There’s nothing understated about an H2. Powered by a brawny 6.0-liter Vortec 6000 V8, it tipped the scales at an incredible 6,400 pounds, making it one of the heaviest SUVs of its era. Yet, despite its size and swagger, the H2 was impressively capable off-road—and as this build proves, it takes well to serious modification.
Military Grit with On-Road Manners
AM General traces its roots back to 1971, when
American Motors Corporation spun off the division to handle
military and contract vehicle production. Roughly a decade later, in 1983, AM General won a five-year U.S. Army contract to build the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV)—better known as the Humvee—after beating out several competitors to deliver more than 55,000 examples to the military.
Following the Humvee’s fame during Operation Desert Storm, and with a big push from Arnold Schwarzenegger, AM General launched a civilian version under a new brand name, "
Hummer," in 1992.
By 1999, General Motors acquired the rights to the Hummer name. AM General continued production while GM took over marketing and sales. The result of that partnership was the Hummer H2, released for the 2003 model year—a more refined version of the military icon that blended off-road toughness with on-road comfort and style.
Offered through 2009, the H2 sold about 153,000 units in the U.S. It was often seen as a symbol of excess and glitz, but make no mistake—this was a serious off-roader built by a serious off-road outfitter. Key features included independent front suspension, a solid-axle rear with five-link coil suspension, a full-time dual-range transfer case, and 10 inches of ground clearance. The 6.0-liter V8 produced 317 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque, giving the H2 a 7,000-pound towing capacity and just enough attitude to match its size.
Inside, it featured seating for five, tri-zone climate control, eight-way power leather seats, a BOSE sound system, and all the comfort and flash you’d expect from a
luxury SUV in the early 2000s. Fuel economy? Let’s just say the estimated 9.2 mpg was part of the charm.
The Specs
This particular H2 takes all that factory DNA and adds a wild mix of aftermarket upgrades that make it even more capable—and even harder to miss.
- 6.0-liter Vortec 6000 LQ4 V8
- 4L60E 4-speed automatic transmission
- Sage Green Metallic exterior (code 45/WA605H)
- 111,000 miles
- 6-inch Fabtech suspension lift
- WELD Racing wheels
- 39-inch Fury Off-Road Country Hunter M/T tires
- AMP Research power-deploying running boards
- ARB Intensity LED auxiliary lighting
- Pioneer Apple CarPlay stereo system
Find Your Fourbie
Whether you’re into military-inspired beasts like this Hummer H2 or something a little more classic, you can explore more rare, custom, and collectible 4×4s now on Fourbie Exchange.