YotaAtieToo
Thick skull
Sweet
Sometimes the best mods are a fight. Should be worth it in the end
Sometimes the best mods are a fight. Should be worth it in the end
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Last Call Guest on these Group Buy Deal Items from Baja Designs
Build Hummer H3 Build
- Thread starter 06h3
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #933
Slight derail, but it’s my own thread so what the hell 
Some may have seen it on Instagram…
I bought a front frame section of an H3 today….many were like, wtf, why?!?
So, as you all know, I lost my company car for personal use perk after 10 years, that’s when I stopped dailying my H3, 10 years ago. I have a company car still but it’s only for work use.
I daily drove the H3 on 42s for months then broke the steering, we had my wife’s first car sitting around because she got her replacement car earlier this year…anyways her first car was a 2011 Hyundai sonata, so I started dailying that POS after I broke the h3 (****ing hate that sonata) and with a 2nd car seat and being 6’5” my knees were in the dash so my wife said go buy a boring appliance daily so naturally I bought a 2009 H3T. They only made 5800 of them. Mine is a factory V8, factory f/r lockers, 4:1 tcase so probably one in 1000, I’d like to find out.
I’ll post the story of the buying experience another time but the previous owner is POS.
I pick it up from so cal on Jan 1st.
I bought the front frame half to hopefully design a mid travel/long travel ifs suspension, ditch the garbage AAM 7.6 front diff, maybe put a 9in ifs diff in? all the hummtards talk about how they have big plans and do nothing, so I’m goal is to make a bolt on upgrade and put my money where my mouth is, unlike they do.
Like I said, it is a daily, so I need to keep the downtime minimal and I promised no SAS. I need/want to learn IFS geometry, and this frame half can minimize downtime while I learn on a bench
Have no fear, the H3 is still the priority, and the F550 and this is the daily so expect slow progress. I won’t even make a thread until it’s irate worthy, for now it’s maintenance and crap
Some may have seen it on Instagram…
I bought a front frame section of an H3 today….many were like, wtf, why?!?
So, as you all know, I lost my company car for personal use perk after 10 years, that’s when I stopped dailying my H3, 10 years ago. I have a company car still but it’s only for work use.
I daily drove the H3 on 42s for months then broke the steering, we had my wife’s first car sitting around because she got her replacement car earlier this year…anyways her first car was a 2011 Hyundai sonata, so I started dailying that POS after I broke the h3 (****ing hate that sonata) and with a 2nd car seat and being 6’5” my knees were in the dash so my wife said go buy a boring appliance daily so naturally I bought a 2009 H3T. They only made 5800 of them. Mine is a factory V8, factory f/r lockers, 4:1 tcase so probably one in 1000, I’d like to find out.
I’ll post the story of the buying experience another time but the previous owner is POS.
I pick it up from so cal on Jan 1st.
I bought the front frame half to hopefully design a mid travel/long travel ifs suspension, ditch the garbage AAM 7.6 front diff, maybe put a 9in ifs diff in? all the hummtards talk about how they have big plans and do nothing, so I’m goal is to make a bolt on upgrade and put my money where my mouth is, unlike they do.
Like I said, it is a daily, so I need to keep the downtime minimal and I promised no SAS. I need/want to learn IFS geometry, and this frame half can minimize downtime while I learn on a bench
Have no fear, the H3 is still the priority, and the F550 and this is the daily so expect slow progress. I won’t even make a thread until it’s irate worthy, for now it’s maintenance and crap
Penetrode Offroad
Red Skull
- Joined
- May 20, 2020
- Member Number
- 493
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- 955
Friend of mine has a maroon H3t, pretty slick drivetrain and whatnot.
He was saying that there isn't very much lift support for that H3 so this will be cool to watch
He was saying that there isn't very much lift support for that H3 so this will be cool to watch
350TacoZilla
Well-known member
Cool. I always liked the H3T V8. I didn't remember that they were passenger side drop. If it was drivers drop I would think about starting with a fullsize GMT400-GMT800 front diff but not worth all that effort I don't think
For the high $ option I know Dynatrac does a D60 IFS setup that you can spec different outputs on, including a long side like GM uses but don't know if you can do either side. They have a low pinion and high pinion version.
