Question for frequent wheelers

[BlueTJCO]

Originally Posted by PhilD

Sure you can avoid damage if you are careful, but where's the fun in that?

If you like to push the vehicle to its limits, stuff will break, you pay to play. Even if you just soft-road, stuff will break sometimes. But there is a subtle difference between abusing your vehicle and driving it hard, if you abuse it, you will break stuff regardless of how hard or easy the trail is.

As H2CP says, the IFS is definitely the weakest part of the H2 and is what requires the most maintenance. I'm on my 7th idler arm, 4th Pitman arm, 2nd steering box, and have gone through numerous tie rods, ball joints, sway bar bushings, half shafts, etc. Although a lot of that is due to the lift and the additional stresses it puts on the steering/driveline. That said, you can lift a H2 and never have any issues if you soft-road.

Body damage comes with the territory when wheelin' hard and will happen sooner or later if you push the vehicle. Good spotting will really help keep it to a minimum, but sometimes it just happens and there is nothing you can do about it.

If you are not willing to break stuff then stick to easy/moderate trails and drive sensibly; think twice, drive once, and you'll substantially reduce the reapirs needed.

After every off-road trip I get the impact wrench out and make sure all the bolts are tight and check for damage. It is amzing how many nuts and bolts will come loose after just one wheelin' trip.

Hey Phil, I wheel plenty of "moderate/hard" trails, prob about 20 to 30 a summer and see plenty of breakage...

I myself, have not broke a damn thing wheeling and I push my vehicle plenty out here, trust me...

Dont assume because someone wheels slow and carefully that they are not pushing the limits of their rig. It has more to do with knowing what needs upgraded in your setup, what is strong, and what the weak points are. From there you know when and where you can "push" it and when you cant....

No dont get me wrong, I have replaced my steering box, radiator, shocks, and other simple parts, but I have never had to "replace" anything due to it failing me or breaking on the trail. I know one day I will, but if your careful and know what your doing you can push your vehicle plenty and not break stuff...

"Sorry, just proud of my little heep".........

Agreed on tightening up after wheeling though. Now that I have a nice garage, I will check all my suspension and front end nuts and bolts after each wheeling trip. Keeping "chit" tight is a very important proventitive step in making sure you dont break something on the trail...

I know I'll break something soon enough, just waiting...............but I've been careful so far and lucky in other situations I suppose. I can think of a few times on a few trails I thougt I'd be towing my ass home and ended up being just fine.....my day will come.......

[johndjmix1]

Adam, thats exactly what I plan on doing.

--John

[DennisAJC]

Originally Posted by PhilD

But you ain't wheelin' a H2

It takes more talent to wheel an H2.

[BlueTJCO]

Talent...you have more doo-dads and buttons on there to help you down the road then some airplane cockpits

A rumor I heard is in 2009 GM is planning on the "Moab" edition H2 that wheels itself...


"But you dont drive an H2"......I know Phil, just thought I'd open my stinky mouth and chime in......

[CO Hummer]

Originally Posted by Mooncricket

A rumor I heard is in 2009 GM is planning on the "Moab" edition H2 that wheels itself...

For an extra $200 you can also add the auto-PIKE option.

[BlueHUMMERH2]

Wow, a lot of responses. Thanks for the input.

I try to drive sensibly for the most part. I found that the group of H2's on Saturday at Paragon drove like maniacs as far as speed was concerned...

My UCP is bent up into the exhaust, and it has sheared off one of the engine exhaust manifold bolts, which I have to have extracted and then replaced. Has to be the rear most bolt, which I can't easily access myself. The bolts are $.79 each, but the job will probably cost me $200....

So far I've avoided body damage. I have smashed the rocker rail on the drivers side, and smooshed a bushing on the sway bar in the rear. I don't want body damage (though I suspect it's only a matter of time), but I don't mind if I bang up the protection because that's why it's there.

