Anyone wheel their H3 ?

[RuggedH2]

Originally Posted by RazM

Didn't you buy your H2 already modded by the previous owner? So your experience is only with a heavily modded H2 vs a stock H3?

I'm not taking anything personally, I've never wheeled an H2, but numbers to numbers and spec to spec, there really isn't anything that makes the H2 stand out over the H3. With a front locker coming to the H3, I think the only conclusion will be that the H3 will take the lead in overall capability.

I'm really curious to hear from your experience where you feel the H2 has done better and what part of its design makes it outdo the H3?

RazM,

Yeah I did buy it lifted, with Fabtech tie rods, a sweet Gobi rack and lights, custom dash, etc, etc, all good stuff and Tim did a great job building the rig (it is cool as hell, and all my friends love it). I looked for awhile and was about to buy new when he put his on the market. It was just about a year old and a great deal with all he had done to it, and the condition he kept it in.

I added the better wheeling tires, the front locker, beadlocks and gears later, I also took the rear drop brackets off the lift for better clearance.

Raz I have wheeled with some people that really know their stuff, including some great H3 wheelers. I have watched them work harder on many obstacles than I have had to in the H2. With that said, the H3 is a great machine, I really like mine and I still wheel it often.

IMHO the H2 is more durable, and goes over most obstacles easier than my 3. I modded the H3 with 35" Toyo M/T's, UCP, rock rails, shock skid protection, rear diff guard, Cognito shocks...... and will add the cast iron front diff.

The H3 turns like a Jeep..... The H2 turns like a battleship. The gearing and transfer case are better in the H3. The size difference hasn't really made that much difference but I have had to get out and lift a tree branch off my Hi-lift jack mounted to my Gobi rack.

Spec sheets are interesting but they don't really tell the story. A locked cast iron front H3 Alpha will be a bad-ass machine..

I still chose to build the H2 on purpose.

[RazM]

Originally Posted by RuggedH2

RazM,

Yeah I did buy it lifted, with Fabtech tie rods, a sweet Gobi rack and lights, custom dash, etc, etc, all good stuff and Tim did a good job building the rig. I looked for awhile and was about to buy new when he put his on the market. It was just about a year old and a great deal with all he had done to it, and the condition he kept it in.

I added the better wheeling tires, the front locker, beadlocks and gears later, I also took the rear drop brackets off the lift for better clearance.

Raz I have wheeled with some people that really know their stuff, including some great H3 wheelers. I have watched them work harder on many obstacles than I have had to in the H2. With that said, the H3 is a great machine, I really like mine and I still wheel it often.

IMHO the H2 is more durable, and goes over most obstacles easier than my 3. I modded the H3 with 35" Toyo M/T's, UCP, rock rails, shock skid protection, rear diff guard, Cognito shocks...... and will add the cast iron front diff.

The H3 turns like a Jeep..... The H2 turns like a battleship. The gearing and transfer case are better in the H3. The size difference hasn't really made that much difference but I have had to get out and lift a tree branch off my Hi-lift jack mounted to my Gobi rack.

Spec sheets are interesting but they don't really tell the story. A locked cast iron front H3 Alpha will be a bad-ass machine..

I still chose to build the H2 on purpose.

Cool, your H2 sounds like a mean machine, and with everything it's equipped with I have no doubts it'll kick the ass of both a stock H2 and stock H3.

However, you're still comparing a HEAVILY modded H2 to a fairly stock H3, so I have no doubts that it runs obstacles easier.

I'm not saying the H3 is a better wheeler than the H2, what I am saying is they're very comparable and TEX telling a guy to buy an H2 is kind of pointless. The smaller size of an H3 is a big benefit in a lot of cases, especially when considering very narrow, heavily wooded areas up here in the north.

[RuggedH2]

Originally Posted by RazM

Cool, your H2 sounds like a mean machine, and with everything it's equipped with I have no doubts it'll kick the ass of both a stock H2 and stock H3.

However, you're still comparing a HEAVILY modded H2 to a fairly stock H3, so I have no doubts that it runs obstacles easier.

I'm not saying the H3 is a better wheeler than the H2, what I am saying is they're very comparable and TEX telling a guy to buy an H2 is kind of pointless. The smaller size of an H3 is a big benefit in a lot of cases, especially when considering very narrow, heavily wooded areas up here in the north.

Man we totally highjacked dudes thread.

This isn't about whether the H2 is a better wheeler than the H3.

My point was...... I wheeled it a lot before I added many of the wheeling modifications. The lift may have helped where clearance was a factor.... but that didn't figure in much. Especially with the damn rear drop brackets hanging down, hell, with those on it was like stock clearance.

Raz the H2 isn't that much wider than the H3 with the mirrors folded in.

As far as Tex goes........ don't let him push your buttons....... look at all that chrome he has.

[RazM]

Originally Posted by RuggedH2

Man we totally highjacked dudes thread.

This isn't about whether the H2 is a better wheeler than the H3.

My point was...... I wheeled it a lot before I added many of the wheeling modifications. The lift may have helped where clearance was a factor.... but that didn't figure in much. Especially with the damn rear drop brackets hanging down, hell, with those on it was like stock clearance.

Raz the H2 isn't that much wider than the H3 with the mirrors folded in.

As far as Tex goes........ don't let him push your buttons....... look at all that chrome he has.