Ford 9" would be a good idea since there is so much aftermarket availability.
For the high $ option I know Dynatrac does a D60 IFS setup that you can spec different outputs on, including a long side like GM uses but don't know if you can do either side. They have a low pinion and high pinion version.
Ford 9" would be a good idea since there is so much aftermarket availability.
'84 Bronco II
El Chingón
I'm sure you're probably aware, but if not, check out Bebe's long travel hummer build on Pirate for inspiration/ideas. Last time I checked, most of the pictures were still working.
YotaAtieToo
Thick skull
That is wierd it's passenger drop, kinda makes things harder since almost nothing is pass drop ifs.
9" ifs centers are $$$ unless you build your own. Is it really that weak for what you want to do with it? What's the weak point? A gurdle could help the housing strength/deflection. Maybe a fab steel cover with braces that tie into the other mounting points?
If going to replace the diff, the 8.8 is a pretty good ifs diff as well. Fwiw
Torsion bars are lame. I wonder if a Toyota or F150 application strut would be a good affordable coil over to replace the bars.
Looks like it has a 4l60e? Any plans for a swap there? 8l90e would be
I'd worry the 4:1 case will actually be worse than 2.7 for most off road stuff that will see. But you'd know more than me having had your current h3.
Should be fun though. I get more use out of my ifs 4runner than any other rig. It's just a 2" lift, lockers and winch. I've wanted to do some sort of mid travel ****, but it just works as is and I don't want to tear it down.
We'll have to plan some sort of ifs broverlanding trip one of these days.
9" ifs centers are $$$ unless you build your own. Is it really that weak for what you want to do with it? What's the weak point? A gurdle could help the housing strength/deflection. Maybe a fab steel cover with braces that tie into the other mounting points?
If going to replace the diff, the 8.8 is a pretty good ifs diff as well. Fwiw
Torsion bars are lame. I wonder if a Toyota or F150 application strut would be a good affordable coil over to replace the bars.
Looks like it has a 4l60e? Any plans for a swap there? 8l90e would be
I'd worry the 4:1 case will actually be worse than 2.7 for most off road stuff that will see. But you'd know more than me having had your current h3. Should be fun though. I get more use out of my ifs 4runner than any other rig. It's just a 2" lift, lockers and winch. I've wanted to do some sort of mid travel ****, but it just works as is and I don't want to tear it down.
We'll have to plan some sort of ifs broverlanding trip one of these days.
YotaAtieToo
Thick skull
- Thread starter
- #940
Thanks for all the posts.
Correct, there are basically no lift options anymore. Tuff country and rancho were the 2 4in lift kit options. Everything else is torsion bar crank related. Tuff country stopped probably over 10 years ago. Rancho sold their last kit probably 5-6 years ago.
When rancho was available everyone bitched and cried about how it was expensive and rancho sales were slow. Now all the hummer idiots bitch and cry they have no option and they would happily pay the price they used to charge. I had a rancho on my 06 back in the day and liked it
Hummer owners like to bitch and complain and over simplify how easy something is….
I’m “just” going to SAS my h3, but never do it. Then they sent a link with a SD60 and ask if this will work and don’t even understand driver drop vs pass drop. I’ve spent hours trying to help idiots, I try to spend less time helping unless I know they are serious.
there’s my long drawn out **** talking on the H3 owner and lack of lifts. There’s a guy on Facebook called h3 altitudes and is making a lift kit for them, or is in the process of doing so. I’ll believe it when I see it.
I’d like a 4in lift for it because of how long it is.
The AAM diff I could maybe live with but I was on my 4th front diff when I did the SAS and I was open diff. They are hot garbage.
You also can’t regear them, 4.56 is the deepest gear you can go. Alphas (5.3s) have 4.10s, 5 cylinders have 4.56s.
I’d like to do some sort of lift and convert it to coilovers vs torsion bars too.
I think the 4l60 will stay, I know the 4:1 will stay. If the rig is geared properly for the tire size it will do fine. My guess is 5.13s and 37s will be happy at 80 mph, it will hold OD. With 5.13s and 40s with the 6.2 it held OD, but the 6.2 has more torque.
