thanks all, Some really good finds. Looks like if I want an H3 im going to have to go get it or have it shipped. I have looked at a few used 4Runners today, no doubt Toyota might build a good vehicle but they seem to have a paint issue. The 2 I looked at both had the clear coat turning white or starting to peel on the roof. I had heard Toyota did have an issue with paint .
I did a goggle search on it an it's a common problem.

That now moves the 4runners to the bottom of the list, I don't want a vehicle that I can plan on painting that's money wasted that you don't get back. I also drove another Jeep Wrangler today with the 2L turbo engine, noisy and it seems like it didn't know what gear it wanted to use alot of the time. It was a lower end Jeep though.

I did find a lower mileage H3 today and plan on looking at tomorrow, unfortunately it doesn't have the 5.3 but it is an Adventure. We shall see.

 

When I bought my H3 Alpha, I had narrowed my choices down the the H3 or a Jeep. The problem with the Jeep (IMHO) is that I really don't like the looks unless they are lifted, tires/rims, etc., whereas the H3 looks good even stock (with 285s). Additionally, there are a million Jeeps out there, so unless you have alot of money/aftermarket into it, it's just like everyone else. And of course the more money/aftermarket you put into it, the worse of a DD it is. The H3 is rare enough that it stands out, the "stance" is nice (with a torsion adjustment), and it's still a great DD. Add that it will hold it's own off-road against any Jeep, and my choice was easy. That said, it is increasingly difficult to find some parts for the H3, while Jeep parts are literally everywhere.

My '08 Alpha (with 305s):

 

650Hawk, Thats one nice H3 and if I could find one like it locally I would snap it up. I drove another H3 today 90k on the clock but at least it was an adventure but not an Alpha. The ABS and Check engine were light on solid. Owner said it came on about a week ago, nope, pass. If I wanted a Jeep this would be easy and so the search continues for the right H3.

 

#1 would be ride quality and driver comfort as a daily for me. H3 > Wrangler in my opinion.
If you want a top off 4x4 vehicle, then Wrangler is pretty much the only option unless purchasing a newer Bronco ($$$).

 

Hey Tainter, No Bronco, If I had not been burned by a Ford product in the past I would have considered it. I had a Ford Sport Track a number of years ago an it was total Junk, I bought it brand new and it had a 4wd drive train issue that Ford could never fix. It was in the shop for months on and off. Finally they told me "Oh, They all do that" and said live with it. Unfortunately it wasn't considered a safety issue so the Lemon law did not apply. When I sold it I swore I would never own a Ford again.

So its either H3 or Wrangler at this point. 4Runner, out, Colorado and Canyon, I really don't want another truck, so that's out, and definitely no electric or hybrid of any kind , and its go to be a body on frame vehicle.

Shame GM stopped production of the H3, they really don't have anything in their line up that checked all the boxes the H3 did and just about everything smaller they make now is uni-body. Search continuing....

 

Right, the H3 (and H2) are unique, great vehicles that would hard to find a replacement for. Well said, 650Hawk and H2-SUT. It is discouraging that H3 parts are becoming an issue. I'm grateful some people try to make replacements and sell to the public or else I'd have to park it.

 

Well finally gave up on the search for a nice clean H3 Alpha, there just are not any nice ones for sale here in Albuquerque/Santa Fe that haven't been molested, have been wrecked, have tons of miles on them or are a basket case. I really didn't want another project and did not want to have to have it shipped in so....

I picked up a 2018 Jeep Rubicon, got it for a great price. Granted it no H3 nor could it ever be but it will do for me what is needed and that is take the daily load of the H2. First thing I did was kill the autostop/start EPA crap. lol

 

H2 SUT,
That looks like a very nice Jeep!
Happy for you!!!
Can you share how you killed the auto-stop/start system?

 

It was simple, opened the hood there are 2 hood switches, take the rightmost switch and unplug it. Auto stop/start will not function because it thinks the hood is open. There is a product that you can plug into the SWG under the dash that allows the Jeep to remember the last setting of the
disable switch on the dash so you can continue to use the system and not have to press the button every time you start the car.

I might just purchase some credits for my HPTuners HVI and program the feature out all together as well as change some of the other things I might want to change. lol

Its no V8 Hummer but at least its a 3.6 non-turbo,V-6 non-hybrid with Dana 44's front and rear and 8 speed trans. Best of that its 100% factory and will stay that way. It's not a Hummer but

 

Thanks H2-SUTYour reply is helpful. Honestly.
I truly appreciate your reply and hope you have only happy miles with your Rubicon.