new purchase, 1st time owner, tons of questions

[Green Line Lawn]

hello all, just purchased a 2004 M998 (2 door). never owned a hmmwv before and am looking for some answers / suggestions / recommendations:
- what batteries is everyone using / recommending (battery threads are very old and many new battery options exist)
- best option for a keyed ignition (hopefully not from ebay)
- any recommendations for dash or gauge conversion to a more civilian look?
- steering wheel and seat replacement recommendations?
- hard top options and back wall options (internet search just shows metal fabricators charging $5K plus) is there a cheaper option?
- LED head and tail light conversion?
- tire carrier and spare tire (cheapest option)

any comments, suggestions, are appreciated.. i am in the Philadelphia PA area

 

[Mogman]

Welcome to the forum!!
Unfortunately HMMWV and cheap do not coexist together

 

[Green Line Lawn]

Welcome to the forum!!
Unfortunately HMMWV and cheap do not coexist together

Thank you Mogman, I am learning that lesson the more I am looking at parts online Unfortunately the purchase has been made and now will have to sell a kidney to fix it up

 

[Autonomy_Lost]

Welcome fellow High Maintenance Money Wasting Vehicle owner!

 

[HoveringHMMWV]

hello all, just purchased a 2004 M998 (2 door). never owned a hmmwv before and am looking for some answers / suggestions / recommendations:
- what batteries is everyone using / recommending (battery threads are very old and many new battery options exist)
- best option for a keyed ignition (hopefully not from ebay)
- any recommendations for dash or gauge conversion to a more civilian look?
- steering wheel and seat replacement recommendations?
- hard top options and back wall options (internet search just shows metal fabricators charging $5K plus) is there a cheaper option?
- LED head and tail light conversion?
- tire carrier and spare tire (cheapest option)

any comments, suggestions, are appreciated.. i am in the Philadelphia PA area

Welcome to the forum!
Batteries: Personally, I bought the 6TL's from O'Reilly's. Other members go different routes.
Keyed Ignition: Wouldn't recommend. I had one on a previous truck for a short time and it failed. I would recommend a discretely located IP fuel cutoff switch which can be keyed.
LED conversion: I swapped out the OEM halogen headlights for LED found on Amazon. The brake and running light bulbs were also swapped for LED bulbs. Also replaced the internal bulb in the turn signal for LED.
Tire Carrier: OEM was Rico Rhino. Awesome and saves your back. Can find them on a rare occasion on eBay.

Again welcome and post some pics.

 

[Autonomy_Lost]

For parts I recommend:

MAC motors for OEM parts
@86humv here and Beltfed34 on ebay for surplus parts
Facebook humvee groups for hard to find stuff

 

[Mogman]

First things first.
Did you buy it from GP or an individual?
If you bought it at auction there is a ton of time and money you need to spend before adding the accessories like the $1000 spare tire mount
I suspect you bought it from an individual as I have not seen too many M998s at auction lately but I have not been watching too close.
Regardless you want to change all the fluids and filters right off the bat, no matter what the seller said, time and time again has shown this to be a good idea, folks have been told the fuel filter had been changed for example for them to quickly find out that was pure hogwash leading to more expensive repair.
These are not a beginner mechanics machine ether, they are very difficult to work on compared to civy vehicles.

As other have already said stay completely away from any keyed ignition switch as they have proven over and over to lead to much more expensive repairs, they are just not made for this kind of duty, the HMMWV comes with a steering wheel lock which is all you should need, well being from Philadelphia you may need a 24 hr armed guard

I personally would only use AGM batteries, not too hip for the wife to be sitting on top of a hydrogen bomb.
You can go the 6TL route, I use Odyssey batteries because I am lazy and only want to change them every 10 years or so and I like the machine to start every time I want it too, but they are NOT cheap.
You can go with group 24 AGM batteries from wally world and they have a reasonable lifespan of 5 years or so, you will need to secure them, others will have suggestions about that, always replace both batteries at the same time with batteries with the same date codes for best results

 

[BKubu]

For parts I recommend:

MAC motors for OEM parts
@86humv here and Beltfed34 on ebay for surplus parts
Facebook humvee groups for hard to find stuff

And, fortunately for the OP, MAC Motors is in PA!

 

[87cr250r]

Google digital dash cluster. There are universal ones that should fit in place of the stock gauges quite well. Holley has units starting at $500, Autometer $1000. Chinese units are as low as $40.

Form batteries, I really don't see the benefit of 6TL if you're only using them for starting. The CUCV battery trays can also mount group 27 and 31 size batteries, I don't know about the HMMWV specifically.

