HMMWV M998 Midlife Crisis

tod0987

tod0987

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My buddy had a midlife crisis this past week and we ended up driving from eastern NC to Charlotte to pick up a 4 door soft top 1990 M998 6.5l NA 3speed HMMWV titled in NC. I had a week of crash course diving into what to look for in a problem vehicle (I am no where close to being a mechanic) and we took off yesterday for the 4+ hour drive. We met the guy and drove it around. I couldn't find any leaks in the drive train, motor was nice and clean, just 2 seals showed slow leaks in the hub box assembly, one half shaft that has a ripped CV boot (we'll replace that one), and some cosmetic things. He bought it and we took turns driving it back and got in around 2am last night. It ran fine at 50-55 mph and overall had no issues. The primary reason is for work around the farm and dealing with hurricanes/flooding that happens.

I feel I can probably do most of the work on the suspension parts, fluid changes, etc but unsure about the mechanical drive train. Does anyone know of someone (veteran) east of I-95 that works on these things or someone who likes to tinker on them?

Also looking for additional parts etc to add to the rig. good-new tires, seats? Anyone know a surplus place for parts? I think there is supposed to be a big one in either Asheboro or Asheville?

My plan is to go through the simple things first then get deeper in. Any thoughts to the below?
-I've downloaded all 11,000 pages of the manual.
-tighten all the hose clamps and check hoses
-check all the ground cables/straps
-change oil, trans, coolant fluids
-change hub box assembly fluid
-change out the bad half shaft and fix the two seals
-check brakes and e-brake assembly (it stops with no problem right now)
-grease all ball joints (I may end up replacing them later on one looks meh)
-check steering
-check harmonic dampener
-check seat belts.

Thanks,

20200126_213015.jpg
 
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tod0987 said:
My buddy had a midlife crisis this past week and we ended up driving from eastern NC to Charlotte to pick up a 4 door soft top 1990 M998 6.5l NA 3speed HMMWV titled in NC. I had a week of crash course diving into what to look for in a problem vehicle (I am no where close to being a mechanic) and we took off yesterday for the 4+ hour drive. We met the guy and drove it around. I couldn't find any leaks in the drive train, motor was nice and clean, just 2 seals showed slow leaks in the hub box assembly, one half shaft that has a ripped CV boot (we'll replace that one), and some cosmetic things. He bought it and we took turns driving it back and got in around 2am last night. It ran fine at 50-55 mph and overall had no issues. The primary reason is for work around the farm and dealing with hurricanes/flooding that happens.

I feel I can probably do most of the work on the suspension parts, fluid changes, etc but unsure about the mechanical drive train. Does anyone know of someone east of I-95 that works on these things or someone who likes to tinker on them?

Also looking for additional parts etc to add to the rig. good-new tires, seats? Anyone know a surplus place for parts? I think there is supposed to be a big one in either Asheboro or Asheville?

My plan is to go through the simple things first then get deeper in. Any thoughts to the below?
-I've downloaded all 11,000 pages of the manual.
-tighten all the hose clamps and check hoses
-check all the ground cables/straps
-change oil, trans, coolant fluids
-change hub box assembly fluid
-change out the bad half shaft and fix the two seals
-check brakes and e-brake assembly (it stops with no problem right now)
-grease all ball joints (I may end up replacing them later on one looks meh)
-check steering
-check harmonic dampener
-check seat belts.

Thanks,
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Delks in asheboro is the surplus place that wowou have stuff for that if anybody would
 
Dude, quarter life crisis here. I want one. How much did he pay for it and is it transferable road legal?
 
Sigequinox220 said:
Dude, quarter life crisis here. I want one. How much did he pay for it and is it transferable road legal?
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Under $15K, We had been looking for one under 10 but those needed a lot more work. 13-18 seems to be the going rate. Yes the seller had an NC title with normal tags for it and he drove it all over on the road. My buddy is going to the DMV this week to transfer (we had the title signed over and notarized). NC changed the laws in 2017 that make it easier to title HMMWVs. Prior to it, it was a big pain.
 
tod0987 said:
Under $15K, We had been looking for one under 10 but those needed a lot more work. 13-18 seems to be the going rate. Yes the seller had an NC title with normal tags for it and he drove it all over on the road. My buddy is going to the DMV this week to transfer (we had the title signed over and notarized). NC changed the laws in 2017 that make it easier to title HMMWVs. Prior to it, it was a big pain.
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Whoaaa, nice. Did not realize an operational road legal Kilauea HMMv was only 15k. That excites me.
 
White Owl in Kingston has a lot of parts for military vehicles. There are some folks in ENC that advertise on eBay too.
 
Sigequinox220 said:
Whoaaa, nice. Did not realize an operational road legal Kilauea HMMv was only 15k. That excites me.
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yes they can be had but they do take some work from stock to get them through inspection. At this price I expect we'll be doing some wrenching and probably end up spending another 2K in the upcoming year on maintenance parts for a 30 year old truck.
 
Scsmith42 said:
White Owl in Kingston has a lot of parts for military vehicles. There are some folks in ENC that advertise on eBay too.
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haha Kinston. lol yes the guy lives nearby. They've kind of cut back on stuff in the past 10 yrs. He's going to call Kivet tomorrow. A couple years back they got a hold of around 1000 hmmwv engines and sold them pretty fast. My buddy's first vehicle was a 51' or 53' M38A1 came from there in the late 60-70s.
 
