So with those of you who have added and subtracted one mod after another, how would you do it differently? Which parts were hype vs worth while?
I come from the Evolution world and have a very heavily modified Mitsubishi Evolution X (Currently 700whp). I am also not new to modding and can pretty much tune anything as long as I have the correct tools and interface.

So with that being said I know there are some more experienced guys on here who have gone through it all and either wish they did it differently the first time or are glad they went the route they did. Now I have searched and gone through the limited amount of posts (Seems pretty dead in here actually coming from a large Evo forum) but I want to hear the facts from those who didn't sell off and leave after owning for 6 months.

1) Tuners / programmers; which ones are worth their salt? Since I can tune on my own is there a software with OBDII cable set up that works for the Hummer ECU or is the only available stuff the generic flash-ware? Has anyone here actually disassembled the ECU on their own?

2) Lifts; I want something mild 4" or so that will aloow for larger wheels and tire but not make the daily driving unbearable.

3) Tire wheel set ups, I know there are A LOT of opinions here but I want it to match with the lift set up above.

4) Bumpers / Winch set ups; I don't want to add another 1000lbs to this pig so who makes some thing that is a reasonable size and looks a bit intimidating? Is a Warn with a remote still the best setup? Which model?

5) Any tips or things to watch for?

BTW my H2 is a 2003 Luxury edition that is pretty much stock.

 

Bump!

 

I've gone through 4 different cold air intakes... Just happened to come across them super cheap. Going from the cheapest one, to the full carbon fiber one- There is not one bit of difference.

I can 100% say that the 1st 3-5 minutes of driving is actually degraded w/ cold air kit, and the computer was tuned w/ hypertech. Trucks just gutless and unresponsive untill it starts to warm up. Put the stock back on, brings it right back. And that was w/ leaving the coldair option turned on.

Unless you can pick up a kit for less than $40 or so, your money is better spent elswhere. Anyone that says they can feel CAI kit by the seat of their pants is full of ****.

 

My thoughts....

I have an edge... and it works for me.... if you want to tune specifics then you might want something more indepth... I would not consider anything cheaper or "less" than the edge. It also worked for my gears and tires.

Lift, I have a Fabtech, and my friend has a Rancho. He is not as happy with his ride as he is with mine. I have upgrade Dirt Logic Shocks. I have 41's on my Fabtech. He has 37's on his Rancho. I think you could safely put 38.5's on a Rancho and have NO ISSUES. I have NO ISSUES with my 41's. I know people have put 40's on both rancho and Fabtech and had issues... so YMMV.

DON'T BUy THE COGNITO UPPER CONTROL ARMS AND DUAL SHOCKS!!!!!

I'll say that again..... DON'T BUy THE COGNITO UPPER CONTROL ARMS AND DUAL SHOCKS!!!!!

DON'T BUY THE CONGITO TIE RODS!!!!!!!!!!

Spend the $1300ish on the dmaxstore.com steering stuff. Especially if you have an 03. The front end is probably wore out.

CAI... Airdoc.com I won't even look at aything else. Period.

I put edlebrock shorty headers on.... no real power gain... but it solved the cracked manifold/popped bolt issue found on early H2's.

Wheels.... XD makes some nice wheels that work on the H2. Your opinions are going to steer you one way or another... but they at least offer choices. How big of tires do you want?? 37s fit stock. Gears are needed... period. I wished I would have gone bigger than 4.88s. 4.88's would be sweet with 37-39's.

Bumper... Warn is the cheapest/easiest option for you. They look nice, and they install with MINOR hand tools. I have a lot of pictures of the install... but the best thing about the warn setup is it's attached to your frame, not your bumper.

 

BTW.... here is my resume so to speak....

 

with the warn

 

Rancho vs Fabtech

 

stock just for S&Gs

 

Muddydawg75 how did you get your 40s to fit? And btw I wish I had your rig its beautiful

 

I've never tried a 40" tire....

I considered 39.5's though....