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Damn! Sick h3 4in rancho soa rear

Portager

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Messages
1,506
Location
Silverado
I'm always interested in these discussions and was trying to follow the thinking going on about the effect this lift has. This is a shot of an H3 with one installed that ran the Mojave with me. You can see the back of my H3 in front of it.
I saw several mentions of wanting and needing more ground clearance and not wanting to drag the UCP as the reason for wanting a Rancho lift. It is my understanding that this kit lowers the diff and installs a new cross bracket to raise the frame and body. So somebody with one, how much added clearance do you have under that cross member and diff?

In the rear if I am correct the kit has higher arched springs, so how does that increase clearance under the rear diff, axle and spring mounts, shocks.

The Rancho lift does not directly increase clearance between the differentials and the ground, but it does increase clearance for the rest of the vehicle and it allows you to install larger tires which increases clearance under the differentials. Next time your under your H3 take a look at where the majority of the scratches and dents are located. Most of mine are on the Hunner front skids, which is usually where I get hung up getting over obstacles. It is a very good thing I have the Hunner front skids, but I like to use them a little bit less. I also hit the OEM UCP quite a bit. The Rancho lift would help quite a bit in those areas.

The controversial improvement is, if you take advantage of the increased fender clearance to accommodate bigger tires. You could go up to 37" wheels (actually 36.8" diameter for BFG KM2) which would increase ground clearance nearly an inch relative to 35" wheels. Of course the controversial part is would that increase in ground clearance make the vehicle more or less capable when you consider the increased potential to break half shafts and tie rods. Another issue is with the Rancho lift you have to reduce backspace 1” so the tires will be sticking out another inch.
 

08SolarFlareH3

Super Swampers
Messages
2,525
Location
Finger Lakes, NY
Another issue is with the Rancho lift you have to reduce backspace 1” so the tires will be sticking out another inch.
The factory backspacing is 5.84", so a little over 1.25" but the replacement wheel would also have to be 7.5" wide, were most aftermarket wheels are at least 8" wide. So 1.84" over stock with a 8" wide rim. Its going to be another inch for 9" wide rims and so on.
 

06 H3

a.k.a. "The Jackal"
Messages
9,496
Location
Meridian, ID
Well said Mike :cheers:

You basically explained it all, The spots where I get alot of the hangups are where I would get the lift but if I lower the diff will that become the new hangup point. lol

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Hunner

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,334
Location
Arkansas
I just wanted the thought process, after reading some of that, to bring out the "lift" is raising the frame but not adding more clearance under the diffs. (or maybe less in the front?) (I will look that up) It seems to me to take advantage of the Rancho for the expense involved, you would want to run 37's, since you can run 35's without it. I stayed with 33's for a long time thinking of all the things affected by larger tires and wanting to see over time the results others were having. When I bought the Hutchinsons they had the 35's on them, so knowing that would affect some other components I wanted to see for myself how they did. However I did trade for an Alpha shortly before that, which partially changed one of my reasons for not running larger tires. However even then I could tell the power and shifting took a hit. So I run my intake mod and Superchips Flashpaq in tow mode. I have also done some mods to what I thought were weak components for the way I use my H3 and the most subject to the added stress. (tie rods and steering rack mounts.) I also accepted the fact, that in my opinion the larger tires and heavier wheels do put more stress on other components and power. Doing the math on my MT/MTZ 33's actual size and the Cooper STT 35's actual size I gained about 3/4 inch ground clearance.
It seems there are varying personal opinions on the Rancho lift. It is always an interesting discussion.
I think the most unique part of that kit is the raised steering knuckle that is used to keep the tie rods and CV shafts close to the stock angles.
Mod on!
 
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Bjlover

Member
Messages
10
Location
SantaClarita
I am the new owner of that H3. Drove it home 2000 miles this weekend , it drove 75 mph all day and I haveneverdriven a stock H3 but have driven lots of off road vehicles and think that Rancho lift kit works well on the highway. We will take this rig out in the dirt and see how off road worthy it is. But mostly wanted it to do some of the more family trails that we enjoyed when we had a Rubicon. The damage is not that bad, doors work and just needs a new windshield. I don't intend to fix the damage, I bought it to beat on and not have to worry about it. The big dents really don't bother me. My Rubicon had only 7000 miles on it and looked 100 times more beat up than this. I use my off road vehicles like they were intended to. If I want to do hardcore rock trails I have a single seat moon buggy that will do any rock trail around where we wheel ( Johnson Valley) maybe we will take the H3 out to JV to see how far it can make it on an easier trail out there. After looking at some of the posts here I truly wonder how capable this rig is, maybe I shoulda gotten a Jeep Cherokee with solid front axle. I truly believe this is a much nicer vehicle and it should do fine for Big Bear, some local trails and snow wheeling, if not at least I did not pay 30k and another 10k in lift and wheels/tires. My oldest will be 16 in couple years, it will be perfect for him.Maybe we will meet up on the trail, or around the San Fernando/ Santa Clarita valleysStuart
 

