HMMWV Fun

[Ajax]

Now that the 5-ton is in order, I need to get the HMMWV up to spec.

As a 2002, it's not eligible for Historic tags, so I need it to pass the Maryland safety inspection. To pass the inspection, the truck needs to be retrofitted with some modern features-

Reverse lights
A license plate light
Interior, center line rear view mirror

The 3L80 transmission in a HMMWV has no "Park" position and no reverse light switch installed. I purchased an after-market kit for all the lights. I found an actual AM General military HMMWV rear view mirror.
The 4L80 with "Park" came later.

I need to replace the windshield washer pump motor, a blown headlight and a couple of badly faded marker light lenses.
I need to somehow get the instrument panel lights to be brighter.
I know the CV joint boots are all ok, none are torn. I need to just get under the truck verify the thickness of the brake pads and discs and ensure that there is no slop on any of the half axles. The steering is tight and the brake pedal is good and solid.

[kimbottles]

Hey Rich! Another cool project!

[BeauV]

This sounds like a lot of fun!!

[LarryHoward]

You might not need the Humvee if you buy the latest Forester customization Kit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=38&v=ToKLaxX4wvk&feature=emb_logo

I suspect someone got fired for this.....

[Ajax]

You might not need the Humvee if you buy the latest Forester customization Kit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=38&v=ToKLaxX4wvk&feature=emb_logo

I suspect someone got fired for this.....

Tesla: "Hehe we made our lineup spell 'S3XY'"
Subaru:

[TheOffice]

GM is bringing back the Hummer as an electric!

[H B]

I was totally confused on Sunday at brunch. I need to keep up over here in "off-topic" before I see you next time in case you have added to the armada again.

[Ajax]

I was totally confused on Sunday at brunch. I need to keep up over here in "off-topic" before I see you next time in case you have added to the armada again.

There will be no more additions. This is all I can keep up with. Replacements? Maybe in the future.

[Ajax]

I was totally confused on Sunday at brunch. I need to keep up over here in "off-topic" before I see you next time in case you have added to the armada again.

Also, that was the most estrogen-loaded brunch I have ever attended.

[Audrey]

Also, that was the most estrogen-loaded brunch I have ever attended.

You have clearly never been to a Drag Queen brunch in DC...

[Ajax]

Also, that was the most estrogen-loaded brunch I have ever attended.

You have clearly never been to a Drag Queen brunch in DC...

This begs the question- How did YOU end up at a Drag Queen brunch in DC? The only "drag queen" that I can envision you working on, has a parachute strapped to the trunk and is only legal on paved strips.

[Audrey]

lol, my sister is into theater and performing arts. She sings opera, all 5'-1" of her, she convinced my g/f and I to go with her. I will say this, it wasn't boring.

[H B]

I was totally confused on Sunday at brunch. I need to keep up over here in "off-topic" before I see you next time in case you have added to the armada again.

Also, that was the most estrogen-loaded brunch I have ever attended.

Sometimes we are just supposed to tag along and let the girls have fun.

[Audrey]

Sometimes we are just supposed to tag along and let the girls have fun.

They built the winery industry around that simple fact.

[BeauV]

Sometimes we are just supposed to tag along and let the girls have fun.

They built the winery industry around that simple fact.

Especially Rombauer!!

[Ajax]

I was totally confused on Sunday at brunch. I need to keep up over here in "off-topic" before I see you next time in case you have added to the armada again.

Also, that was the most estrogen-loaded brunch I have ever attended.

Sometimes we are just supposed to tag along and let the girls have fun.

I'm all for letting the girls have fun but nothing's being served by me sitting there as a silent lump except as perhaps some sort of fashion accessory.

[H B]

I was totally confused on Sunday at brunch. I need to keep up over here in "off-topic" before I see you next time in case you have added to the armada again.

Also, that was the most estrogen-loaded brunch I have ever attended.

Sometimes we are just supposed to tag along and let the girls have fun.

I'm all for letting the girls have fun but nothing's being served by me sitting there as a silent lump except as perhaps some sort of fashion accessory.

You did take a while to warm up to the group..one problem is you and I keep up (mostly) here and thru email so we didn't have that much to talk about, and the table was tight enough to have been interrupting the other conversations had we wandered into other subjects. I would have much rather talked about big trucks and boats and solar panels and crap...but i don't think that crowd was really into those subjects.

[Ajax]

Yes, I felt that the seating was too tight for us to have a sidebar. There was nothing to be done but listen and put food in my face.

[Audrey]

I went to a dinner party once. There were a lot of sailors there and a lot of others who did not sail. One thing that helped not make it all sailing oriented, the host had everyone write down a topic on a piece of paper, fold it, and put it in a bowl. Then we'd pull it out and discuss it as a group. Then, next topic. It was very interesting and we covered a lot of ground, I though it was a great way to keep everyone engaged.

Back on track, Ajax, have you had a chance to start on the jeep projects?

[Ajax]

I went to a dinner party once. There were a lot of sailors there and a lot of others who did not sail. One thing that helped not make it all sailing oriented, the host had everyone write down a topic on a piece of paper, fold it, and put it in a bowl. Then we'd pull it out and discuss it as a group. Then, next topic. It was very interesting and we covered a lot of ground, I though it was a great way to keep everyone engaged.

Back on track, Ajax, have you had a chance to start on the jeep projects?

I've been working my way through the extensive Maryland Vehicle Safety Inspection checklist used by the Maryland ASED.

