06 H3
a.k.a. "The Jackal"
- Messages
- 9,358
- Location
- Meridian, ID
I am starting my trip thread now, I will post pictures along the way to the rubicon, maybe some poser pics with bebemonster and pics after the trail of course. First of all I want to say its been a LONG time to get the hummer in a state where you feel confident. Watching recon and bebe evolve their H3s you quickly learn to realize it takes a good amount of test time. The solid axle swap should have been tested and fine tuned by last February. Then my motor blew, with that the V8 swap came along and I had fine tuning to do between both of them, it takes a lot of work! Fine tuning bumpstops, shock valving, engine bugs, etc. Its been a long road. Now this trip is Rubicon or bust I guess. I would say its the maiden voyage for the SAS and V8 as hammers was kind of a bust not due to the SAS but due to the v8 swap but the SAS has been much better since then with more fine tuning. So drive 400 something miles to the rubicon, wheel the rubicon and drive home, or thats the goal. If I fail, I fail and will continue to fine tune and work out the bugs but o well, here goes nothing.
Leaving on Tuesday, 4 days left including today. A lot has gone on prepping for this trip for all vehicles. Squeaky for once had the smallest list, replace a broken rock light, wire up my electronics, pinion preload issue, and swap out the steering box.
My brothers was to build a long arm and reroute exhaust due to long arm, tie rod ends, new diff cover because his old one was destroyed and leaking.
My buddy in his TJ was an aw4 trans swap (while this wasnt done just for the trip it was done to get confidence in driving long distances ditching a 3 speed RPM screaming trans for a 4 speed) it involved pulling the trans, integrating an electronic trans into a factory harness that didnt control the trans and spent a few nights with my buddy soldering and reading electronic schematics, get the driveshafts lengthen for the front and shortened for the rear due to new trans length, install a detroit locker. The trans setup has about 1000 miles on it already.
On top of that I had to put together/do a few things. Get my California fire permit, put together a 4x4 spill kit, get a HAM radio because its the only form of communication and get some other camping supplies such as portable bathroom situation if needed.
Squeaky is done. TJ sits on jackstands awaiting to button up the 8.8 detroit locker install (was up till 2am installing it) and the JK is at the exhaust shop waiting to be finished. Squeaky was also washed for the first time in like 2-3 months
So whats left is wait for the JK to get done, go to storage drop off the doors and hardtop for him, button up the TJ and pack!
Tuesday is drive up to Bebes she will speak with us, give us some maps and catch up. She cant make it due to work but the trip will still continue.
Wednesday hit the rubicon! Probably enter at wentworth springs? Will talk to bebe about that.
Thursday is the rubicon
Friday hopefully finish the rubicon
Saturday drive home
Only concern is running it without someone who has ran it before and communication if theres an issue (maybe rent a SAT phone.) Luckily its summer so by friday night/saturday there should be people on the rubicon if issues arise.
Thats about it! Cant believe the rubicon is almost here, we have talked about this for years.
Here are some pics
detroit install
All clean!
Made my spill kit, 2.5 or 3.5 gallon bucket, towels, absorbent pads, kitty litter, shovel, gloves.
slit my damn fingernail in half.
Mocking up long arm
13 year old sister welding for the first time
Glad we beefed up the control arms....
messing pinion preload
Lastly the vehicles,
06 H3, Dana 44 up front, 5.13s, 37s, locked front and rear, 4:1, v8
08 4 door jeep JK, supercharged 3.8, dana 44s, 5.13s, 7.4:1 low range with doubler, 37in KM2s, locked front and rear
02 Jeep TJ, 35in KM2s, aw4 swap, dana 30 front, ford 8.8 rear, locked front and rear, 35in KM2s
We have spare shafts, spare hubs, spare ball joints, spare driveshafts, spare power steering line, I'm sure I am forgetting more...
Leaving on Tuesday, 4 days left including today. A lot has gone on prepping for this trip for all vehicles. Squeaky for once had the smallest list, replace a broken rock light, wire up my electronics, pinion preload issue, and swap out the steering box.
My brothers was to build a long arm and reroute exhaust due to long arm, tie rod ends, new diff cover because his old one was destroyed and leaking.
My buddy in his TJ was an aw4 trans swap (while this wasnt done just for the trip it was done to get confidence in driving long distances ditching a 3 speed RPM screaming trans for a 4 speed) it involved pulling the trans, integrating an electronic trans into a factory harness that didnt control the trans and spent a few nights with my buddy soldering and reading electronic schematics, get the driveshafts lengthen for the front and shortened for the rear due to new trans length, install a detroit locker. The trans setup has about 1000 miles on it already.
On top of that I had to put together/do a few things. Get my California fire permit, put together a 4x4 spill kit, get a HAM radio because its the only form of communication and get some other camping supplies such as portable bathroom situation if needed.
Squeaky is done. TJ sits on jackstands awaiting to button up the 8.8 detroit locker install (was up till 2am installing it) and the JK is at the exhaust shop waiting to be finished. Squeaky was also washed for the first time in like 2-3 months
So whats left is wait for the JK to get done, go to storage drop off the doors and hardtop for him, button up the TJ and pack!
Tuesday is drive up to Bebes she will speak with us, give us some maps and catch up. She cant make it due to work but the trip will still continue.
Wednesday hit the rubicon! Probably enter at wentworth springs? Will talk to bebe about that.
Thursday is the rubicon
Friday hopefully finish the rubicon
Saturday drive home
Only concern is running it without someone who has ran it before and communication if theres an issue (maybe rent a SAT phone.) Luckily its summer so by friday night/saturday there should be people on the rubicon if issues arise.
Thats about it! Cant believe the rubicon is almost here, we have talked about this for years.
Here are some pics
detroit install
All clean!
Made my spill kit, 2.5 or 3.5 gallon bucket, towels, absorbent pads, kitty litter, shovel, gloves.
slit my damn fingernail in half.
Mocking up long arm
13 year old sister welding for the first time
Glad we beefed up the control arms....
messing pinion preload
Lastly the vehicles,
06 H3, Dana 44 up front, 5.13s, 37s, locked front and rear, 4:1, v8
08 4 door jeep JK, supercharged 3.8, dana 44s, 5.13s, 7.4:1 low range with doubler, 37in KM2s, locked front and rear
02 Jeep TJ, 35in KM2s, aw4 swap, dana 30 front, ford 8.8 rear, locked front and rear, 35in KM2s
We have spare shafts, spare hubs, spare ball joints, spare driveshafts, spare power steering line, I'm sure I am forgetting more...
