06 H3's Squeakin H3 Build

[06 H3]

next was another run to gorman with a friend of mine and his ZJ. He is a great friend to wheel with and I hope to bring him along on an H4O run one day. He isn't like most of the jeepers, he doesnt care what you wheel and is invaluable on the trail for repairs. He went to school to be an auto technician and now works at his own shop. He works on various cars, including lambo's ferrari's Sylvester Stallone's cars, and other celebrity's cars. He has also taught me a lot and has helped me with my front diff install and rear locker install. We try and get out on the trails as much as possible so here was a day we got out just on a local last minute run.

I didnt get too many action shots of myself. Also for the so cal wheelers who have been to gorman...He tried to make the obstacle in the middle by the rutted hill and concrete hill but couldnt get passed the first section. That obstacle is tough!

 

[06 H3]

some random pictures before I painted the rims.

 

[06 H3]

Painting the rims! This was the final thing to do for the blackout process. I also gave the valve stem caps a shot of red paint.

 

[06 H3]

The next mod was welder I have gotten into this offroad/fab projects so much the next step was a welder. It is a 220V Lincoln Power Mig 180. I have used it to do some projects and will continue to practice and get better.

 

[06 H3]

So I have this new welder and need to practice! I decided to reinforce the OEM UCP transfer case skid. I added a plate inside the one slot and will add another eventually. This is with flux core. I now have a CO2 tank but I didn't have it when I did this project. Now it has some scrapes on the added plate and no broken welds. I guess, so far so good!

I was also new to using an angle grinder. I couldnt follow the lines too well. :huh: Atleast no one sees it and it adds more protection

Take off the OEM UCP and measure what size plate you want. Use cardboard to help and then mark it on the metal and cut it out.

Start grinding off the paint for a clean weld.

Get ready for the welding

Then after the welding is done, paint it and put it back on

Overall I was happy with this project. Was it perfect? no, but it has done the job and was a great first project to throw me into the world of fabrication!

 

[06 H3]

Next project was adding the rear locker! It was overwhelming to say the least. I did the install in the driveway on jackstands with a few friends. I did this to save money and in the event of breaking something in the rear axle it wont be too foreign. This took 2 days to do. We broke it up into two nights because of time constraints.

 

[06 H3]

Those are all the pictures I had for the rear locker install. After that our hands were too dirty. If someone asked me if they sould do this in their driveway I would say yes & no. Yes because its an experience and you save money but make sure its done right! have a buddy who has done this type of stuff before help. Remember get the right tools and take your time. Luckily my friend had a backlash gauge. you would need one of those unless your really good at guesstimating within fractions of an inch. Remember, ring gears are left threaded on the H3 and the shims may be a bitch to put in but they will go, just give it patience. While your in there change the axle seals on the end of the axle along with the bearings and races. You will need a press for those and that is also why it took 2 nights and broke it up.

 

[06 H3]

I had the locker installed but didnt get the electrical hooked up for about a month or so. It didn't really matter, if there was no power going to the locker it would just be an open diff. I have now used the locker multiple times and have had no major issues. Only one minor issue, a blown fuse. After that nothing else went wrong.

In the mean time, a buddy of mine found an '85 bronco and it sat for 7 years straight untouched. We got a new battery changed out the fluids and did some other minor stuff and it ran! He had to start wheeling though, I mean it was meant to be seeing it had a CB antenna setup and ready to go! We started out on the minor trails locally that are fire roads with turn off obstacles. We wanted to stay close and work out any bugs seeing it wasn't touched for so long. He will run it stock for now and hopes to eventually do a paint job, diesel swap and a lift. The TTB suspension is another type of IFS and is frowned upon as weak, flexless and terrible. He plans to keep the TTB because with a little bit of research there are ways to work with it and make it respectable on the trail. We even found a bronco in the junkyard with a rancho lift on it! the kit retails for 1000 bucks new and he got it for 80. WHAT A DEAL! That is for another thread though. lol Sorry only one picture I can find of the bronco and I wheeling

Here is a link for those who wonder what a TTB suspension is

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/702959/1990-ford-bronco-ii/page-2
http://www.explorer4x4.com/zims.htm

 

[06 H3]

After this I ran Miller Jeep trail. It is viewed as a tough full day trail. Its about 30 miles, for some reason the trail is viewed as the toughest in my area. I have friends in moderately built jeeps that have had major issues with this trail but for some reason I didnt get stuck once so it wasnt too bad. idk maybe I had a good day...

