Hummer H3

I'm not an offroad guru like some of the guys on this forum and it really hurts for me to say this but... It looks like the H3 is really capable offroad (given that you got the rear locker option). Would it be too much to say that the H3 is way more capable offroad then the 4Runner?

Being in the Army I've driven many, MANY beat up military H1's and I know that they are incredible offroad (though I have gotten a few stuck). So I look at the H3 as a joke and something people buy just to say, "Yeah, I drive a Hummer." But can you even compare the H3 to the 4Runner offroad? We're all biased toward the 4Runner so I know I might catch a little crap from some people for saying this but in reality, stock to stock, I would think the H3 may put a whoopin' on the 4Runner offroad...

Man I hate thinking that :bash:. Please someone tell me otherwise.
 
Solice said:
I'm not an offroad guru like some of the guys on this forum and it really hurts for me to say this but... It looks like the H3 is really capable offroad (given that you got the rear locker option). Would it be too much to say that the H3 is way more capable offroad then the 4Runner?

Being in the Army I've driven many, MANY beat up military H1's and I know that they are incredible offroad (though I have gotten a few stuck). So I look at the H3 as a joke and something people buy just to say, "Yeah, I drive a Hummer." But can you even compare the H3 to the 4Runner offroad? We're all biased toward the 4Runner so I know I might catch a little crap from some people for saying this but in reality, stock to stock, I would think the H3 may put a whoopin' on the 4Runner offroad...

Man I hate thinking that :bash:. Please someone tell me otherwise.
Click to expand...

Well, H3 does have a lot going for it in off-roading...nice approach/departure angles, big tires, strong transfer case with ultra-low ratio, super-duper crawl ratio, and rear locker. Is it reliable?? I don't know...only time will tell. Reliability is a significant part of the off-roading equation.

If you take reliability out of the equation, then it is more capable than 4runner.
 
Thai said:
If you take reliability out of the equation, then it is more capable than 4runner.
Click to expand...

Does anyone have info on the Colorado/Canyon? How is the I-5 doing on those platforms?

I am certainly interested in the H3, but would like to see a turbo/super-charged version...

--Bill
 
Other than the approach and departure angles, 33" tires (owners have put 35" with no problems), Locking rear and the 4.03:1 ratio the H3 is a fine off road ride.

What surprised me about the H3 specs is the 9.1 ground clearance on factory 33's. The 4r has smaller tires with about that same ground clearance.

I think the 4R and the H3 are different purpose vehicles.

The FJ and Xterra would be more head to head with the H3. If only Toyota would put a 4:1 transfer case on the FJ.

Cheers,
 
Last edited:
bigbill25 said:
Does anyone have info on the Colorado/Canyon? How is the I-5 doing on those platforms?

I am certainly interested in the H3, but would like to see a turbo/super-charged version...

--Bill
Click to expand...

I heard that next year, the H3 will get a slightly bigger engine...3.7L or something. Rumor only. This is kinda odd for an engine upgrade so early in the cycle...so i would not put too much hope in this rumor.

H3 Alpha will come out in 2-3 years with a much stronger engine, possibly supercharged.
 
Thai said:
Well, H3 does have a lot going for it in off-roading...nice approach/departure angles, big tires, strong transfer case with ultra-low ratio, super-duper crawl ratio, and rear locker. Is it reliable?? I don't know...only time will tell. Reliability is a significant part of the off-roading equation.

If you take reliability out of the equation, then it is more capable than 4runner.
Click to expand...
Thats true. I didn't really think to much about reliability. Is that 5 cylinder engine a new engine for GM, or has it been used in other vehicles that have been around? Other then reliability (because we don't know) it seems the H3 is gonna be a beast offroad then. I may sneak around some H3 sites over the next few months just to see what kind of problems the owners are running into.

Edit: Engine question was sort of answered while I was typing. :D
 
azskyrider said:
check out the H3 forum

http://elcova.com/6/ubb.x?cdra=Y&s=2826088551

The only problem I see with the H3 is the ground clearance and the power. For long distance expedition travel vehicle this would be a real dog.
Click to expand...
Yeah like I was saying. The only people who I think will buy the H3 are people who want to be able to say they drive a Hummer. The H3 is one of the most impractical vehicles out there, if bought as a daily driver. Same with the H2. More of a "status" symbol I guess.
 
Solice said:
Is that 5 cylinder engine a new engine for GM, or has it been used in other vehicles that have been around? Other then reliability (because we don't know) it seems the H3 is gonna be a beast offroad then.
Click to expand...

The 5-cylinder inline engine is brandnew. It is for the Colorado truck and H3 line. It is very high-tech, similar to the V6 in 4runner...variable valve timing and all-aluminum construction. It is supposed to deliver high-end power with enough low-end torque. Torque curve is relatively flat from the brochure picture. This engine is OK (not great) for the Colorado trucks. However, with the weight of the H3, it is significantly underpowered.