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There is a guy with to much money in Mooresville has one parked at his condo as a Dailey driver I guess. It's been cleaned up and is painted a royal blue with hard top. For no real purpose it screams (in my best Tony montage) "say hello to my little penis."
 
Cowboy said:
There is a guy with to much money in Mooresville has one parked at his condo as a Dailey driver I guess. It's been cleaned up and is painted a royal blue with hard top. For no real purpose it screams (in my best Tony montage) "say hello to my little penis."
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married here. Forgot I even have a penis
 
Cowboy said:
There is a guy with to much money in Mooresville has one parked at his condo as a Dailey driver I guess. It's been cleaned up and is painted a royal blue with hard top. For no real purpose it screams (in my best Tony montage) "say hello to my little penis."
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Yeah, I've seen that one. o_O Er, not the penis the vehicle, the VEHICLE!!! ;)
 
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I see that your location says "Eastern NC" are you anywhere near Wilmington?
A few years ago one of our local scrap yards had the contract to destroy 100's (iirc, 400+) Humvees and other armoured vehicles.
They were selling:
Engine/trans combos @ $1400
Sets of wheel/tires @ $450
Hoods, seats, bumpers, doors, all available.
They would not sell diffs/suspension, winches, body pan.

I'll look up the name of the place. Last time I was there, they had stacks of wheels/tires.
It was disgusting!
We walked through the lot full of camo, many of the units were new... 2-300 miles on them.
There were also Buffalo's, lined up for slaughter :(
Our tax dollars at work... Thanks Obama!

Edit to add more info:
Spoke with a friend that has better memory then myself...
The vehicles were being destroyed because of Obama's policy not to sell military surplus to police departments after the "hands up, don't shoot" imaginary incident in Missouri. (Can't remember that turds name, sorry)

Thanks again Obama!
 
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Southern metals recycling
Hwy 421N
Wilm-
910 762-2646
 
tod0987 said:
Does anyone know of someone (veteran) east of I-95 that works on these things or someone who likes to tinker on them?
Click to expand...

There is a guy in Scotland Neck who deals in military surplus vehicles who could probably help. At least there used to be.

I might be able to dig up a name if that's closer to you than Wilmington.
 
BatteryOaksBilly said:
It looks like a real chore to drive and park in a civilian world.
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It wasn't too bad driving back on NC49 that is 2 lane. I had a couple clinchers. Biggest thing I've driven has been a 70' F600 bucket truck. There is loss of depth perspective on the front right corner. There's one mailbox near his house that will likely end up being replaced before its all over. The box opening is right on the white line.
 
There one for sale on Albemarle Road near 485. Been there for 6+ months. No idea how much he wants for it. I’m scared to ask.
 
Cowboy said:
Like I said it screams small penis.
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Post smells more like jealousy to me.


Furthermore I don't know a single woman that would be turned on so he might live an alternative lifestyle.
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You've never met my wife.
 
GoWolfpack said:
Post smells more like jealousy to me.




You've never met my wife.
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Not jealous type man. More power to him hope he has all the money he works for. I just think it's kind of a hey look at me thing. Just like all the mall crawlers and trucks with the 5 inch lift and 32 inch tires. More money than brains and false bravado. Glad your wife likes that stuff I'm sure lots are like cool, then Just kind of laugh.
 
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tod0987 said:
That's pretty dang cool I think I remember Zeus from one of your other threads. Can the shooter actually see beyond the blast well or are they following the tracers more/less. The 1919 looks lonely up there haha.

Stay safe down there!
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You look over the Minigun and watch tracer impact. The M1919A6 (minus buttstock) was made by Saginaw Steering Gear Corp, subdivision of General Motors and made in 1944. Also mounted a Turkish MKE MG3 on it to since I only found one 50 rd belt of .30 cal. Unlimited 7.62mm.
1919A6.JPG IMAG0005.JPG IMAG0008.JPG


CD
 
Combat Diver said:
You look over the Minigun and watch tracer impact. The M1919A6 (minus buttstock) was made by Saginaw Steering Gear Corp, subdivision of General Motors and made in 1944. Also mounted a Turkish MKE MG3 on it to since I only found one 50 rd belt of .30 cal. Unlimited 7.62mm.

CD
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Thanks CD! Seems those Browning designed 1919 and M2 just can't be worn out. If I remember right the MG3 is a post war slowed down MG 42 right?
 
I did the math today and we averaged 10.5 mpg coming back from CLT for those wondering.

I was off today and went over to come up with an initial "fix the important parts" list. Crawled around, under, in and nothing too surprising other than 2 of the 4 half shafts had their bolts nearly backed completely out. These 6 bolts hold on each half shaft that connects the differential to the portal hub. YIKES! It looked like the lock washers had lost tension and were now flat. Tightened them up and ordering new washers and bolts (grade 8) tonight along with some other seals for the portal hubs.
 
tod0987 said:
Thanks CD! Seems those Browning designed 1919 and M2 just can't be worn out. If I remember right the MG3 is a post war slowed down MG 42 right?
Click to expand...
Correct, the MG3 is a post war version of the MG42 in 7.62x51mm from 7.9x57mm. Have fun with your new M998.

CD
 
Cowboy said:
Like I said it screams small penis. Furthermore I don't know a single woman that would be turned on so he might live an alternative lifestyle.
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That thing is awesome! (maybe your right about it attracting more 'dudes' than women, ha. reminds me of an episode of The Man Show with lost puppy). Anyway, I definitely see little purpose as a daily driver. BUT, I am DEFINITELY overcompensating. I haven't had a HUMMER in years :D

I'll just let Mr. Rock speak for me




 
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