 

[mgFray]

hello all, just purchased a 2004 M998 (2 door). never owned a hmmwv before and am looking for some answers / suggestions / recommendations:
- what batteries is everyone using / recommending (battery threads are very old and many new battery options exist)
- best option for a keyed ignition (hopefully not from ebay)
- any recommendations for dash or gauge conversion to a more civilian look?
- steering wheel and seat replacement recommendations?
- hard top options and back wall options (internet search just shows metal fabricators charging $5K plus) is there a cheaper option?
- LED head and tail light conversion?
- tire carrier and spare tire (cheapest option)

any comments, suggestions, are appreciated.. i am in the Philadelphia PA area

-) Batteries, I got 6TLs from O'Reilly. Reasonably prices and I was able to get them quickly.

-) Keyed Ignition - Don't, seriously.. Don't.. it will last 6 months and fail, then you'll replace it and it'll last 6 months and fail. Instead look at something like the "Digital Guard Dawg Humvee Keyless Ignition Systems M24". I have this on mine, and so far it's worked flawlessly (had it about 18 months).

-) Lights - if you want a more civilian look, you can purchase the Hummer lights (and buckets) and then remove the military and swap them. But you'll need to use 24V capable LED (or other) bulbs.

Headlights I got them from Kascar/Real4WD. They are proper military so just plug and play into the headline buckets, and they have the proper 'flat' cut-off, which makes them safer and easier to adjust for a civilian vehicle. The lights are manufacturered by Truck-Lite, so you can just go there directly.

 

[Mogman]

I am a little curios, they did not produce a M998 in 2004, AFAIK all M998s that were rebuilt were rebuilt as 1097s
Some pictures would be nice.

 

[Mogman]

Google digital dash cluster. There are universal ones that should fit in place of the stock gauges quite well. Holley has units starting at $500, Autometer $1000. Chinese units are as low as $40.

Form batteries, I really don't see the benefit of 6TL if you're only using them for starting. The CUCV battery trays can also mount group 27 and 31 size batteries, I don't know about the HMMWV specifically.

I was just looking at a group 31, that might be a little tall, but have not tried it myself.

 

[87cr250r]

I worked on a ship that used to carry HMMWV trucks. They hated them because they did catch in fire from time to time. I guess the seat springs would break and fall on to the battery terminals. Is this possible? I don't know. Does it affect you? Probably not. I do know that 6TL batteries lack bang for the buck. You certainly don't need them to start a 6.2/6.5.

 

[frauhansen]

hello all, just purchased a 2004 M998 (2 door). never owned a hmmwv before and am looking for some answers / suggestions / recommendations:
- what batteries is everyone using / recommending (battery threads are very old and many new battery options exist)

Every quality batterie is okay.

- best option for a keyed ignition (hopefully not from ebay)

You can use ever 24V lock you can find from a construction side machine. The Play is where you want it to.
Use the search funktion of this forum

- any recommendations for dash or gauge conversion to a more civilian look?

It will never look civilian. And please dont start it this way. The next are fancy rims and comfort seats out of a regular car...
Please dont do this this way.

- steering wheel and seat replacement recommendations?

What did i sayed... DONT DO THIS!
This is not a H1, so please let him as he is!

- hard top options and back wall options (internet search just shows metal fabricators charging $5K plus) is there a cheaper option?

If you want it cheaper, build it by yourself. But if not, this is the prise!

- LED head and tail light conversion?

In the back not needed. At the front, ever 7" will fit. But here the same... buy cheap will result in cheap light

- tire carrier and spare tire (cheapest option)

Rhino, from my point of view the easyest. But mustly you will need the air lift bumper for it.

 

[Mullaney]

hello all, just purchased a 2004 M998 (2 door). never owned a hmmwv before and am looking for some answers / suggestions / recommendations:
- what batteries is everyone using / recommending (battery threads are very old and many new battery options exist)
- best option for a keyed ignition (hopefully not from ebay)
- any recommendations for dash or gauge conversion to a more civilian look?
- steering wheel and seat replacement recommendations?
- hard top options and back wall options (internet search just shows metal fabricators charging $5K plus) is there a cheaper option?
- LED head and tail light conversion?
- tire carrier and spare tire (cheapest option)

any comments, suggestions, are appreciated.. i am in the Philadelphia PA area

.
Welcome to the Outfit!

Like the guys already mentioned, PICTURES. We need pictures so we can see what you have and enjoy it with you! You will be happier if you leave what you have as it is until you have learned a little more. Today, you have a functional truck. Trying to buy cheap chinese knock-off parts will start you down a path that will be hard to recover from when something goes wrong later...

We have TM's (Technical Manuals) that will help educate you. I mean simply starting the truck needs to be done right! Have you noticed that little light on the left side of the dash that says WAIT by chance? Find that in the "-10" book. Download it. Search "start" in Acrobat. Read a little and help make your truck last longer.

