The HUMMER, like any working vehicle, needs its share of maintenance, it is usually one of the first questions I get asked. Any truck which ventures off the highway is going to need more maintenance and repairs than a street queen. That is not to say the HUMMER hasn't had it's share of teething problems. However, for the past few years it has been a reliable workhorse. Most of the thanks for that goes to Terry and Lynn from American Outfitters in San Diego, CA. Terry knows more about HUMMERs than most of the people at the factory and his service and workmanship are top notch. He also designs and builds parts for HUMMERs which see a lot of back country service.
Factory E-Locker install 2006:
In 2004 AMG offered e-lockers both front and rear on 2004 HUMMER's and a few months later came the factory retro-fit kit which included all the wiring, and two brand-new differentials complete with Electric E-lockers from Eaton. I knew then that this was something I wanted to do with my truck. Since GM decided to cancel production of the HUMMER I thought it best I order up a pair before they didn't offer them for sale any longer. The nice part of this kit is that you just bolt it in and wire them up, no need to set-up the diffs. Another plus in my case was a switch from 2.73 gears to the newer 2.56 ratio that came out in 1998. This allows me to cruise on the highway at a lower RPM (about an 8% saving) to save fuel and wear and tear on the 6.5 engine. I thought this would impact the off-road performance but it is un-noticeable to me, and to most people I have spoken to.
A quick trip to American Outfitters and I was on the road in no time. You can see the red plug on the top of the diff where the wiring harness attaches with a nice water-proof connector. The kit was amazingly comprehensive and a worthwhile upgrade to those looking to move up to lockers.