Off Road Photos from Gilmer Texas

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Well that is all the photo's I'm posting. I think we ended up with 426 photo's from just my camera.

I have 3 full tapes worth of video to go through tonight.

There are so many stories to tell from this weekend, I wouldn't even know where to start!

It was just an incredible time for everyone out there from what I can tell.

Probably the most fun I had was riding a few trails with some people that had never taken there vehicles off-road before.

They drove through the "kiddie course" and where all smiles. Those smiles quickly turned to adrenaline filled cheeks of pure surprise and pleasure when we went down the first "real" trail which was very mild all things considered.

Next we took them all up Twister, which is a 4 star climb turned 3 stars by whatever monkies put some rocks in a few of the ditches. It's still a nasty little climb, and everyone was so excited to do it!

I finally made it up the mud ledge this weekend, which was one of the highlights for me.

I got twisted in a ravine that got pretty nasty. As I was backing out, my back passanger tire was so far in the air that Jeff could walk under it. At the same time my drivers side front end was so side ways and in the ground that I could lick dirt outside of my window, and windshield wiper fluid was pouring from both of my front wiper holes due to gravity.

Unfortunatley that situation was a little to tense and nobody thought to bring out the camera.

Another fun part was going down the trail with the built Jeep that had Hummer Recory Vehicle written on it's front and back bumpers.

After I made it up the mud ledge, he had to winch hisself up it. That made me happy! Although I'm sure he could have made it with a second attempt.

After we got Brandon out of the ditch and started changing his tire, the Jeeps decided they had had enough of us, and left us. We then sent those that didn't make it up the mud ledge back the way they came.

Just my H2 and 1 H1 went to go finish the trail. About 100 yards down the trail at the next obstacle we see the Jeeps stopped. Well turns out that the Hummer Recovery Vehicle broke his steering knuckle and we spent another few hours helping him get off the trail. It was quite a day Sunday!

[cinci]

Det,

Great pics as always, you’ all have a great group down there and just make the rest of us envious http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif.

I am very curious since you have had the rare opportunity to drive most of the same trails with stock tires compared with the 37's as to what your opinion is of the difference 37's make, regardless of the brand.

Thanks,
David
Black H2

[Detonate]

Well they made a difference no doubt about it.

First thing I noticed was that I wasn't scraping my belly on EVERYTHING. The extra clearnace was the first big plus.

Basically everything positive I have to say about them has to due with clearance.

If I had to talk about the negatives, it would be steering. The rubbing is a bit of a nuisance, but the other thing that concerns me, is if the steering components can handle the bigger tires.

My steering seems to be fubared right now, but I don't know if I can blame that on the tires yet, so that's why I haven't mentioned it.

At one point my tires were completely pointing inward, and I thought for sure I had busted a tie rod. This was on the first trail of the first day. Everything looks fine under there, but when I turn right, and then straighten out, one of the tires stays pointed out, and drags to the point that I can here scraping rubber on the road for a few feet before the tire straightens out.

I have to take it in to have it looked at.

[cinci]

Det,

It sounds like you have some serious steering issues, you definately need to get that looked at by the dealer. I would be interested to see if you still have any rubbing after they fix the problem.

The added clearance and additional raidius of the 37's are great. It makes it much easier to go up steep ledges such as the ones in your photos.

I am interested in the difference between your truck and the lifted H2. It appears that he has 37's already. Do you think the lift gives him any extra advantage on the trails that you run?

Thanks,
David
Black H2

[Rosco]

Looks like its changed a lot since last time I was up there, in 289 that hill was almost impossible, with a crazy ledge halfway up.

Wish I could of made it!
looks like everyone had a blast.

[cinci]

Phil,

Now you are on the right track. I have some friends with H1's, you may know one, that I would like to be able to keep up with. One has a license plate that reads "H2 EATR".

38" to 39" with the least amount of lift would be ideal. Some one here talked about Rancho, I believe, coming out with a 2.5" lift. If that could get you into 38" or 38.5" tires that might be the trick. Of course the front locker doesn't hurt.

I am going to Windrock with most of the group the end of this month. Hopefully, I will find out what additional changes need to be made.