The full time 4wd is the perfect winter driving t case. I know it lived many years on 40s wheeling hammer trails, so it will never blow up doing what I will do to this rig.
I need to learn ifs geometry and crap but first off I need to get my H3 done.
IG is chris_paul11
Correct, there are basically no lift options anymore. Tuff country and rancho were the 2 4in lift kit options. Everything else is torsion bar crank related. Tuff country stopped probably over 10 years ago. Rancho sold their last kit probably 5-6 years ago.
When rancho was available everyone bitched and cried about how it was expensive and rancho sales were slow. Now all the hummer idiots bitch and cry they have no option and they would happily pay the price they used to charge. I had a rancho on my 06 back in the day and liked it
Hummer owners like to bitch and complain and over simplify how easy something is….
I’m “just” going to SAS my h3, but never do it. Then they sent a link with a SD60 and ask if this will work and don’t even understand driver drop vs pass drop. I’ve spent hours trying to help idiots, I try to spend less time helping unless I know they are serious.
there’s my long drawn out **** talking on the H3 owner and lack of lifts. There’s a guy on Facebook called h3 altitudes and is making a lift kit for them, or is in the process of doing so. I’ll believe it when I see it.
I’d like a 4in lift for it because of how long it is.
The AAM diff I could maybe live with but I was on my 4th front diff when I did the SAS and I was open diff. They are hot garbage.
You also can’t regear them, 4.56 is the deepest gear you can go. Alphas (5.3s) have 4.10s, 5 cylinders have 4.56s.
I’d like to do some sort of lift and convert it to coilovers vs torsion bars too.
I think the 4l60 will stay, I know the 4:1 will stay. If the rig is geared properly for the tire size it will do fine. My guess is 5.13s and 37s will be happy at 80 mph, it will hold OD. With 5.13s and 40s with the 6.2 it held OD, but the 6.2 has more torque.
The full time 4wd is the perfect winter driving t case. I know it lived many years on 40s wheeling hammer trails, so it will never blow up doing what I will do to this rig.
I need to learn ifs geometry and crap but first off I need to get my H3 done.
IG is chris_paul11
- Thread starter
- #941
So this company outfitter design has 2 H3s with their Dana 50 front diffs.
They made 5 prototypes and overall are having some minor issues with them. They have been “testing” for like 6 years. People are begging them to sell them but they have some minor tweaks and they are willing to work with me on it because they understand I can work through it where a typical H3 owner won’t.
I have seen a few guys use ford HP44 diffs, cut them up and make it work. I think it adds so much cost and complexity especially to a rare axle. Atleast the 50 is useless to everyone.
9in R&P would be more then enough.
I forgot to respond about Bebe, yes, I know her well, we have wheeled together, went to her wedding, spent many hours on the phone. Her IFS build is badass, I’d just want something more bolt on and less extreme.
They made 5 prototypes and overall are having some minor issues with them. They have been “testing” for like 6 years. People are begging them to sell them but they have some minor tweaks and they are willing to work with me on it because they understand I can work through it where a typical H3 owner won’t.
I have seen a few guys use ford HP44 diffs, cut them up and make it work. I think it adds so much cost and complexity especially to a rare axle. Atleast the 50 is useless to everyone.
9in R&P would be more then enough.
I forgot to respond about Bebe, yes, I know her well, we have wheeled together, went to her wedding, spent many hours on the phone. Her IFS build is badass, I’d just want something more bolt on and less extreme.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #943
That’s great intel! I would imagine the 8in is sufficient as it packs a good amount of strength to size ratio.
For true dirt roads the AAM 7.6 is fine. Each time I broke a diff I used momentum and bounced a tad, I can’t say they are total garbage but they are garbage enough.
Honestly, I like the challenge of solutions like a front differential to work or coilovers, etc.
For true dirt roads the AAM 7.6 is fine. Each time I broke a diff I used momentum and bounced a tad, I can’t say they are total garbage but they are garbage enough.
Honestly, I like the challenge of solutions like a front differential to work or coilovers, etc.
