You get a 240-300a chinese alternator on it yet?

That's another easy big upgrade from china

People say they crap out

Those people only swap parts

Anybody whose *fixed* one knows the damn brushes get stuck

Shoot some electrical silicone spray in there and whack it with a punch in the rear through the grate and... No issues so far

Presumably one could preemptively open it and grease the cheap dry brushes

 

Probably too late to consider for this trip, but when you fall in love with the H2 off-road - and you will - look into a more rugged roof rack that you can tie down items like cases, shovels, recovery tracks, etc. A Gobi rack replaces the plastic and aluminum with a fully welded basket design + you can attach a ladder to get up there more easily. These sometimes pop up on Facebook market place when wrecked H2s are parted out...

Check out the options from Gobi. They custom fab each one so they take 6-8 weeks: https://gobiracks.com/hummer/suv-h2-2005-2009/

Also, fully check out your transfer case and make sure all modes are operational, confirm your rear diff lock is operational, and check for any codes via a Tech2 -- I would also recommend new TC and transmission fluids, and confirm you have no leaks after rigorous testing. When testing, get the transmission temps up high and confirm the cooling system is fully working and not leaking. Temps should stay below ~ 225F. I know I can see temp on the 08/09... not sure if the 03-07 series shows actual temp or just a gauge.

 

Gobi rack would be next,

all trans case rangers are operational rear differential lock operational
fluids changed

new huge radiator on
new belts on
new exhaust on

 

This radiator is made by evil energy

it’s a precise direct fit
much larger than stock

however shroud needs to be trimmed half inch to fit back on

other than that it’s excellent

 

I am currently working on building my own roof rack that covers half of the roof because the other half is gonna be occupied by the roof tent,

i do fabrication work for hobby,
I think I can give Gobi racks run for their money 😁

the goal is a rack that can hold 600 LB standing on it,

 

Got to love aluminum radiators. I dropped one in on everything I've owned over the past 25 years, no regrets.

On the '03, the transmission temperature gauge matches my aftermarket gauge pretty much on the money. Most I've seen is 200° on a 105° day pulling a 6,000 lb trailer uphill. Normal driving it hangs around 155 to 160°.

 

And the fun begins

 

Is the temperature gauge accurate on those trucks ?
going up the trail temperature gauge was showing passed center line,
however it doesn’t seep like it’s running that hot.
I opened the hood to check,
I have also done proper bleeding by having heater run all the way and top of the coolant.

with his large radiator I was thinking temperature should stay below center line?

unless the gauge is not very accurate

 

The engine temperature coolant gauge is the one gauge that's not very accurate. I had my cluster rebuilt with all new stepper motors. The gauge likes to stay right around the 200° mark when it's fully warmed up. I have an additional aftermarket gauge utilizing the port on the passenger side cylinder head and I get more accurate readings. While the factory gauge is showing 200°, the aftermarket one shows in normal driving the temperatures averaging 185 to 195 degrees. (I have a 189° thermostat) We've had a couple 100° days, pulled my 6000 lb trailer, air conditioning going full bore, factory gauge moves a little to the right. On a several mile uphill, my aftermarket gauge will go up to about 205°, then drop down to about 195°, and then back and forth till I get to the top of the hill. Basically reflecting the thermostat opening and closing. Keep in mind these engines are designed to run between 200 and 210°, which is considered normal.

Right aftermarket gauges I threw on..... Actually the plan was just temporarily after I went through my engine, just to have the accurate visual on things..... I may just end up leaving them. Transmission temperature gauge in the cluster is spot on with the aftermarket gauge. And I do really like having the oil temperature gauge.

 

Heavy duty roof rack is made and bolted on to the roof