My HUMMER progress thread- spare tire removal, light bar/lights, cameras, ETC!

[pdxrealtor]

Alright... My HUMMER has gone through some changes since I bought it a couple months ago, and will get a few more before I'm done with the initial set of "updates".

I bought the HUMMER for $29,900 with 24,768 miles on it from a Mercedes dealership in Portland. Had it shipped here for 1150.00

I'll just keep adding to this thread as things change!

1st- Thanks to everyone for the help and advice. Whether directly or indirectly everything I've done has been based off of info gathered from these forums! :beerchug:

On with it-
Both bumpers hit with GRIOTS- holding up well.. great stuff!

The spare tire removal is done (with the exception of still needing the tow hook attachments--PM me if you have any)

I used GMparts direct to get a replacement license plate pocket that has the plate lights in it. Did you know you can get an all black one? This was a nice find for me, the all black, because I really didn't want that chrome strip across the top of the pocket.

The installer used the original spare tire wire harness and the same connection point. He then ran the wire up the wheel well into the back passenger side of the HUMMER, the side behind cowling and into the lift gate.

While doing the pocket, I had a back up cam installed along with a coastal tech universal lock pick. The truck now pops the cam on when the car is in reverse, or at any time I push the button on the remote control.

The lock pick also lets me watch video from my ipod touch, listen to music, police scanner, etc... very cool stuff.

Also installed is the VIPER smart start remote start setup. Works great! The black berry app is coming soon. I just start it using the key fob for now, or with my ipod touch if I have WIFI available.

The smart start system has a nice feature(among many) that will start the car if the battery dips below 10.5 volts. This is great if you want to light up the camp site with a light bar or??? and not start the car.

All the chrome has been powder coated black, see pics!

New XD revolver wheels/tires

I still need to get the nerf bar traction pads and the right parts to put them back together..

I just got two more roof cross bars, for a total of four.

In the works:

Headlight upgrade- not sure if I'm going HID or silverstars

DRL mod- will be setup to work only when the headlights are on

Light bar- this will consist of 8 four inch PIAA SMR driving lights and the use of one of the roof cross bars.

Two PIAA 520 SMR fogs for the brush guard- since I live in Portland I called PIAA. They happened to have a couple SMR fog lenses laying around and were nice enough to piece together a complete kit for me (you can't get these anymore).... PIAA has been great and I would recommend them to anyone.


Powder coat the 4 roof crossbars black.


Powder coat the skid plate black with the raised "H2" powder coated to match my truck.

That's it for now.. any questions let me know.. I'll update as things happen.

Pics below

[pdxrealtor]

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[pdxrealtor]

Back up cam with night vision...

[timgco]

Are the wheels 17" or 18"?

What did you clean the bumpers with before using the Griotts?

[pdxrealtor]

17" wheels...

I used 100% denatured alcohol to prep both bumpers.

[H3slate]

Truck looks great!! Good color choice too! :)

I will keep my eye out for you around town. :beerchug:

[wingn69]

so mounting the plate there was not that hard to do. I am really thinking about doing that on mine. I like the look with the wheel on but its in the way at cars show and I run different type of wheels and tires in the summer than in the winter.

[pdxrealtor]

Thanks H3... see you around! ;)

Wingn-- if you are talking about the license plate it wasn't that hard. The most difficult part for me was getting together the right parts.


I had a local stereo shop swap out the plate pocket while they were installing the rear cam and remote start setup.

[pdxrealtor]

Got my "light box" today and already got busy.

Did the DRL mod w/resistor and put silverstars in both the headlights and the DRL... huge improvement over OEM!!!

I snapped pics of the jumper wire... you can see I used a blue wire and a black wire. The blue wire simply represents the striped side of the resistor.

Also pictured are all my PIAAs! I got eight 4" 510 SMR driving lamps for the roof cross bar that will soon be called my light bar! :D

Also I got 2 PIAA 520 SMR fogs for the brush guard.. PIAA had some old FOG SMR lenses laying around (very hard to come by) which are also pictured.

My new cross bars are on the way, for a total of four. I have 2 ideas for mounting the eight 4" SMRs but need to actually get a cross bar on the ground to see which way I'm going to go.

More pics and info as things come together!

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[wingn69]

hey thanks, I think i am going to do it in the spring time take off the back wheel and put the plate there I also have a camera to install there, I will see if the Hifi shop i work will do it for me. thanks for the info.

[pdxrealtor]

:beerchug: :beerchug:

[pdxrealtor]

Finally got the light bar started... I have to drill the hole and fit rubber grommets for the wires off each light and then it'll all be off to the powder coater.

I know the light bar wires need to come out on the driver side, but a side from that I haven't a clue how to route them on the inside of the cross bar.

Anyone have any suggestions ????

Here's some pictures--

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[H3slate]

Nice light bar!

I saw your truck at Costco last week. It looks great blacked out. :perfect10s: It doesn't hurt that your truck is my favorite color. :)

[wingn69]

dude I think you should add the ski dooo to the light bar that would be cool :giggling: nice work .

