Anyone wheel their H3 ?

[nierace]

I have been searching the H3 forums for a while and never really find much info or trail reports on those who wheel their H3's and I am wondering how capable they are?

I'd like to know what trails a H3 with a level kit sitting on 35's or 37's would do on a rated trail such as what moab uses of 1-10 or many adventure parks use green - blue - black and reds. I know there alot of variables but with a competent driver and with minor damage on such trails, approximately what category would you put the H3 into as being well challenged but not in over its head.

I'd also liked to know how effected the road manners are with the leveling kit and how much the 35's/37's bog down the H3. Also if many have had trouble with axle shaft breakage or draglink's/steering being over strained by the extra meat.

On that note also is there anyone running 37's with just the leveling kit and possibly extended bump stops and some trimming ?

I noticed while searching that the front travel looked to be only 4" on the shocks, is that true ? It just seems to be very little and I would expect more articulation out of it.

I am asking all this because the incentives from GM have caught my attention and I can get a H3 for a very reasonable price and am very tempted. I currently have a lifted jeep grand cherokee that is great offroad however its on road manners are not so hot and make me weary. I'd like to have something my girl friend can use in the winter in case of a emergency or what ever and not worry about something happening, but at the same time I can still run fun trails. My jeep now is at a point where I would have to spend around 5k on new axles to go to the next stage and run 35/37's, so I'd rather get what I can for it and invest in something that can pull double duty instead of having the heep and another daily driver.

Thanks for any feedback

My current rig for kicks :

[RuggedH2]

First of all....... Do it..... you will not regret it.

Next, the rebates are great but the 09's are gonna have a front locker available under warranty. For someone that really plans to wheel........ it's something to consider...... of course for the 6K rebate you could afford to put in your own front locker.

Also the search feature is gonna be your friend....... you will find many threads to answer your questions...... which many H3 wheelers have posted on. Check the Moab stickies in the H3 pics section.

H3's have run most of the difficult trails in Moab from Golden Spike, and Moab Rim down....... I haven't seen pics from Pritchett Canyon and Behind the Rocks yet...... but it will happen eventually.

Here are some of mine.

[RazM]

... and lets not forget, they're STOCK, not like the silly mods required on Jeeps to get them to fit a decent sized tire.

I did 2 and half cranks on the torsion bars to fit 35's. To fit 37's you'll need a lift.

Four Wheeler put it best, the H3 will do 95% of what a rubicon unlimited will do, but in comfort and with great road manners.

[Desert Dan]

Go for a 2009 H3 with front and rear lockers (Adventure Package) and the V8!

[nierace]

Well if I wait for a 09 I think there will be a high demand for H3's with the front locker and isn't there speculation of the hummer line being cut off entirely in 2010 ?

I wouldn't get a alpha because theres not enough cost vs benefit for them, I wont be towing anything over 4k and theres not even a second difference in the 0-60

Is there any difference in the 09 from the 08 front diff internals aside from it going from a aluminum to cast housing ? My only concern would be not being able to get a locker for the 08 front diff, there currently isnt any available now right (even aftermarket)?

I only have a locker in the back now and traction has never been a issue since I've put it in all though I get a bit more flex. I think I would be able to get by for the savings in $, theres always the brake trick

You guys don't think 37's would fly without a 4.5" kit? It looks to me like the H3 is heavy on sheetmetal and needs some trimming. My concern isnt as much on clearance as on drivetrain and steering strain on them :P

Do you guys get any breakage with the 35's and around about what do you get for gas mileage ? From what i've seen most get 15 mixed which is about what I get now with 33's....

I will need to do some searching for trail reports, maybe I can find something in new england who runt he same trails...

Thanks again

[Tex_h2]

Why not just step up and buy a H2.....


The difference between Men and Boys are the size of there toys!




But, I will say there are some nice looking H3's in here.......

[timgco]

Originally Posted by nierace

I have been searching the H3 forums for a while and never really find much info or trail reports on those who wheel their H3's and I am wondering how capable they are?

I would say equal to your modded Jeep. I had one as well with a 4" and 33's. The H3 with 35's and a tbar crank gives you some respectable AP and DP angles. Get the adventure package , uc protection, and rock sliders. It sounds like you'll need them. Also, if the funds allow, get the ALpha so you can have the V8. I had two H3's with the I5. This V8 is a big difference..esp. with 35's.

I'd like to know what trails a H3 with a level kit sitting on 35's or 37's would do on a rated trail such as what moab uses of 1-10 or many adventure parks use green - blue - black and reds. I know there alot of variables but with a competent driver and with minor damage on such trails, approximately what category would you put the H3 into as being well challenged but not in over its head.

Depends on your abiliities as a driver. The hardest I have seen an H3 run was Golden Spike. It will also depend ont eh terrain. A 5+ trail in Moab can be doable on teh slickrock, but maybe not on loose trails combined with driver abilities.

I'd also liked to know how effected the road manners are with the leveling kit and how much the 35's/37's bog down the H3. Also if many have had trouble with axle shaft breakage or draglink's/steering being over strained by the extra meat.

