Spare tire lowering,..for rear vision.

Ever have trouble seeing cars behind you?  I did.  I made 2 mods that were a huge help.  One was to lower the back of the car (see "handling mods" thread.
 
Second was to lower the spare tire 2".  Here's pics of how.
 
The 3 studs are held in by tack welds.  I cut the tacks with my trusty Dremmel,...then drilled 3 new holes,..and tacked the studs into the new holes.
 
Here you can see the old holes, and the new holes with the studs already installed.
 

 

 

Very niice job!

Great Job!!!
 
HUUUGE difference!!

that does make a huge difference.........and it will work great as long as you dont go up in tire size

quote:

ORIGINAL: bonzaiii

Very niice job!

 
Thanks.
 
It looks like the 2" figure would work for the guys with the Adventure package tires too.  Easy enough to measure.  Whatever tires you run,....measure the gap below the spare and go a bit less than that. 
 
You can't even notice it really.  I've been parked next to other H3s in parking lots and you have to measure the gap below the tire with your eyes to see that anything's been done.  Not sure why GM made it so high.  Sometimes I think the side step bars and spare thing are just to make the car less convenient,...so as to remind the owners that they are in a Hummer.  I dropped the car 2" on average (1.25 ft 3" rear) and ordered it without the step bars,....I can get in and out of it like a car,...and not get a dirt mark on my pant legs from the bars.

Excellent and simple mod for many.  KUDOS!
 
Couple reasons the general considered in it's factory spare mounting position:  off road truck owners will be installing 34" and 35" ties; and, when it snows and you've been drivin around in the salty gerdoo (you know what I'm talkin bout in MI duckstu) the snow on the back bumper partially melts and then freezes into a rock  requireing some "de-icing" so to speak, just to get the damn door open.   Two times last winter I went to open the back and crunch, no go, get out the scraper and whatever to knock that crap off...................

Great idea!!

nice job...but lowering the truck 2"...so that you can get into and out of it like a car It's NOT a car...it's a freekin 4X4 HUMMER for god's sakes.

Now here's a member who understands we like PIC's. Thank you for sharing your version and the PIC'S! Very smart idea.

quote:

ORIGINAL: importkiller

nice job...but lowering the truck 2"...so that you can get into and out of it like a car It's NOT a car...it's a freekin 4X4 HUMMER for god's sakes.

Yeah I know.  But if the H3 is going to serve as my winter car (and occasional junk hauler),..it needs to comfortable, convenient and drive well.  It's not like I do any off-roading. 

I know some people who do though.  They drive 4 hours round trip to a place where they can drive on trails and an occasional mud pit.  It's caled "The Mounds".  I bought a recreation pass and a tow strap,..but everytime they went,..I had a track day with the car.  Maybe next year.

Michigan does not recognize the SUV as a separate vehicle descriptor, and since the back is all accessed from the inside/thru a door (ie. no pick up truck bed) the reggies
read Sta Wgn?
 
I bought my 3 because it is a truck and does what I need it to do, could have got a Envoy......etc for more wagon.  You won't get any static from me about why you bought a Hummer, it's yours and enjoy it any way that makes you happy! 

Great job!! You're the first one, as far as I know, to do that.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Golden Shellback

Great job!! You're the first one, as far as I know, to do that.

 
Thanks Golden.

In Ohio the Hummer is a Stationwagon.  I also lower mine in the rear but I don't think I can drop the carrier.  I have the H3X which has a large fiberglas cover.
 
I know visability is terrible out that window.  I want to add a rear view camera.

Wow, that's a huge difference! 

Simple. Safe. Smart.  Damn good job.  I'm gonna do it as soon as I get a chance.

U tha man!
Very nicely done! I wish I could do that with my rig

Damn, that's a great job
I love the pictures too.

I'm assuming that the tire does not rub on the rear bumper
This even gives me a chance to use my welder

Thanks

Really good idea there duckstu! 

H34me