06 H3

a.k.a. "The Jackal"
Messages
9,496
Location
Meridian, ID
I am the new owner of that H3. Drove it home 2000 miles this weekend , it drove 75 mph all day and I haveneverdriven a stock H3 but have driven lots of off road vehicles and think that Rancho lift kit works well on the highway. We will take this rig out in the dirt and see how off road worthy it is. But mostly wanted it to do some of the more family trails that we enjoyed when we had a Rubicon. The damage is not that bad, doors work and just needs a new windshield. I don't intend to fix the damage, I bought it to beat on and not have to worry about it. The big dents really don't bother me. My Rubicon had only 7000 miles on it and looked 100 times more beat up than this. I use my off road vehicles like they were intended to. If I want to do hardcore rock trails I have a single seat moon buggy that will do any rock trail around where we wheel ( Johnson Valley) maybe we will take the H3 out to JV to see how far it can make it on an easier trail out there. After looking at some of the posts here I truly wonder how capable this rig is, maybe I shoulda gotten a Jeep Cherokee with solid front axle. I truly believe this is a much nicer vehicle and it should do fine for Big Bear, some local trails and snow wheeling, if not at least I did not pay 30k and another 10k in lift and wheels/tires. My oldest will be 16 in couple years, it will be perfect for him.Maybe we will meet up on the trail, or around the San Fernando/ Santa Clarita valleysStuart

Welcome! Thanks for making it over, I was the guy who PM'ed you on pirate. Oct 22nd we have a trail at Last Chance Canyon in Mojave, Look into it. The hummers are usually more capable then most people think but you are also coming from custom rock buggies so you may have a different outlook on capability. I can run most trails with any built up rubicon with just stock suspension and 35's and you will probably be even more capable then I am. See you around town!
 

06 H3

a.k.a. "The Jackal"
Messages
9,496
Location
Meridian, ID
I am the new owner of that H3. Drove it home 2000 miles this weekend , it drove 75 mph all day and I haveneverdriven a stock H3 but have driven lots of off road vehicles and think that Rancho lift kit works well on the highway. We will take this rig out in the dirt and see how off road worthy it is. But mostly wanted it to do some of the more family trails that we enjoyed when we had a Rubicon. The damage is not that bad, doors work and just needs a new windshield. I don't intend to fix the damage, I bought it to beat on and not have to worry about it. The big dents really don't bother me. My Rubicon had only 7000 miles on it and looked 100 times more beat up than this. I use my off road vehicles like they were intended to. If I want to do hardcore rock trails I have a single seat moon buggy that will do any rock trail around where we wheel ( Johnson Valley) maybe we will take the H3 out to JV to see how far it can make it on an easier trail out there. After looking at some of the posts here I truly wonder how capable this rig is, maybe I shoulda gotten a Jeep Cherokee with solid front axle. I truly believe this is a much nicer vehicle and it should do fine for Big Bear, some local trails and snow wheeling, if not at least I did not pay 30k and another 10k in lift and wheels/tires. My oldest will be 16 in couple years, it will be perfect for him.Maybe we will meet up on the trail, or around the San Fernando/ Santa Clarita valleysStuart

That knuckle is interesting and that is why I am wondering what Rough Country did with their prototype H3 lift. They probably used the stock knuckle and used a drop bracket for the steering rack but would then have to lengthen everything going to the rack. Maybe they just had extreme tie rod angles...Who knows...
 

08SolarFlareH3

Super Swampers
Messages
2,525
Location
Finger Lakes, NY
I am the new owner of that H3. Drove it home 2000 miles this weekend , it drove 75 mph all day and I haveneverdriven a stock H3 but have driven lots of off road vehicles and think that Rancho lift kit works well on the highway. We will take this rig out in the dirt and see how off road worthy it is. But mostly wanted it to do some of the more family trails that we enjoyed when we had a Rubicon. The damage is not that bad, doors work and just needs a new windshield. I don't intend to fix the damage, I bought it to beat on and not have to worry about it. The big dents really don't bother me. My Rubicon had only 7000 miles on it and looked 100 times more beat up than this. I use my off road vehicles like they were intended to. If I want to do hardcore rock trails I have a single seat moon buggy that will do any rock trail around where we wheel ( Johnson Valley) maybe we will take the H3 out to JV to see how far it can make it on an easier trail out there. After looking at some of the posts here I truly wonder how capable this rig is, maybe I shoulda gotten a Jeep Cherokee with solid front axle. I truly believe this is a much nicer vehicle and it should do fine for Big Bear, some local trails and snow wheeling, if not at least I did not pay 30k and another 10k in lift and wheels/tires. My oldest will be 16 in couple years, it will be perfect for him.Maybe we will meet up on the trail, or around the San Fernando/ Santa Clarita valleysStuart
Nice to see the new owner made it over here and I look forward to seeing photos of it on the trail!
 

Portager

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Messages
1,506
Location
Silverado
Welcome to H4O Bjlover. You got a great vehicle at a great price. The H3 will be a great off road vehicle. It’s not the same as a Rubicon but very capable and you probably noticed it drives better on the highway.

Hope to see you on the Last Chance Canyon trail run Oct 22nd or another in the near future.

When you get time post some pictures in the new member section.
 

Bjlover

Member
Messages
10
Location
SantaClarita
I would love to wheel out there with you guys, but there is a big Ultra 4 race at Glen Helen that day. It is gonna be an awesome race, short coarse, open wheel cars, big horsepower. If anybody is into off road racing or King of The Hammer type of racing this should be the best race of the season. I would be open to meet up there Sunday if you are running something out there.
 

06 H3

a.k.a. "The Jackal"
Messages
9,496
Location
Meridian, ID
I am not sure if anyone is staying out there Saturday into Sunday but I could find out. If not we can do a local run. Rowher flats, drinkwater flats, etc. Nothing to extreme locally but that would get the hummer on dirt. I will PM u my # seeing were about 10 min away from each other
-chris

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