Scotty's H3 Alpha Build

[USMC_315]

I have recently purchased an H3 Alpha. The vehicle itself is stock so here I will be listing and writing about each uprgade I do to the truck. Right now I'm working on the cosmetics, the exterior is nearly perfect as well as the interior. However I want to add extra to it to set it apart


Things on my To-do List are:

1. [STRIKE]Replace interior light bulbs w/LEDs[/STRIKE]
2. [STRIKE]35" Nitto Mud Grapplers[/STRIKE]
3. [STRIKE]T-bar crank[/STRIKE]
4. [STRIKE]Brush guard[/STRIKE]
5. [STRIKE]Air intake[/STRIKE]
6. [STRIKE]CB Radio[/STRIKE]
7. [STRIKE]OEM rockers[/STRIKE]
8. UCP
9. [STRIKE]Replace tail lights[/STRIKE]
10. Truck horn
11. [STRIKE]AUX import for music[/STRIKE]
12. [STRIKE]Magnaflow exhaust[/STRIKE]
13. [STRIKE]Gobi roof rack[/STRIKE]
14. [STRIKE]Locking gas cap[/STRIKE]
15. [STRIKE]Short off-road antenna[/STRIKE]


Goal: Off-road capable mall crawler

 

[3Hummers]

We all love the build threads and watching people customize their trucks. Looking forward to it.

 

[Cyouincourt007]

Sounds cool, and looking forward to the changes :cheers:

 

[RazorbackH3]

Can't wait, sounds like a good start! :corn:

 

[asia1528]

Sounds great. Will be following your upgrades

 

[SWANK3T]

Had the predator guard and Gobi stealth rack they were dope. Sold them when we were selling the Wagon but we still have it so going to do a similar custom rack.

 

[SWANK3T]

Was trying to fix the pic it shows up correct then automatically flips

 

[USMC_315]

SWANK3T, haha the truck looks good either way. I didn't realize how wide the brush guard was, I like it!

 

[USMC_315]

Never posted up a before pic so heres that...

and since getting it I have added an offroad antenna and plastidipped a few parts of the rig including the grill, hub caps, and gas tank cover...

I have LED tail lights on their way that will be here Friday and cant wait to install them, also got the LED interior lights on their way as well.

 

[cbetts]

Looks sharp!

 

[SWANK3T]

LED interior lights made a big difference! Don't forget the two in the foot wells.

 

[USMC_315]

just got in my new taillights, nothin else to do so I'm enjoy myself and put these bad boys on. Got my LEDs for the interior to install too

 

[Deere3594]

very nice!

 

[USMC_315]

So I finally got done removing the stock taillgihts and inserting some new led ones off of Amazon for $175. In order to install them I had to obviously remove the original lights by unclipping them. Unfortunately it's never that easy, the clips holding the lights in were weak and the metal plugs did not come out like they should have...

Luckily the new lights head the same exact screw and I was able to just swap them both. I also stretched the clips a bit so they have a stronger hold next time I need to remove them which will be soon. When I was removing the driver side light, the screw driver ripped through the paper towel and scratched the paint, a bit of metal is showing so I will have to touch it up in the next couple of weeks before it begins to rust.

The lights are finally swapped, they went in very easy. The adapter for the LED lights didn't seal the hole to the LED light housing completely so I just covered it up with a whole lot of electrical tape. Other than that, it has a remarkable OEM fit and is something I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for an updated look for their 3.

As you can see they are quite bright, I had no issues with fitting the wiring for them. The adapter for the LEDs was very simple, all I had to do was unplug the light bulb and plug in the adapter. Everything fit where it originally was and went in with ease.

After finishing the taillights I switched out the interior dome, reading, and courtesy lights with new bright white LEDs. No need to give a summary on these because it's as simple as replacing a light bulb, if you need help with that then I suggest going to your local elementary school for assistance. This is something I would also recommend to all Hummer owners because it drastically improves the look of the car at night by providing a cleaner and brighter appearance.

SWANK3T, they actually remembered those but forgot two of the reading lights. So those should be in within a week or so and it will be completed.

I also realized a few days ago that this 3 didn't even have the UCP from the factory so I'm going to have to install one for myself. Any suggestions on aftermarket UCPs or should I just get the stock one and install the THOR parts upgrade? Suggestions/help for that would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Bigunit]

Nice!

 

[Bananatank]

Wow dude i fricking love that interior [emoji7] and those lights are on point the after market led ones!

 

[USMC_315]

So as stated in another thread, I sent the Alpha back to Carmax so they can do repairs. So far they've fixed the oil leak, missing skid plate bolt, uneven torsion bar crank, and supposedly they fixed the front end shaking (I'll see about that). I'm pickin him up at the end of this weekend more than likely and will continue with my improvements to the rig.

One thing I've been thinking about is the grill, the mechanic working on my 3 scratched up the plastidip on the grill, but I was thinking I should just redo it with a bedliner. I really like the way the black grill contrasts with the white paint and the permanent finish may be the way to go.

If I do end up finishing the grill with bedliner, do I need to sand down the chrome first? Also, should I spray the grill completely or is just on the front like the plastidip good enough?

Thanks guys and have a great weekend!

 

[RamRod]

If you don't sand down the chrome the bedliner will have nothing to stick to and might last a week if you can even get it to stick in the first place.

 

[USMC_315]

If you don't sand down the chrome the bedliner will have nothing to stick to and might last a week if you can even get it to stick in the first place.

what grit count will suffice?

 

[RamRod]

what grit count will suffice?

If you are going with bedliner go with 80 grit... if paint or plastidip then you would need to do it in stages smoothing it out along the way

 

[USMC_315]

*large sigh*

So I finally got back my H3 today and let me just say Carmax has been phenomenol in putting up with me to get this thing fixed. Wobbling driver side mirror, fixed; out of plumbed hood, fixed; uneven front fender/trim, fixed; highway speed vibrations, fixed as well as several other minor things. They've done a great job in insuring that the vehicle is up to my standards and I am very happy with the company in doing the right thing.

So where does that leave my Hummer now? It's great, I am planning on ordering a stock brush guard soon (wasn't 100% on the Predator brush guards looks and price) and will be redoing the grill with a bed liner coat only because the Carmax technician messed it up a bit when working on the front end. I'm also going to remove the nerf bars and finish off the lighting job I didn't get to complete before his return to Carmax. Looking forward to the next few weeks cause I'm going to give it it's first real wheeling.

 

[USMC_315]

minutes before it got covered in mud...

...and I forgot to take pics of him dirty, so by default it didn't happen

 

[USMC_315]

picked up brush guard today from Chaos, going to wire brush and sand it down tomorrow or Saturday and get it in the paint shop to be powder coated first thing Monday morning...

I'm finally picking up the pace on the 3 now, going to hopefully get a roof rack soon if not I'll be saving up for the lift and tires as my next upgrade with a few minor things here and there

 

[3Hummers]

Don't you just hate it when budget gets in the way of instant gratification?

 

[USMC_315]

So for the update on the truck, I forgot to mention that I covered my grill in bedliner a couple weeks back. I have some drip marks on the passenger side, not too bad. However I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep it that way and didn't put on a layer of clear coat. It's not totally noticable, but I figure if I just add another coat and then do the clear coat it should be good to go.

Not sure if I already mentioned this, but I had the passkey system fixed by the dealership. Only had it stop me from starting the truck twice, but I knew it would only be down hill from there so I got it done.

My brushguard should be ready tomorrow, got it done in a semi gloss black powder coat.

And for the more exciting portion of this update...