3 Years and 30k miles. My thoughts on the Hummer H3
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- čas přidán 23. 06. 2024
- The first entry in a new segment of vehicle reviews, we take a look at our daily driven Hummer H3 and discuss where it fits in the off-road market for 2018.
UPDATE: I thought it looked funny, but my original source was wrong. The axles are GM 10 bolt not DANA 44.
Others have mentioned that controlling the 1-2 harsh shift is by anticipating the shift point and letting off the gas while manually shifting up. This would work, but be sure to use the stock GM Fan clutch. I had an aftermarket severe duty and it sucked up so much horsepower it made it difficult to anticipate the shift points. - Auta a dopravní prostředky
The rear axle is a GM 10 bolt, 8.6", same as is found in the rear of GM midsize and half ton platforms (colorado/canyon/silverado 1500/tahoe/escalade/suburban 1500/etc). This is comparable to the strength of the 44 in the rear of the Rubicon and holds up pretty well on the trail if the driver doesn't abuse it. The Front axle is the GM 7.6, which it shares with the Ascender/Colorado/Canyon. The 7.6 had many rear-diff applications in lighter, lower torque, smaller tire applications (astro van, V6 camero/transam/firebird, early S10/S15 jimmy/blazer, caprice, bravada, envoy, etc). This axle is severely undersized for the weight and torque of this application and break often on tough trails in the H3, especially when churning popular 315/75-16 size tires that many install. The Rubicon with solid 44's front and rear and lower weight is a clear win for overall axle strength. The H3 desperately needed the 8.25IFS from the half ton trucks to be competitive in this department. My advise... pack spare half shafts for the front ;)
Yeah, I noticed my mistake earlier and fixed it in the description, but still get a lot of comments on it. Too late to fix the video now. So I just pinned your comment.........which is the next best thing...
Former H3 driver here. Can confirm. I love the H3 but the front axle *nearly* makes it a dealbreaker.
What ?
Excellent review. I have the '08 H3 Alpha with the off-road package (4:1 transfer case, rear locker). The thing is a joy to drive both on road and off. And while I don't drive with gloves, your "glove test" is actually a good way to show the ease/accessibility (or lack thereof) of the controls in a very objective way.
For those who are interested in a detailed backstory of the H3, try to find a hardcover book called "H3 Hummer" by Larry Edsall. It is a great in-depth look at the design, construction, and launch of the H3, although it was written just before the Alpha came out. The goal for the H3 from the very beginning was to produce a vehicle that could take on the Rubicon Trail in stock form, and also to accommodate 35" tires in stock form. Both were accomplished. An interesting note is that GM had an actual team whose job was to "break" the early prototypes, in order to find and fix weak points (what a fun job!). Oh, and the wide fenders? There's a specific reason behind them, and believe it or not, Arnold Schwarzenegger was involved with their final design! :) There's also mention of the low range 1-2 shift in the book; believe it or not, there is a different throttle pedal mapping when in low range, and there was a reason behind pushing the shift point to a higher RPM.
Nice video I have subscribed, I have had a H3 for 10 years here is Australia without an issue, about to do some upgrades ready for the next 10 years.
Thank you!! I'd love to take a visit to explore Australia"s Backcountry roads some day.
Mike's Man Cave
Hi Mike have Hummer H3 for 10 as well. Looking for another 5 or 10?
Same, I’ve had it for 12 years or so now, live in the Gold Coast. I’ll probably swap out the radio soon tho, it’s the only thing I dislike about it. All the channel buttons are non responsive and there is no Bluetooth/aux. Do you know which companies have radios for a hummer?
@@Alex-gp1fz I just fitted a pioneer unit from Super Cheap Auto. Works just fine.
@@MikesManCave ah okay, cheers for that!
People bash these for being “less capable than the h1” but they actually do really great off road and styling of the 08s and up on the h2 and h3 actually looked really nice. They will go in practice just about anywhere a rubicon will go. Angles are roughly the same and other than not having sway bar disconnects(which might hurt an h2 because of the weight) and a front locker(h2 has a Automatic Break front Diff as a substitute) they are pretty similarly specd.
seriously great review sir!