And most importantly - like @Mogman suggested - Change your fluids! Check everything. Oil (fluid) is cheap. Parts are expensive.

.

 

[87cr250r]

I would suggest rebuilding your brake calipers. Mine were full of water. Can't flush it out with DOT 5 fluid.

 

[Mogman]

I want to apologize to[B] Green Line Lawn[/B] as I kinda hijacked his thread.
Are there any questions you did not get answered?
Can you post some pictures of your rig?

 

[Green Line Lawn]

gents (and maybe some ladies), thank you very much for your great advise and not ridiculed answers as in other auto groups.. i apologize for such a delayed response, once i did the post / thread, i got him with work like crazy and also running a side landscaping business with my sons (we went from drought to everyone wanting work done)...
again i appreciate everyones input!!!
i bought the humvee from NJ State Police, i was told they purchased a few of them for high water rescues and never ended up using or converting them to anything. it is NJ titled and supposedly was upkept with maintenance until they let it sit and batteries died.
- the whole process of buying from a state is a bit convoluted (its NJ) so its taking some time for them to send me the release so i can pick it up.
- i am hoping to have it by the middle of next week if not sooner.
- also i am sorry for initially asking some questions that now i realize are a bit ridiculous... i am NOT planning or wanting an H1, but this will be going to my sons as their 1st vehicle next year, so i wanted some updates and a bit comfort (BUT i may actually give them the Ram and keep this bad boy)...
- i am crystal clear on the keyed ignition
- i have ordered and already received a full service kit from SECO parts (oil and fuel filters with all gaskets) and a power steering belt...
-plan is to tow it in (i have access to a garage / body shop ) drain all fluids, replace filters and then try to fire it up...
- to get back to some answers, i realize that a tire carrier is definitely not something i need to worry about right away... but would still like to replace seats and at least find some sort of doors and top... eventually maybe add a "classic car" / aftermarket AC unit.
-plan is to keep it as a pick up truck so the boys can transport their dirt bikes and we can use it in our landscaping business to tow our trailers..
- my plan was also to order a set of new glow plugs ($80) on ebay, if you guys are suggesting to update those..
- will also definitely check all brakes and calipers to make sure there is no water or none are seized up..

- without having the truck here (yet) its hard for me to figure out what batteries to buy, mainly i am not sure if location of terminals matters... i see online pics show that HUMVEE original batteries have opposite terminals (not in same line), so if i get Odyssey or another 24 AGM, will the wires reach?

i found a good deal on
Odyssey Performance Series AGM Battery BCI No. 24 725 CCA
Part #: ODY ODPAGM24
Will 2 of these work????

attached is the photo from the place i bought it... once i am there i will take and upload more...

also for the question if i am sure its a 998? documentation and photo of the title shows that it is and 2004.

 

[Coug]

Those batteries should do just fine.

I'm running what are basically identical batteries, but NorthStar branded (same case, same posts, just a little different specs) for almost 4 years now and they are great.

Yes, your truck is an M998, or possibly an M998A1, but definitely not an A2 or newer version. That 2004 date on it would be the last time it was rebuilt, not when it was manufactured. There is a thread on here that gives approximate build year by serial number, but that will also depend on them not having assigned it a different serial (uncommon to change serial unless it went through a recap program like the M1097R1s did)


It's recommended you only buy parts like glow plugs through reputable venders, not ebay. Too many chinese knock offs on there, and not worth the money.

As for business and towing trailers, you'll want a real 2" receiver like the one from Black Dog or Federal Military Parts, not one of the pinball type that bolts under the pintle. You might also need a trailer brake controller if any of your trailers are over 3k lbs. You'll also need to either get a trailer light converter box, or put all 12-24V leds in your trailer sockets for them to work and not blow.


Thread on trailer brake controller install. I went with the Federal 2" receiver, XM381 converter box, and Red Arc trailer brake controller (will take 24V in and do 12V out to brakes)

Trailer Brake Controller Install (Redarc)

A couple days back I installed the Federal Military Parts class 3 heavy duty 2" receiver I picked up from another member here who decided to go a different route. Doesn't work with airlift bumper, which is fine with me, as I don't have one. Got it installed and was waiting on the other parts...

www.steelsoldiers.com

Here is a picture of my batteries installed (24AGM) Cables all reach just fine, and works perfectly with original hold down bracket.

 

[Mogman]

No need to plan on changing the glow plugs unless they need to be replaced after troubleshooting them.
I would strongly recommend against this being a 1st vehicle, they have poor visibility, no anti lock brakes, much wider than a normal vehicle and survivability in a wreck is actually very poor.
These are definitely for mature seasoned drivers only on the street.