H3 rear leaf helper springs?

[fowlken8]

I don't feel like doing an add a leaf like I have before, I want to be lazy. I installed my lift shackles but could only flex the leaf low enough to get the bolt into the first of two holes lol so I got about an inch of lift in back. I still don't like the look and am worried when I tow in september I'm going to sag quite a bit.

anyone know of any decent universal leaf helper kits that can give me that little extra I'm looking for?

 

[Jeepwalker]

What's your goal here? Are the current springs weak? Or you want some 'lift' ....or you want to add extra capacity for towing a heavy trailer?

I would consider swinging by a leaf spring shop. They do big trucks (like dump trucks) but also can do pickups and your hummer. They can re-arch springs or add a spring in like no time. Zip-zip...zoom zoom ...and theyre done. They do this stuff all day every day and working on something like an H3 is like a toy for them. They have all the tools and springs right there. They can re-arch if neded, or de-arch (I've had that done too for classic cars).

More than likely if you went that way, it'll cost you not a whole lot more than adding aftermarket leaves/system, and you will end up with a better end product most likely. Just swinging in and 'asking' them what they think won't cost you any money. Maybe they'll have some ideas we haven't thought about.

 

[fowlken8]

The goal is less to no sag. My Alpha was 'leveled' but the front sit higher due to whatever shackle/leaf issue was going on. Now it's more or less level. I would appreciate the visual lift but more so want to pull a 3100lb trailer and not look bogged down.

I've thought about a leaf spring shop, but in the past 10 years I've gotten lazy and don't want to remove them myself. I have so many home rennovations going on that working on my vehicles hurts my head. I'd pay the cost if I had to just drop off my vehicle lol I'll see what I can do. Just looking for options, this forum is full of experience and ideas I'd never think of.

 

[Happy Hummer]

Check out Acer4lo's video on YouTube about adding air bags.

 

[fowlken8]

I saw that and his videos are great. I don't have the time for that right now sadly haha would be great though. Looks like I got the 3100lb travel trailer with a 400# tongue weight. I have no sway bar or weight distribution hitch, but I do have a brake controller. I hope all goes well....

 

[Jeepwalker]

OP ...you TAKE your vehicle to the leaf spring shop and tell them what you're looking for ....they can have them zipped off in literally minutes. You want to them to see what you have and what needs adjusting. An experience leaf spring guy will look at the springs, and gauge how much to re-arch them. It's an experience thing. Once they get the springs off and apart, they'll be much more curved than when they're on the vehicle. So...you just taking springs to them makes it harder for them to judge how much to adjust.

So take the vehicle to the spring shop and have them look at the situation. They do gravel trucks and stuff like that all the time. Consumer vehicles are a piece of cake to them. Like i said before, I took a classic car which had springs arched Too much...and they de-arched them (in a machine) just perfect and I was in/out in no time. It's kind of like me trying to re-roof my house (would take 2 weeks) vs my contractor neighbor (and his guys) who literally started after I left for work and was finished when I got home ...and a dumpster full of old shingles laying in it. He's done roofs for 25 years and just knows what to do and can fly along with his guys.

 

[Alpha X]

As mentioned before, if the goal is no sag.... Strongly consider air bags. I know a few people who have done this, and they like the results.

 

[Jeepwalker]

The airbags would be a great solution for managing trailer towing weight.

Snow plow guys use airbags (or some such similar product) in the front of pickups to deal with snow plow weight. They used to be real common when more trucks had leaf spring front suspensions. I used to use air shocks on the front of a coil spring setup to help with snow plow weight too. It didn't take more than a few lbs to level it out.

Good luck.

 

[Schwarttzy]

I recommend these leaf springs https://www.summitracing.com/parts/emu-cs059r/make/hummer/model/h3/year/2008

 

[H3Hummer]

It's good to know Schwarttzy, always wondered which leafs springs I would mount if mine are given up ....

 

[tezaria79]

Hi everyone, I just have a quick question regarding about my 2006 hummer h3. So recently steam/smoke was coming out of my hood. I noticed that the radiator ( the top plastic of it was cracked so I temporarily patched it with JB weld repair kit. I also replaced the thermostat. But then after all of this repair, the air is only producing cool air, my hot air doesn’t work now. Also when I drive it it’s still going pass the H letter ( temperature gauge). What is the problem? I bought a water pump , I haven’t installed it since apparently it needs a specific tool to remove the fan.

