Building Barney: Hans3T's H3T Build Thread

[Hans3T]

Whew, haven't updated this in a while! Guess I'm too busy over on Hans3T! :wink:

I guess I haven't done a ton of noteworthy mods to Barney in the last X months, but this week went pretty well. I picked up a Superchips Linq tuner because I have desperately craved a fuel economy gauge in my truck for some time now and the Linq does it. In addition to calculating fuel economy, it gives you a fuel percentage reading (i.e. 63% left in the tank) and it gives you engine temp and lots of other neat odds and ends. The best part is the Linq operates via a Bluetooth connection to my Android cell phone, which is really cool. The software is a bit aesthetically plain (Windows 95 comes to mind), but it does the job and, heck, it's just plain old neat. You have to leave it plugged in all the time if you want the instant updates, so I velcro'd it up underneath my steering wheel and it transmits just fine. Cool beans.

 

[Hans3T]

Today was a solid victory for ride comfort. :woot:

As some of you forum-frequenters may recall, 06H3 had some Deavers made up to help him with the rear sag issues on his lift. My lift had the same issues, which I ended up corrected via using 2 sets of add-a-leaves. While the add-a-leaves helped the sag, they destroyed the ride quality to the point where I was having some back pain when driving. (Old football injury...won't delve into it.) Any bump in the road, pot hole I couldn't swerve away from, or sudden dip would cause the rear to hit like a ton of bricks. Essentially: Es no bueno.

Before 06H3 did his SOA, I put a bug in his ear letting him know I would be interested in his Deavers. I guess that bug bit, because he PM'd me not too long after his epic build and sent the Deavers and some low-pro shock mounts out my way.

Today, along with the help of forum member Perk, I was able to put the Deavers onto my T and they ride soooo much better. Gone is the "pile of bricks" suspension and back is an enjoyable, smooth ride. I don't really recall how the OEM suspension rode, but these have to be at least as soft, if not softer -- all while maintaining the lift (combined with my extended shackles).

I'll be the first to admit I've never been very handy/mechanical, but today I feel like I made a big step. I basically removed the rear axle from the truck (save for cutting brake lines. I used an impact gun. I got gross and used pumice soap. It might sound lame to some of you fab-veterans, but it was a big step for 'ol Hans3T -- and the most wrenching I've done since I put my BA bumper on over a year ago. I really enjoyed getting in there, and I owe a lot of thanks to Perk for a) use of tools and space, and b) giving me guidance and support to start wrenching bolts. Doing it made me feel like I could do it again with less butterflies.

The driver side spring was a bit of a bear to get on, because somebody dented the gas tank skid when wheeling, and we had to drop the skid to get the driver side leaf spring off and new one on. The skidplate was somewhat bent out of shape and proved to be a real PITA. But, with some elbow grease and a BFH we got that sucker back on.

After we set the truck down, Deavers intact, we decided to coax a bit more lift out of the front (it was nowhere near maxed out) and brought it up to right around 28" from hub to fender. (Remember, I've got the 4" lift.) Now the truck sits basically level (slightly lower in the front) and is taller than I am! (FINALLY!) Here is the end result:

Many thanks to 06H3 for the materials, Perk for the time, and both for the support. :cheers:

Now some pics for the visual people in the crowd. :wink:

Dang, my Duellers are looking like baby tires. So... Who thinks I need some 35"s?...........37"??? :sleazy: Somebody peer-pressure me quick!!

 

[Bigunit]

Great job Hans. Barney looks almost fully grown-up. All he needs is new set of larger shoes to match his footprint.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapataint

 

[ReconH3]

Way better. Now it's time to get rid of those skateboard wheels. As much as I think the 37s would look awesome, I only think it would start causing a lot of damage. Stick with 35". Just get something with a decent tread and sidewall protection.

 

[Hans3T]

Way better. Now it's time to get rid of those skateboard wheels. As much as I think the 37s would look awesome, I only think it would start causing a lot of damage. Stick with 35". Just get something with a decent tread and sidewall protection.

I couldn't agree more. ...And as much as I think 37"s would be *COOL*, I am not sure they would be street-practical. The Alpha has the power to turn 35"s and it would probably be a better idea for street/wheeling.

As an engaged man with 8 months until a wedding, budget is a big concern with regard to buying something to replace something that works. My 33"s, while aesthetically displeasing, still roll and get me from A-B.

You have done a lot of business with 4WP Al -- do you think if I bought 35"s through them they would buy my Duellers? If I could get out the door for under $1k, I might think really hard about it. That would be a few months worth of play-money, but certainly worth it IMO.

That raises another question: If so, what is a budget friendly 35" that will last me 50K miles? (Does a 50K M/T even exist?) I know a lot of people are partial to Goodyear M/T-Rs. Anyone/everyone feel free to drop ideas on me.

 

[ReconH3]

Duratracs are much more street friendly and will last more then the MTRs. I've tried them offroad and was inpressed with their performance. If they had them in 40s I would have been all over them, since I do more highway than offroad. I don't know if 4WP would be interested in 33s. I was just lucky he was interested in my 37s for his rig.