Fantastic video, I love my H3 and H2 before it, very well done brother 💯💯
I really would like to find me an '08 H2 with updated interior!
@@ForgottenWaypoints I had the 2005 H2, I drove it from 115K miles to 225K miles with ZERO problems, I sold it to my buddy and he has it up to 260K+ with zero problems. Your right though, the interior and dash is pretty plain, but nothing else looks like it!
Love the review
Excellent video! One note though - I do off-roading and never really noticed, or I guess didn't pay attention to hard shift from first to second
Then you are lucky. Maybe it only affects some H3s? It's really annoying, most of my GM 4wds do this, including my 2011 truck.
Im seriously considering buying an H3. Thanks for this in depth video on yours.
We sold ours, but I'd love another with the manual transmission! It was a great rig!
Great review. Thanks
Love the review. I had an 08 Adventure package and really liked it. Got silly a few years ago and got rid of it and did the Jeep thing for a while. There are benefits to a Wrangler but I’ve always missed the H3. Currently shopping for an H3T. Since it isn’t a daily driver the alpha isn’t important to me. But the lockers are a must. And finding the truck with adventure package isn’t the easiest thing to do.
It won't be an easy search, but an H3T Adventure would be such a sweet exploration rig!
I no expert, but I don't think 4 low is meant to be a gear for faster driving. It's meant to get you out of a sketchy situation. When I had my YJ wrangler, I never used 4wd unless I had to, even then I only used 4 hi. I understand that the hummer is full time 4wd, but there is no need to put it in full lock and abuse your t-case more than you will on a real trail.
On a real trail (in Moab for example), we are talking 6+ out of 10 difficulty, you will be in 4-lo all day long. When we did the Rubicon, we were in 4-lo for 2 full days. We never used it for 'fast driving', but you couldn't keep up with the other 4wds on the trail without shifting out of low range. This includes Jeep Rubicons with 4:1 gear reduction (and they were staying in low range). The transfer case is just really noisy, even more so than my aftermarket fan/fan clutch (which was also ridiculously loud). That's another suggestion: Always keep the stock fan and fan clutch!
What the creator said. In my YJ I got away with 4 hi for most stuff but I was on 31s with a manual and no added weight. Heavier vehicles your pretty much in 4lo and under 10mph all the time
"4LOW for faster driving" lol duhhh
The problem is on some tougher trails going back to 4low every time things get sketchy would be worse than dealing with the 1st to 2nd bang. There are trails where you cruise all day and get 2 or 3 hard parts, and then there are trails where you dont get over 6mph and spend 5hrs traveling 10 miles
Zackary Jones
Many videos showing people dune bashing in 4LO going 60+... for me it depends on how big hill is and the distance I have to build momentum.
Nice! That vehicle is the Cadillac of SUVs. No wait, that's the Escalade, but still, that's a nice vehicle.
It does tend to wind out in 4lo when going to the 1-2 shift but I rarely stay in 4lo for most applications. I can go everywhere in 4hi locked most of the jeep guys I wheel with drop into 4lo for.
"Avoiding" 4lo on trails that require low speed due to their steep hills or rough terrain is not doing you or your vehicle any favors. Just wind up doing a lot more clutch slipping or requiring a lot more engine power be converted to heat in a torque converter. Use 4 low and you'll reduce engine load and transmission temps dramatically on the trail. Just because you "can" doesn't mean you should.
Very good video
Thank you! It was my first try and I made a few mistakes. We are hoping to up our quality with future reviews.
In Russia i have H3 2007 whith swap 2uz-fe 4.7 toyota sequoia engine and gearbox... that suv very heavy on mud and snow, stuck everywhere, but i love him)))
I own a 2uzfe, that's a great Mill. How hard was the swap?
Sounds like marriage LOL!
my wife gave up a 16 equinox for an 06 H3 but i'll admit its a nice vehicle for its age, the one i got is super clean i just gotta replace the stock stereo with navigation because it lacks bluetooth, other than that the H3 is really nice looking even in 2019, especially since most SUVs today are 4 door vans...
Yup, your only real choice for a 2019 body-on-frame SUV is the 4Runner or Jeep Wrangler. Both excellent in their own right, but I miss the variety of days past.
