cgalpha08
"Like Nothing Else"
I went to redbird once, i got lucky and it was dry, but redbird is wayyy too narrow for my liking, one small error and boom! there goes a window (happened to a buddy of mine)
Expedition H3
- Thread starter cgalpha08
- Start date
I went to redbird once, i got lucky and it was dry, but redbird is wayyy too narrow for my liking, one small error and boom! there goes a window (happened to a buddy of mine)
cgalpha08
"Like Nothing Else"
So its has been a long time since this was last updated, almost 5 years!
Anyway a lot has happened since then.
My 2008 H3 was totaled in a car accident about 2 years ago, my fault, everyone was fine.
Crunch! doesn't look too bad, however see the bend in the frame. It needed a new frame apparently ( that along was 5k from GM) coming to approximately 16k to fix, so i took the insurance money and ran. I took the Gobi rack and ladder off before that as well.
Then i picked up this guy, 2009 Alpha Adventure, which means it came from the factory with a 4:1 low range transfer case and front and rear lockers, only had 28k miles on it at the time of purchase.
Did a few things, color matched the grill and de-chromed it, added a winch bumper.
And then I had it solid axle swapped by CJ at Thorparts..
The short build list is:
-Dana 44 pass drop
-4.88 gears
-3 link with coils
-fox shocks all around
-3/4 ton axle shafts
- warn lockouts
-toyota steering box ported for ram assist
-ram assist
-Thorparts hubs to maintain ABS
-SOA in the rear.
I have new wheels and 37" pro comp extreme MT2 arriving soon to finish it out, and then ill be getting a tune to keep the speedo happy.
I haven't wheeled it yet, still breaking in the suspension, need to flex it out to make sure everything is still happy.
Anyway a lot has happened since then.
My 2008 H3 was totaled in a car accident about 2 years ago, my fault, everyone was fine.
Crunch! doesn't look too bad, however see the bend in the frame. It needed a new frame apparently ( that along was 5k from GM) coming to approximately 16k to fix, so i took the insurance money and ran. I took the Gobi rack and ladder off before that as well.
Then i picked up this guy, 2009 Alpha Adventure, which means it came from the factory with a 4:1 low range transfer case and front and rear lockers, only had 28k miles on it at the time of purchase.
Did a few things, color matched the grill and de-chromed it, added a winch bumper.
And then I had it solid axle swapped by CJ at Thorparts..
The short build list is:
-Dana 44 pass drop
-4.88 gears
-3 link with coils
-fox shocks all around
-3/4 ton axle shafts
- warn lockouts
-toyota steering box ported for ram assist
-ram assist
-Thorparts hubs to maintain ABS
-SOA in the rear.
I have new wheels and 37" pro comp extreme MT2 arriving soon to finish it out, and then ill be getting a tune to keep the speedo happy.
I haven't wheeled it yet, still breaking in the suspension, need to flex it out to make sure everything is still happy.
cgalpha08
"Like Nothing Else"
Some random poser shots
New tires showed up the other day. Pro comp extreme MT2 37s
Currently waiting on wheels, which are back ordered 60-70 days. I had received shipment of 4 of them, however 3 of the 4 were damaged so I am sending them back and waiting for them to come back in stock.
I am going with these, Mamba M14.
New tires showed up the other day. Pro comp extreme MT2 37s
Currently waiting on wheels, which are back ordered 60-70 days. I had received shipment of 4 of them, however 3 of the 4 were damaged so I am sending them back and waiting for them to come back in stock.
I am going with these, Mamba M14.
Todd n Natalie
OverCamper
Looks good! Always liked the H3 / H3T. Too bad they aren't around anymore. The H3T would have been a great competitor to the Gladiator....
locrwln
Expedition Leader
Yep. V8, front and rear lockers, 4:1 T-case, 33's stock. 10 years ahead of it's time.
Jack
cgalpha08
"Like Nothing Else"
For sure. Makes me really want a h3T as well. Out of the gate the adventure package hummer was pretty well optioned.
Here are a couple of photos of a solid axle swapped h3T next to a gladiator.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
silvrzuki77
explorer
Glad to see you still have the Alpha. I use to be on the hummer forums with my alpha H3T. Really miss that truck.... to many kids!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
cgalpha08
"Like Nothing Else"
Originally went for a quick trip to the local offroad park, knew I was going to trim the front bumper but wasn't sure, so went ahead and cut about 3 inches off.
Also went on a breakin trip for the SAS back in Oct, more than the other week, performed phenomenally well.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Also went on a breakin trip for the SAS back in Oct, more than the other week, performed phenomenally well.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
cgalpha08
"Like Nothing Else"
Installed some 7 inch led headlights. Used a 3d printed adapter courtesy of lased.design.
Here are the headlights and wiring harness I used to switch the negative polarity so that everything worked.
Here is a shot of the cut off
Here are some more finished pics of the new headlights.
You can barely see the white body that is behind the headlight assembly unless you're up close. Looks fairly clean
I've also been getting my recovery gear sorted. Heres how I have it set up. All in a Ridgid 22 inch tool box.
