1998 Hummer Model Year Changes.

With major changes for '97 and '97.5 there were relatively few changes for 1998. Several changes were made towards quieter operation, differential gear ratios were changed so engine revs would be lower at highway speed, geared hubs were made quieter , the cooling fan and clutch were changed and an insulated top was added for Open Top Models. Although all these items help make the 1998 quieter, the difference over the 1997 model is not dramatic. Two new colors were added for 1998, Candy Apple Red, which replaced Gloss Red, proved very popular and Competition Yellow which replaced the harder to match Fly Yellow of 1997.

Powertrain and Identification Information. VIN 10th Digit designating year = "W" Engine: 6.5L Diesel 170 H.P. 290 lb. ft. VIN 4th digit ="Y" 36 produced. Optional Engine: 6.5L Turbo Diesel 195 H.P. 430 lb. ft. VIN 4th digit ="Z" 909 produced. 4L80E Electronic 4 speed Automatic Transmission. VIN 5th digit ="A" Top Speed 83+ mph with Turbo. 945 '98 models built.

Significant changes for 1998. Axle ratio changed from 2.73:1 to 2.56:1 on Turbo Diesel Models lowering engine revs at highway speeds. Non-turbo models remained at 2.73:1. Rear cargo doors added to central locking system. Cam style camber adjustment early running change. Before cam adjusters, Hummer alignments were done by the dealer in the first 1,000 miles after delivery. With the cam adjusters initial alignments were done at the factory. New cam adjusters make alignments easier but are easier to knock out of spec. Some Hummer owners who use their Hummers off-road have retrofitted the earlier style shim adjusters. New insulated top on Open Top Models. New finishing on geared hubs to make them quieter. New fan clutch comes on at higher temperature and new 8 blade cooling fan offers quieter operation. VIN 180123 and above. New Color Candy Apple Red replaces Gloss Red. New Color Competition Yellow replaces Fly Yellow. Burgundy Metallic no longer available.

Valuable upgrades to look for in a '98. Although steering components were upgraded several times by '98, the factory "Problem Solver" Idler and Pitman arms introduced in later years are much more durable than those on a '98.

'98 Specifications, options & Prices:

Available colors:

Competition Yellow. New Color for '98

Candy Apple Red. New Color for '98

Green Metallic. (G10)

White. (W8)

Silver Metallic. (S15)

Bright White. (W14)

Black. (B9)

Although most factory custom colors show up on emergency vehicles and as factory tests, custom colors were available on all Hummers for an additional $1,000 charge. Below is an example of a Hummer with a factory experimental color, Cactus Green. Cactus Green never made it into full production.

Body Styles Available in '98:

HMCS. 4-Passenger Wagon

HMC4. 4-Passenger Hard Top

HMCO. 4-Passenger Full Door Open Top.

XLC2. 2-Passenger Hard Top Enlarged Cab.

TOTAL PRODUCTION COUNT BY MODEL AND COLOR. "X" Colors are "Experimental" or special order, often seen as production colors in later years.

COLOR FULL DOOR OPEN TOP (HMCO) WAGON (HMCS) HARD TOP (HMC4) 2-PASS. ENLARGED CAB (XLC2) TOTAL B9 (Gloss Black) 74 136 40 8 258 G10 (Gloss Green) 26 54 17 1 98 R19 (Candy Apple Red) 62 92 17 2 173 S15 (Silver) 22 56 11 89 W14 (Bright White) 29 68 17 16 130 W8 (Gloss White) 38 24 7 7 76 Y18 (Fly Yellow) 2 2 4 Y20 (Competition Yellow) 53 27 11 1 92 X02 (Safety Green) 1 1 X06 (Chrome Yellow) 2 2 X13 (Bright Green) 1 1 X17 (Smokey Carmel (Mesa Dusk)) 1 1 2 X19 (Military Style Green) 2 2 X20 (Gloss Red R7) 4 8 12 X21 (Safety Green) 1 1 X22 (Brilliant Blue) 1 1 X24 (Tan) 1 1 X26 (Dark Slate (Nightstorm)) 1 1 X27 (Deep Amethyst) 1 1 Tan Interior 144 179 49 372 Gray Interior 163 286 78 46 573 Cloth 271 435 109 12 827 Vinyl 36 30 18 34 118 Deluxe Trim 307 465 127 33 932 Fleet Trim 13 13 NA Diesel 24 4 8 36 Turbo Diesel 253 423 112 36 824 Turbo Diesel (CA) 30 42 11 2 85 TOTAL 307 465 124 46 945

© Copyright 2004 Jim Lynch.