Can you imagine a 2nd generation H3 on the Colorado ZR2 platform? It'd be amazing!
haha my wife even states SUVs today are all bitch cars.. but yes Jeep, 4 runner or FJ cruiser were other options but this hummer was incredibly priced, i paid only 9k for it... and full coverage is only 156 dollars a year...
Thank you
I love my H3
You could have the 4lo 1-2 shift smoothed out via tuning.
Great video. I’m almost sold on the h3 as a replacement for my aging xj Cherokee. It serves a mix of Offroad, overland, Some DD and some boat towing service. There is really is nothing like the Cherokee available in a newer truck. The prices of wranglers even with high miles are a joke. Going to have to test drive an h3 soon
Headles Norseman
I actually looked all over for a Cherokee. All were really high mileage, poor condition. My wife really liked the H3 plus it had the tow bar adapters so it could be flat towed. Had mine since 2015.
How’s the h3 compare with reliability against an older mode Honda Pilot.
Thanks for the review. I am debating the H3 vs FJ Cruiser or evening H2. Can you give me your take (or anyone watching) on what they would suggest. Any benefits to the others or disadvantages you can think of? Besides what was mentioned already. Thanks.
I need more seatime in the FJ, but my impressions so far:
H3 has better ergonomics and viewing angles (out your windows) and interior space. The H3 also has the full time transfer case. H3 also has better seats (leather) and interior build (except the chrome which runs off)
The FJ has better aftermarket support, a better engine (unless your H3 is the V8 Alpha), the manual transmission is full time, but the autos are part time.
I'd look into Lexus GX470s, not much of a looker on the outside, but the interior competes with the H3, the interior ergonoimics is better, and they have aftermarket support. Down side is $$ and a boring exterior.
8LIFGR8 4x4 thanks I’ll look into some options. I am a bird photographer and the idea of that sunroof you have seems awesome to help me get more photographs!!
FJ is more dependable but costs more
I really love how the chrome wheels look on the hummer what kind are them?
They were on the truck when I bought. We sold it awhile ago, but I’ll grab some old photos and see if I can ID them for you
I have a gmc envoy and I have the same 1st low to 2nd low shift behavior. I think the point is that if your crawling on a technical obstical you dont want the trans upshifting to soon. But most of the time you really need 2nd low and 3rd low and when im in a convoy that stops to much i start getting aggravated because I know im back in 1st.
How do you like your envoy off road?
In hindsight, I believe a lot of my issue was the severe duty fan clutch, and may have inadvertently messed with ideal shift points because of the engine load for that fan when it would decide to shift.
@@ForgottenWaypoints I got it for family utility, house diy, towing, etc with just a nod to off road in case I decided to have fun one day. Turns out the trailblazer/envoy family was harshly underrated for off road use. With 2in lift and 32s I went rock crawling in the snow and 3 jeeps I went with got stuck.
I also have the G80 factory locker which makes a big difference. But the family is still harshly underrated.
Change the speed sensor on the gearbox
I never paid attention to these vehicles until I had to buy one for my wife to drive our daughter to school. They are selling really cheap now. You can get a decent one for $5-6k. I like to change my vehicles’ fluids so I took the skid plates off. A new Jeep can cost ten times what you will pay for one of these now.
Bought one this week off Copart run and drive for $3,700..will spend about 10k in mods...imo better value for money than overrated Jeeps..will use it as daily driver, hunting trips and a little off-roading...
So how is she holding up?
Had to get a new battery today. Next thing I need to replace are the jounce bushings.
Nicholas Livoti great..I think with regular maintenance these H3s will run fairly well for another 10 yrs...
@@buildindian8169 since you use it as a daily driver, do you spend much to fill up the tank? Thanks
H3 by far the best vehicle I've owned.
I keep seeing H2s on the used car lots and have an ich to pick one up to pull my camp trailer. There is still something about the H2/H3 that is kind of timeless.