I didnt get too many pictures, It was a larger group and everyone kept on moving. I will search facebook to see what others posted up.

Talk about flex...those are 39's....

At the end of the trail my friend wasn't feeling well so we left while the other guys went to play at the gorman 4x4 area. The sluice box took out the big jeep. This now took out my door and fender multiple times, my bumper (luckily it popped back in) a tie rod and a jeep...I just adore the sluice box :no:

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

Great thread! Very interesting to read!:thumbs:

 

[06 H3]

whats next??

I added an ARB awning

 

[06 H3]

I did a late run to rowher flats and finally hooked up the PIAA's! This is also the last time you will probably see the dent

Piaa's working!

Damn rock obstacle

I met this guy later on, he was doing an expedition to Oregon. His rover had an H1 diesel in it and he also owns a green H1 that has the bulletproof doors...I think he runs with the pyschos if anyone knows him?

 

[Can007]

I love the story of ur rig... wow, I spent an hour going through the whole thread 2 or 3 times. great read

 

[ReconH3]

I just read this build all over again. I really like how you're really hands on with all your mods. Love how you blacked out everything.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

Sent from my iPhone

 

[06 H3]

thanks can and recon!

The build will only get more and more involved as I fabricate more and learn more about 4x4 suspensions and builds...just takes time and research.

 

[ReconH3]

Always does


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

Sent from my iPhone

 

[06 H3]

Havent posted up in 2012! I have been quite busy with the rancho lift, school, work and getting ready for moab. Let me try and get this up to present day slowly but surely.

After the ARB awning I did another run to gorman with the H4O guys, that was from around 9-5. I ripped out my bumper in the sluice box. After that I drove straight up to Frazier park and did a Dome springs run with the jeep crew. I wheeled there till about midnight. After wheeling all day I found myself extremely tired. I most definitely was not fully there, when going through the squeeze I took out my grille and my fender. :gaah:

We live and learn right? I can say I truly appreciate the talent and energy it takes some guys to race these long 1000 mile races like baja. I would need to work on being more attentive as I get tired.

Here are some pics.

I didnt get too many of the night run and I didnt get much on the hummer run but serge did get this video. I come in at 3:50

[video=youtube;EGgooUqbhhI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGgooUqbhhI&list=UUh6pBsqwQdUNohDp_a0Vk_Q& index=17&feature=plcp[/video]

EDIT: Found some pics!

 

[06 H3]

After that I had my fender, door, and grille all needing some TLC. I got the door and fenders repaired and then headed off to bishop.

 

[06 H3]

Bishop was a blast, It was my first multiple day wheeling trip and I fell in love with the town and the scenery. I really like the long drive too. I like how you have to rely on your rig enough to get you there wheel for 2 days and then drive 4-5 hours home.

Like the broken grille?!?!? lol

Some views

Cheeto and I pulling out both awnings, then the sun went in

 

[06 H3]

 

[cgalpha08]

Any plans to fix up the grill?

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[06 H3]

After bishop, I picked up a used chrome grille from a fellow hummer owner. Instead of going the same route as last time (minimal prep and gloss black paint) A friend of mine sandblasted the grille, then I primed it and bedlined it. It has held up SO much better then last time. I havent had to touch it up since I put it on in september where the old one I was constantly touching up. Just remember sandblasting a grille like the H3 has is tough, It can quickly take out chunks of the grille so you must be easy with it.

I am very happy with the results.

 

[06 H3]

Any plans to fix up the grill?

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Read the last post lol I guess I couldnt type quick enough.

Here is a pic of the new grille with it bedlined

 

[cgalpha08]

I was debating posting that or not...guess i should have waited..ugh!

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[06 H3]

After bishop I was having issues with idle. I threw a P0302 and a P0300. I changed the plugs and coil packs and kept on pulling the damn code