 

[fowlken8]

Hi everyone, I just have a quick question regarding about my 2006 hummer h3. So recently steam/smoke was coming out of my hood. I noticed that the radiator ( the top plastic of it was cracked so I temporarily patched it with JB weld repair kit. I also replaced the thermostat. But then after all of this repair, the air is only producing cool air, my hot air doesn’t work now. Also when I drive it it’s still going pass the H letter ( temperature gauge). What is the problem? I bought a water pump , I haven’t installed it since apparently it needs a specific tool to remove the fan.

Get a radiator? And you possibly blew a head gasket? I'm guessing, but jb weld isn't a good fix.

 

[tezaria79]

The head gasket is fine. Yes my next step after fixing the water pump is to get a radiator.

 

[650Hawk]

JB Weld will not fix the top crack in the radiator; too much heat and pressure. If you are not getting any heat inside, that means that you are low (very low) on coolant (none getting to the heater core). That's also why it is running so hot (past the H). You don't need a water pump, you need a radiator.

You also shouldn't hijack someone else's thread for an unrelated issue; post a new thread.

 

[tezaria79]

I just put a coolant in there though. Still no hot air coming out of the vents

 

[4speedfunk]

Grab some $65 Colorado/Canyon add-a-leafs. Cheap and easy fix for saggy springs. Airbags are nice too, however I have only ever installed them with a spring-over mod. I'm sure they would work with stock spring-under arrangement but, I haven't personally done that.

On the overheating issue...you probably have air in the cooling system. An air pocket can get caught in the pump impeller, and the coolant flow essentially stops (the pump cannot move air). This often happens when you break the seal on a thermostat, water pump, hose, radiator, etc. It can be a beyotch to purge, and the dealer uses a vacuum system when filling radiators. I use a "radiator burping funnel system" that extends the neck of the radiator up higher...seems to do a good job getting all the air out...

Burp kit on Amazon

 

[fowlken8]

Grab some $65 Colorado/Canyon add-a-leafs. Cheap and easy fix for saggy springs. Airbags are nice too, however I have only ever installed them with a spring-over mod. I'm sure they would work with stock spring-under arrangement but, I haven't personally done that.

On the overheating issue...you probably have air in the cooling system. An air pocket can get caught in the pump impeller, and the coolant flow essentially stops (the pump cannot move air). This often happens when you break the seal on a thermostat, water pump, hose, radiator, etc. It can be a beyotch to purge, and the dealer uses a vacuum system when filling radiators. I use a "radiator burping funnel system" that extends the neck of the radiator up higher...seems to do a good job getting all the air out...

Burp kit on Amazon

Thanks Cj. I did that last time and it worked well, the Colorado add a leaf. I am just pressed for time. I installed extended shackles and some random leaf supporter from auto zone. It doesn't seem like it'll do much.

I ordered the no spill coolant kit. It came in today. I'll make it work tomorrow.

One thing that annoys me is that my trans temp is usually over my coolant temp. Seems weird. I added some dumb trans additive.

For whatever reason I'm concerned with my Alpha temps more than I have been with all of my I5 H3s or trucks. Seeing an actual number, that I deem high sucks.

 

[EndeavoredH3]

Thanks Cj. I did that last time and it worked well, the Colorado add a leaf. I am just pressed for time. I installed extended shackles and some random leaf supporter from auto zone. It doesn't seem like it'll do much.

I ordered the no spill coolant kit. It came in today. I'll make it work tomorrow.

One thing that annoys me is that my trans temp is usually over my coolant temp. Seems weird. I added some dumb trans additive.

For whatever reason I'm concerned with my Alpha temps more than I have been with all of my I5 H3s or trucks. Seeing an actual number, that I deem high sucks.

What temps are you seeing?

 

[fowlken8]

Yesterday was the worst. Air conditioner on, on the highway, the scangauge showed trans temp at 231 and engine at 228. I don't get it. Unless my scangauge is just wrong.

It drives fine. Shifts fine. The needle for engine temp barely touched over halfway.

 

[fowlken8]

Trying to use the burping kit CJ linked, been idling for 15 minutes and the engine wont go past 188 on the scangauge. Give it a little throttle and it goes to 186. F*** me.

I'm guessing the thermostat isn't opening since there's no coolant flow what's going on haha