I’m thinking of buying an H3..could use some advice about what to look for and what to stay away from...I’ll probably be looking for an 06-08 just because they are probably more in my price range. I’ve read some stuff about the head having to be replaced...what other common problems should i expect? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated

 

watch out for heavy chassis rust and bad radiators they tend to leak coolant into the transmission and damage it. also if you smell fuel near the drivers rear seat area the fuel pump is most likely rotted and needs replacement.

 

thank you

 

Pretty foggy on that "read some stuff about the head having to be replaced" aye......................

That applies to early 2006 H3s with the 3.5L. A quote from an old post of my from August 2009:
"The S/Ns affected is any 2006 H3 lower than 287591 .... the first one started with 100,001, your truck build date will be Nov. 06 or earlier. Not all have the problem, but some could. The head issue affected not only the I5, 4s and 6s were subject to the same issues.

Just in case you're gonna say, wow they didn't even build that many 3s? The VINs are assigned at the same Shreveport plant building Colorados and Canyons. Their VIN sequence unit #s are mixed in and subject to the same TSB re: the head/valve issue.

The recall and extended warranty was for very early 2006s, those with the 3.5L L52 Motors built before March 31, 2006. That is not to say some 3.7L LLRs have never had a valve or head issue. All the Atlas motors built since 4/1/06 have the new hardened valve seats."