Looking at a New Alpha or a JK

[Badace]

We are moving to the country and I will be commuting to work. If I work this right, I will get a H3, and by the end of the year my wife an H2. It is update our vehicle time (She has an 03 z71 Suburban and I have an 03 z71 Silverado) Anyway, I have been thinking of the Alpha but I like the removable top of the Jeep. (This is a commuter but it will have minimum 35's on it. That is as Green as I can go) I just don't like that Jeep seems to wear out (engine wise/ I have owned 2 Wranglers) after 50k miles. I love GM. After I get it Paid off, I will trade my truck in on a SUT and keep the H3 as my Commuter. Any thoughts. What do you like about your H3. I will get the V8 Alpha only. I am pretty sure the H3 is the way to go, just do not want to regret it. I do love GM Trucks/SUV's.

[3Hummer]

Dont have the Alpha but i can say that i adore my h3 nothing but great times. It offroads incredible the capabilities of a standard H3 is absolutly incredible. Along with that on the road the H3 is a really comfortable ride, and espiaclly with the Alpha you will have a lot added power. Along with that its got a nice and extremly comfortable interior and a good amount of space inside it. Its also an extremly good looking ride from the exterior. Nothing but great things to say about my H3 i love it!

[Desert Dan]

How long is your commute going to be?

The H3 would be a better daily driver (quieter, safer etc.)

The JK may get better mileage. Get the Unlimited 4-door for more space and comfort. Off road the Rubicon has some advanatages.

Ive had 2 Jeeps with the 4.0L straight six and have had no problems. One I sold with 145K and it ran fine and didn't burn any oil.

The JK has a V6 from a mini van. They may be putting in a larger V6 next year but unlikely a factory Hemi.

Either way you can't go wrong.

[tomp]

If you are serious about offroading and rock climbing, get the JK-Rubicon. Hard to beat from factory with SFA & front/rear lockers with auto-disco swaybar up front. Lots more aftermarket parts at reasonable prices too.

If you want something very offroad capable and still is well mannered on the street, plenty of power and with nice looks, then get the Alpha. The V8 is very nice! In stock form, all you need to do is tweak the front torsion bars and add some extended shocks and you then have plenty more front ground clearance - which is a benefit of IFS. I feel safer in the H3 and the later year models have more air bags than I can remember.

We have an H2 and when it was time for a second new vehicle, we chose the H3 over the JK for it's extra interior space, comfort, looks and can still go offroad with the best of them. I test drove the new 4-door JK when they came out and I was just not impressed. H3 has 100K warranty as well, and that's hard to beat.

The Jk & H3 each have their own set of Pros & Cons, so take all the input with a grain of salt and decide what's best for you.

[Badace]

The Jk & H3 each have their own set of Pros & Cons, so take all the input with a grain of salt and decide what's best for you.

Yeah I agree. GM knows how to make a truck and engine. The thing that appeals about the JK over the H3 is just the top. Everything else is easily better on the h3.

I will just use it in the woods. Hunting and on the land. I believe in using my rigs. I used to be the type that did not want people getting in the boat with shoes on etc. but realized I would just get upset when something got dinged. One thing was for sure, it was going to happen sooner than later so I do not worry about any of it. Door dings included. It is a little more money for the H3 but I think that 5.3 will have more go than the jk. Thanks fellas.

[TANiK]

if the JK is the Jeep Wrangler with the removable hard-top panels my pops and I were having a similar dilema

after test driving the Jeep and then the H3 the Jeep felt like a tin toy and so we ended up with the absolutely solid H3

Peace

[Texas Red]

How important to you is the removeable top feature, really? The H3 comes with a big sunroof, but that isn't the same thing. Apart from that, it's H3 no doubt.
:beerchug:

[Badace]

The H3 comes with a big sunroof, but that isn't the same thing.
:beerchug:
Not really but it is a nice substitution. Yeah, I got the tin can fell. I an not a rock guy so I thing the main benefit of having a jeep would be wasted on me. The V8 being added makes a huge difference to me. I am going to jump on one. I want a Tactical Alpha. I will have to find out if they can add that package. Thanks a bunch fellas. There really seems to be little comparrison and really little deciding factors if price is not the issue.

