H3 vs. H2 off-road?

[H3H]

Which is better and why given equal driver?

This should be interesting...

[H3H]

Which is better and why given equal driver?

This should be interesting...

[DennisAJC]

Never driven an H3 off road but I hear they are equal if not better than the H2.

It's the power I'm not too thrilled aboot. It'll be fun to get them together someday.

[HummerNewbie]

Having never driven either one off road, I would suspect they each have their own strengths. I expect there will be times when either one is better than the other. I would guess that the only advantage the H3 might have is the size but time will tell

[Hummer Guy]

I've had both offroad, and personally, I like the H3 better. The ground clearance of the H3 is essentially the same as the H2 so you don't lose much there. The water fording cabability is actually deeper in the H3 at 24 inches compared to the H2's 20. The H3's other strength is the turning radius and size -- it can make tight turns w/out backing up, and can also fit through tighter spots where the H2 would either require the mirrors to be folded in, and/or scraping your sides on branches (if that's a concern while you're offroading..ha!). Also the H3 is shorter, and there's a number of places that have fallen trees where it's a tough sqeeze to fit underneath and the H3 gives you about 5 more inches than the H2. As far as the incline and sideslope, they're equal (also equal to an H1, in fact). I also think that it's easier to 'feel' your way through obstacles in the H3 because of the stiffer suspension. The only thing I don't about the H3 offroad is the proximity of the pedals. They're so close it can be hard to get used to brake-throttle-modulation..(two footed off-road driving)...hope this helps.

-brian

[DRTYFN]

I've got an H3 for a loaner right now. I'll take some pictures of some under carriage issues that I've noticed.

[Hummer Guy]

Approach/Departure angles of the H3 are not as good as the H2, but they're close. In the front (assuming the H3 as the off-road suspension pack) is 1.4 degrees different(40.8 v 39.4), and the departure angle is 3.1 degrees different(39.6 v 36.5). If you're rubbing in the H2, it'll definately rub in the H3, and without a little momentum the H3 may get hung up. But, I think a lot of new owners probably avoid off-roading that causes guaranteed/unavoidable body damage.

[Hummer Guy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by sfox:
BTW, some of you Dallas guys should try and come out for an event, we keep it paced/skilled to everyone's individual comfort level and the more the merrier as they say. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'd be there if Saturdays weren't our biggest sales day.. Where do you go? What kind of terrain is it? How many people do you get to go out? It sounds like a good time

[H3H]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by sfox:
Hopefully we can get an H3 out at our next event ( July 30th ) and get some real perspective, but the approach and departure angle of the H3 aren't as good and honestly, we end up sliding on the bumpers in the H2's. If you were to slid on the rear bumper of a H3, wouldn't it FUBAR the muffler?

S </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I live in San Antonio, I'll try and make it...

[timgco]

Well< i'm glad H2H is going! Seth is one of the best spotters I have been out with. So rest assured you will have fun and shouldn't wreck everything if you listen to him.

On another note, I hope you have installed the UC protection and rock rails. After I brought ours home, I looked under there and started laughing. EVERYTHING is open and what did have guards, were next to worthless. I put the UC protection on with the help of 4WP Denver and the rock rails on too. The UC protection seems to be much stronger than my SUT UC protection.

So after off-roading in my 03 (air susp) and the 05 SUT (NO AIR SUSP) I prefer the feel of the SUT better. Stiffer and gives more feel on the trail. (my 2 cents) But after having the H3 out a couple of days ago, all I can say is "DAMN!" You notice the almost 2,000 lb difference and going up/ down steep hils in 4LO was great! IT took less effort than my SUT did. More pedal feel too. I was worried about that rear muffler though! As Seth was saying, they slide their hitches over rocks, If you do that on the H3, you're going to hit that muffler for sure! It's won't be that hard to make a plate for that though. Mounting will be easy too. My other concern was the lower shock mounts. They are hanging down quite far and open to get smackedby rocks in certain situations. Power: no issues! Once you need to shift it into 4LO, you forget it only has 225ft lbs of torque. This truck will climb like a mule... just like the H2.

Who's better? H2 or H3? Neither, Jeeps are the best!
I think both will be even in the long haul. The H3 is great and i look forward to off roading both the trucks.... if she lets me.

[H3H]

Do I get the UC protection and rock rails from the dealership, or are there any retailers that sell them?

[H3H]

sfox ygm

[KenP]

As I said when I first saw the H3, it looks very nimble. I wouldn't hesitate to jump in one and follow an H2.

[H3H]

I look foward to it!

[timgco]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by H3H:
Do I get the UC protection and rock rails from the dealership, or are there any retailers that sell them? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You have to get them from your local
GM dealership. As far as I know, there are none out "yet." But if you do go off road and hit those plastic rocker panel guards, you are going to have a nice reapair invoice; esp. the transfer case and everything else under there. The UC protection will take about 30 min to install with simple hande tools, but you need an air ratchet to put the rock rails on (I found that out the hard way).