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H3 Newbie Questions

H

H3Ray

Guest
Hello.


Newbie here. Just picked up my first Truck / SUV ever, and it’s a 2009 Hummer H3 Black – stock with a lot of options. A few questions please …. What are the popular parts people add / change out? I want to add a Wench to the front Grill and larger wheels / tires, but not sure which …. ? Also, I want to lift here a little. I found youtube vids that shows kinda what I want to do:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlOomq_nBiI


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVNaxdKBwEo&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkHaUyASaG4&feature=related


Rock Star Wheels look good but are they high quality? And which Tires should I go with?


Thanks in Advance :)
 
alrock

alrock

El Diablo
Staff member
Messages
10,677
Location
Scottsdale
Welcome to H4O. First question - what do you want to do with the truck - keep it on the pavement, take a quick turn on the sand or be able to do offroad trails? The purchase of a winch suggests you want off road capability but the first thing I noticed on the trucks you showed is 20" rims, and that won't work with off road capability.

Let us know your goals and we can steer you in the right direction.

BTW, your second post has the same link as in your first post.
 
Pappibri

Pappibri

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,611
Location
Cohoctah, MI
Welcome to the Forum.. All you need to do is pick you up some CBUCP, Rocky Road Rock Rails, Hunner Skids, Air Doc, and some 315's, tires that is, and you dont need to lift, all you need to do is twist up the front and level it. Look up the thread on Leveling. Check out peoples rides on here and get you some ideas.. There is always more mods that you can do... Enjoy your rig.. OH YEAH.. A wench spelled like that is a wild woman. If you need the other kind its WINCH. They both work in a pinch...:)
 
3

3Hummers

Super Moderator
Staff member
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Central Texas
Ray there are a lot of sources for different parts and accessories. If you want to Offroad your truck, under carriage protection, rear diff protection, skid plates, tires and rocker panel protection should be high on your list. Winch bumper, winch, roof rack, lights, etc could come later. Different options for each. Rocky Road and OEM rocker panel protection, Hunner and Scwartzy's rear skids and sometimes you can find some old Boulder Accessory skids on eBay or CL., Arb, Boulder Accessory and several other winch bumper/carriers are available. Give us a little more info and we can help you a lot more.
 
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Portager

Portager

■ ☼▐▐▐▐▐▐▐ ☼■
Messages
1,506
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Silverado
You came to the right place to ask questions especially if you want to go off road.

The videos you showed are examples of street rigs that I wouldn't want to take off road. All show and no go in my opinion! You want lots of side wall to provide more cushion when aired down. 20" wheels are just for the street, for off road stay with 16”. Most aftermarket wheels have less back space than stock Hummer wheels (5.84”), so they will stick out further. Some people like the look, but the tires will hit the lip on the outside of the fender instead of stuffing inside. I recommend you stick with stock back spacing if you go off the road. I learned that lesson the hard way.

Also the chrome nurf bars are a nice step for your gramma but they reduce your ground clearance off road and provide no protection. You want real stout rocker rail protection.

If you figure out what you want and are patient deals may come along and save you a lot of money. Having the chas available when a deal comes along is a great feeling. AAA premier membership should be on the top of your list if you go off road. Under carriage protection (UCP) should be high on your list along with rocker rail protection.

Read a lot and ask questions. Figure out what you want and wait for good deals to come your way.
 
alrock

alrock

El Diablo
Staff member
Messages
10,677
Location
Scottsdale
I don't know about California's AAA but in AZ AAA gives you the following choices:
Classic: 5 miles x 4 tows (unlimited miles when towed to responding shop)
Plus: 100 miles x 4 tows
Premier: 100 miles x 3 tows, 200 miles x 1 tow, 5 miles x 1 tow

I just upgraded to Plus yesterday. Note that AZ AAA requires a four day waiting period, presumably to reduce abuse of the towing privileges

EDIT - I just updated the AZ towing for AAA above
 
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3

3Hummers

Super Moderator
Staff member
Messages
10,533
Location
Central Texas
Haven't checked in awhile but in CA the Premier used to offer 1 -100 mile tow, two 25 mile twos and a 7 mile tow...I think. Been a long time since I checked.
 
H

H3Ray

Guest
Location: Fort Lauderdale - FLORIDA
Vehicle: 2009 H3 Hummer Alpha V8
Options: All Options
Mods: None - All Stock
Mileage: 40.000 miles
Condition: Mint


Uses: Daily Driver / Some off road - dirt / Want pulling capabilities - Wench.


For safety reasons I want to go bigger tires and wheels, because I feel high vehicles like Trucks and SUVs are overall safer than say a Corvette. South Florida has horrible drivers / Hit & Run Capital of US / Blame legal and illegal Immigrants who don't speak any English / don't respect US / American culture.


Thanks a lot ..... :)
 
H

H3Ray

Guest
Pic ..................
 