[Texas Red]

Just the thought of a "Tactical Alpha" brings on a woody. :dancingbanana:

[Spuds]

A friend bought the 4 door JK about the same time I got my H3. He owns a construction company and is on the road a lot driving from site to site.

He complains that the Jeep gives him a backache by the end of the day and is not comfortable at all.

After riding in my H3, he is ready to get rid of the Jeep and get an H3.

Big difference in ride quality.

[KenP]

Yeah I agree. GM knows how to make a truck and engine. The thing that appeals about the JK over the H3 is just the top. Everything else is easily better on the h3.I've driven the JK and even considered purchasing one, but if you're going to use it as a commuter, you won't be nearly as happy with it.

Compared to the H3, the fit and finish suck. The ride wasn't as bad as I expected, but it's still quite a bit rougher than the H3.

The JK feels cramped inside when compared to the H3.

[Badace]

Just came from the local dealer. (One of many in D/FW) They said no Tactical in the Alpha. They did say they could swap out the chrome stuff with black and they had one with the adventure package. I am going to throw some 35's or 37's on it (It will hurt my ride but I would do the same with a JK). It was only in black. I am not sure I want to go Black. You know... I may never go back.

[h3R4kids]

Definitely get the H3 if not going offroad, if you were a serious offroader then that would of made your decsision much much much easier >JK*
Buy them both, then you have the best of both worlds. . Apples & Oranges comparison.

[tomp]

If you are a hunter, then get the adventure package so you get the rear locker! It is invaluable in the Texas mud!

If you plan on swapping out the tires, I am in Plano (Allen) area and may take them off your hands if the prices is right.

Forget the Tactical Edition as you can't get that & the Alpha or the Adventure Package. Get the Alpha & Adventure package and add a black grill, then swap wheels & tires & you are all set.

If you plan on getting 37s, then I'd swap those 4.10 gears in the Alpha out for the non-Alpha 4.56s and get a custom PCM tune

[Badace]

Thanks for the info. I can not figure out which lift lift. I am thinking about pulling the trigger Saturday. There is a Black Alpha with the Adventure package here. My wife wants me to wait until X-mas. But then she will try and get out of a gift.

[RazM]

Definitely get the H3 if not going offroad, if you were a serious offroader then that would of made your decsision much much much easier >JK*
Buy them both, then you have the best of both worlds. . Apples & Oranges comparison.

Forget the JK, buy a compass for serious offroading. It's trail-rated just like the JK, and you've got more room inside :fdance:

[h3R4kids]

Forget the JK, buy a compass for serious offroading. It's trail-rated just like the JK, and you've got more room inside :fdance:
I agree, the Compass would be a great comparison to an H3,...he shouldn't be looking at the JK, it sounds like it's totally out of his league. Actually the new Liberty & H3 probably be the perfect comparison... That sucks, nothing out there to compare with the JK,,,but you can take a saws-all & cut your roof , windshield, & doors off.:jump: :fdance:
Hey idiot you don't have more room inside than a JK Unlimited..I think you were in one of those special class's in school..;)

[Badace]

I did feel like I sould be in High School or College in the JK. I guess maybe I could see it being a better fit if I was a rock runner, or maybe dealing with a mid life and had no wallet for the Vette.

[DennisAJC]

If we're talking stock, get the H2 if it's within your means. It'll go more places than the H3 or H3 Alpha without much work and risk of breakage. It's matched pretty close to the Rubicon in ability.

If you don't have kids and don't need the space, get the Rubicon. I've wheeled with stock Rubis and they're awesome off road. I've seen the Rubicon perform obstacles with me that I know no H3 could handle.

