M996A1 (armored, 2 litter)
M997 (armored, 4 litter)
M997A1 (armored, 4 litter)
M997A2 (armored, 4 litter)
M1035 (soft top, 2 litter)
M1035A1 (soft top, 2 litter)
M1035A2 (soft top, 2 litter)
Hummer Variants
2-door
2-door extended cab
4-door soft-top hard doors
4-door soft-top soft-door
4-door slantback
4-door hardtop
P.S. Slantbacks were used in the military so they wouldn't burn holes in the wagon roofs with their missile launchers.