And so true that has been for me!
I started with a stock standard 2007 H3 3.5lt Adventure and I've done the following to it over the last year.
Cabin Upgrade
Kenwood DDX8034B Dual Din DVD Player
Infinity 1200w Sub
Suspension Upgrade
Daystar leveling kit to raise the front and level it to the back, torsion key was changed.
Daystar 2? Body Lift
Rear Shackles made locally to raise the back by another 1?
I then turned up the torsion key to lift the front another 1?
All told a 4? Lift without having to do a load of stuff like in the Rancho Kit.
I have 4? extra ground clearance to a standard H3.
Rancho RS9000:- all round but front shocked had to be extended
Rancho My Ride System:- This allows for wireless control of shock firmness, for on road and off road, massive improvement over the standard shocks.
Tyre Upgrade
35" Micky Tompson Baja ATZ
Micky Tompson 16" Classic II Rims, the tyres are great for off road but the bigger wheels hit the engine performance by 20%
Engine Upgrade
Because of the drop in peformance I then changed the following: -
Air Raid performance filter
Air Raid throttle body spacer
Powerflow twin Exhaust system
Wild Cat manifold, this made a massive difference.
A standard H3 3.5lt has 241 lbs-ft torque
Mine currently stands at 275 lbs-ft torque which is only 10% over standard but putting the 35? wheels on dropped it to 222 lbs-ft, changing the manifold gave it an increase of 24% and 53 lbs-ft
A standard H3 3.5lt is 239 HP at the fly wheel, mine is 268 HP at the drive wheels, once again the manifold made the biggest difference adding 47 HP
The air filter, throttle body spacer and Powerflow Exhaust system added 13.5 HP and 18 lbs-ft torque but I?m sure the Exhaust allowed for more once the manifold had been done.
I?ve just ordered the Jet Performance plug and play stage 2 chip which should add another 10%.
Other Upgrades
While doing the exhaust system I had it routed down the centre of the H3, this created a space where I fitted an extra 65lt fuel tank under right rear seat, home made total now 150lt and 1000km range.
Ladder protection system underneath was removed as I found that always caught rocks I had made up a complete skin that helps it slid over rocks and sand.
4 x KC spots on roof bar.
Final thing to do, is install ARB front and rear air lockers, I need the front locker to help control the extra torque and bigger wheels, already broken 1 tie rod.
Also going to replace the standard read diff lock for an ARB locker so both can be switched on in 4 High, then its finished...... (Till I upgrade to an Alpha)
I have one mean purpose built Hummer H3!!!
