The Gas Powered Hummer H1 '95 & '96

In 1995 and 1996, AM General came out with a gas version of the 7000 pound Hummer H1. Because there are so few in existence, they are fastly becoming collectibles and skyrocketing in value. H1 people either love the gasser or hate it, there is very little middle road. People that have driven both say the performance of the gasser is dissimilar to the diesel but not worse. There are pros and cons to owning a gasser.

The biggest pro is that the GM 350 cubic inch L05 is reliable and easy to work on. Some H1 owners have seen 175,000 miles on their gasser, with nothing more than routine maintenance. Almost everyone is familiar with the good ole small block Chevy engine. Also, gas is easier to find out on the trail than diesel fuel. A big plus to others is the fact that the interior noise level of a gasser is MUCH less than that of the diesel. Going down steep slopes, the gas engine provides better engine braking than the diesel. To make sure it's a factory gasser, the VIN 4th digit should be a D.

There are drawbacks to a gasser though. You can't ford a 30' depth of water because of the starter's location - you are limited to 24 inches. The gas model produces power at higher RPMs, so you have to keep your foot in it going over obstacles. The 95s with their 23 gallon fuel tanks require a lot of gas stops at 10 mpg, and offroad, most gasser drivers carry along extra cans of gas. In low axle and rugged terrain 5 mpg is common on a gasser. The '96 H1 has an extra 17 gallon factory installed tank, BUT if you have a '95 installing the extra tank is no easy job and requires rerouting lots of things - in other words VERY EXPENSIVE, and much easier to carry along extra gas cans. The fuel pump in a gasser is in the gas tank, so if you're thinking about buying one, have it checked out before you buy - it's also expensive to change.

As long as we are talking about buying one with "the right stuff", the '96 has many desirable features not found on the '95, to include: a clock, a standard tach, new style gauges, the 17 gallon added tank, Detroit locker axle, driver's side heat and Ac ducts,and superior power steering pump and much more. A huge consideration in buying an older gasser is to make sure it has been upgraded to the '97.5 style heating and air-conditioning system. This modification runs about 6,000 dollars, but with out it, replacing the heater core or many AC components is next to impossible.

All in all the gassers are a ball to drive and increasing in value at amazing rates. Part of Hummer H1 gasser lore, has to include what are believed to be three 1997 H1 gassers with the D in the VIN at the beginning of production, but where they went is only known to AM General.
Gasser production 1995 - 553 units
1996 - 214 units