H3 In the market for a V8 H3 but have a question

[4G63 Steve]

Hey guys...im new here and am on the market for a V8 H3. I read online some came available with locking front and rear differentials? Iam definitely going to be trailing my H3 so a locking differential would help a ton. My issue is which models and years came with locking diffs? I know the "alpha series" came with the V8 that im looking for but am having a hard time finding which years and models came with locking diffs? If anyone could point me in the right direction I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

 

[rsc]

For the Alpha, a rear locker was available in 08. For 09-10 the front also got a locker with a cast iron differential housing for less flex. You would want to look for the "Off Road" package, although some may advertise it as the "Adventure" package like the I-5 was marketed with. However, most dealers don't know what they have so you really have to look at the pictures of the center console to find the two locked axle buttons on the upper right corner of the console with the other buttons.

 

[JPaul]

If you're not sure what the buttons look like, this thread has pictures of them: http://www.hummer4x4offroad.com/forum/showthread.php?5511-Four-wheel-high-and-locked

 

[Ghostbuster]

You are looking for a 2009-2010 H3 with the adventure pkg and the 5.3l v8.

It will come with a 4:1 Transfer Case and Front+Rear Locking differentials.

Also the adventure packages came with 33 inch tires. You can tell this by the drivers door sticker, it should say 285-75-R16 for the tire size.

Also, on the far right of the 4x4 contols you should see these two buttons. The little x marks are the diff locking functions. Also, if you didn't know already, The H3 is full time four wheel drive.. or AWD.

There is also a "Championship Edition or Series" H3, that came with Silver (Not Gray) paint, adv pkg, V8 engine, brush guard, body color grill, red brake calipers, black vinyl on the hood. Most have cloth seats, some got leather. These were produced only in the 2009 model year. Supposedly only about 500 were made.

Edit: I forgot to add that they come with fender flares too.



I hope this helps.

 

[Ghostbuster]

I was on autotrader and found this. No real pictures, and they are asking a lot.. but they should come down a couple thousand.

I'm pretty sure this is one of those Championship Editions.

They are the only real Silver H3s I believe.

http://www.valwardautos.com/Vehicle...rdsearch_widget&pageName=VehicleSearchResults

 

[rascole]

Dealer says it has 265/75-16 and a 2.64:1 transfer case so I doubt it is a Adventure. But it is easier to change to a 4:1 TC than to swap a V8 and lockers can be added at anytime.

 

[Mr_Rich]

I was on autotrader and found this. No real pictures, and they are asking a lot.. but they should come down a couple thousand.

I'm pretty sure this is one of those Championship Editions.

They are the only real Silver H3s I believe.

http://www.valwardautos.com/Vehicle...rdsearch_widget&pageName=VehicleSearchResults

I'll be surprised if that truck doesn't go real quick at that price. There was a dark blue Alpha H3T here in town
that was sold out of TO Hummer when I was shopping for my truck. It wound up on a local lot as a trade from
what it would seem and sold quickly priced over 30K. (This was in the past year in my local area.)

 

[Ghostbuster]

I called and a nice lady texted me some pics. It's a Championship Edition with leather!

 

[4G63 Steve]

Wow..you guys are quick with responding. I found an nice 08 alpha with a rear locker...how hard is swapping the front too a locker as well? Im a mechanic by trade but never attempted something like this. The championship edition is the queen of the crop? Leather...lockers on front and rear diffs and also the V8? Thats basically what im looking for...a V8 with lockers on front and back...under 70k miles.


So front and rear lockers only came on 09-10? And only avail with rear lockers on 08?

 

[rsc]

With rear lockers (if they are the factory eaton e-lockers) you already have the 4:1 transfer case. That will save you about $2500 right there not having to spring for those two. To put the locker in the front means you need a cast iron front differential. You are going to spend another grand on the locker plus the price of the front diff (maybe $750-1500 depending on how you source it). It would be better to keep looking for the 09-10 Alpha Offroad if that is what you want it for. Just the rear locker will get you a lot further down the trail than no lockers, front lockers are nice but not mandatory if you are planning on keeping it close to stock. What mod ideas did you have for it?

