Unintended consequences...

[Ajax]

A fellow selling a complete set of tires for my 5-ton, posted an additional advert for a 2002 M998 HMMWV in my preferred, very basic 2-man configuration for a very affordable price.

In frustration, I sent the ad to my wife and said "This is the cheapest one I've seen in 3 years of searching. I would have bought this instead of the 5-ton. Oh well."
I wasn't looking to buy it. I figured that was the end of the conversation. A few minutes later, I got an email back from the Power Ranger that said "It's cute! For me?"

Uh wait, what? What the hell just happened here?

Over the next few days, I got some details about the truck and had a serious discussion with the Ranger. She seriously wanted it, no joke. I insisted that she ride up with me to test drive it for herself instead of relying on me to decide if she'd really like it. She drove it, she loved it, so I bought it for her.

It's in decent shape. Brakes are excellent, transmission is excellent. Engine starts from cold iron in 25F degrees at the flick of the starter switch. Tires are great. New military batteries. Working cab heat. The whole vehicle will get a total fluid purge and replacement. 1-2 minor electrical gremlins. Needs new canvas.

I drove it home 82 miles without a hitch. It was loud and raw, just like I remember. At 45 mph, it's actually quite pleasant to drive. At 55-60 mph, it's like "Is this trip really necessary?" There is nothing beyond 60 mph.

Her intended use is occasional pleasure drives, occasional drive to work (9 miles) and picking up dirty stuff like soil and mulch for the house and garden rather than trashing her squeaky-clean Subaru that I just paid to have exquisitely detailed. It will NOT be a daily driver.

[kdh]

"Cute" is not the word I would have used. The green camo works well with the christmas ribbon!

[LarryHoward]

So your truck is too manly for soil and mulch?

You need the plans to my garage so you can build a shelter for your fleet of vehicles.

[Jamie]

Let's see; hobbies that can eviscerate cash and time as fast as boats. Oh! Cars and trucks...

[Chris Chesley]

Let's see; hobbies that can eviscerate cash and time as fast as boats. Oh! Cars and trucks...

and Planes, ..... and fishing.... and .... hunting and.....collecting of any sort. (You know, like that military vehicle collection Ajax has started.... )

[kimbottles]

Congratulations Power Ranger!!

[JoeP]

What''s next? Tank retriever? Bradley? M1A1?

[Soñadora]

wow. You're married. How about that.

congrats.

[TheOffice]

You are quite the couple! Enjoy!

[slap]

Congratulations!

And this means that we shouldn't get any major snowfall this year.

[Tim Ford]

NICE! You guys should do a 4th of July parade in the pair.

[kimbottles]

I have always wanted to meet Rich, now I want to meet his Power Ranger too!
Talk about an interesting couple!!

[LarryHoward]

Congratulations!

And this means that we shouldn't get any major snowfall this year.

This!

I also installed the plow blade on my SXS Yamaha over the holiday, fueled it and staged it at the side garage door so it's ready to go. That is what drove today's high in the 60's, I'm certain. Between Ajax and me, all we need is you to buy a new snow blower and we'll make it through the winter with nothing more than a dusting of snow.

[Soñadora]

Indeed, lots to say about a wife who appreciates a HUMMER.

and...

My middle daughter said, "dad, anyone over 17 acts older than you."

[Soñadora]

comedy aside, congrats. Super awesome ride. I've been resto-modding my LJ Wrangler and I can appreciate the capabilities of a beast like that.

You named it, didn't you?

[Ajax]

Yeah, not a hint of snow so far. 60-ish degrees and rain today.

The stitching in the canvas doors had disintegrated long ago but the windows and vinyl (canvas) is sound. I brought the doors inside and did what all sailors do- I re-stitched everything.
Viola! Clean, functional doors. This will hold together for 6-12 months. I'll get the truck mechanically sound and buy her a full, new canvas set sometime next summer or fall.

When running the cab heat, I kept hearing something like a hiss and I'd swear I saw steam burp out of the passenger's dash register. Ranger saw it too. This puzzled me.
I took the duct off the fan and heater core and flipped on the fan switch. A mud dauber nest the size and shape of a golf ball was ejected by the air flow. Turns out the squirrel cage fan was chewing the nest, sending dust out the register. The "ball" would then levitate nicely (and quietly) in the air flow until/unless I hit a big bump.

I found the original gov't auction ad for the truck. It's from Ft. Meade, and it used to be assigned to one of the Military Intelligence (ha!) battalions there. So, it's a local truck.
It was also re-powered with a new 6.5L engine in 2002. It's actually a late 80's/early 90's truck. The early 6.2L engines were problematic, with coolant flow problems that tended to eat the rear-most cylinders.

Sons- It's my wife's truck. She's naming it, I'm just SGT Rizzo, the motorpool guy. I guess she wants to call it "Rover" or "Roving Ranger." I suggested "Power Ranger" but she doesn't want to be associated with the Pink Ranger.

[Ajax]

Alrighty, I've cobbled together the list of repair items to tackle before taking it in for the safety inspection. It's really not that bad.

Stuff like a burned out headlight, replace the windshield washer pump motor, the horn (it works but it's not loud at all). My main concern, is finding an inspection station that won't freak out over all the military controls and features (such as, not equipped with white reverse lights).

My other concern, is that the truck runs a bit hot. 190F-220F is the normal operating range. The TM says to shut it down at 240F. The truck runs anywhere from 200F to 230F, even at idle. The engine cooling fan does engage and disengage correctly. I think the thermostat is sticky because there's not a lot of coolant in the upper hose when I give it a squeeze. I'll start with a cooling system flush and a new thermostat and see what happens.