cbetts' 2006 H3 Build

[3Hummers]

Very nice

 

[WarMongur]

Looks sweet


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Scarsman]

Did you have your OEM front skid doubled up?

Yes, they are definitely not stamped out sheet metal and light gauge tubing like OEM!

They look way too shiny and clean though!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[cbetts]

Did you have your OEM front skid doubled up?

Yes, they are definitely not stamped out sheet metal and light gauge tubing like OEM!

They look way too shiny and clean though!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

No, I only have the THORparts skid. The original got bashed pretty good. I would love to have a steel version but I have settled with the aluminum version.

Sent from my Pokemon Go appliance using Tapatalk

 

[H3slate]

Looks great! Find to go scrape them up.

Sent from my SM-N930V using Tapatalk

 

[06 H3]

Looks great! We need to hit LCC soon and scrape them up.

 

[cbetts]

Thinking of LCC on black Friday.

Sent from my Pokemon Go appliance using Tapatalk

 

[poncho1965]

Looking good Craig!

 

[cbetts]

My modding addiction continues. I recently purchased a THORparts rear bumper. I should have known this was not going to go smooth when I opened the box. A breeze came through the garage and blew the popcorn everywhere!

Once I got the mess cleaned up, the bumper looked great!

Pulling off the stock bumper was straight forward.

Putting the new bumper on, well, not so easy. Turns out my air line and exhaust are in the way.

I also did not anticipate the license plate hanging off the edge of the bumper. I have only seen the H3T version in person so my vision was incorrect.

So, the stock bumper went back on for now until I get some more parts. I need a different trailer harness plug (found it on Amazon), a mount for the license plate, another tow hook along with the parts to make it usable. Not sure if the plate is going on the spare or the ladder. I also need to go the a muffler shop to have the tips shortened.

 

[cbetts]

Got a lot done on Bessie today. Started on the front since I needed an oil change. The KMW UCP took quite a beating on my last trip. Broke one bolt, stripped another and tweaked the front plate pretty good!

The stripped bolt was repaired using a TimeSert.

I finally put in a Fumoto valve in while it was apart. Now I can drain the oil straight into my jug instead of across the cross member and down my garage floor!

I took a floor jack to get all the plates back in straight. It all looks better with all the bolts in place.

Next came the THORoarts rear bumper.

It took a little percussive persuasion with a BFH, but got it on okay. I still need to wire in lights for the plate. Should have that done tomorrow.

 

[JPaul]

I rarely see any pictures when you post, just the greyed out "Do not enter" symbol.

 

[cbetts]

I rarely see any pictures when you post, just the greyed out "Do not enter" symbol.

Thanks. I forgot to set the images as shared before I linked them. They should be viewable now.

 

[cbetts]

Finished moving the air connector back next to the receiver.

I rerouted the air lines and tidied up the wires a bit. Looks much better.

Here is what the license plate lights look like:

 

[rascole]

Looks good.

 

[3Hummers]

Your truck has come a long way Craig!

 

[Peep]

Wow impressive

 

[cbetts]

Finally got the left tow loop mounted.

I did the Hillbilly/Redneck enforcement with the chain wrapped around the frame too keep the bumper in one piece.

I have been noticing my shifter dancing a bit when shifting gears so I swapped out the engine mounts.

This was quite a chore and took me about five hours to do both. The driver's side was the easiest to get to the bolts but hardest to maneuver around and get it to come out. It reminded a brain teaser puzzle. While finishing the passenger side mount, I noticed a hole in a CV boot. Looked like I lost most of the grease. Since I was already grubby and had a spare sitting around, I went ahead and replaced the shaft.

I must have done this too many times since it only took me twenty minutes! Then again, I got to use a new toy my mother-in-law got me for Christmas.

Say what you will about Harbor Freight tools . . . . but this baby took off spindle nut just fine. 1190 foot pounds of torque! No more using the breaker bar with a cheater pipe.

 

[rascole]

looks good.

 

[Panzer07]

Nice let me know if you ever want to weld an actual bracket for I have 1/4" material left over from my build

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

[cbetts]

Nice let me know if you ever want to weld an actual bracket for I have 1/4" material left over from my build

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

Thanks. I think I will stick with the chain for now. I don't feel like pulling the bumper off for no reason. We will see how it holds up in Bishop.

Sent from my Pokémon GO appliance using Tapatalk

 

[cbetts]

My mother-in-law gave me an early birthday present for the Bishop trip . . . a 4-1/2 foot awning.

 

[cbetts]

The wife bought me a set of seat covers just in time for my Bishop trip! The old ones were looking a little shabby.

Much better!

I need the saddle blanket material fully around the sides. My butt dragging in the seat kinda wore it away.

 

[cbetts]

Bessie got a few upgrades this weekend. Started off by replacing the lower control arms and bushings.

The bushings were well worn with almost 110K miles on them. Thankfully, California vehicles don't have much rust and I was able to remove the rear bushing simply with one hit from a BFH!

While I had everything apart, i also replaced the halfshafts and axle seals along with some fresh oil in the front differential.

I also replaced the mirror I broke in Bishop last year on Wheeler Ridge.

I learned a couple of lessons during this repair session:

1. Do not press the LCA up while underneath it. It slipped and smacked me good in the face.
2. Do not run Sea Foam through the intake if you live in a housing community. Neighbors thought my garage was on fire.

 

[rascole]

What was wrong the LCA that you had to replace them? Glad you got the bushing out easy, they can be a pain.

 

[cbetts]

One was gashed pretty bad from hitting rocks. They also came with the front bushing already installed along with the ball joints.