 

[4G63 Steve]

I planned on putting 35s on it with a set of mud grapplers. Also was going to put an intake, catback and a tune. I like the idea of adding a snorkel kit, roof rack and rear ladder. Right now I have a dodge 3500 dually with 6.7 cummins...and dont use it much anymore. Going to be starting a family and wife wants something more family friendly...so V8 hummer fits the ticket. I have a race car I tow too the track 2500lbs or so..so hence why I want the v8 to tow. I dont want too spend more then 24/25k out the door for one...but also dont want to give away my truck neither. The cummins is paid off and title in my name...just gotta search for the "right truck".

Is there anything besides the obvious to look for on an H3 before purchasing?

 

[rsc]

For that price, you might look into the H3T Alpha as well.
Look it over for signs of use/abuse offroad. Check the radiator top tank for cracks in the plastic, check for cracks in the exhaust manifold or catalytic converter, of course check the suspension over too. The H3 is pretty squeek and rattle free; it should drive nice and tight and steering is very direct, no play or slop.

 

[CaseyS]

The real question is what kind of 4G63 did or do you own?

 

[4G63 Steve]

I own a 93 laser making roughly 750awhp. Runs 9s at 152-155mph. Full street car trim. Built driven and tuned 100% by me.

 

[Traxx]

That is a good price on a low mile Championship. If I didn't already have an Alpha/Adv T with a ton of money in upgrades I would pick it up.

 

[SedonaBound]

Not such a bad price for low miles. Values of clean, relatively low mileage H3s are doing quite well.

 

[4G63 Steve]

Ive been looking online tonight trying to find the right hummer. Its getting very hard to find a nice low mileage alpha V8 with leather, front and rear diff locks. I know they didnt make very much, and resale value is very high still.

 

[Ghostbuster]

Well.. Did you see that Champ I posted? It's only about two hours away from you. Maybe worth a look.

 

[4G63 Steve]

Well.. Did you see that Champ I posted? It's only about two hours away from you. Maybe worth a look.

yes thats the lowest mileage highest price H3 on autotrader right now. What would be a good price out the door for such a truck? They claim they have a 600$ dealer fee as well. Id love to get it for 25k out the door! Just not sure if that feasible.

 

[Ghostbuster]

Mine had 47k miles on it and they wanted 25,999. Paid $20,900 plus a 1996 Chevy Silverado with 225k miles on it. That was two years ago.

I bet they'd take $24k-$25k. But you gotta pay sales tax.
Tell them to shove that $600 fee... And to do a drain, replace filter, and fill the transmission with new fluid for free..

Oh and try to get some type of warranty out of them.

Are you trading your truck in? Or selling it privately?

Also get a gallon of water or two and pour it along to sunroof seal and check for leaks.

The sunroof has 4 drain tubes that like to get clogged and then leak into the carpet. Sometimes water may even drip out of the mic on the headliner... Just something to check.

 

[4G63 Steve]

Mine had 47k miles on it and they wanted 25,999. Paid $20,900 plus a 1996 Chevy Silverado with 225k miles on it. That was two years ago.

I bet they'd take $24k-$25k. But you gotta pay sales tax.
Tell them to shove that $600 fee... And to do a drain, replace filter, and fill the transmission with new fluid for free..

Oh and try to get some type of warranty out of them.

Are you trading your truck in? Or selling it privately?

Also get a gallon of water or two and pour it along to sunroof seal and check for leaks.

The sunroof has 4 drain tubes that like to get clogged and then leak into the carpet. Sometimes water may even drip out of the mic on the headliner... Just something to check.

I hate sunroofs for this very reason! Whats the fix...stick a hanger down the drain tubes? Or try compressed air? I was willing to trade my truck but they want to give me 12k for it...I wont even show up unless they give me 18k...otherwise I will sell it privately for 20k...and if I lose out on it..then it wasnt meant to be. Thanks in advance for the sunroof leak check.

 

[SedonaBound]

I hate sunroofs for this very reason! Whats the fix...stick a hanger down the drain tubes? Or try compressed air? I was willing to trade my truck but they want to give me 12k for it...I wont even show up unless they give me 18k...otherwise I will sell it privately for 20k...and if I lose out on it..then it wasnt meant to be. Thanks in advance for the sunroof leak check.

Here's one of several Youtube vids on H3 sunroof drains; both clearing and modifying the drain grommet. [video=youtube;4LauhT2j52A]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LauhT2j52A[/video]