To get a Hummer to ford through 60" of water is a big job and would be costly.

First you must have a Diesel due to the spark plug issue of a gas. Second you would need a new CDR (Crank Case Depression) valve for proper venting

Then, all of your fluid fill and check tubes (dipsticks, fuel tanks etc.) must be sealed with the proper waterproof equipment (twist dipsticks which expand in location to prevent impeding fluids)

The electrical system on a Hummer is NOT ready for fording. If you take a look at the headlights on a Hummer they have a special connector (commonly referred to as a military connector). The Hummers have these connectors only on part of the vehicle (lower half) where Humvees have these connectors on everything including gauges (connections change at about the mid / top of engine height - 30" plus say 6 or so). These connectors have a slot on the male end and have a extruding lip on the female end. When the slot is buried past the lip the connection is waterproof. The wire also has a thicker coating to prevent fluid intrusion. Don't forget the horn, it wouldn't sound to good if water was filled inside it...

The computers for the engine, trans and other Misc sensors would need to be either waterproofed or you would need to find ways around using them. The military uses waterproof control boxes to place the computers for the engine and trans in. I do not know what they do about the misc sensors on the engine and drive train. Truly the 6.2L Diesel that is used in the early Humvees is the ideal setup since they have everything mechanical, they just lack in power compared to the newer 6.5 T.

The electrical system can be modified, the military connections and wire can be purchased but it would be a big job to change the connections on a Hummer. All of the guages would need to be converted or modified to be waterproof (sealed also not only electrical). Plus what are you going to do about the carpet, headliner, radio, seats, and engine padding? They might just start to stink if they got soaked.

My suggestion is to get a Humvee and install the deep fording kit (if not equip already) if that´s what you truly would like to do. Remember 60" is a LOT of water, I could fill you in on how the deep fording kit works if you would like to know its rather interesting yet simple. I am most definatly not an expert by anymeans, but these have been my observations when compairing both vehicles.

Hummers are great for going through fairly deep water for short periods of time... if you are in to the top of the hood or greater for any duration, it might cause some serious damage if modifications aren't made.

Scott P.
'85 Tan M-998

Also, the Fuel tanks on the Humvees have the tightening rubber plug on the filler tube. But I think the biggest advantage by far are the watertight military connectors in the dash. I recently had my Bronco submerged in water to the dash and the connections are already starting to corrode. No telling what damage has been done to the gauges..... and the upholstery, well, I just hope the Insurance decides to total it out, because I can see 4 grand going in to put it back into shape. to include removing all the carpet and door upholstery and having new seats installed, can't see how they would ever be cleaned enough to remove that muddy smell.

I would like to know how the Deep fording works, I have used it recently and it worked great, but I really don't know what happens when I rotate that Deep ford Switch. also, Does the Air Fording tube have an additional vent on it ( A Small tube ) If so, I think I'm missing mine and am curious what damage this may cause in the future and what does it go to.. So far so good, I have done about 41"s in swift water and 48"s in still water.

A few pictures of the flood damage and the Humvee can be seen under the 2002 Uvalde Flood Album here. http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/hyperbear

Rick J.