It's 6 inches wider, and yes, the thread has been hijacked, but we can blame TEX for that

[HummBebe]

sweet baby jesus......


are we really going to do this

AGAIN???



buy it or don't

[RuggedH2]

Originally Posted by HummBebe

sweet baby jesus......


are we really going to do this

AGAIN???



buy it or don't

I just saw this one.

yep...... looks like we did.

[nierace]

Biggest advantage and disadvantage of the H2 over H3 would probably be its wheel base, but that door swings both ways.

However a H2 isn't feasible for me in anyway due to price/size/gas mileage.

I browsed through my dealers inventory and its slim pickings so I may be sol in a search for a 08 H3 with adventure package unless they yank one from another dealer.

One of my questions/concerns still not entirely sure of yet was the strength of the front axle and its ability to handle the larger tire, is breakage common with 35's on it or does it take the abuse ? I don't want to be swapping shafts every trip and wasting trail time...

[RuggedH2]

Originally Posted by nierace

One of my questions/concerns still not entirely sure of yet was the strength of the front axle and its ability to handle the larger tire, is breakage common with 35's on it or does it take the abuse ? I don't want to be swapping shafts every trip and wasting trail time...

The aluminum front diff has had some issues, mostly with those drivers that tackle very difficult trails and sometimes those that have less experience and skinny pedal too much.

The aluminum case actually flexed and allowed the ring and pinion to come out of alignment and chip teeth...... that leads to destruction.

The new cast iron cases are stronger and don't allow the flex of the aluminum. The half shafts are strong for what they are but can break also depending how hard they are pushed. I carry a spare with me in the H2 and it only cost about $60.00 shipped. I don't know about the H3's half-shaft cost.

The 35's haven't bothered my H3 at all. I haven't had issues with the front diff or tie-rods either...... and I've pushed the truck pretty hard. Driver skill is one of the most important factors.

On the other hand, I haven't run my H3 through the Rubicon and Fordyce Creek either. When the trail is hard enough.......you run the chance of breaking.

If you wheel hard trails....... stuff is gonna break. My wheelin' buddies mostly drive built wranglers (CJ's, TJ's, JK's)...... they break too. They also turn turtle.

[Bully13]

Originally Posted by HummBebe

sweet baby jesus......


are we really going to do this

AGAIN???

yes... lol.

Since we have both I'll tell you my opinion. Both of ours have 35inch offroad tires (the h3 has BFG's and the H2 has Toyos). When going through the trails, the H2 did seem to do the the job easier. I think it's just because it's wider and does not tip as easily. Also it's bigger and heaver, so the ride is smother and you don't feel as much, so it makes everything seem easier.

Having said that I think that the advantage of the 3 is that you do feel more of the trail, which makes it more of an offroad experience. Plus it's easier to get through narrow spot and tight turns especially where trees are involved. We enjoy them both though. I think they are pretty even when it comes to offroad capability.

[HummBebe]

Originally Posted by RuggedH2

RazM,

Yeah I did buy it lifted, with Fabtech tie rods, a sweet Gobi rack and lights, custom dash, etc, etc, all good stuff and Tim did a great job building the rig (it is cool as hell, and all my friends love it). I looked for awhile and was about to buy new when he put his on the market. It was just about a year old and a great deal with all he had done to it, and the condition he kept it in.

I added the better wheeling tires, the front locker, beadlocks and gears later, I also took the rear drop brackets off the lift for better clearance.

Raz I have wheeled with some people that really know their stuff, including some great H3 wheelers. I have watched them work harder on many obstacles than I have had to in the H2. With that said, the H3 is a great machine, I really like mine and I still wheel it often.

IMHO the H2 is more durable, and goes over most obstacles easier than my 3. I modded the H3 with 35" Toyo M/T's, UCP, rock rails, shock skid protection, rear diff guard, Cognito shocks...... and will add the cast iron front diff.

The H3 turns like a Jeep..... The H2 turns like a battleship. The gearing and transfer case are better in the H3. The size difference hasn't really made that much difference but I have had to get out and lift a tree branch off my Hi-lift jack mounted to my Gobi rack.

Spec sheets are interesting but they don't really tell the story. A locked cast iron front H3 Alpha will be a bad-ass machine..

I still chose to build the H2 on purpose.

Quick question....did you ever wheel your 2 bone stock on the same trails you have wheeled your 3?

Then are you really making a fair comparison?

I would never say which is better, there is no real way of determining that. They are all different.

Out of all the available off the shelf vehicles, I chose the H3, not because I was going to wheel it.

Now that I have experienced what I have experienced beyond what most H3 owners have done.

I would choose my H3 all over again.

[RuggedH2]

Originally Posted by HummBebe

Quick question....did you ever wheel your 2 bone stock on the same trails you have wheeled your 3?

Then are you really making a fair comparison?

I would never say which is better, there is no real way of determining that. They are all different.

Out of all the available off the shelf vehicles, I chose the H3, not because I was going to wheel it.

Now that I have experienced what I have experienced beyond what most H3 owners have done.

I would choose my H3 all over again.

Right on Beebs and that is what matters. I load the H2 to the roof with camping gear! I have 5 in my family and the youngest (3) is in a car seat. Most of my friends drive Jeeps and I have a lot of respect for the ability of the new JK's...... but I don't want one. Doesn't fit my needs overall.

The fire was a little too hot for my two boys.