H3 Rancho Lift (detailed review)

[06 H3]

You can order just the front trust me this setup kicks ass.

Why BDS? They don't seem too special to me...any reason?

 

[4speedfunk]

I can get you a front driveshaft if you need one...$330. It uses a cardan cv-joint rather than a booted 6-ball design. As long as you keep it lubed...its a much better piece than the stock one.

I'm running the Canyon/Colorado add-a-leafs and they work okay. However, I think Speedy's full-size leaf mod is a better choice because it supports the main leaf of the pack (which is where the real problem is). Most of the issue with saggy H3 springs has to do with the main spring, and its very common to see reverse-bending of the main leaf where it bolts to the shackle. While the C/C add-a-leafs do restore some height and ride quality...they don't really address the main leafs. This is because the add-a-leafs get installed in an "overload" situation, toward the bottom of the spring packs. Conversely...Speedy's mod adds a relatively long second leaf right up against the bottom of the main spring, where it really needs to be. Much better IMO.

 

[06 H3]

Yep agreed with 4speed 100%. I plan on doing that mod soon and I think it will help with durability in the long run along with ride quality. In theory it will help durability because the main leaf won't be bent into reverse arch.

 

[cgalpha08]

You can order just the front trust me this setup kicks ass.

Why BDS? They don't seem too special to me...any reason?

Simply because they have a no fine print warranty and make "high clearance" lifts. If you looks at their lifts vs others, there is always more clearance than others, especially on ifs rigs. My buddy has one on his truck and the quality is really top notch.

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[06 H3]

I'll have to check that out

 

[amrg]

I can get you a front driveshaft if you need one...$330. It uses a cardan cv-joint rather than a booted 6-ball design. As long as you keep it lubed...its a much better piece than the stock one.

Definitely interested in that, and thanks for your help in advance. Will start that as soon as I manage to get everything I need together (wheels and lift kit)

I'm running the Canyon/Colorado add-a-leafs and they work okay. However, I think Speedy's full-size leaf mod is a better choice because it supports the main leaf of the pack

Is there a thread here on it? The full size leaf mod that is? As to the add-a-leafs for the colorados, Ive seen the ones on ebay. Can they be added to the stock H3 leafs and accomplish lift? Or are they to be done on the Ranchos to prevent or fix sag?

 

[4speedfunk]

There is a thread on the full-size spring mod...its on here somewhere.

I installed some $89 eBay C/C add-a-leafs, and they work pretty good. I added them to stock saggy H3 springs and they seem to do the job okay. I'm sure they could be added to Rancho springs as well. One thing you'll notice is that the mounting hole is in the middle of the add-a-leaf spring...which doesn't work too well on the H3 (which has an offset hole). So I drilled a new hole (plasma drilled, actually), to locate the spring in the proper position within the rest of the pack. Forget drilling spring steel...it is some hard stuff!

Add-a-leafs work so much better if you add them before the sag starts. Most people (including myself) add them after the sag, to restore ride height. I personally think its a bit too late at that point for them to work like they're designed to. However its quick, cheap, easy and it does accomplish the main goal. The nice thing about using Speedy's full-size leaf mod, is that it actually supports the main leaf of the H3 and I have plans to do that in the future.

Also, I have a pair of H3T rear springs (new with GM labels still on them). I tried them out and was surprised to notice that they were even softer than the H3-SUV version. Brand new T springs are more saggy than 30K mile SUV springs!

 

[amrg]

here is the link to the speedy fix for others to see if they need to:

http://www.hummer4x4offroad.com/foru...ll=1#post53652

Ive seen mentioned that a tahoe spring is used, it just didnt say if it achieved lift. Im trying to get the Rancho kit without springs if I can (Im on the other side of the pond and it would be a shame to have the springs sag, although I dnt carry as much gear as some of you), and lift the rear without using shackles. The tahoe spring helps sag, does it lift? Or work needs to be done on the spring to achieve that?
If not, can I do with a combination of add-a-leaf for lift and the tahoe spring for support? What do you guys recommend?

 

[4speedfunk]

I still recommend the Rancho kit in the front with a SOA-mod in the rear. Cut-off and replace the forward spring hangers with smaller ones, and use stock leaf springs mounted above the axle. Use stock shackles. Use the Rancho shocks that come with the kit. This will work very well, and it will give you the right stance....just like the "GM Moab Edition" test truck. There is tons of info on the forums regarding this truck. Use "Google images" to see more pics of the Moab Edition...including flexy shots, and shots of the rear axle and leaf spring arrangement.



