Future owner... Need advice.

[osphy]

Hey,

I live in Hutchinson, ks. My wife and I would really enjoy getting an H3.

I found a super clean 2006 deluxe hummer, 114,000 miles. $11,500.
Radiator replaced but heads are stock. I checked the Vin and it is effected by the problematic heads.

Do they have an update for the heads when they go bad?
Should I hold out for somthing newer, I really like this one?

 

[alrock]

If it's made it this far, you're probably okay but the only real fix is a new head. You indicate that the "heads are stock". How have you verified whether the cylinder head is original or not? Is the seller offering any kind of warranty?

Newer does not necessarily mean you are out of the woods with a potential cylinder head issue as there are ones outside of that VIN range that have had the cylinder head replaced. That's a good low price on that one - you could pay more and still have the same issue, or you could be safe with either one.

 

[3Hummers]

I would verify if the head has been replaced. If not use the cost of a head replacement to help drive the cost down.

 

[osphy]

Thanks for advice. Anything else specific to look for?

 

[High Five H2]

definitely look for the adventure package if you're going to be doing any off-roading. I didn't, and I wish I had.

 

[Bigunit]

With over 100k mi, you most likely will be having to replace a lot of front end parts soon - steering rack, tie rods, upper and lower control arms, halfshaft, sway bar links and bushings, front diff crossmember bushing, front diff support bracket bushings and maybe shocks, and wheel bearings. These are the common wear items on the H3 and are all things to look for by getting under the truck and/or lifting the front end off the ground. This is all the stuff I'm replacing right now on my T. Better to do it all at once while you have the front end all torn apart.

 

[Lunesta2]

I have 120,000 miles on my 2006 and all i've replaced was the radiator once. Shocks I replaced myself with monotube reflex and they feel like a huge upgrade by the way. They actually look like they are made in the same place as the stock shocks. The front end components are a little loose so I plan on doing that eventually. I can immagine i need tie rods. I am going to change my steering rack bushings out with these cheap ebay ones I found. I just dont see myself spending hundreds on those steering rack clamps when I've alread drove 120,000 on stock bushings and had no problems.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/06-Hummer-H3-10Pc-Chassis-Kit-Upp-Arms-Low-Ball-Joints-Tie-Rods-Sway-Bar-Links-/200977861029?fits=Make%3AHummer%7CModel%3AH3&hash=item2ecb36c9a5:g:2J0AAOxyWmxSZYIh&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fits-Hummer...ash=item1a08ae1921:g:dYYAAOSwu4BVzlEZ&vxp=mtr

 

[Bigunit]

2 suggestions - if you plan on wheeling your rig, I would recommend one of the after market steering rack clamps. The OEM bracket will not hold up and you will end up trashing your steering rack (and you end up paying $350 for a new OEM replacement) and consider upgrading to the later model 16 mm tie rods.

 

[skeptic]

Fine, I'll be the one to say it.. Yes, you should hold out for something newer. '07+ gets you slightly bigger engine with slightly more power (you'll want it). That one is approaching 10 years old with over 100k miles, chances are you'll be doing some maintenance and replacing worn out parts. This is likely true with any Hummer, but may as well minimize the chances of replacing heads in the near future.

If you plan to wheel it more than just dirt roads and easy trails, find one with the Adventure package for the locker(s) and lower TC gearing.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I would avoid the 2006, the power difference between the 3.5 and 3.7 is enough and the price difference between them makes looking at an 06 only viable if the price difference is half. I like my Alpha, but I don't like the fuel economy, and I would move back to a 5 cyl willingly. I don't tow with mine (though I think the H3 Alpha is the unsung hero for trailer towing), so the 5 cyl (2007 up) would be just fine.

 

[skeptic]

Wait, you're saying you'd rather have the I5 than the V8?

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

Yep, in my world, the 4.56 gears is the same as a V8. The 5.3 is great for towing and 70 mph highway speeds. My commute is 10 miles in city traffic, and I go 70 mph maybe twice a year... and I wouldn't pay the mpg penalty.... remember, I had a 2007 H3 Adventure with the 5, then a GTO (POS), then back to an Alpha. What's interesting is I drove an Alpha when I bought my 1st H3 - and my opinion hasn't changed. With that said, my plans in the near future are to swap the 5.3 for a 6.0 or a 6.3 and see if that solves all that ails it... but at this point the poor mpg doesn't have a good side.

And with all of that said.... I turned off my cat test and gained .5 mpg (cat is dead), and I have a ticking lifter that, in my experience, causes the computer to pull out timing. Of course, swapping a lifter means pulling heads - and since I'm pulling a head anyway, why not simply build a 6.0 and swap the motor for one with 130,000 less miles.... oh yeah, and build this 5.3 with some good heads, a couple turbos I have on the shelf and stuff it into a Corvette with Custom Image flares on it (that I have as well)... not that I've thought about this at all

 

[skeptic]

My commute is 10 miles in city traffic, and I go 70 mph maybe twice a year...

Ah, there you have it. When I had mine they were just fine in town or off road, no feeling like it was lacking power. On the highways, especially through the mountains, is where I wanted a v8.