Real Wheelin, H2 or H3?

[RuggedH2]

OK, It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out where this thread is ultimately going to go, BUT, I have been kicking around the idea of purchasing an H2.

I realize that all Hummer owners have a level of pride in their own vehicles. I have driven Humvees with the military for years, I know what they are capable of.

My question for those that have wheeled similar conditions in both vehicles; Is the H2 a more capable vehicle than the H3, overall?

I'm aware that different conditions are advantageous to different vehicles, I just want to compare performance perspectives from those that have driven or witnessed both. I have never been off road (yet) with an H2.

I did a search, those threads I found may have some information buried in them but it is lost, thanks, flame on.

[NJ H2]

You live in SL UT!

[RuggedH2]

Officially, it's SLC UT.
SL UT has more personality.

[timgco]

You have to get both! That solves all the issues.

We do have both, have wheeled the hell out of both, and love both... almost equally.

Sice we have two labs that go with us everywhere, it's tougher to do in the H3 if you are camping. All the gear, tools, coolers and two dogs, two people is a little snug in the cab... even with the GOBI rack up top. So we normally end up taking the H2 when we do that.

If we are just going up to the mountains for the day, we take the H3.
It fits a little betterr on the Jeep the trails.

More capable? We've pushed the H2 harder and it has handled everything so far.

THe H3 has been great as well but does not have the AP/DP angles like our H2 has. So the bumpers have seen some rocks/ ledges.

If I had to choose between the two. FOR ME, the H2 works better due to the extra room.

On the other had, the H3 was also half the cost of the H2 and will run every trail the H2 will, but seems to take a little more finess and/or different lines.


...my 2 cents.

[whaaaaT]

h2 has better aproach and departure and ground clearance but not much. and as you know its a big motha to have on some trails. H3 smaller more agile but way less space inside. I think they'd both do pretty close offroad they both have benifits over eachother. If you need the room get the H2 if you dont get the H3. Theres also a big price difference in there obviously.

[BlueHUMMERH2]

I wheeled today with an H2 and H3 with 35's. Virtually no difference in the abililities. The H3 fits better, and turns tighter, but the rear spring mounts hang down lower than the rear diff which is probably the biggest disadvantage to the H3. The H2 is a tighter fit, but has a little more clearance and more interior capacity. So really, you have to go by personal tastes and needs in my opinion. I think both rigs are spectacular on and off the trail!

[RuggedH2]

I drive the H3. I have never been off road with an H2.

I have seen vids here where the different models have been off road together (Rubicon, Moab, etc). I have read many posts by owners of H2's stating that it outperforms the 3's on the trail. Is that true, or just good natured joking by our more expensive Hummer friends (attempting to justify the more expensive vehicle ).

I realize the H2 has better approach and departure angles, and heavier duty suspension and driveline. It should have, it's bigger and it weighs more. The approach and departure angles are only minimally larger on the 2 than the 3. The 3 would seem to have a weight and size advantage.

Timgco's statement, "The H3 was also half the cost of the H2 and will run every trail the H2 will, but seems to take a little more finesse and/or different lines." makes sense. Those guys that wheel together in Colorado all look like they've lifted those 2's, and added bigger tires for even better clearance and angles.

I put 35's on the 3 and turned the torsions for an increase in the clearance and angles, but I doubt that I'll be running Pritchett Canyon like some of those 2's are planning. I'm waiting for Fabtech to build a lift for the 3, but I haven't seen a whole lot of price difference on parts in general. Seems if it fits on a Hummer, you're gonna pay top dollar no matter what model you drive.