Ghetto Fab.
No idea what I'm doing
- Joined
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- Member Number
- 208
- Messages
- 1,167
Did the H3 share the same chassis as the early colorados? Those also had the diff on the pass side.
- Thread starter
- #945
Yes, differences in the chassis but similar and used the same diff
YotaAtieToo
Thick skull
Sprinter vans are pass drop...... The diff is wierd as **** and wouldn't package well though. I thought it was a dpf in the thumbnail 
How about you add some 2 gear portals, then you can flip whatever diff you want over? Kidding, but kinda not
How about you add some 2 gear portals, then you can flip whatever diff you want over? Kidding, but kinda not
arse_sidewards
Well-known member
- Joined
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- Member Number
- 71
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- 10,751
How's the Transit? It's ******ed like the Sprinter so maybe it's pass drop too.Sprinter vans are pass drop...... The diff is wierd as **** and wouldn't package well though. I thought it was a dpf in the thumbnail
How about you add some 2 gear portals, then you can flip whatever diff you want over? Kidding, but kinda not
YotaAtieToo
Thick skull
Also pass drop
Doesn't look too bad
Ford Transit 150 250 350 4WD Front Differential Carrier 4.10 Ratio 2020-2025 OEM | eBay Ford Transit 150 250 350 4WD Front Differential Carrier 4.10 Ratio 2020-2025 OEM | eBay
No idea on aftermarket support though
Doesn't look too bad
Ford Transit 150 250 350 4WD Front Differential Carrier 4.10 Ratio 2020-2025 OEM | eBay Ford Transit 150 250 350 4WD Front Differential Carrier 4.10 Ratio 2020-2025 OEM | eBay
No idea on aftermarket support though
350TacoZilla
Well-known member
Did T100's get a bigger diff than the regular toyota pickups of the same era?
YotaAtieToo
Thick skull
No, it's the same low pinion 7.5" and 27 spline shafts. Exactly the diff as a pick up actually.
350TacoZilla
Well-known member
Ah ok, I don't know much about them and they are odd in straddling size from small to midsize truck, they also were around up into tacoma years and got the 3.4 upgrade so wasn't sure if maybe they had a bit stouter front diff.
- Thread starter
- #952
It’s crossed my mind….Sprinter vans are pass drop...... The diff is wierd as **** and wouldn't package well though. I thought it was a dpf in the thumbnail
How about you add some 2 gear portals, then you can flip whatever diff you want over? Kidding, but kinda not
I have problems with scope creep. H1 portals? I mean it fits the theme and I won’t pay 74weld price, and they don’t have a DIY option is my guess
McBastard79
Badical
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- May 20, 2020
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- 412
I vote for portals, that'll be ****in dope!
- Thread starter
- #954
It would be badass, I just know that if I’m using portals for a trail, I should be in my H3 lol
I’m not trying to raisin this one up, or put a cage in it….we all know how it starts though, I may be saying something different in 2030
I’m not trying to raisin this one up, or put a cage in it….we all know how it starts though, I may be saying something different in 2030
YotaAtieToo
Thick skull
Gearing for 35-37s would be tough with 1.92 portals.
- Thread starter
- #956
Back to the regular scheduled programming.
I went this route for a very specific reason. Every clevis setup I could buy (or atleast I saw) saw taller then the 1.5in ram, which would inevitably hit the pitman arm bolt.
So I built this, low profile misalignments, if it sits up like the 2nd pic I am not any better then a clevis but the 1st pic the heim sits basically flush with the ram shaft. I gotta build the other side and cut to length and then cycle it all, then reinforcement of the ram mount plate begins. Slow progress….I know.
Also **** drilling 4 3/4in holes. I did 2 so far and it’s taking forever! I need Shannon campbells punch he uses on YouTube. 2 seconds and done.
I went this route for a very specific reason. Every clevis setup I could buy (or atleast I saw) saw taller then the 1.5in ram, which would inevitably hit the pitman arm bolt.
So I built this, low profile misalignments, if it sits up like the 2nd pic I am not any better then a clevis but the 1st pic the heim sits basically flush with the ram shaft. I gotta build the other side and cut to length and then cycle it all, then reinforcement of the ram mount plate begins. Slow progress….I know.
