Long Time Listener / First time Poster

[Mu-taint]

Hello, I just got my Black H3 Alpha Adventure. I LOVE IT! I've been reading this forum for a while now waiting for my old lease to expire. No Photos yet, she is still bone stock. You all know what one looks like. But, not for long. I have 5 315/75-16 MTZs, Underbody Shield Package, Rocky Road Supersliders on the way. I have a few questions for the hardcore wheelers.

Rear Axle Skid Plates. Are they worth the @ $200+? Do they really work? I will be taking her wheeling as often as I can. Mounds, Tippy Dam and Drummond Island.

Can you recommend a brush guard for the 08 Alpha? I really think the factory one is not worth the $.

Is there anything better than the "blue painters tape" to protect her from getting brush scars? That 3M stuff?

Last one (thanks for the time): has anyone damaged their rear diff? Should I get the Rear Differential Skid Plate also?

It's a 2 year lease and the more I can protect her the better I will feel when I wheel her real hard?

[Mu-taint]

WOW, not one response. Just looking for a little advice. not even a welcome to the Forum. Am I in the wrong Forum or something? I guess i'll try to post under a different forum.

[Sewie]

Welcome. Now go read your other thread. :fdance: ;)

[Big Dad]

Congrats...and welcome. You just happened along when something else was going on.

:beerchug:

Don't be a pic tease get them posted!

[ChiHummer3]

Welcome! Congrats on the new ride! :beerchug:

[Mu-taint]

Thanks guys, I guess i'll have to learn where to post certian things in what catagories. It's my first "forum" so there will be a slight learning curve.

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

Do i understand your leasing and want to run HARD OFF ROAD ????

[Mu-taint]

Do i understand your leasing and want to run HARD OFF ROAD ????

Yep, I have leased 4x4 vehicles before and protected them with everything I could and have had no issues upon turn in.
Sonoma Zr2 3 year lease (Tippy Dam/Mounds/Drummond)
Canyon Z71 3 year lease (Tippy Dam/Mounds/Drummond)
Is there something you know that I may not???

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

Do i understand your leasing and want to run HARD OFF ROAD ????

Yep, I have leased 4x4 vehicles before and protected them with everything I could and have had no issues upon turn in.
Sonoma Zr2 3 year lease (Tippy Dam/Mounds/Drummond)
Canyon Z71 3 year lease (Tippy Dam/Mounds/Drummond)
Is there something you know that I may not???

My only (once) experience with leasing is that they (the leasing company) NIT-PIC really BAD upon return of the lease (paint-dents-interior-tires-roof-engine-tailpipe-tip......) and the close-out costs go up & up & up...

[Mu-taint]

Yeah, I do have to see the "dent Guy" and I wax 3 times a year and rub out the scratches. I take the OEM tires off and put them in the attic until turn in. They always like it when I return them with brand new tires. Only issue I have had is that I lost a key fob once and they got me for $150!! Thats why I try to protect mine as much as I can.

[frenzy1]

Congrats on the new ride !!! Welcome to the site ! Hope to see some pics soon !

frenzy
Belgium

[Agriv8r]

welcome...nice choice....even though we know what they look like

This thread is useless without pics......

[Mu-taint]

Alright, I just got the New Meat today from UPS. Had them put on her within 45 minutes of delivery. Here are some photos!

Pre-Meats
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b157/mutaint/H3BeforeMeats-1.jpg

[Mu-taint]

KRAP! I told you I'm learning.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b157/mutaint/H3NewMeats1.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b157/mutaint/H3NewMeats6.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b157/mutaint/H3NewMeats8.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b157/mutaint/H3NewMeats7.jpg

[tnd2]

As if it wasn't hard enough to settle on a set of 35's, you post yet another great looking set to choose from. Sweet ride!

[RuggedH2]

Mu,

I would love to see the advantages of the Alpha compared with the original H3 in Moab.

Several of us will be there following the Easter Jeep Safari March 20 - March 30. Consider yourself invited.
http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=31456

An experienced fellow Michigan H3 wheeler (SR1355) will be driving out for the trip (He has already made the trip out from Michigan a couple times last year).

As far as the spring hanger skid plates....yes, and yes.

The rear axle......spider $80.00

Rocky Road sliders kick ass on H3's.

The rear axle has been strong enough and articulation can be modified significantly with simple shackle mods and new shocks.

Skip indexing keys......crank the front level and add the Cognito shocks for the H3. ;)

[SR1355]

Great Looking Rig!!!

Black is Beautiful!!!

[Mu-taint]

Several of us will be there following the Easter Jeep Safari March 20 - March 30. Consider yourself invited.

Thanks for the advice and the invite! I'd love to go to MOAB someday with the H3 and wife. She loves crawling/wheeling as much as I do.

2 reasons I can't make it. I have to go to a DM confrence in Atlanta from the 24th thru the 30th. Oh yeah, I also lease the H3. My company pays for a lot of my lease and gas. Only 15k per year. Gotta save my miles for a ton of in state trips.

When I buy the wife the H3t with front and rear lockers and a V8 this fall, we are going out there for sure. I also want to stop in Colorado and hit Slaughterhouse. I did it back in 2003 with a buddy in his built K5.