How many miles u think is too much to even buy
Barbiegutz was wondering the same
@@Barbiegutts I drove my H2 from 120K miles to 245K miles before I sold it, I never had a SINGLE issue the entire time... I now drive a H3 which only has 115K miles on it (I paid $9000) but as long as you maintain it well it will get you to 300K+. I would be perfectly okay picking one up that had 180K-200K for around the $7000 mark, as long as it was taken care of 👌
@@ForgottenWaypoints Funny I have never seen one, I guess I will look better and check them out.
How is it in a city area? And how good is it on gas? I'm thinking of selling my car to buy something like this but I dont offroad I just use my car to get from point a to point b in town
It's a fun car to drive. It can be quirky, I didn't find the blind spots to be as bad as some people, but I also had those little convex mirrors attached to the side mirrors which helps.
Even the I5 has decent torque for city driving thanks to the axle gearing. The biggest thing I would recommend is DO NOT get the severe duty fan clutch. That's what I installed after my cooling system overhaul and it not only screams loud, but steals horsepower. Sure, it keeps your engine cool, especially in 4-lo, but it significantly worsens the driving experience.
If you don't want to be driving what everyone else is driving, the H3 is fun little runabout.
To help with the shifting in 4 Low, you could turn on the tow haul mode. It shouldn't shift quite as hard.
Interesting. I don't think I had a tow mode on my '07
@@ForgottenWaypoints some of them don't have it. But in a full size truck, putting it in tow mode can help with the hard shifting offroad.
@@cliffweatherbee6914 , thanks for the tip. I have since sold the H3, but I still have my 2500HD and will put that theory to the test. If it works, I'll happily suggest that route for Chevy owners going forward. Thanks for the heads up.
@@ForgottenWaypoints not a problem! Hope it works better! I don't know if your 2500 HD is a gas or diesel, but the Diesels will drive completely different because it has a different transmission.
I have the gas 6.0 with 6spd and it still has a harsh 1-2 shift like my I5 h3 and Tahoe & suburban with the 5.3L. I'm excited to try the tow hail trick, 4-lo throttle response has really been one of my biggest complaints with otherwise Stout and solid GM drivetrains.
Had one for 15 years. Untill I bought my 22 Ford F150 I would say it's the best vehicle I have ever owned. Never been in the repair shop for anything. I will never sell this baby Hummer.
Mine had the "drinks oil at wide-open throttle" issue. I'd have to add about a quart every 5k miles. Other than that, it was solid. I've since sold it, and occasionally miss it.
Hi what year was the H3
I paid extra to get my transmissions to shift that way all the time the transmissions last lot longer because they're not slipping for a smooth shift like the video thanks
It's not the clutch that's the issue, it's the fact it requires excessive (imo) rpm to force a downshift. But you are right, quick shifts are best for transmission life.
Exactly bud 😁
What are the things I should look out for if I were to buy one? I just needed something as a daily driver/winter beater, nothing too crazy for under $10K and I think this fits the bill perfectly. I was told the 2006 model year are the ones to avoid. Is this true?
Rust at this age. I'd also check the front of the engine at the valve/timing chain cover for leaks. If all is well and it runs good, I'd consider it, or at least at that point take it to a shop for a look-over. I hope it works out, I miss mine.
I have an 06. You probably won’t find one for under 10K tho. I wouldn’t use it for an every day if I had the option. These things are hard to get used to around other cars.
What engine is more reliable H3 2006 to 2008 3.5 or 3.7 ?
Really enjoyed the video, looking into a toy like the H3 and just like you said the prices of these things are pretty rock bottom for any 4x4, thanks for all the info from your experience
I wish I could have done a better vid. So I apologize for the crappy audio. I'm happy you found it useful.
I've upgraded my microphone and got some seat time in my BIL's 2018 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, so stick around and hopefully my next video will be better.
I love mine. I got it for 7500 with adventure pkg. You'll be extremely hard pressed to find anything as capable stock as a h3 for the same price if you're comparing miles/ and year model. Mine does have the I5 but also have the lockers, 4:1 tcase and 4:56 gears. I've started gathering parts for a solid axle swap and a 4bt Cummins swap.
@@Rhouzv , sweet pick up!! I'd love to review an adventure and talk about the difference.
That's a great price too
@@Rhouzv Exactly what I was thinking, already been looking up videos for a 4BT swap.