- The CHICOM-garbage LEDs I installed for reverse lights have promptly failed. Better quality replacements have arrived, I just need to mount and connect them.
- I discovered a split CV boot so now I get to remove a half-axle and disassemble. The new boots arrived yesterday.
- License plate illuminator arrives today, so I need to mount and wire that up.

Technically, I *should* be able to pass inspection if I fix these items.

However, I've discovered a fun idiosyncracy about HMMWVs- The geared hub spindle nuts are prone to backing off and allowing the wheel to become a 165lb. missile.
The spindle retainers are prevented from backing off by a toothed/tabbed washer. You bend 2 tabs into slots on the retaining nuts. This is a flawed design. Two tabs is not enough. In fact, the original design only used 1 tab. Second, the tabs poorly engage the slots on the retaining nut.

An aftermarket Hummer parts company has made a fully reuseable, fully locking set of hardware for the extortionate price of $100 per wheel. It's a notched washer, an SS nut, another washer that seats over the nut and engages the notched washer at 6 points, and an ordinary C-clip. It's innovative but not $100/wheel-innovative. I'll pay it because my wife is driving this thing.

The Hummer aftermarket is hilarious. If you don't download the Army TM's and research part numbers, you'll pay $55 for a GM/AC Delco $8 thermostat.

[Audrey]

Can't find a castle nut and drill through the axle? You know, like pretty much all other cars on the road? Ah hummers....

[Ajax]

Can't find a castle nut and drill through the axle? You know, like pretty much all other cars on the road? Ah hummers....

There's a cover that goes over the end of the spindle. I think that kind of nut would interfere with the cover, the factory spindle nut is thinner. The hubs are reduction geared and filled with 80/90w. The cover must be in place to retain the oil.

[H B]

This is as good a place as any to put this since it is her vehicle, and she needs this shirt.

(stolen from FB)...

[Ajax]

LOL...I'll show her the shirt.

Power Ranger is away again, for another week and I'm at home alone. So what to do, except steal her HMMWV and take it for a nice, illegal pleasure drive around on the end of the peninsula?

I did get a sideways glance from a county cop but he didn't bother turning around. Temperature was 62F, the sun was out in between bands of rain. I trundled along, listening to the loud hum of the tires and the obnoxious clatter of the diesel, feeling every imperfection in the pavement thanks to the stiff suspension. Good times.

Looks like I'll apply for the title and temp tag tomorrow and set up my inspection appointment.

[Jamie]

I found it kind of amusing that HMMWVs are specifically banned by my apt building's HOA. It's typical terrible apt building parking but I wonder what the story was.

All HOAs are brownshirts.

[LarryHoward]

I found it kind of amusing that HMMWVs are specifically banned by my apt building's HOA. It's typical terrible apt building parking but I wonder what the story was.

All HOAs are brownshirts.

In Palm Beach, I would think that Subies would be banned. No Bentley. No Parking. Only place I have seen a McLaren street parked.

[BeauV]

I found it kind of amusing that HMMWVs are specifically banned by my apt building's HOA. It's typical terrible apt building parking but I wonder what the story was.

All HOAs are brownshirts.

My lovely Admiral has joined the board of our Community HOA. She spends at least 80% of her time telling her fellow board members that they do not have the power to do "____" under the bylaws of the HOA. The other Board members are incensed. These meek people clearly joined the Board so they could boss their neighbors around. My Admiral has pointed out to them, repeatedly, that they no only have no authorization to do these things, but they don't have any enforcement power other than to have the HOA sue the homeowner. That usually stops them.

There is nothing more dangerous than a tin-pot-potentate.

[Jamie]

I found it kind of amusing that HMMWVs are specifically banned by my apt building's HOA. It's typical terrible apt building parking but I wonder what the story was.

All HOAs are brownshirts.

In Palm Beach, I would think that Subies would be banned. No Bentley. No Parking. Only place I have seen a McLaren street parked.

I'm a pleb that lives on the wrong side of the bridge. You never knew how young or poor you are until you get to Palm Beach.

[LarryHoward]

I found it kind of amusing that HMMWVs are specifically banned by my apt building's HOA. It's typical terrible apt building parking but I wonder what the story was.

All HOAs are brownshirts.

In Palm Beach, I would think that Subies would be banned. No Bentley. No Parking. Only place I have seen a McLaren street parked.

I'm a pleb that lives on the wrong side of the bridge. You never knew how young or poor you are until you get to Palm Beach.

Not only does my daughter and her fiancé live there (and are looking to buy a house), my son just got offered a position there as well.

Now it looks like all 3 kids (and the grandson) will be living in Florida. I guess we will be snowbirds after retirement. Find me a good spot to anchor.

[Jamie]

I found it kind of amusing that HMMWVs are specifically banned by my apt building's HOA. It's typical terrible apt building parking but I wonder what the story was.

All HOAs are brownshirts.

In Palm Beach, I would think that Subies would be banned. No Bentley. No Parking. Only place I have seen a McLaren street parked.

I'm a pleb that lives on the wrong side of the bridge. You never knew how young or poor you are until you get to Palm Beach.

Not only does my daughter and her fiancé live there (and are looking to buy a house), my son just got offered a position there as well.

Now it looks like all 3 kids (and the grandson) will be living in Florida. I guess we will be snowbirds after retirement. Find me a good spot to anchor.

Congrats! There are some very nice places to anchor in this section of the ICW.