[pdxrealtor]

I'll work on that ;)

[pdxrealtor]

Been doing work here and there.

The sliverstar headlights just don't cut it!!

I've got the PIAA fogs installed and wired up, and I added HID headlights and LED DRL. The LEDs I got from retro solutions (same place as the HIDs) and are the best match I could find. I tried several bulbs from PIAA to generic in an attempt to better match the HIDs. No go!

The skid plate is off and is headed to the powder coater with the 4 cross bars ( one will be the PIAA light bar) and my aftermarket nerfbar steps.

The raised H2 portion of the skid plate will be powder coated to match the slate blue. ;)

Here's some pics... nothing major.

One thing I will say is that no matter how hard I tried I could not get the HID headlights to show in picture form the way they really look.

They look much better and cleaner (not a bunch of hot spots) in person.

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[pdxrealtor]

I've made lots of progress and getting really close to being done.

The cross bars and other items are back from the powder coater, I got new wheels, and the light bar is all wired but the lights aren't bolted up yet.

Here's a couple pics.... I'll be picking up the paint to do the skid plate on Monday. The raised H2 will be the same color as the truck.

The pic with the new wheels really doesn't do the truck justice... it was a crappy day out.

Also, the black roof crossbars really make a huge difference (no pics at the moment). I can't believe how much it really balances the entire package.
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[Intercooled]

Truck looks real nice. I like the balance of chrome and black. I'm not a "black out" guy. But I dont like much chrome either. I like your new wheels better than the old ones. Very nice.

[twr]

hi thats 2 for new wheels.

[pdxrealtor]

:beerchug:

Thanks!

[lasvegash2]

looks great...do you have the light bar on?

[pdxrealtor]

looks great...do you have the light bar on?

No not yet. It's still on the saw horses waiting to have the lights mounted on it.

Been busy lately.

[Hummeron37s]

Got a pic of the finished skidplate?

[lasvegash2]

hows the lightbar coming along...looking forward to see it on your h2.

[pdxrealtor]

The lighgt bar has moved from the sawhorses to a verticle position in the corner of my garage. :(

I've had a lot going on with work and have put the little time I have to play towards my water bike.

The skid plate was a learning experience. I had the entire thing done and when I went to take the tape off the paint lifted off the powder coat.

I needed to sand and primer, the powdercoat wasn't good enough to make the paint stick.

The good thing is the paint scraped off easily so now it's just a matter of time.

[pdxrealtor]

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Finally got the skid plate done. There's a couple flaws but you can't see them under the truck.

[MarioS]

Hello pdxrealtor!

Hey I was reading your topic and I wanted to know a few things that sound great for me :). I don't speak English very well, so I don't know what they are maybe you can explain or show me?

What exactly is the car "Lock Pick" thing? Sounds nice hacing all those features like police scanner, back up camera, etc...

Also, I was searching for "Viper Remote Starter" on google, and I kept fiding pictures and links of iPhones... I understand this is an app for the iPhone, but is it also some sort of thing installed on the car?

Also, doesn't the H2 come with an option of getting it a Remote Starter from Hummer? Or is the Viper better?

Thank you!

[pdxrealtor]

Hello pdxrealtor!

Hey I was reading your topic and I wanted to know a few things that sound great for me :). I don't speak English very well, so I don't know what they are maybe you can explain or show me?

What exactly is the car "Lock Pick" thing? Sounds nice hacing all those features like police scanner, back up camera, etc...

Also, I was searching for "Viper Remote Starter" on google, and I kept fiding pictures and links of iPhones... I understand this is an app for the iPhone, but is it also some sort of thing installed on the car?

Also, doesn't the H2 come with an option of getting it a Remote Starter from Hummer? Or is the Viper better?

Thank you!

The lock pick is a box that you buy and interface with your OEM navigation screen. Google search coastal electronics, you will need to call them and ask for the "universal GM lockpick for Hummer".. you must use those words otherwise I've found they won't know what you are looking for.

It allows Ipod hookup, video hookup, backup cam, etc... neat little box. I also got my back up cam from them.

The remote start I have is the viper smart start. It is a system that you install in the truck, and then you can use a key fob or your iPhone or black berry to start,stop, and lock/unlock the doors. Very neat piece, but expensive....

I have no clue if the Hummer has a factory remote start option... I liked the idea of being able to lock and unlock with my cell phone, since it's in my hand more than my keys. Plus I can lock and unlock from anywhere in the USA... if that really matters.. LOL....

Hope this helps!! :beerchug:

[finall]

The sliverstar headlights just don't cut it!!

I've got the PIAA fogs installed and wired up, and I added HID headlights and LED DRL. The LEDs I got from retro solutions (same place as the HIDs) and are the best match I could find. I tried several bulbs from PIAA to generic in an attempt to better match the HIDs. No go!


The lights on your truck look great. I also tried Silverstars, and they are crappy. No better than the OEM lights. Really yellow light. Yikes!

Can you please post the brand and model/part # for the HID headlights, and also the part # for the PIAA fog lights. Link for the "retro solutions" store you speak of?

Did you have to modify anything to install the fog lights?