@@johnrose3898 it's been done, there's not alot of reference out there for it though. Pirate 4x4 has a decent write up on one
Was that Toquerville falls at 13:08?
That was actually mineral creek on the way to Engineer Pass in Colorado. An awesome drive!
Those aren't Dana axles. They're GM 8.5in (10 bolt). A Dana 44 looks like an apple turned on it's side. A GM 10 bolt is round like a Dana 35. GM 8.5s aren't bad axles, just clarifying in case someone is looking for parts for theirs, they don't order bearings for a D44.
Yup, I tried to correct it in the comments and vid description.
@@ForgottenWaypoints - My bad, bro... I rarely read the descriptions, but I scanned the comments quickly and didn't see your correction. Great video by the way!
That 1-2 shift issue is the speed sensor on the gearbox
Can you adjust it? It seems all GM 4wds are this way
I’ve come across a 2006 3.5l with clean car fax and 61,530 miles for $11,000. I’m contemplating on getting it but not 100% sure so watching videos and reviews. Any thoughts?
Check the front of the engine and see if any oil is leaking around the valve covers. If not, and it runs good, I'd consider it.
8LIFGR8 4x4 thanks. Still looking and I’ve had some Hummer enthusiasts stating the 3.5l has too many issues with the heads and whatnot. Still checking other reviews. I’m 50/50 as of now. Thanks!
I know this is an old comment but I have the 2006 I5 H3 and it’s got 367,911 miles now. STILL runs amazingly. Original engine, transfer case, and transmission. No electrical issues and it’s still beautiful. Best vehicle I’ve ever owned hands down. Mind you, I’m not really taking it off-road like many do. Just a daily driver with some light trail use when camping. I am very thorough when keeping up on maintenance and that’s all it needs.
I’ve had to replace the exhaust manifold, rubber bushings, tires, brakes, air filters, 02 sensors, and accelerator pedal sensor but that’s really about all. I Love it!
What is a bigger truck: a Tundra, Silverado 2500 or a H2?
Tundra is the lightest duty, 2500HD the heaviest. The H2 is widest.
Looking into buying a manual cloth seats hummer soon
A manual would be sweet!
I have one and I love it.
I am pretty sure the adventure package comes with front and rear lockers
No, all adventure packages do not some with the front locker. My 2006 with the Adventure package had a rear locker only. When buying, just look at the dash. You have to have 2 locker symbols. Very easy to see when buying. No one mentions the comfort of the H3, when not 4 wheeling. My wife and I drove my H3 from Fresno, California to San Antonion,, Texas and back! We had our Chihuahua with us. Comfort all the way, and back! Look at this Hummer, it does not have a rear, or front locker. No locker buttons on the right side. My the way, I am on my 2nd H3. I now own a 2009 Championship Edition, with a V8, and front and rear lockers. I even have copies of the paper they used to put on the windshield, with all equipment , and upgrades. It cost over $47,000 when new. The Championship edition comes only in a metallic silver. It is not an Alpha, but on the registraion (California), they call it an Alpha. An Alpha will have an emblem on the rear gate, and on the steering wheel. My have neither. I paid $23,000 for it 3 years ago. It was in almost perfect condition. Last thing I will mention is that I honestly feel all Hummer H3 have issues with the electrical system. If my rear brake lights aren't out, it is something else. My last Hummer was always locking itself out, many times. The sunroof leaked. However, I am now 70 and retired. I would never buy a new jeep for $40,000-$80,000! I will never buy another 4 wheeler, unless I wreck this one. When the engine dies, I will repair, and upgrade with even more HP!
Love these h3’s they get a lot if static from the Jeep community but honestly jeeps are everywhere and I see more soccer moms driving them than anything else ! Plus you can get a h3 with lockers for 1/2 the price of a Jeep rubicon! I wish they still made these little monsters . I’ve owned wranglers h3’s and an h2 And I favor the h3 over all of them .
I wished I had gotten an H2 to pull my camp trailer over my 2500HD. Oh well.
The entire Hummer line is under appreciated.
At 3:01 skid plates are overlapped wrong
For some reason I'm not surprised 😁
Rear seats fold down flat? We camp out of suvs a lot during the winter
I've since sold the H3, but I believe they folded with a slight incline.
