Anyone wheel their H3 ?

[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.

[tomp]

Originally Posted by RazM

Same question goes for you since you own both the H2 and H3, since spec to spec they're very close, where do you feel the H2 does better and why?



Not quite all areas, I'll take an H3 through the mud over any SFA rig. IFS benefits a rig in mud IMO where a solid front along with a solid rear gives more room for snagging.

HUMMER's are mudding kings.

Ummm, before you go running around getting defensive, maybe you should look at the undercarriage of an H3 and it will speak for itself. The bottom is not even close to being flat on an H3 and there are way too many things to get hung up on.

...and you still have the rear solid axle so your mud argument doesn't even help. A 4x4 pickup will mud as good as an H3 if all other parameters are equal. We are talking extreme wheeling here and the H2 will leave the H3 stranded when things get really tough. If you talking about trail riding like most people offroad their hummers, then that's a different story.

I am talking "wheeling" like you see my H2 here:
http://www.*******club.com/forum/vie...php?f=2&t=7688

Bebe knows what I am talking about - she has wheeled the crap out of her H3

The H2 can fit 37 tires from the factory and if you know anything about wheeling there is a HUGE difference in wheeling between 35s and 37s. The H2 is also very flat on the bottom with nothing to get hung up on.

The, the H2 has had the capability for a front locker since it's beginning

Like I said, I own both so there is nothing for me to gain by telling you the H2 will out wheel an H3

All I am saying is the H3 has lots more things protruding on the bottom to get hung up on

[RuggedH2]

This pic is badass Tomp.

[RazM]

Originally Posted by tomp

Ummm, before you go running around getting defensive, maybe you should look at the undercarriage of an H3 and it will speak for itself. The bottom is not even close to being flat on an H3 and there are way too many things to get hung up on.

...and you still have the rear solid axle so your mud argument doesn't even help. A 4x4 pickup will mud as good as an H3 if all other parameters are equal. We are talking extreme wheeling here and the H2 will leave the H3 stranded when things get really tough. If you talking about trail riding like most people offroad their hummers, then that's a different story.

I am talking "wheeling" like you see my H2 here:
http://www.*******club.com/forum/vie...php?f=2&t=7688

Bebe knows what I am talking about - she has wheeled the crap out of her H3

The H2 can fit 37 tires from the factory and if you know anything about wheeling there is a HUGE difference in wheeling between 35s and 37s. The H2 is also very flat on the bottom with nothing to get hung up on.

The, the H2 has had the capability for a front locker since it's beginning

Like I said, I own both so there is nothing for me to gain by telling you the H2 will out wheel an H3

All I am saying is the H3 has lots more things protruding on the bottom to get hung up on

Who in the world is getting defensive? I asked you a question, and in no way was it argumentative or defensive. Now, however, I WILL get defensive and tell you nothing pisses me off more than people who read something and twist it in their head to be negative or however they wish to portray it.

Yes, I HAVE looked at the undercarriage of an H3, infact I've looked at the undercarriage on all HUMMER's, I'm not retarded and I'm not speaking out of my ass. Don't pretend your H2 is like an H1 and all flat, it's NOT, and it has nearly as much to get hung up on as an H3. Sure the H3 has spring hangers and everything associated with leaf springs and the crossmembers aren't flush with the outer frame but that's what undercarriage protection is made for. The H2 has nearly as much in the rear axle area, from the sway bar to shock mounts. On both the H2 and H3 those components level off to the bottom of the pumpkin.

My "mud arguement" (and again, I don't know why you're defensive and consider my OPINION an ARGUEMENT) is valid, and it was refering to The rubicon over an H2 and H3. I've done more mudding than rock crawling, and from my personal experience I've seen Jeep's and other SFA's getting stuck where I just wiggled through with less resistance.

You still haven't answered WHY you feel the H2 did better than an H3 on similar trails. I want to know WHY, clearance isn't that much better, the angles are similar, the H3 has better gearing...

My initial question was purely from my own ignorance on the H2 and it's capabilities since I've never wheeled one and I was asking those who have had the luck to wheel both WHY and WHERE they felt the H2 did better. You twisting my words like I was being some smartass or being defensive is completely uncalled for.

