The first civilian hummer rolled off the production line in late 1992. So the 92 & 93 models are kind of in their own category. They are the closest models to the military HMMWV. The seats are not adjustable, have plastic covers and the batteries are under the seat inside the truck. There isn't any sound insulation so the trucks are very noisy. The drive train consists of a 3 speed transmission; the mechanical bulletproof 3L80. It does not have overdrive which makes it pretty difficult driving on the highway over 55. They also have a 6.2 liter diesel engine that has been called under-powered. The trucks all have 25 gallon fuel tanks. On the other hand the trucks are lighter. The nice thing about these trucks is that they are less complicated and easier to work on because do not have computer controls. Their A/C blows cold because they use R12. These trucks are a favorite of the hard core off roaders. These trucks came with 16.5" two piece steel wheels and Goodyear MT tires.
1994 models got an entire drive train change with the NA (naturally aspirated) 6.5 liter diesel engine and a GM 4 speed 4L80-e transmission. The new 4 speed transmission really brings the engine rpm down on the highway saving fuel, wear and tear and noise. The 6.5 NA engine is still very under powered compared to a turbo diesel. At high altitudes they run out of power on the road and off. They also relocated the batteries, changed the HVAC design, made body and interior changes as well as adding adjustable seats. The new HVAC system turned out to be under powered and prone to heater core problems.
The biggest thing in 95 was the introduction of the 350 cubic inch gas powered engine. Many customers were apprehensive about owning a diesel so AMG created the gas model. Aside from having on road performance as poor as the NA diesel the fuel tank only held 23 gallons which isn't much when you're getting 7 to 11 mpg. The 95 incorporated many of the base improvements and creature comforts found through the 2003 model year such as the interior and body.
The 1996 was a major step because it was the first year of the turbo diesel which finally brought the truck into the realm of great on-road and off-road performance. All the 96 trucks came equipped with 2 fuel tanks for a total of 42 gallons. This was a real boon for the gas powered trucks. Unfortunately, it was the last year gas trucks were produced. A major problem cropped up with the turbo diesels in 1996 into the 2000 model years. They are at risk for a cracked engine block due to a GM design flaw. AMG replaced many engines under warranty. If you buy a used turbo diesel truck it would be a big plus if it's engine was already replaced.
1997 was a year that brought many major improvements to creature comforts. The truck was outfitted with decent sound insulation and the Monsoon stereo was introduced. The turbo diesel was upgraded for better cooling and a little more power. Many items were slipstreamed into production this year so there is an important difference between 1997 and 1997. 5.
1997 was a year that brought many major improvements to creature comforts. The truck was outfitted with decent sound insulation and the Monsoon stereo was introduced. The turbo diesel was upgraded for better cooling and a little more power. Many items were slipstreamed into production this year so there is an important difference between 1997 and 1997. 5.
The most important change in 1997.5 was a complete change in the heating and air conditioning. The heating / AC system introduced in 1994 was a poor design and didn't perform well. There were numerous changes made to this system over the years that didn't solve the problems. Finally AMG stopped producing replacements and upgraded all the defective in-warranty trucks. The heater cores are almost impossible to repair and the upgrade cost around $3000.
How do you know if your truck has the upgraded system? The easiest way to know is by looking at the controls. The older controls will have an additional 2 buttons on the panel. One for recirculate and one for A/C. The photo is the new style control in my 1998. The upgraded system uses a vacuum controlled heater valve while the old system uses an electrical one. This is the valve that controls the flow of hot coolant to the heater cores in the truck. When the airconditioning is on the coolant is shut off. Another way to know for sure is to pull the HVAC control head out of the dash. The new system is vacuum controled so you will see a bunch of small diameter colored tubes coming out the back.
1998 is considered by many to be the quintessential year because it has all the improvements that were begun in 1997 and is the last year before Hummers were equipped with ABS and a new TT4 traction control system (which many off-roaders don't like) that caused the Torsen II differential.to be replaced with a Torsen I. The method for camber adjustment was changed to cams instead of the labor intensive shim system. This truck is quieter then any of the previous Hummers and has the axle ratio that AMG is now using in all the Hummers.
1999 was a transition year. The NA diesel was dropped. Due to the introduction of ABS and TT4. The NTSB mandated that class III trucks have ABS. The ABS system wouldn't work with the Torsen II differential which up to now provided the exceptional traction the Hummer was known for. This is why AMG had to go to electronic traction control (TT4). Because it was the first year for TT4, the system is not as good as the later models. The truck as a whole, it's creature comforts, sound insulation and interior are perfected. This would be a great year for a mostly on road truck or a good candidate for add-on lockers.
2000 - 2002 are pretty much the same truck as the 1999 except for some minor interior changes.The TT4 is improved. AMG introduced 16.5" and 17" aluminum wheels although by 2002 all 16.5" wheels were discontinued. These are great on road trucks and once again good candidates for lockers. They did increase the differential bias ratio on the 2002 trucks which will allow you to BTM them. In 2000 the factory produced 39 slantback models which are relatively rare. In 2002 the factory produced 65 burnt orange 10th anniversary model wagons with tan interiors.
2003's have an Eaton electrical rear locker which goes a long way towards making the truck as good off road as the earlier trucks with the torsen I differentials.
2004's have a Brand New Interior and an upgraded engine called the 'Optimizer' which has 10 more hp. Due to new government smog regulations AMG went to an engine computer built by Caterpillar. Otherwise the engine is the same. Optional Eaton front and rear lockers are available which make this the best stock truck yet. AMG does sell the Eaton lockers to upgrade older models. You also have the option of aftermarket Auburn electronic or an ARB locker. There is a big step between 2001 and 2004 as far as noise level and driver comfort goes.
NOTE: AMG skipped the 2005 Model year for H1's.
2004's have a Brand New Interior and an upgraded engine called the 'Optimizer' which has 10 more hp. Due to new government smog regulations AMG went to an engine computer built by Caterpillar. Otherwise the engine is the same. Optional Eaton front and rear lockers are available which make this the best stock truck yet. AMG does sell the Eaton lockers to upgrade older models. You also have the option of aftermarket Auburn electronic or an ARB locker. There is a big step between 2001 and 2004 as far as noise level and driver comfort goes.
NOTE: AMG skipped the 2005 Model year for H1's.
The 2006 Alpha is an order of magnitude better both on road and off road. Just about everything under the truck is new. According to AMG the only parts that are the same as a 2004 are the control arms. The suspension uses all the components from the 12,100 GVW upgrade which includes larger disk brakes, heavier half shafts, springs and sway bars. The whole steering system has been redesigned using a heftier Sheppard steering gear box, stronger components and changes in geometry. The whole drive train is different due to the addition of the Duramax diesel and Allison transmission. Because this combination of engine/ transmission is longer, the transfercase is pushed further towards the rear. This necessitates a longer front drive shaft which is a new design using double cardon U joints. In order to meet DOT requirements the shape of the fuel tanks had to be changed. When the tanks were redesigned, engineers at AMG took advantage of the extra 2" space that resulted from the lifted body to increase the total fuel capacity to 51 gallons. The transfercase is the same NP 242 which was strengthened to take the increased torque from the new engine. Just remember one thing when buying an H1 Hummer, these are extremely capable vehicles on any terrain and in any weather, but they are very maintenance intensive and doing some of the work yourself can save lots of money!
If you are buying a pre-owned Hummer H1, this link should be your main reference.
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