@@ForgottenWaypoints okay cool. And thanks for the quick response
I just purchased a h3 and have the adventure package. I am curious to take it off-road and see how it shifts.
Let us know what you think!
Are you like 7 feet tall? Im 5'5/ 5'6 and kinda clear the mirror on my H3.
Hahah, just over 6', or 6'2" if you ask my 8th grade basketball coach, lol
I travel a lot from states to states could this be a good car to travel????
If you want to sacrifice mpg for style yes
Vtec Banger so you mean more gas per mile ??
Rocky Aguilar it’s not as good as a rav4 but it’s not boring like a rav4. They are very comfortable too. The h3 is fun to be in
What is 4wd and whats great about it?
you are kidding right?
Four wheel drive.
🤭🤭🤭
Great review, but what's up with the "glove test" I dont wear gloves while driving.. never heard of such a thing. 🤭
Some four wheelers do so in the winter and if you need to get in and out a lot you wear gloves. More so if you are in a rig that you can remove the top.
That said, I've had enough 'whats up with that?' comments that I don't put it in later reviews. ;)
@@ForgottenWaypoints that makes sense. Everyone has different preferences for different needs.
Cheers
@@bigsky445 , I read a brochure on the FJ Cruiser where they said it was a "big deal" in the ergonomic design and another on the JL Wrangler design where the vents on the wrangler are specifically shaped such that someone with heavy/thick clumsy gloves can easily adjust them.
The Wrangler can have the top removed, so that makes sense. After I had more people question "what the heck is the glove test?", especially on the Grand Cherokee review, it became clear it's not THAT important.
It's much easier just to describe the ergonomics as "cramped" in spots, that way the few people who DO cold-weather wheel with gloves know what they are looking for and the rest of us don't have to wonder what's going on.
I don't wheel with them either. But I'm a wimp, I'd rather have a heated steering wheel than wear gloves anyway!!
Lol 1. 2 shift lol I have the adventure h3 love it low lock climb all most any thing the truck loves snow banks I have had no problems with her .....yet .... they all have there own pops tho we are all different no one can say this is better that sucks
I've had both....i like the h3 better...i might get an h3t alpha.
I would love an alpha.
@@ForgottenWaypoints if I'm going to get one it may as well be the top of the line, with front and rear lockers...i was thinking about the h2t but them h2s always look like they are struggling over the smallest obstacles.
Is 160k miles to much on these cars? Not sure if I should buy it
Mine was leaking oil out of the front timing cover, but was otherwise fine. The V8 alpha has a stronger track record, IMO.
Note that the I5 tends to burn oil when it's run at full-throttle. I would have to add about 0.5-1 quart every 10k miles before changing my synthetic oil. That bothered me a bit, but the engine ran fine. There are reports of many I5s going over 200k miles these days, but any used car is going to be a risk.
buy it is good car😂🤣
HUMMER AASIF LIKED THIS VIDEO💪💪💪❤❤❤
I’m tryna see what the gas mileage is though
14 city, 18 highway for the i5
me just a 16 year girl tying to see if the h3 has any real issues but get a full tutorial over off roading knowing I'm only going to drive it in a city lmao
Hahah. So now you need to get an H3 and take it in the dirt!
I hope you bought one!
Standard ...off road heating sets why
Hummers are so iconic. I love them, especially in this color!
I recently found a POV with a black H3, and I am seriously considering buying one. I hope I can still find one in good shape. If you guys know someone selling a black one like the one in the video, let me know!!!
czcams.com/video/WUl3QmCqlCs/video.html
Keep up with these great videos! Maybe you can get the chance to make a video with the new Hummer that is supposed to come out this year or next year. That would be an awesome video!
I can't wait to see the reveal!
Zor
Automatic?!
So help me here guys .. is H3 all time 4x4 ?
And if you had to choose one which one u pick ??
A H3
B jeep wrangler sahara
C toyota fj cruiser
H3 is full time 4wd, so yes
..all-time with low range. If you want to modify, get the wrangler. If not, the H3 out of the box is great. And the full-time 4wd is great in bad weather.