P.S. I like how you edited your post and removed the "OWNED" image. Very mature of you.

[RuggedH2]

Raz,

Dude chill.......

You do look defensive. Tomp wasn't insulting you. He seemed to be telling you what you asked him to.

It looks like you are only open to what you want to hear. What difference does anyone else's experience make if you have already decided the answer to the question you asked.

Tex did come in and say buy an H2 and made a little remark about the size of our toys...... but your comments;

I've got more clearance on my H3 than a stock H2, have plenty of room inside for what I need, and it's just as capable if not more in some conditions.

The H2 is the best full size offroad rig, and the H3 is the best mid-size offroad rig, but there's not much difference between an H2 and an H3 in the capability department that would make someone pick one over the other, other than size.

Brought out experience from people that have both. I invite others that have wheeled both to make their experience available also........ but this thread is not about one being better than the other.

I regret that I got dragged into that. I was just telling the truth, as I think Tomp was too.

Raz...... you are not very objective on this topic.

[RazM]

Originally Posted by RuggedH2

Raz,

Dude chill.......

You do look defensive. Tomp wasn't insulting you. He seemed to be telling you what you asked him to.

It looks like you are only open to what you want to hear. What difference does anyone else's experience make if you have already decided the answer to the question you asked.

Tex did come in and say buy an H2 and made a little remark about the size of our toys...... but your comments;

I've got more clearance on my H3 than a stock H2, have plenty of room inside for what I need, and it's just as capable if not more in some conditions.

The H2 is the best full size offroad rig, and the H3 is the best mid-size offroad rig, but there's not much difference between an H2 and an H3 in the capability department that would make someone pick one over the other, other than size.

Brought out experience from people that have both. I invite others that have wheeled both to make their experience available also........ but this thread is not about one being better than the other.

I regret that I got dragged into that. I was just telling the truth, as I think Tomp was too.

Raz...... you are not very objective on this topic.

"Chill"? Come on Rugged, this isn't highschool. If you seriously think the questions I asked and things I wrote were defensive or that I'm flaming, then I think you're truly reading it the wrong way.

Tomp didn't answer my question, he talked to me like I was 8 years old and trolling, and added a sidedish of half-answers.

You can bold everything I said a thousand times, nothing about it is defensive or negative towards the H2. I even stated that the H2 is the best full size offroad rig, and you guys come in pretending as if I'm bashing the H2. That's not cool at all.

I'm completely objective, how many times do I have to state that the H2 is THE BEST FULL SIZE RIG?

I stated the H3 is very close in capabilities as the H2, and with 35's it has better clearance than an H2. It's a fact that a smaller rig has benefits on lots of trails. These are all facts, and for heavens sakes if I cannot state the positives of the H3 over an H2 in a thread where a guy wants to BUY an H3 then I think you guys have some problems dealing with anything negative towards the H2 and are truly the ones being defensive.

BTW, Rugged, I know you're defending your friend, but his reply was far from mature and innocent, considering how he wrote it and included an "owned" smiley at the end of it. I know exactly what direction he was coming from, and it's not cool.

[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.

[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]

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!

[RuggedH2]

Originally Posted by 3Hummer

the H3 can take 4 more inches of water and thats something that cant be argued!

Well sure it could....... but don't worry, I'm not going to.

Lets see...... was Rox running 35's on there? Whatever, they're under water............

[HummBebe]

Yeah, but after it sputtered, coughed and cacked....we had to wait for it to dry out a bit....the 3's were fine

[RuggedH2]

OK, I get it.......3's are better than 2's.

We can say that...... but not the other way around?

[HummBebe]

LOL.....not what I meant and you know it.

H3's can ford deeper though.....let it go

[RuggedH2]

Well......we've all mostly been here before haven't we?

Mix it up with Jeepers also. At least I own both an H2 and H3.

I guess I'm gonna have to get a Jeep too.

Perspective effects us all..... we all think the other guy is biased.... and we are the one being objective.

I'll let it go Beebs......... but if I was gonna run Fordyce......ahhh..... never mind.