rmgill
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So CNN (Eason Jordan really) bought two HMMWVs for the second gulfwar drive to Bagdad for our Iraq news crews, one H1 one and ex military HMMWV. The H1 spent most of its time being towed because the fuel system or something crapped out. Both vehicles were brought back to the US last year and spent a large amount of time sitting.
Overhaulin was given one of the HMMWVs (now, thank god it was the H1) to "overhaul". I came into work this morning and they've got the H1 out for making into a package for us and for their conclusion of their show. The plan is to auction the H1 off.
I am unhappy with the results that Overhaulin has to show. I didn't see what they did to the engine, the drive-line looks painted (red springs and pumpkins, polished aluminum castings, etc), the towing shackles front and rear and their mounts were chromed. The rims are chrome. The tires are off road tires (probably the original type tires) but aside from the standard hardware nothing was done to make this a more capable off-road vehicle. There's a couple of huge speakers in the back, some LCD displays and it's been dolled up like a basic show truck with nothing useful added to it's HMMWV heritage for a vehicle that's been near the pointy end of the stick and around combat. There is a mural on the metal flake tan/gold paint that honors the troops which is good, but I'm not sure it's execution was so hot.
Personally, I'd have added a winch in lieu of chroming the tow shackles, I'd have added an 8000 lb winch. In lieu of chrome rims, I'd have checked the driveline out and perhaps fixed a few things (I wonder if the vampire transmission issue was addressed). In lieu of a big amp and speakers, I'd have put in a GPS system, Sat Com System, Nav computer, High Power CB system and other communications gear to show off what such a truck should look like. A Secondary alternator and perhaps a small APU (one of those little honda units?) would be good. Upgrades to lighting would also be in order, front and rear spot lights and floods plus a tougher bumper and some diamond plate on the roof to increase stowage capacity. Something OTHER than leather on the seats too.
Overhaulin was given one of the HMMWVs (now, thank god it was the H1) to "overhaul". I came into work this morning and they've got the H1 out for making into a package for us and for their conclusion of their show. The plan is to auction the H1 off.
I am unhappy with the results that Overhaulin has to show. I didn't see what they did to the engine, the drive-line looks painted (red springs and pumpkins, polished aluminum castings, etc), the towing shackles front and rear and their mounts were chromed. The rims are chrome. The tires are off road tires (probably the original type tires) but aside from the standard hardware nothing was done to make this a more capable off-road vehicle. There's a couple of huge speakers in the back, some LCD displays and it's been dolled up like a basic show truck with nothing useful added to it's HMMWV heritage for a vehicle that's been near the pointy end of the stick and around combat. There is a mural on the metal flake tan/gold paint that honors the troops which is good, but I'm not sure it's execution was so hot.
Personally, I'd have added a winch in lieu of chroming the tow shackles, I'd have added an 8000 lb winch. In lieu of chrome rims, I'd have checked the driveline out and perhaps fixed a few things (I wonder if the vampire transmission issue was addressed). In lieu of a big amp and speakers, I'd have put in a GPS system, Sat Com System, Nav computer, High Power CB system and other communications gear to show off what such a truck should look like. A Secondary alternator and perhaps a small APU (one of those little honda units?) would be good. Upgrades to lighting would also be in order, front and rear spot lights and floods plus a tougher bumper and some diamond plate on the roof to increase stowage capacity. Something OTHER than leather on the seats too.