Also **** drilling 4 3/4in holes. I did 2 so far and it’s taking forever! I need Shannon campbells punch he uses on YouTube. 2 seconds and done.
abrogate
misanthrope
Seems like most hobby drill press setups do not go slow enough for drilling above 1/2" IMHO and using a hand drill for 3/4" is kinda sketchy when **** goes wrong. Are you familiar with services like Send Cut Send ? I see them recommended often in the RC crawling world and people can get some really nice custom metal fab done through the mail.
I have an iron worker like Shannon has. Its bad ass, but my used 1990's Piranha P50 was $6000 and I had to get a phase converter to run it. I bought it 15 years ago and ever since mail order fab options have popped up, I have thought about how I would have done something different with that money if I knew the direction things were heading.
Looks like you have a solution to your packaging problem already, but have you considered something like the EMF ball sockets for the steering joint?
Hydraulic Steering Ball Sockets
EMF Ball Joints Patented Rebuildable Ball Joints, Made in Canada from USA Steel. Ford Superduty Ball Joints, Dana 50 & Dana 60 Ball Joints, Dodge Ram Ball Joints, Jeep Ball Joints, F250 F350, Ram 2500 3500 EMF HAS THE BEST BALL JOINTS IN THE WORLD
emfballjoints.com
YotaAtieToo
Thick skull
You need to down load fusion 360 and find a local laser guy
- Thread starter
- #959
I agree, drill presses struggle at that size and I’m jealous of the ironworker you have, it seems like an amazing tool. While cutting stuff out and having it mailed to you is all the rage nowadays, having that in the shop sure it quick.Seems like most hobby drill press setups do not go slow enough for drilling above 1/2" IMHO and using a hand drill for 3/4" is kinda sketchy when **** goes wrong. Are you familiar with services like Send Cut Send ? I see them recommended often in the RC crawling world and people can get some really nice custom metal fab done through the mail.
I have an iron worker like Shannon has. Its bad ass, but my used 1990's Piranha P50 was $6000 and I had to get a phase converter to run it. I bought it 15 years ago and ever since mail order fab options have popped up, I have thought about how I would have done something different with that money if I knew the direction things were heading.
Looks like you have a solution to your packaging problem already, but have you considered something like the EMF ball sockets for the steering joint?
Hydraulic Steering Ball Sockets
EMF Ball Joints Patented Rebuildable Ball Joints, Made in Canada from USA Steel. Ford Superduty Ball Joints, Dana 50 & Dana 60 Ball Joints, Dodge Ram Ball Joints, Jeep Ball Joints, F250 F350, Ram 2500 3500 EMF HAS THE BEST BALL JOINTS IN THE WORLDemfballjoints.com
I did look into those, a lot of guys local to me run them and I am a huge EMF fan, they make top notch ****. I looked at my buddies setup and the ball socket is too big unfortunately, it’s bigger than the ram shaft. I was going to go that route though.
Agreed!!! I was just talking about this with someone 2 days ago. Fusion 360 is on my list of “stuff to learn” for 2026. I’m not as tired of the cutting but more tired of the drilling, I’ll gladly do less of both though.
With bi-weekly work travel to Utah, 2 young kids, and less free time then ever before I think fusion 360 can really help me speed things up as I can draw crap out (I do have to plan correctly) when I’m away, have it mailed to me and then when I am home I am making legit progress, not spending an eternity drilling 3/4in holes.
YotaAtieToo
Thick skull
It's super easy to draw flat stuff. And fusion can export the file directly to common laser cutter format without using another program.
Send cut send is cool. But having a local place cut it should be pretty cheap if you find the right place. There are 2 places I can use in tiny Bonners Ferry, so I'm sure you can find plenty near you.
And ya, being able to mess around with it in the hotel when you can't do anything else, would be a huge plus.
Even if they're rough guesses on parts, it save so much time. I took a shot in the dark on all the tabs and brackets for my suspension mounts, tcase mounts and crossmembers and it worked out great. Probably saved a full day maybe 2 of hand cutting and drilling.