But I'll keep an eye on the IFS. I have a feeling that some of the components in there are in need of replacement. Otherwise, the other components seem to be holding up. My rear suspension squeaks, but I think that's from the lower shock mount getting dirty (there is a TSB on this I think?) and my exhaust rattles from the aforementioned UCP impacts. The steering at low speeds is making a noise at some points and causing the steering wheel to vibrate. And when I come to a stop, there is a rattle of about 2 seconds a few moments before I come to a complete stop. I'm going in for inspection shortly, so I guess I'll have them look at everything and see if there are any parts I can try to replace on my own with my dad helping me.

Thanks for the input so far!

[BKLYNH2]

Originally Posted by BlueHUMMERH2

Wow, a lot of responses. Thanks for the input.

I try to drive sensibly for the most part. I found that the group of H2's on Saturday at Paragon drove like maniacs as far as speed was concerned...

Fast!
We were taking it easy with you guys. Pops does greens at highway speed.
I would make a statement as to the good fortune I've had regarding damage, but I don't want to jinx myself. as pops said most of this has to be expected. I try to take the perspective that if I can drive it home at the end of the day.

[h2co-pilot]

Originally Posted by BKLYNH2

I try to take the perspective that if I can drive it home at the end of the day.

Easy for you to say.

BKLYN was the MacGyver I mentioned earlier in this thread.



Did you win that snowboarding thing?

[BKLYNH2]

Originally Posted by h2co-pilot

Easy for you to say.

BKLYN was the MacGyver I mentioned earlier in this thread.



Did you win that snowboarding thing?

No I was up against a bunch of teenage groms that have nothing better to do then spam every website into oblivion, it wasn't even close. Guess I'm just gonna have to buy myself a snowboard.

[SnakeH2]

Originally Posted by BKLYNH2

I would make a statement as to the good fortune I've had regarding damage, but I don't want to jinx myself. as pops said most of this has to be expected. I try to take the perspective that if I can drive it home at the end of the day.

To late

[BKLYNH2]

Originally Posted by SnakeH2

To late

No no no. don't say that. that statement was very vaugue on purpose it neither conotes good or bad fortune. Please Hummer gods do not curse me , I will drag a Heep to the altar of Hummer for a sacrafice to appease you.

[PARAGON]

Originally Posted by BlueHUMMERH2

Wow, a lot of responses. Thanks for the input.

I try to drive sensibly for the most part. I found that the group of H2's on Saturday at Paragon drove like maniacs as far as speed was concerned...

What are you, in the 2nd grade?

Pops, while not over-cautious, does not qualify as a maniac as most that have wheeled with him (those with any sense and experience) would attest to.

The fact that you lagged behind is a testament to your unwillingness to watch and learn because you obviously experienced much more damage than the others that were "driving like maniacs"

[KenP]

Originally Posted by BlueHUMMERH2

I try to drive sensibly for the most part. I found that the group of H2's on Saturday at Paragon drove like maniacs as far as speed was concerned...

I don't blaze through the trails either because my body damage tolerance is fairly low, but have never had a problem keeping pace with Pops and Peter.

You're going to bounce and hit the undercarriage, but like you said, it's there for a reason. Just bang the crap on a rock and keep on going.

Everything you said that is damaged is par for the trail and is to be expected. Suck it up because after a few more dents under the truck you won't care.

FWIW, I've always taken our trucks to the alignment shop and had it given a once over on the front end. I'm lucky to have found a very helpful shop here. Then the truck goes to the dealer for fluid changes and a detail.

Hey, you're supposed to go UP the "Larson's Descent" hill and turn left!

[CO Hummer]

Originally Posted by BlueHUMMERH2

I try to drive sensibly for the most part. I found that the group of H2's on Saturday at Paragon drove like maniacs as far as speed was concerned...

I really think you should go back to doing the trails you're familiar with.

[timgco]

Originally Posted by CO Hummer

I really think you should go back to doing the trails you're familiar with.

I can see a possibility of marking up a sidewall on taht obstacle. Be cautious!!!!

[DRTYFN]

Originally Posted by CO Hummer

I really think you should go back to doing the trails you're familiar with.

Xeleventy