Forget about a leveling kit. Just crank the T bars to 24" and you're at teh same height as the leveling kit...and it stiffens the ride up a little. It's a welcomed mod. It still handles close to stock with the exception of a little more body role. When you put the leveling kit on or crank the Tbars, your take the front bumpstops off the A arm. on teh other hand, you get a little more up travel. Again, go for the Alpha if you plan to run 35's or 37's. ..although 37's on the H3 I think will spell disaster if you are going to wheel the pi$$ out of this truck. The 4" racnho kit with 35's have enough room to flex up. 37's rub some, but IMO, the front diff, steering rack will not hold up well over time.


On that note also is there anyone running 37's with just the leveling kit and possibly extended bump stops and some trimming ?

37's will not fit with a levling kit. You need 4.5" at least to make this work if you plan to wheel. Again, I would stay with 35's.

I noticed while searching that the front travel looked to be only 4" on the shocks, is that true ? It just seems to be very little and I would expect more articulation out of it.

IFS is not like a solid axle. So you will not get the travel like a Jeep. This truck is a different animal.

I am asking all this because the incentives from GM have caught my attention and I can get a H3 for a very reasonable price and am very tempted. I currently have a lifted jeep grand cherokee that is great offroad however its on road manners are not so hot and make me weary. I'd like to have something my girl friend can use in the winter in case of a emergency or what ever and not worry about something happening, but at the same time I can still run fun trails. My jeep now is at a point where I would have to spend around 5k on new axles to go to the next stage and run 35/37's, so I'd rather get what I can for it and invest in something that can pull double duty instead of having the heep and another daily driver.
NICE JEEP!!!!

Btw- you should be able to get down to $100 over invoice since sales are down so bad now. You should be at around 10K off sticker with the current incentives and sticker to invoice discount.

Thanks for any feedback

My current rig for kicks :

..

[blindzebra]

Um I would say drive both the H2 and the H3. They both have their purposes. We could sit here till the end of days to argue and have someone who owns an old bradley tell us all to go phuk ourselfs. Lets just ask our selfs what we want out of our rig.

I'm on my 2nd H3 and my 2nd one's an Alpha. If you're in deep mud or soft sand you better believe the V8 will help you out alot more than the I5. However the my first was a manual and the gearing was insane for than truck. I'm not as big of fan of the gearing in the alpha, but the engine makes up for that with torque. I'm not bashing jeeps in any way, but I've never been on a trail with one that I couldn't do anything that they could. If you're worried about breaking something, well that's always a possiblity, but I haven't done much major damage yet. The difference is we do what do for the most part pretty much stock. For the most part I don't see many stock jeeps on the trail. I say drive what makes you happy, and let me know if you're in my neck of the woods. I'd be happy to go out with you. Best of luck in your future rig!

[nierace]

I dunno why you guys are buggin out - I don't care about H2 its way out of my price range and way to big to fit on the trails here, so any information regarding how a H2 is better isn't helping my cause.

Thanks everyone for all the useful info, timgco your post was a big help I appreciate.

What kind of modifications to the front diff/axle shafts/steering would be necessary for them to hold up for the most part to 37" tires ? Reason I ask is because if I get on the same boat where I need to spend serious $$$ to upgrade the diff its kind of a lateral move for me then.

[6pack]

I had a response for you nie, about a half hour ago, but after all that H3 - H2 stuff, I forget. Sorry. FWIW, I think you'll like the H3.

[HummBebe]

There is no doubt that the H2 is a crazy capable truck, but again, there are places where the H3 excels and leaves the H2 behind. Rubicon is an example.

Not to mention driver experience, H2'ers have 3 years on us. And really, that's what it all comes down to.

However, for the H3 weaknesses, which have been either modified and/or changed completely, it has definitely improved it's capability, mostly due to the folks on this board who have made the mistakes and the improvements.

Remember, the H3 has only been out for 3 years, and the H2 needed some improvements too before it became the rig it is today.

Now, talk to me again after I do my spring over this winter, and turn my hangers into mosquito bites.....LOL

More lift and support for the Beberhino

Nothing to get hung up on then.....The last weakness on the H3.

Tire size: Fixed
Front leveling: Fixed
Front Diff: Fixed
Hangers: PHIXED

Fordyce


Rubicon


Bodysnatcher....Moab

[3Hummer]

soooo much argument the new guy is probably like im outta here...but if your still here! Let me start off by saying I love my H3....The H2 is big and more expensive but if your worried about fuel consumption the H3 with 35"s or 37"s and a level or lift will get the same fuel economy as a stock H2...but all that aside the H3 wheels great if the H2 isnt in your price range i wouldnt think grab an H3...Im a florida guy so I dont have the rock experience the moab people have but i have a ton of water fording and mudding experience and let me say the H3 is AWSOME...i have just a stock H3 and Ive gottent through areas my friends lifted FJ on 33" mud terrains wasnt able to get through and my friend with a a 4" lift and 35" mt mud terrains on a jeep werent able to get through...the H3's main benifit in my opinion is this the trails i run down in florida are BARELY wide enough to fit the H3, an H2 in no means would ever even get 5 feet into it...ive seen some try. the H3 is also a lighter vehicle giving an adventage again in some areas. both have their +'s and -'s but one thing is certain the rock and mudding and all that stuff can be argued the hell out of but compare two things stock..the H3 can take 4 more inches of water and thats something that cant be argued!
Happy wheeling!