This begs the question: a small engine, reving high (to get adequate power), spending a lot of it's life at high RPMs through only 5 cylinders, pulling a heavy ass thru mud, climbing hills, etc...how long will the engine/powertrain lasts?? This has always been the argument favoring big-displacement engines (or V8 vs. V6 or V6 vs. I4, etc.). I would always pick a V6 over a 4-cylinder or 5-cylinder for durability, especially in a heavy off-roading vehicle requiring lots of power. Same reason for picking a V8 over V6...or V12 over V8 for high-power applications. More cylinder decreases work on each cylinder.

Does GM cares about 5-cylinder's durability?? Probably not a whole lot. Most H3 will spend time at the local mall. Most Americans will trade in their car early anyway for the next best thing (me included :D). With modern engines, you will be past the warranty period when engine problem starts to arise.

Conclusion: GM in-line 5-cylinder is adequate (good enough). Will i trust it ten years from now (100,000+ miles later)?? Probably not, especially if you off-road it hard.

The automatic transmission will probably last...GM makes good transmission (i trust more than Honda's). Rear axle will probably last. However, i am not too sure about the front suspension...H2 had a few issues (weak tie-rod to name one). Frame should be strong enough (fully-boxed).

Hope this helps.
 
Thai said:
The 5-cylinder inline engine is brandnew. It is for the Colorado truck and H3 line. It is very high-tech, similar to the V6 in 4runner...variable valve timing and all-aluminum construction. It is supposed to deliver high-end power with enough low-end torque. Torque curve is relatively flat from the brochure picture. This engine is OK (not great) for the Colorado trucks. However, with the weight of the H3, it is significantly underpowered.

This begs the question: a small engine, reving high (to get adequate power), spending a lot of it's life at high RPMs through only 5 cylinders, pulling a heavy ass thru mud, climbing hills, etc...how long will the engine/powertrain lasts?? This has always been the argument favoring big-displacement engines (or V8 vs. V6 or V6 vs. I4, etc.). I would always pick a V6 over a 4-cylinder or 5-cylinder for durability, especially in a heavy off-roading vehicle requiring lots of power. Same reason for picking a V8 over V6...or V12 over V8 for high-power applications. More cylinder decreases work on each cylinder.

Does GM cares about 5-cylinder's durability?? Probably not a whole lot. Most H3 will spend time at the local mall. Most Americans will trade in their car early anyway for the next best thing (me included :D). With modern engines, you will be past the warranty period when engine problem starts to arise.

Conclusion: GM in-line 5-cylinder is adequate (good enough). Will i trust it ten years from now (100,000+ miles later)?? Probably not, especially if you off-road it hard.

The automatic transmission will probably last...GM makes good transmission (i trust more than Honda's). Rear axle will probably last. However, i am not too sure about the front suspension...H2 had a few issues (weak tie-rod to name one). Frame should be strong enough (fully-boxed).

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Awesome explanation. Thanks Thai!

I just went to the Hummer website and built a few differnet versions (of what I would like) and the price is very similar to that of the 4Runner. However, if you compare the options of "what you get" for the price compared to the 4Runner, there is no comparison. 4Runner wins that hands down.

Offroad = H3
Total Package = 4Runner

If I was in the market for a new vehicle that I wanted to use strictly for offroad (not that I would stop taking the 4Runner offroad), it would still be the Wrangler Rubicon.

Thanks for all the input guys!
 
Thai said:
This is kinda odd for an engine upgrade so early in the cycle...
Click to expand...

Every review has criticized the power. The original concept had a 350HP turbocharged I-5. I think GM wanted to get the H3 out, but they didn't have any other engine that would fit in that small hole ready. If they didn't have an engine upgrade on the boards, I would be suprised...

H3 Alpha would be nice, but something tells me adding the "Alpha" badge will also add a lot of $$$. More than the cost for a better engine...

--Bill
 
Solice said:
Offroad = H3
Total Package = 4Runner

If I was in the market for a new vehicle that I wanted to use strictly for offroad (not that I would stop taking the 4Runner offroad), it would still be the Wrangler Rubicon.
Click to expand...

Exactly.:)
 
The H3 may have similar ground clearance numbers as 4runner, but apparently there's no consistent standard for those measurements. The real world clearance is considerably better under the H3. Not that I would trade, just making an observation.
 
From: Future Products -- General Motors: GM's high expectations

http://autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=103041


H3: Hummer's smallest SUV went on sale this year. Built on GM's compact pickup architecture, the 2006 H3 is powered by GM's 220-hp, 3.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine. A turbo version is likely for the 2007 model year.

An SUT is likely for the 2008 model year, and a regular cab pickup is expected for the 2009 model year.

H4: The likelihood of a compact, Jeep Wrangler-like vehicle is remote.
 
H3:

Roughly the same length as a midsize family sedan, H3 comfortably navigates city traffic and delivers HUMMER
 
There is a slow growing number of H3's suffering from blown front differential with off-roading.

Here is the link:

http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16944&highlight=breakdown+moab

Wow...first it was the tie rod breaking on H2's and early front diff failures on H2's...and now front diff exploding on H3's! Hummer just can't make a good front suspension system.

Be careful on that forum...if you register, then you have to tread lightly...they are a very sensitive bunch.:confused:
 
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