And how difficult was it to install the ballasts, etc. for the HID lights. Did you have to splice into the wiring harness, or did the kit had plug and play adapters?

Yes, lots of questions, but since I now plan to keep our H2 forever (since they aren't making more :crying: ), I would like to invest in the identical light setup to yours. Your advice is much appreciated!

The H2 needs better lights and horns!

[pdxrealtor]

The lights on your truck look great. I also tried Silverstars, and they are crappy. No better than the OEM lights. Really yellow light. Yikes!

Thanks! You get used to the HIDs and it's hard to go back to regular halogens

Can you please post the brand and model/part # for the HID headlights, and also the part # for the PIAA fog lights. Link for the "retro solutions" store you speak of?

http://www.retro-solutions.com/ Give them a call and tell them what you got. They'll give you what you need. I got 6k color temp just like everyone else. They were vary helpful.

Did you have to modify anything to install the fog lights?
For the fog lights I modified the rear wiper switch box so it would take to rocker switches, I didn't like the PIAA switches. Other than that no real modifications. Just time and wire. :D


And how difficult was it to install the ballasts, etc. for the HID lights. Did you have to splice into the wiring harness, or did the kit had plug and play adapters?

Don't believe I did have to splice. Something kicked my ass that day, but I don't remember what it was. It wasn't due to the kit I can tell you that. It's a very straight forward install. WAIT..I think I remember ... I think you have to grind the plastic OEM piece that holds the bulb in.

Yes, lots of questions, but since I now plan to keep our H2 forever (since they aren't making more :crying: ), I would like to invest in the identical light setup to yours. Your advice is much appreciated!

The H2 needs better lights and horns!

Hope that helps! :beerchug:


I need to find the time to install my PIAA light bar....

[finall]

Hi PDXrealtor:

Thanks so much for the good info! I will contact them today!

Very nice setup you have. I would have done the light bar also, but mine already has the OEM light bar. Which actually does not throw any useful light - it is just a poser :) .

[finall]

PDXrealtor; I am following in your footsteps!

Called Retro Solutions. They asked me if I wanted the 35W or 50W setup. What wattage did you go with on the headlights?

And was there a wattage choice on the bumper-mounted DRL (fog lights)? The OEM bulb # 4114K LCP. Or do these only come in one wattage?

[pdxrealtor]

PDXrealtor; I am following in your footsteps!

Called Retro Solutions. They asked me if I wanted the 35W or 50W setup. What wattage did you go with on the headlights?

And was there a wattage choice on the bumper-mounted DRL (fog lights)? The OEM bulb # 4114K LCP. Or do these only come in one wattage?


So sorry for not getting back to you sooner. I got the 55 watt setup if that still matters!

I just went through a hectic remodel (complete gut out) on my home so I"ve been away for a while. I actually came across this thread searching for warn light bar on google images! LOL


Anyways,

Light bar is in the works again, and I just ordered the warn light bar for the front! :D

I was at PIAA today getting a couple light guards and man some of those guys have enough light power to light a stadium! It got me motivated to get more lights on the front.

So I'm going to have 4 PIAA 520 driving on the WARN bar, 8 PIAA 510 driving on the light bar, and I'm putting PIAA HID yellow bulbs in the DRL slot.

Not much else has changed since the skid plate.

[finall]

I still have not had time to order the setup, so the info helps. Thanks!

I will order the 55W setup!

[pdxrealtor]

I still have not had time to order the setup, so the info helps. Thanks!

I will order the 55W setup!


Great! :beerchug:

[Humvee21]

Hey great job on your H2. I was wondering how you removed your spare tire carrier since I am trying to do so with mine. I have the all stock tire carrier on the 2005 H2. Also, how did you rewire the license plate lights? Thanks

[pdxrealtor]

Thanks for the compliments.


You'll need a vin number from a Hummer that did not come from the factory with a spare tire. I had a hell of a time getting GM Parts Direct to send my my plate pocket without a vin.

You could try your dealer for a part number of the plate pocket, but for some reason I want to say that I tried that and it didn't work for some reason.

FYI they make a pocket that is all black or one that has a chrome strip across the top.

For the wiring I just had Best Buy do it when I had my smart start installed. They used the stock wiring, extended it up through the lift gate some how, then back down to the pocket. Not sure exactly how they did it, but I am for sure they used the OEM wire for the plate lights.

Hope that helps!

[twr]

Hey great job on your H2. I was wondering how you removed your spare tire carrier since I am trying to do so with mine. I have the all stock tire carrier on the 2005 H2. Also, how did you rewire the license plate lights? Thanks


Hi I removed my spare tire, if you remove the back gate panel you can tap into the clearance lights for the lic plate light, I made my own wiring harness. Also i put the plastic lic square nuts into the stock black lic plate panel and i install a led lic plate light in top so it looks like factory. I also put my back up camera in the big hole in the bumper that the wiring harness used to go through and i used a small plug in the other small hole. Its cost me $18 for the light the rest was just my time. Also new tow hooks cost $160 for front and back. Sorry about the pic. its dark out hope this helps.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee138/tracy588/IMG_0046.jpg