Also, don't be too quick to toss the Rancho SUA arrangement. After all...many of us (including me) have ran the Rancho kit right out of the box with very few issues. Try it first...then if the rear starts to sag, do the SOA and swap your stock leafs back on. Trial & error is just part of the game when you start messing with mods like this, and every truck is different.

 

[GreatDaneHummer]

I went a little different route with the Rancho kit. I decided to use Pro Comp MX6 adjustable shocks for the front and rear combined with the EMO (ARB) leaf springs in the rear. I also just ordered the shock relocation kit for the rear end. With the ability to adjust the shocks how I see fit in the rear I can tell you the truck wheels great and I for sure have more than enough travel during my off road fun. I no longer have any sag in the rear off to the left side due to the fuel tank location. The truck has 55k miles on it and drives better than new. Just my 2cents.

 

[Romeo]

I went a little different route with the Rancho kit. I decided to use Pro Comp MX6 adjustable shocks for the front and rear combined with the EMO (ARB) leaf springs in the rear. I also just ordered the shock relocation kit for the rear end. With the ability to adjust the shocks how I see fit in the rear I can tell you the truck wheels great and I for sure have more than enough travel during my off road fun. I no longer have any sag in the rear off to the left side due to the fuel tank location. The truck has 55k miles on it and drives better than new. Just my 2cents.

What shock relocation kit are you using?

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[digglesworth]

I too think these trucks ride so good vs a t-bar cranked h3. I'm loving my Rancho/SOA combo with the alpha t-bars... The only other thing that would improve it is to get a set of airbags with the daystar cradles to be able to control the ride height of the rear while loaded down or not.

 

[USMC_315]

is a spring over a long and expensive project? is it worth the work for the rancho?

 

[4speedfunk]

I've done several SOA's. It never seemed like a long project until Diggle & I did his...it took us all day. Most of the hassle was installing the extended brake lines. It probably costs $250 in parts and five hours for the base SOA. But, there are many options you need to consider while you got it all torn apart. Stuff like...

Bumpstops?
Longer shocks?
Longer brake lines?
Longer sway bar links?
Longer driveshaft?
Leaking ABS sensor o-rings?

All of these items are right there in the general vicinity, and if you need to modify any of them...then you might as well do them at the same time. The actual SOA by itself is fairly simple but, the add-on stuff adds up...in both time and money. The final outcome is worth it, especially if you are an off-roader. The SOA fixes a bunch of problems that are inherent to the H3's rear suspension...saggy springs, shock clearance, hanger clearance, and overall travel. All of these are greatly improved.

The SOA works very well with the Rancho front but, its not a requirement.

 

[digglesworth]

CJ is right. We addressed all those issues with mine. I went a couple weeks on the stock driveshaft but opted for a longer one soon after. CJs method of filling the void for the rear bumpstops is great. I got longer shocks (+4" lifted Chevy 5100s). Longer brakelines (which did put up a fight). The extended Rancho sway bar links have been doing pretty good, especially since they're modified to be disconnected. Thankfully I haven't seen any leaking from the abs o-rings. I really like the ride. While I was in the front, I addressed many of the common 100k mile issues and replaced ball joints and bushings. Replaced the I5 t-bars for alpha bars and it really rides great. I'm sitting at 29.5" rear and 28.5" front. So with the Rancho and bodylift, I'm +5" over a t-bar cranked h3 and the ride is soooo much better. I was lucky in that I got my lift used. I probably have a little more than what a new Rancho costs in my "custom" setup with all the upgrades to the standard Rancho. Better shocks, better rear lift, etc....