Thanks,
David
Black H2

[HummerTeam]

The center of gravity has not been an issue with my 4" lifter H2 (Orange one in the pics). The 37's help a good deal, but the lift makes everything MUCH easier. The weight of the spare on top is not an issue either...

Detonate is just not afraid of anything, so lift or not, he will usually go further..!

[HummerTeam]

Brandon's H1 - H2-ETR Black open top?

[Detonate]

A lot of it depends on what exactly it is that you are wanting to do.

The lift helps, no doubt about it. I wheel with that lifted H2 all the time, and there is always a time where I can see the benefits mentioned. However, I've yet to witness the short commings of it's higher center of gravity. I'm sure it is there, but I firmly believe it's a non issue with Rancho's 4" lift. It has to be mere 3-5 degree difference in side slope capabilities because both me and the HummerTeam H2 have been on some serious slopes where I thought for sure I'd flip, and they were right along side me.

Once you start talking about adding a front locker, a bigger lift, then 39" tires, maybe wider tires, etc, etc... You are just working towards a purpose built vehicle. No doubt it will be better off road, but at the cost of road manners. And all the trails and obstacles that used to be hard, will now be easy. Then you'll search for harder obstacles to challenge you. After that, you'll start thinking about more stuff to add to your vehicle to make those obstacles easier. And the cycle will continue.

I think I've found my niche personally. I like the degree of difficulty found in the obstacles and trails I'm doing. I'd love a 2-4" lift for looks, and a little more off-road performance, but that would be about it.

That's my take on it anyways...

[AlamoJim]

selectable front locker (I think the e-locker is or will soon be available for the H2 front) with a 2.5" lift minimum (4" max) and appropriate tire/wheel combo (37s look very good on the H2 IMO) and you would have a VERY capable vehicle. Like Det said: you start working towards a very purpose built vehicle. Putting a front selectable locker and mild lift will have little to no affect on your handling, except for off road! your ride will probably be more affected by your choice of shocks than the mild lift. larger lifts than 2.5" will start to affect the suspension angles which will in turn affect the handling and need to be compensated for in the kit with beefier/longer components.

Currently Skyjacker, Rancho, and FabTech make suspension lifts for the H2...all are established companies. I don't know anybody making a body lift kit for the H2 yet...but a smaller suspension lift and body lift would be a great combination of larger tire/modest lift IMO. 2.5" suspension with a 1" body...that would allow a 37" with no rubbing in the fenders - add a set of wheel spacers or wheels with correct backspacing and you put yourself in a great position without doing creating major stress on the drivetrain. but the steering components would take a beating when aired down offroad due to the extra grip the tires would have. so as usual - you gotta give a little to get a little

the H2 platform is similar to the GMC2500HD so a body lift for that truck or suburban ($270 for 2") would probably fit and give you tire clearance without the major suspension upgrades.

JMO...but it also depends on the terrain your building for. There is a reason you don't see those monster trucks rock crawling, they are too tipsy - but they can run mud pits all day.

[Detonate]

Well, had my front end looked at today.

Appears I grenaded my Pitman Control arm on the right wheel.

Of course this a dealer order only part and costs $300, $550 installed by local mechanic, I didn't even bother to ask the dealer how much it would be.

http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

[DennisAJC]

Damn that sucks Jim.

We should start up a Paypal fund for our Forum. That would work for some of the guys that represent us.

[Buckeye Hummer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by DennisAJC:
Damn that sucks Jim.

We should start up a Paypal fund for our Forum. That would work for some of the guys that represent us. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Great idea Dennis! I need a few things fixed on my truck. It'll be aboooooout....ummmm $3,000. 2 people can donate $1500 or 3@$1,000 or 6@$500.

[DennisAJC]

F'ck dat! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

I was talkin about a Forum Fund where we vote or donate to a member who has been with us long and represents our family. No wish lists. Has to be damage during combat.

Sounds complicated but I think it could be done.
Anyways I'm a sucker when it comes to donating. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[H2Finally]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by DennisAJC:
... I'm a sucker when it comes to donating. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>A Canadian thaang? http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[sKauGhTiEe]

http://www.thebeckzone.com/~gibby/Stuff/priceless.jpg looks kinda Canadian to me.... (the plates)