The H3 is full time "AWD" with an open center diff that has a torque split via planet gear assembly that favors the rear, so on slick roads it is still susceptible to over-steer like many 4WD vehicles that have a "2WD" or "AWD" mode. The stab/trac nannies will kick in though, so good or bad depending on your preference. Best bet with any vehicle like this on ice/snow packed roads is to lock the center diff, this will keep the behavior of the vehicle far more predictable, improving both going and stopping traction.
As an H3 owner... I like the H3's styling and "feel" enough to get over the fact that it's built like garbage. The i5's torque curve is terrible, requiring winding out to ~5000+RPM regularly for normal driving in traffic, the front axle is weak, lots of plastic bits that fall apart, (basically any handle you can pull on in this vehicle will break off). I went with the manual to avoid the awful 4L60 4 speed auto they put in these that requires frequent rebuilds and has terrible efficiency. On the plus side, the interior is reasonably quiet on the highway, and it does have good road manners for a body on frame SUV with leafs/torsion suspension. Fit's 33-35" (255/85-16 and 315/75-16) rubber without any modification. If you can find an 09/10 Adventure package Alpha model then you'll really be in business (stronger front diff, front and rear lockers, V8 power, have the transmission bullet-proofed by a reputable shop).
The Wrangler Sahara has fewer annoyances in the "breaking plastic bits" department, but the 3.8L V6 and 4 speed auto from the same era as the H3 are similarly awful inefficient driveline components. The wrangler is noisier on the road and has poorer road manners than the H3. Offroad the wrangler sahara competes with a non-adventure package H3 pretty well. Both have no lockers and similar clearances/angles. The Heap has better articulation while the Bummer fits 35" rubber. The Sahara requires modification to fit larger than a 33" tire (~285/70-17). The Sahara also has a weak front axle like the h3.
The FJ has the offroad down-sides of both the alternatives. Has the limited articulation of the H3 combined with the smaller tire size limits of the sahara. Offroad it will generally be the least capable. For everything else the FJ is a far nicer vehicle to live with. The engine has a WAY better torque curve, better usable power. The auto transmission has 5 gears instead of 4 and is a much more efficient, modern transmission design. (Might be worth noting that if you're in the market for manuals, the FJ and wrangler both offer 6 speeds vs the hummers 5). The FJ's road manners and cabin noise might not be quite as good as the H3 but very close. The build quality of the FJ in everyday components like knobs, buttons, handles, etc, are going to be far longer lived than either the wrangler or hummer. I'd also expect the drive-line to be generally less troublesome long-term than the heap and bummer, though in this case, while the front diff is stronger, the rear is a bit weaker, and the steering parts on the FJ are thin.
If I had to choose... I did choose the H3. Not because it's better, but because it "speaks" to me. Tradeoffs....
Good reply. It's also worth noting that the manual FJ is full time 4wd while the auto is part time.
pretty sure all hummers are full time 4wd with no option for 2wd at all
C Toyota cruiser
How tall are you
6'-1"
Ok. is it enough room for to sit comfortable?
@@thomas6861 , yes. It's been a few years, but I recall liking the seats and seating position. It's a bit tight on the center console. For example, you can't use modern water bottles and expect to shift to 1st gear manually.
I typically sit at a 90 degree upright position, so I'm a bit closer than many taller folks who like to lean back.
@@ForgottenWaypoints thanks for the information.
My driver side turns the heater on automatically. That radio it comes with is ABSOLUTE junk. The stock roof rack gets in the way at any automatic car wash. It is an adjustment to drive and know your surroundings with the hummer too because of the small windows and many MANY blind spots. I love it overall. But the mirror wrap inside is also very junky. The gas cover has it too and it bubbles up underneath. I don’t recommend driving this on the road as an every day immediately after you buy it. Go drive it somewhere with very low traffic to get used to driving it and knowing where the edges of your vehicle are. I almost want to take the doors off just so I can see the cars around me better. Another thing about a feature of this vehicle is the step rails. Those are cute and almost useless besides for those who are gonna buy sliders for the sides. I NEVER step into it with those things. And one last thing is the stock speakers..YIKES. If it weren’t for the leather, the stock slid plates, the look, the body armor, the space, the off-road specs, the engine, the wheel clearance and the overall feel of being in a military vehicle, I would be extremely disappointed with it. Let’s not forget the roof window.