 

[3Hummers]

Hans you have come a long way. Rigs is looking great.

 

[06 H3]

Glad it worked out for you Hans! I was kinda worried at first. From my point of view, I wasn't too confident with the springs, AT FIRST! Here's why...the H3T uses a softer rate spring then an oem spring for the H3. My springs were built to handle the lift along with 400lbs of cargo. I ran 210 lbs extra daily. Driving to moab with a full 400-500 lbs it was so damn smooth! Deaver built them well. Along with that I didn't want you to end up with less clearance then you began with. My original plan was to throw them in storage and call it a day but I'm glad you had the guts to want them even with my 2 concerns, spring rate and clearance.

Luckily it worked out both ways. You gained a much better ride and I'm sure the slantback helped a ton with weight and spring rates and you gained clearance which made me happy! I hate to see you compromise on performance offroad. I forgot you had the BA spring mount skids, so in the end you actually gained clearance with trading for the lo pros even with a thick spring pack.

I see you went to 28 hub to fender. Thats equivalent to 24 in stock form. I would go to 27.5 so it equals out to 23.5 in stock form.

I also noticed your shocks. Wheel with them for now but eventually you may want new ones. Idk how much you care about flex but remember the shock is going to limit down travel drastically! I'm thinking 1-2 inches down...the springs can handle much more then that.

For tires I'd get the duratracs if you live in a snowy area. 35s would look great. I'd run 37s if you did some beefing up to the front end. Make a goal as to run them 2 sets from now. Remember 35s may require you to go to a 1.75in spacer.

Props to doing the own install man! We all start somewhere and this was a great project to start with!

Lmk how they do offroad. I think they will do fine...I made it up Moab rim and a bunch of other trails out there, John bull and more so cal trails with these springs and bald tires.

 

[4speedfunk]

Nice. Keep your stock springs. You can re-install them when you do the SOA...and get rid of those arrestor hooks!

 

[08SolarFlareH3]

I'm with Chris, you might want to come down a little in the front to 27.5". I would also swap the extended shackles back out for the stock ones with the new leaf springs.

 

[Hans3T]

Barney finally got his pedicure in the form of some Tactical Edition wheels. I'll get some better pics up when it isn't so hurricane-y.

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[Paladine71]

:thumbs:

 

[kflips]

Go for 35,s when your tread is down on your current tires. Looking good

 

[BW_Hummer H3]

Nice! Looks ten times better!

 

[Hans3T]

I got a Pyle HID kit up top as well. They are 8k brightness.

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[supersapper-rpm]

Looks great Hans! :thumbs:

 

[Hans3T]

Check out Hans3T.com to see the newest silly mod...

 

[Hans3T]

Last weekend Perk and I installed a set of RGB (multi-color) Tantrum rock lights from Vision-X. Got a steal on an open box set off of Amazon. They are pretty nifty. Right now I have one in each wheel well angled forward, one magnetized to my hitch for rear light, one on my undercarriage aimed towards my skid plate, and two in my BA for (eventual) winch and engine bay use/ a bit of bling factor. :wink:

Sorry for the poor photos... I'll get better ones at some point.

In case you didn't check Hans3T, I got green HIDs in my fog lights a while back as well. They're actually very usable in terms of light output. More on them at another time...here's a junky cell pic.

Thoughts? (Dare I ask...:giggle: )

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[Former User]

Haven't seen your truck for a while, coming along nicely hans!

 

[Hans3T]

Haven't seen your truck for a while, coming along nicely hans!

Thanks kindly!

Here are some night shots of the Tantrum LED rock lights. I got the multi-colored (RGB) kit, and the results are pretty cool. I'm partial to green and purple myself. :wink:

(Sorry they're blurry...night shots take a steady hand...which I lack.)

 

[Ron46]

Looks good! how do you like the green fogs? I've wanted to get green fogs for a while now but I was worried about light output and being able to see with the green. Do you have some more pics of them? thanks

 

[Gunner_45]

Inspired by the "Black Knight" H2 were you?

 

[Hans3T]

Looks good! how do you like the green fogs? I've wanted to get green fogs for a while now but I was worried about light output and being able to see with the green. Do you have some more pics of them? thanks

The light output is superb -- and very usable. No other pics of it yet though...I lack a camera with decent night shooting abilities.

Inspired by the "Black Knight" H2 were you?

.....Mark........that is cold. Ice cold.

 

[06 H3]

Did you ever adjust your headlights after you lifted it?

 

[Gunner_45]

Hey brother, it just HAD to be said......and considering my lack of social graces, it HAD to be me that said it.

Sort of a rainbow thing going on there....Purple truck with red, yellow, bluish/white, green and blue lights.

Takes a special type of man to be so un-afraid of using such a rich color palette.

Hats off to ya man.

All bull**** aside, truck has come a long way from just being a wish to somehting you are proud of.