-arb tree saver
-3x3/4inch shackles
shackles
-Dana 44 hub bearing socket
-ball joint socket
-spare stock h3 tie rod for anyone that needs it (found it in a box)
-gloves
-arb snatch strap (not pictured)
-gear america snatch block (not pictured)
-I'll add tools as needed for when I actually go wheeling.
Winch controller is in the small stock cubby off to the side.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Here are the headlights and wiring harness I used to switch the negative polarity so that everything worked.
Here is a shot of the cut off
Here are some more finished pics of the new headlights.
You can barely see the white body that is behind the headlight assembly unless you're up close. Looks fairly clean
I've also been getting my recovery gear sorted. Heres how I have it set up. All in a Ridgid 22 inch tool box.
-arb tree saver
-3x3/4inch shackles
shackles
-Dana 44 hub bearing socket
-ball joint socket
-spare stock h3 tie rod for anyone that needs it (found it in a box)
-gloves
-arb snatch strap (not pictured)
-gear america snatch block (not pictured)
-I'll add tools as needed for when I actually go wheeling.
Winch controller is in the small stock cubby off to the side.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
cgalpha08
"Like Nothing Else"
Installed some new rear sway bar end links, the end links I had were shot, they didn't like the slight offset the factory bar has.
These are from clayton offroad. They are adjustable, anywhere from 8.6 to 13 inches (cut to size), I have mine set to 9 inches, i don't think these will work for stock rigs.
Here is the link. https://www.claytonoffroad.com/prod...ink-2007-jk-jl-jeep-wrangler-adjustable-front
New:
Old:
Installed the Schwarttzy skid plate (one of the few vendors making h3 specific parts.
Since I have the SAS I only did the t-case plate. Had to slightly trim a couple corners, otherwise easy install.
These are from clayton offroad. They are adjustable, anywhere from 8.6 to 13 inches (cut to size), I have mine set to 9 inches, i don't think these will work for stock rigs.
Here is the link. https://www.claytonoffroad.com/prod...ink-2007-jk-jl-jeep-wrangler-adjustable-front
New:
Old:
Installed the Schwarttzy skid plate (one of the few vendors making h3 specific parts.
Since I have the SAS I only did the t-case plate. Had to slightly trim a couple corners, otherwise easy install.
cgalpha08
"Like Nothing Else"
Made a quick hi-lift mount for the roof rails. I needed a place to put the jack, and it's too big to fit inside. I've seen other do this and figured I'd give it a shot.
I also have a spare tire mount that goes through the center bore, unfortunately it's about an inch top short and the jack hits the tire before it can seat on the mount. I'll have to cut and re weld a longer piece of tubing on to make it work.
I also have a spare tire mount that goes through the center bore, unfortunately it's about an inch top short and the jack hits the tire before it can seat on the mount. I'll have to cut and re weld a longer piece of tubing on to make it work.
cgalpha08
"Like Nothing Else"
Met up with some of the midwest offroad group at the badlands ORP in Indiana today. Super crowded as the NAXJA winterfest was also happening there, so hundred or so jeeps+ buggies+sxs's all over the place. Fun day anyway!
One a side note my service 4wd message came on. Everything shifts fine, so I'm not sure what's wrong, loose wire or plug on the transfer case encoder motor. Plus it went away for the entire drive home and then showed up again after I washed the H3.
Only the third time i've had it out, pushed it a little more than before, still very impressed with the swap.
One a side note my service 4wd message came on. Everything shifts fine, so I'm not sure what's wrong, loose wire or plug on the transfer case encoder motor. Plus it went away for the entire drive home and then showed up again after I washed the H3.
Only the third time i've had it out, pushed it a little more than before, still very impressed with the swap.
cgalpha08
"Like Nothing Else"
Installed my PCM of NC tune. It was the last piece of the puzzle for the SAS, which I guess you can say is officially done!
Had them do an 87 octane tune, firm up the trans shift points, change the diff ratio to 4.88 and the tires to 37's. I also had them disable the pass lock, which has been known to plague H3s
Took it for a quick spin and it made the H3 feel all buttoned up. I'm happy to have a functioning speedo again.
Also went and did some memorial day wheeling at Interlake state riding area in southern Indiana, huge place with tons of trails
Had a 90s tahoe, tundra, and a 4 runner.
Had them do an 87 octane tune, firm up the trans shift points, change the diff ratio to 4.88 and the tires to 37's. I also had them disable the pass lock, which has been known to plague H3s
Took it for a quick spin and it made the H3 feel all buttoned up. I'm happy to have a functioning speedo again.
Also went and did some memorial day wheeling at Interlake state riding area in southern Indiana, huge place with tons of trails
Had a 90s tahoe, tundra, and a 4 runner.
HARDTRAILZ
Certified
Love it!
My favorite tuning place and wheeling place in one post! The rig looks great!
My favorite tuning place and wheeling place in one post! The rig looks great!