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Bigunit

Bigunit

Hammer Down!
Staff member
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6,561
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Arizona
Great looking rig and welcome to the forum! If you are looking for any mods, parts or advice on mods or parts, just post-up any questions and forum members will be glad to help you out.
 
Flash

Flash

Well-Known Member
Messages
195
Location
Michigan
H3Ray said:
Location: Fort Lauderdale - FLORIDA
Vehicle: 2009 H3 Hummer Alpha V8
Options: All Options
Mods: None - All Stock
Mileage: 40.000 miles
Condition: Mint


Uses: Daily Driver / Some off road - dirt / Want pulling capabilities - Wench.


For safety reasons I want to go bigger tires and wheels, because I feel high vehicles like Trucks and SUVs are overall safer than say a Corvette. South Florida has horrible drivers / Hit & Run Capital of US / Blame legal and illegal Immigrants who don't speak any English / don't respect US / American culture.


Thanks a lot ..... :)
Click to expand...

Just some thoughts for your to consider...

1. An expensive looking truck with lots of add ons could indicate the driver is well insured or has money - thus actually inviting an accident/lawsuit.
2. Florida with its "snow birds" elderly can be a challenging enviornment to drive in. The benefits of defensive driving cannot be over stated.
3. 35" tires will "fit" your stock wheels unless you want "street" rims for show. Offroading wheels (typically) will want to retain some sidewall flex, thus stay at the 16"-17" range for diameter.
4. A high H3 can be acheived several ways. The Rancho lift is 4 inches.
5. Few serious offroaders will keep the factory side steps (aka "nerf" bars).
6. Pulling (aka towing) capabilities will be impacted by changing tire sizes and thus changing gear ratios. Alpha's start with a 4:11.
7. A winch adds weight (and so does a wench). Your pictured brush bar would need some customization to support a working winch although it might support a wench of the smaller lighter variety.
 
Schwarttzy

Schwarttzy

Sponsor
Messages
1,390
Location
Rockford IL
Here is what I think would build a sweet rig for Off-Road.

1. Level out the front suspension, but don't buy anything just crank the torsion bars up a bit for an inch or two and get an alignment (read up on this)
2. Now fit 315/75r16 tires I prefer these http://www.generaltire.com/tires/light-truck-crossover-suv/grabber
3. Also if you like you doors you need rock sliders and I build some pretty sweet ones - link
4. There is a weak link in the rear axle and this is my solution to it
5. Then get some UCP (Under Carriage Protection) the oem is fine
6. Samco H3 Shackles for the rear suspension, but I find them expensive and I am going to try to make cheaper solution.

Your now set, go off-road with a group.

Don't bother with a winch until you have at least done that stuff. Winches are nice but are always the last resort, with that said I will be getting one but only after I have done all that. I like this setup http://www.teakatoys.com/H3_H3T_Winch_Mount_by_DeFelice_Offroad_p/doi-h3wm.htm
 
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4speedfunk

4speedfunk

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,250
Location
Tardville
Everybody has opinions on this. Here's mine (in order of importance)...

Level the front to 23.5" w/Cognitos
35" MT tires (AT's won't get the job done in Florida).
Tow strap.
CB radio.
Bumpers.
Winch.
GM rock rails.
Spare front axle w/VISA card option.

That should get you going.
 
alrock

alrock

El Diablo
Staff member
Messages
10,677
Location
Scottsdale
20" rims won't make the truck bigger, though 35" tires would raise it 1" from where you are at now. I think that 1" is a tiny disadvantage in an accident, not an advantage - and not worth considering either way from a safety aspect.

There are lots of good suggestions above if you want additional offroad capability. If you want a change in style just go with what you want - and there are many outfitters to help you.
 
H

H3Ray

Guest
I'm searching for a talented and reliable H3 Parts Dealer or Mechanic in Broward County, Florida .... ?


Thx.
 
JGBB04

JGBB04

Well-Known Member
Messages
520
Location
Tampa Bay
Flash said:
2. Florida with its "snow birds" elderly can be a challenging enviornment to drive in. The benefits of defensive driving cannot be over stated.
7. although it might support a wench of the smaller lighter variety.
Click to expand...

2 - ABSOF***INGLOUTLEY
7 - STILL looking for that mod :)


Schwarttzy said:
Your now set, go off-road with a group.
Don't bother with a winch until you have at least done that stuff. Winches are nice but are always the last resort, with that said I will be getting one but only after I have done all that.
Click to expand...
Unless you plan to skip the first line, learned the hard way :gaah:(thank goodness for a true friend that has also been there done that @ 3am)

4speedfunk said:
35" MT tires (AT's won't get the job done in Florida)
Click to expand...

even these don't help in the good old Fla redneck mud (another don't ask don't tell story but I had my own winch:) & the wench still wouldn't stay on the brush guard)
 
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