Vdawg’s H3 build

[Vdawg1115]

Hi y’all, my H3 is undergoing a Solid Axle Swap at the moment. This is just the intro post. Will include some of the basic things I have done since i first got my H3 6 years ago

 

[Panzer07]

Well over due, staying tuned.

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[Gpcalero]

:banana

​Can't wait!

 

[amrg]

Rancho for sale?

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[Vdawg1115]

Rancho for sale?

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rancho is spoken for.

 

[Vdawg1115]

Gonna start out at the beginning.

flew to Phoenix to pick my 2010 Alpha up. She had 113k miles on her. 20” Chrome wheels. But the offroad package was the selling point

 

[Vdawg1115]

First modification? Swapping out the 20”’chromes for a set of factory 16”’chromes and 315/75/16 BFG KO2s. Also swapped all the shocks to Bilstein 5100s and then threw on an old Yakima Megawarrior basket on. Also added some RockyRoadOutfitters Rock Sliders

 

[Vdawg1115]

Right away I joined Diablo4Wheelers and the H3 got to see plenty of dirt time

 

[Vdawg1115]

Next thing I did was add a Chassis Unlimited rear diff cover and OutfitterDesign Heavy Duty Tie Rods, front diff bushings and steering rack reinforcement

 

[Vdawg1115]

Next modification secured me as an overlander. You ain’t an Overlander unless you have a snorkel right?View attachment 27351

next was the Schwarttzy high clearance leaf spring shock mount and extended shackles View attachment 27352

 

[Vdawg1115]

Finally added a winch (Smittybilt XRC 9500) and ARB front bumper. Painted the D rings red also (doesn’t get more offroad than that).View attachment 27353

 

[alrock]

Red d rings increase the breaking strength by at least 20%

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[Vdawg1115]

Red d rings increase the breaking strength by at least 20%

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haha. Those are facts

 

[Vdawg1115]

Next thing was a rooftop tent and awning

 

[Vdawg1115]

I had ordered a GobiRack before I got the Rooftoptent, but it didn’t get here in time. But it finally came a week after our trip out with the tent

 

[Vdawg1115]

Gobi rack looks pretty naked without lights, so I added a set of cheap LEDs from eBay. Only set me back $156

 

[Vdawg1115]

Ran this setup for a while. Did a few trips during the time

 

[Vdawg1115]

Ordered a set of these

 

[Vdawg1115]

Over the next few days I install the SPC LightRacing Jounce shocks for the front. Which require cutting off the factory bumpstop mounts and welding on a supplied bracket. Also decided to switch to Bilstein 5160s in the front and 5165s in the rear. I think they’re the same compression and rebound as the standard 5100s, but with a reservoir. At the same time I swap the rear leaf springs for old man emu springs

 

[Vdawg1115]

Decided to add an arb rear bumper as well

 

[Vdawg1115]

Got a skull spare tire delete plate from Benjamin Kenney. Also ordered LED rear brake lights from IPCW. I decided to order a set
of
skidplates
from Schwarttzy. I like how this design is

 

[Vdawg1115]

To make things a little more convenient for overlanding,
I decided that I need a swing out tire carrier and jerry can cradles. I used a fab fours Toyota Tacoma swing out and fabricate some brackets to make it fit my rear ARB bumper

 

[Vdawg1115]

Ordered a RunCool Hood Louvre to help with engine bay temps. Also added some billet aluminum hood handles

 

[Vdawg1115]

Setup was pretty dialed for a while. Many trips

 

[Vdawg1115]

After using a yeti cooler for years,
we step up to a refrigerator on our trips and it certainly has been a game changer. I built a cubby system in the back for the fridge. The fridge was on a TemboTusk slide with cutting board option. I had a cubby for a camp chair and one for a camp table