 

[derian06]

CJ is right. We addressed all those issues with mine. I went a couple weeks on the stock driveshaft but opted for a longer one soon after. CJs method of filling the void for the rear bumpstops is great. I got longer shocks (+4" lifted Chevy 5100s). Longer brakelines (which did put up a fight). The extended Rancho sway bar links have been doing pretty good, especially since they're modified to be disconnected. Thankfully I haven't seen any leaking from the abs o-rings. I really like the ride. While I was in the front, I addressed many of the common 100k mile issues and replaced ball joints and bushings. Replaced the I5 t-bars for alpha bars and it really rides great. I'm sitting at 29.5" rear and 28.5" front. So with the Rancho and bodylift, I'm +5" over a t-bar cranked h3 and the ride is soooo much better. I was lucky in that I got my lift used. I probably have a little more than what a new Rancho costs in my "custom" setup with all the upgrades to the standard Rancho. Better shocks, better rear lift, etc....

Im dying to get this done, but I need to save up for the brake lines and shocks.

 

[rsc]

CJ, how would you compare a setup like Dorian's and a setup like yours or Big Red? Is there a big difference or just a smaller evolutionary step?

 

[4speedfunk]

rsc, As far as the rear lift...D-worth, myself, Squeaky, Big Red, and a few others are all running the same basic rear rig. Big Red has airbags & Daystar cradles but, they have little effect on the labor involved. We probably all have different shocks but, that is largely driven by ride height and budget. Digglesworth is the only one in this group that is still running a Rancho on the front. Myself, Big Red, and Squeaky all had Ranchos at one point or another but, we eventually upgraded to a solid front axle. The SOA rear works well with either front suspension but, it does require a minimum of 5" or so of lift...and that pretty much mandates the Rancho (or something custom) on the front.

I have seen one H3 with a stock front IFS and a SOA on the rear. It looked totally absurd, and I'm sure it was borderline unsafe to drive. Bebe was able to trim her SOA lift down even further by using custom "flatter" springs on the rear but, she also had extensive front suspension work done. Long story short...you will need some sort of front lift to use the SOA on the rear. Otherwise your rear will be five inches higher than the front.

 

[digglesworth]

I got a good deal on the Rancho so I went that way... For now. I've still got things that need to be done before the sas. Aka rear locker... The Rancho will definitely help a lot in off road situations and perhaps the ifs front diff will cause me to become a better driver by picking better lines and not pushing it to the point of breaking. I understand breakage happens to all vehicles. But for me, the Rancho/soa was the next logical step for me to gain knowledge and experience. Hopefully in a couple years, I can go sas. And I'm partially ready for it with the soa. But I'll be the first to admit, I need more offroad seat time to fully take advantage of the sas. I think the Rancho will be a good stepping stone by learning the strengths and weaknesses of a lifted H3. Weight and balance, wider stance, etc are all factors that will have to be taken into consideration. Like was mentioned in the "Big Red" thread, everyone would think it's so cool to have a truck like that but only a handful would really need it and be willing to take full advantage of it. I'm just not quite there in my offroading career.

 

[Romeo]

Ordered the Rancho lift, Bilstein 5160 front and rear shocks and Bilstein Bump Stop today. The rear shocks are on backorder until September

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[jbrand11]

So my local OffRoad has the Rancho ordered(should have been there last week) and are wanting to install the entire thing(although they want to relocate the rear shock mounts to the axle), instead of just the Rancho front with a rear SOA(and Bebe spring mod). They haven't lifted an H3 before. They are concerned about getting the front to match the rear with an SOA (7"). I am out of state working and left them with numerous other miscellaneous parts to install which worked out well today giving me time to post here for help/thoughts. From all I've read here it should be fine with a Rancho front and SOA rear. And I gather they can adjust the torsion bars to nearly match the rear. When I left the truck with them 2wks ago we had agreed on the Rancho Front w/ SOA rear and this was already to be done. I don't have much choice up in Montrose and I ridiculously over-scheduled myself at work thru the end of the year so no time to do it myself.
Guess I'm just wanting reassurance that I'm right in what I want and how I believe it will handle.

 

[4speedfunk]

Use the stock rear leafs and replace the front spring hangers when you do the SOA and it will sit just fine with the Rancho front.

 

[digglesworth]

theres another thread started by 06 H3 about the parts you need for the soa. makes figuring out what you need really simple. make sure they address the issue of extended bumpstops in the rear. not commonly talked about when talking soa but it needs to be...

 

[jbrand11]

theres another thread started by 06 H3 about the parts you need for the soa. makes figuring out what you need really simple. make sure they address the issue of extended bumpstops in the rear. not commonly talked about when talking soa but it needs to be...

Thanks 4SF and DW. Will stand firm on SOA with them.