I didn't think the sound system was that bad in mine. But the GM factory chrome. Awful. Spot on on that, bubbling everywhere.
@@ForgottenWaypoints I guess I spoil myself on sound systems. If the car just gets really loud and don’t have any base, it gets irritating. My stereo also has a cd stuck in it and won’t even acknowledge that anything is in it. You gotta have Bluetooth now a days.
@@ghosthxer7301 , My LX has had all the paper surrounds on the Mark Levinson deteriorate, it's absolute garbage. Only good for audiobooks. Maybe. Barely. I'm deciding if I just replace the speakers or do the "art project" overhaul and repair the speakers.
Did your H3 have the subwoofer? Mine had a factory sub. It definitely wasn't a "high end" system, but it worked for us. But, like you said, I probably tolerate crappy systems better than most.
@@ForgottenWaypoints the cute little piece of copper in the trunk? Ya. The previous owners blew the little thing. I just got mine yesterday. Looking at about 700 bucks in the audio system. Not gonna do anything too crazy but I’m gonna at least put better speakers in there. I did a mix of Sony and boss in my outback and the thing is awesome. I don’t like to mess around with subwoofers in vehicles too much as far as giant ones go. Something that gives you a pleasant experience. I noticed it rides very smooth but every bump echos like crazy even when you don’t feel it. A good sound system gets rid of those noises, good bass makes your rides feel more smooth, overall, with decent little tweaks, you make the vehicle better. I always start with audio. It’s quick, not always easy, but has the most important improvement for me. It’s also generally cheapest to do. If you still have one, I recommend getting a different ignition cylinder.
Head gasket and solenoid replacements cost more than the cost of the vehicle. I know many junkyards simply getting rid of the vehicle within 2 months because of no/low market for used parts.
My mechanic has a small dealership and tried to sell me one for a good deal, test drove the little beast for a week. Worst gas mileage and horrible when it comes to comfort even in the city. I said no thanks. It was his personal vehicle from brand new to 70k... It’s been on his lot for almost a whole year, nobody wants it. They look cool in the movies though. Haha!
who wears thick gloves while driving?
winter driving?
@@smdanny1 oh, ok. my car has a heater
@@chupacabbra5606 😂😂
so get the manual. and dont slide out of seats. just get out. fair enough
U want lux
Isnt the H3 for the ladies?
dell cargill , definitely not, every girl I know thinks they are ugly. A lot of women like the Jeep Wrangler, but they dont know any better. Its their husbands that will have to deal with all the problems and repair bills. Jeep = 🗑. . . Hummer Or Toyota for the Win!
What a STUPID question !
4 low is ment for slow speeds. You should go with the adventure package with rear locking diff or alpha if you plan on doing trails/overland trips.
Jeeps are unreliable complete pieces of junk in my opinion. Jeep basically stole hummers look An continues to do so today and nobody is calling them out. Jeep didn’t have a 4 door Wrangler until after the H3 came out. Hummer H3T came out in 2009. Hummer went out of business. 2019 Jeep Gladiator, Hmm looks oddly familiar. Complete rip off. Pick up a good condition hummer H2 or H3 now while you can because in 10 years or more these things will probably be a collectors item. But for an all around affordable off road everyday driver in 2020 the only new vehicle id spend my money is a Toyota 4Runner.
4-lo is meant for low speeds, but there is no excuse for the harsh 1-2 shift.
The 5th Gen 4Runner is also a great rig, and I prefer it for overland duties. But if you wanted to cross the Rubicon, nothing on the market competes with the Wrangler. I'm hoping the new Ford Bronco has a solid front to give us some competition
8LIFGR8 4x4 yeah, I agree the Jeeps are fun and very capable. I especially like the removable roof design. But they newer ones have poor mechanical quality, and the transmission/engines are problematic. That combined with the price tag cancels them out for me.
SMH
If it aint the H1 its a pile of dog shit with bits of corn in it 😂😂👌