After years of having many Jeeps (Willys, CJ, XJ, ZJ, TJ, WJ, JK) I decided to get an H3 because I wanted something that could be an everyday driver. I really only got it because the WJ Grand Cherokee was no longer available as new. I'm really not a friend of IFS, but since everything out there was IFS I figured I would give the Hummer legend a try. Didn't want an H2, but I found the I5 in the H3 too weak. So I waited for the Alpha to come out. I custom ordered it because I wanted to make sure it had no chrome and sunroof. As an everyday driver, I really love it. I couldn't be happier. I also love the look of the H3. Especially when some tree-hugger Prius driver gives you the dirty look Now as far as a 4x4 is concerned, I quickly learned, thanks to this forum, that it was never going to meet my standards. Even if I hate IFS, I was willing to give it a chance. What really tipped the scales was the weakness of the front end. I mean the whole front end. Steering, Diff size, CVs, tierods, etc. So because of this, I decided to take a leap off the deep end. I won't get into all the details since I kind of want to keep it a under wraps till it's done. The guys I'm working with also want to because they don't want people copying their ideas. Here are some sneak previews of some of the cosmetic changes we have made so far. Hope you guys like them.
I got rid of those horrible plastic door handles that are way too flimsy for a real 4x4. You can get a peek of the slant-back rear, and the 6 point roll-cage.
Here's another peek of the slant-back with the military taillights. The finished product will be much better integrated.
Believe it or not, by removing all the rear glass, the H3 has become quite a bit lighter. The tailgate still works, and will still house the spare tire. Upper hinge had to be lowered and the whole structure around it reinforced.
Here you can see how the upper hinge was lowered and then reinforced.
The front end will pretty much stay stock. The front bumper will be only as wide as the frame rails, therefore exposing the front wheels. It will be very similar to what a H1/HMMWV looks like. We will try to fit in the front military markers if it's not too much of a nightmare. Tires won't be much bigger than a 35. It still has to fit in my small garage, and be an everyday driver. I won't get into the drivertrain details since that's the really trick part about it
Any comments and suggestions are very welcome since we want to get this right the first time. Please don't ask me who the people I am working with are at this time. They will all have their recognition after the whole project is done. What I do want to say it that there is going to be a ton of spare parts, that are practically brand new. Some I will sell to cover expenses, and some I will give away. Please don't drive me nuts at this time. I will let everyone know when the time comes. It will be an exclusive So-Cal thing since I won't be mailing anything out. The give away stuff will done in a way so that nobody takes advantage to sell the stuff on eBay or otherwise. All that will be figured out when the time comes. Meanwhile enjoy the pics. I will be adding more as the project moves along. Please speak your mind on what you see. I like criticism. A very smart guy once told me: "I never learned anything from somebody I always agreed with."