H3 Largest tire size for the H3?

[REDSKINSFAN]

I'm looking into getting an H3 and I was wondering 1) what is the largest size of tires will fit on the H3 w/o any lift AND with a 3" lift 2) what is the largest size of tire that will fit on the back gate w/o modifications...also if I were to get rid of the tire on the back gate, what would look good in it's position?

 

[digglesworth]

Gobi makes a blank off plate to delete the spare... Some people have made their own. 35s will fit with a tiny bit of rubbing on the sway bar at full lock. You can run 37s with the 4" lift but highly recommended you only do that with an alpha as they are too much for the little I5s to turn over. 35s will fit on the spare carrier. There's been a few fitment issues with some 35s but most work fine with little or no clearance issues. You can mod the carrier to fit a 37. Use the search bar here or search YouTube. 4speedfunk has a video on how it's done.

 

[Chocflip201]

My experience-

35" without a lift kit if you crank up the torsion bars- factory wheel offset - no rubbing

w/ Rancho 3"-4" kit - 35" tires still no rubbing, however you are required to have a more offset wheel (-12 I believe) or else your tire will rub the Upper control arm. Unless you have huge rims (like 22"+ and they are big enough to clear the UCA)

Could probably fit 37's on the Rancho lift kit but you would likely rub when off-roading.
35" tire will fit on the rear swing gate and clear the bumper, barely.

As far as the spare tire delete, a lot of people put ladders or just blank fill plates there.

 

[REDSKINSFAN]

Thanks! So would you say stick with 33s if I choose to not get a lift or will the rubbing on 35s not be too significant?

 

[REDSKINSFAN]

how much would a Rancho kit run me, ballpark

 

[Zach]

35's no lift and will fit on the back as long as tge bumper isn't pushed up. As far as deleting the spare, Bigunit here sells a powdercoated lasagna pan I think for $200

 

[alrock]

The rubbing isn't bad with 35s. FYI, 33s may rub too.

 

[digglesworth]

Just depends why you're looking for bigger tires.... To impress the kids at the mall or for more clearance off road.... $2500-$3000 would probably be a decent ballpark figure for the lift kit. Depending on who installs it. Then you have the cost of wheels or spacers. And a solution to the saggy rear springs on the Rancho kit.... See where this is going???

 

[owlxxx]

My 35" goodyear wrangler mtrs(Kevlar) only rub at full lock when the front suspension is just about fully compressed. otherwise, I never have rub issues. My h3 only has a little bit of torsion bar lift.

 

[Chocflip201]

My Rancho kit was $2,500 + $400 for shocks + $800 for install and alignment. + I went with 4wheelParts $299 3 year warranty on all work and parts from the lift. This includes abuse. So if I go wheeling and I bend a support bar or break a knuckle or dent the skidplate, 4wheelParts will replace it no cost. Basically it eliminates the hassle of trying to convince Rancho that the part broke due to workmanship.

And also, because I bought my winch at the same time as my lift, they are covering it in the 3 year no-questions asked warranty.

but back to tire size, it does rely on what you're intended use is, as the others have said. If it's only a grocery getter, then yeah go Rancho and 37's and I'd plan on regearing to 4.88 so you don't fry your transmission.

 

[06 H3]

You can't regear lower then 4.56

 

[amrg]

Only an alpha is regearable since it has 4.10s. As 06 H3 said, you cant go lower than 4.56 and Im not sure if the move justifies the cost...

 

[benlaud87]

Has anyone here payed a shop to regear to 4.56? I might have someone that can help me but I'm not sure. Just wondering the cost if anyone payed to have it done. I know the majority of cost on everything is usually labor.

 

[amrg]

Parts should set u 900 for both axles (yukon gears + instal kits). As for labour, not sure...

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I priced regearing my Alpha, it came to $1,000 for parts and install - however, I get big discounts so figure $1,500. In the end, I decided it was cheaper to repower it and put a front locker in it.

I tend to disagree about the "absolutely required" to regear. It really depends on how/where you wheel. In my Alpha Adventure (and I had an 07 Adventure too, so this is not speculation), the low range is pretty much useless for the wheeling I do. Even if I started in 3rd gear (auto), it'd still be too low a gear to really effectively use. Putting 35s or 37s on it, and that could actually make the 4:1 case useful for the wheeling I do I wheel in snow, mud, sand and on fire roads.... there is precious little rock crawling where I live, so the 5:38/4:1 gear ratio isn't something I'd use. However, flotation is everything for me, so the wider and taller the better.

 

[amrg]

Here its mainly sand and dunes, Id benefit greatly with lower gears for hill climbs (need speed and momentum to keep going or else ull dig urself in) so a lower gear is great. Offcourse there is a compromise to top speed. Atm I do 1800 rpms at 60 mph which is too low. At 5.10s (in theory) I shld b doin 2250 rpms which is fine. Ideally 4.88s is great and justifies the cost I believe.

 

[benlaud87]

Thanks for the info

 

[arkalpha]

how much would a Rancho kit run me, ballpark

You can find the Rancho for around $2300 give out take a few, but I believe now through April you can get a $400 rebate (look at their website to verify). Depending on where you live, labor I would say around $500-$800. I got lucky and traded an old deer rifle I never used for the labor cost. I found mine on eBay, but actually went through their regular website.

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[Blake-O]

I put the 35" Duratrac tire on my H3 and while traction is amazing, they rub in the back on my mud flap/ fender flare when backing up and I've got some suspension compression and body roll. They also rub on the torsion bars in front when turning tight. My personal feeling that is it was a mistake going that big. Ride sucks (very bouncy front end) , the rubbing drives me crazy, and truck seems even more under powered. I've got the t- bars cranked. To try and improve the ride I put new front shocks and bump stops. Ride was improved only marginally.


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[digglesworth]

What psi are you running? I got those tires a week or so ago and I love em. Set em to 36 but I might go up a couple psi. I haven't had rubbing yet but I stay away from full lock unless I really need to turn that tight. I don't have fender flares or mudflaps.

 

[Blake-O]

What psi are you running? I got those tires a week or so ago and I love em. Set em to 36 but I might go up a couple psi. I haven't had rubbing yet but I stay away from full lock unless I really need to turn that tight. I don't have fender flares or mudflaps.

Yeah.. The flares and flaps are a issue. Need to remove flaps completely since when wheeling they'll get ripped off anyway. I think I can solve the rubbing on the flares with a little trimming of a plastic lip. I need to check the pressure in the tires.


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[Pappibri]

I run my 265/75/16 Duratracs at 40 psi. You need to look at the conversion chart for the higher ply tire. Mine came with the Wrangler RTS which are a lower ply tire, so the door sticker stating 35psi applies to them, not the higher ply tire. Try them at 40 and they are even quieter on road. I have been running Duratracs on both my trucks since they came out with them years ago.

 

[Blake-O]

Running at 40 psi. Still think ride is not great but will live with it since I caused it by putting such a high ply tire on a light rig.


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[Blake-O]

Changed out my front shocks for the "Trail Duty" package of Bilsteins and extended bump stops. H3 now rides like a dream even on the larger high ply Duratec tire. Super happy with setup.


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[Pappibri]

Changed out my front shocks for the "Trail Duty" package of Bilsteins and extended bump stops. H3 now rides like a dream even on the larger high ply Duratec tire. Super happy with setup.


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Glad too hear that took care of your problem...... Now go utilize those 35'S





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