A 4 door JK with a lift and 35" - 37" M/T tires is probably an equivalent to a stock H2 with 35" - 37" M/Ts.

For moderate wheeling and daily driver (Pavement) use, the FJ and H3 or H3 Alpha would be a great choice. I know this statement has been the center of many heated debates, but the H3 was built mainly for affordability as an entry model for the masses.


Now for somebody to counter with a statement that the H2 is just too big, we'll that statement normally comes from an inexperienced driver. Anyone can wheel smaller rigs. But it does takes a certain skill to maneuver a rig the size of an H2. I've wheeled in and wheel with most rigs (Mostly lifted mods) on the trails today. The H2 can do more, carry more, offer more, endure more and is more comfortable than any other. It's just plain fact.


I'm a very competitive person like some here. I got the H2 PRIMARILY for it's ability off road. Not only do I want to wheel in nothing but the best but also the option to have comfort, luxury and the ability to drive it home without a trailer. That's is why I'm not behind the wheel of another rig.

If there was something better, I would. But there's none, so I won't.

1. H2
2. Lifted 4 door JK with 35" or 37"
3. Rubicon
4. FJ
5. Or H3/H3 Alpha

*The H3 Alpha mostly addresses the lack of power and aluminum front diff. An improvement that should have been standard/option in the beginning.

[DennisAJC]

:orly:
BLAH BLAH BLAH.

The Canadian dollah is creating alot of unemployment in my part of Canada and I'm just a bitter sap enraged at the truth.

This is a valid and civilized thread. Let's not smut it up like you normally do Raz.

Don't worry, B.C. will support your welfare checks in your neck of the woods.

Like I said, If the H3 was everything you scream about, I wouldn't hesitate to trade in the H2 DUH!!!!. But it's definitely not even close so I won't.

There's no intent to hurt your feelings but you seem to be enraged by every fact that doesn't fit your fantasy.

[DennisAJC]

Forget the JK, buy a compass for serious offroading. It's trail-rated just like the JK, and you've got more room inside :fdance:

Sounds like you're just posting for no good reason hoping someone will be impressed by your dry wit.

[3Hummer]

okay i see this stuff about trail rated, what exatly do they do to to consider their rigs "trail rated?"

[stagger_lee]

okay i see this stuff about trail rated, what exatly do they do to to consider their rigs "trail rated?"
It means they did a significant amount of testing off the highway in light to moderate conditions.

[DennisAJC]

Jeep lost all credibility when the badge their Liberties "Trail Rated". Basically confirming it as being just a slogan.

[BlueTJCO]

Jeep lost all credibility when the badge their Liberties "Trail Rated". Basically confirming it as being just a slogan.

Kinda like the "Chuckle Edition" stock H3's ?

:D

[stagger_lee]

chuckle edition :jump:

[h3R4kids]

Ya the New Liberty is trail rated;;;;; yes it did the Rubicon....
lilmatty wrote:
Word at Rubicon Springs this past weekend was that a factory KK made it through the Rubicon a week or so ago. Wasn't much left of it afterwards but I guess they can pin a Trail Rated badge on it now.


Just to clarify...

All the bumpers were attached and only had minor scrapes, all flares were attached. No mechanical failures. Drove back to Reno under it's own power.

Lower door sills were damaged due to lack of rocker protection. DS door panel popped in on big sluice because of traction control induced slide. All doors opened and closed. With rocker protection and a few more hours of daylight, it would have completed the trail relatively unscathed.

I am not saying it had an easy time with the trail, but it was certainly not trashed at the other end.

Rubicon is not currently a requirement for Trail Rated badge (though I think it should be). A set of defined criteria determines if the vehicle meets the rating (traction, fording depth, ground clearance, etc. as tested by Nevada Automotive Testing Center (NATC) )

Thought you would want to know a few more details on the KK "Crossing the Rubicon"