06 H3's build thread

[06 h3]

Hey guys my name is Chris and I have a 2006 Hummer H3, She has been in the family since day 1. My dad had the H3 back in July 2005 and had a 3 year lease on it, when I got my license the lease was ending and I bought it out from him. I got it with about 48k miles and was in tip top condition, it never saw dirt. Now she has 89k miles and has been wheeled in moab and all over so cal. She has the luxury package but no adventure package, I am adding those pieces on to make it the adv. package as I go along. No lockers, and 2.64 T-case gearing vs. the 4:1

I would say there is a good amount of sentimental value to her just because its my first car and I have learned a lot, from wheeling, to wrenching and to even picking up other things like welding.

The main goal is to build it up to handle all types of terrain and still be a good daily driver. So here we go...

First day I got her.

Here she is now...

 

[06 h3]

For a while she stayed stock and I just wheeled "as is." Eventually she got the name squeaky because it would squeak and creak so much to the point where people could hear me coming down the street. The noise was mainly from bushings being caked in mud but I didnt know jack **** back in the day so I had no clue...Now she doesnt squeak as much.

First few times out were just very easy on dirt roads...had to start somewhere!

 

[06 h3]

One of the first real modifications I did was adding a hitch to tow my minibuggy...

I now hate this mod as an aftermarket hitch just lowers my clearance. I am eventually going to build one into a rear bumper...As you can see in the pic the rocks have destroyed the electrical receiver.

 

[06 h3]

Next set of mods were a radioshack antenna and CB (later upgraded) and aesthetics...I blacked out all the lights (no tickets either!)
I used VHT nightshades which allow the light to come through, this is not regular spraypaint.
Here are some snow run pics I did along with the mods.

 

[06 h3]

Now I started to get hooked to wheeling and did a real upgrade. 35" goodyear duratracs, leveled out the H3 and ditched the nerfs!

 

[06 h3]

goodbye to this pile of junk!

 

[Jimmeh]

Love the rig man! Can't wait to see some more build stuff. I really like that rear ladder on the back. Interested to see how you have that mounted, as I may steal that idea for my truck.

 

[06 h3]

Next I added magnaflow exhaust and a K&N air filter, upgraded the CB to a Cobra 29LTD classic with a wilson lil wil antenna.

 

[06 h3]

Love the rig man! Can't wait to see some more build stuff. I really like that rear ladder on the back. Interested to see how you have that mounted, as I may steal that idea for my truck.

Thanks! I will get to it...The beginning of my build was more of the basics...tires, cb radio, and aesthetics. As time went on I saved up more money, and got the itch so the modifications will get more interesting.

 

[06 h3]

Another purely aesthetics mod. I was concerned with my tail lights being too dark so I got these on ebay...

 

[06 h3]

Here is where the duratracs came into good use for the first time...In the beginning all my buddies wheeled stock so here is what happens.

 

[06 h3]

Non off road mod...I installed a Pioneer headunit. Its the 920BT model and it has done very well, highly recommended.

 

[06 h3]

I got pretty sick and tired of cleaning muddy carpets so I got some weathertech mats...another cheap mod that saves a lot of time!

 

[06 h3]

Next was skids...Transmission skid, T-case skid, Spring hanger skids so they dont get all deformed and shock mount skids...

I was also bored one day so I painted my stock skid...its not perfect anymore from the mud and rocks.

 

[06 h3]

Last chance canyon!!!