Greetings fellow members. I have not posted in a long while, at least nothing new. I am working a full time and part time job along with a volunteer job that is keeping me away and off the trails. Oh, and my wife is expecting in June, so that has things in a tizzy... anyhow I need some advice.

I have a 2007 I5 3.7l Boulder Gray H3 with the adventure package. I have purchased the GM rockslides and installed them. Other than that I am running stock right now, I really need front end protection and a winch.

I am going to link a few products and was hoping for some input. Ultimately I would like to replace the front bumper with something metal. I have off roaded a bit here in Arizona, but nothing major but I see that front bumper not lasting when I get into the more serious off roading I hope to do soon.

Can anyone comment on the parts I link here and also post any advice on other products they like?

Hummer H3 Winch and Brushguard Combo by TeakaToys - is the Milemarker Winch any good? I was hoping to go with a recognized name like Warn.
http://www.teakatoys.com/Hummer_H3_W...ka-h3brwin.htm

H3 Winch System by Predator - Seems expensive for what you get and again, is winch any good?
http://www.teakatoys.com/product_p/p....htm?Click=563

H20 Hummer H3 Winch Bumper - Looks like just bumper... Over hood brush guard almost $1800
http://www.trailduty.com/product_inf...roducts_id=378

DOI Hummer H3 Winch MountDOI Hummer H3 Winch Mount - Confused on what you get... just a winch mount? I can't see brushguard and mount for that price, if not why no picture of just the product you are getting?
http://www.trailduty.com/product_inf...products_id=62

H3 Winch Bumper (2006-2007) - This product does not have a price, says to contact your Hummer Dealer.
http://www.boulderaccessory.com/shop...aspx?itemid=18

I have some money saved upso I would like to start shopping and comparing. My first need is a brushguard, followed by the winch and the replacement bumper least important (but a winch/bumper combo replacement would be nice).

Thanks for any input and advice.

Rob

 

Milemarker is just as good as WARN, IMHO....

The price range's I have been seeing is around $1500 for bumper and winch.... (Warn)

I'm interested in what others have to say.....

 

Sorry, I disagree. Milemarker is a lower end winch (in the electric version). If you want a Milemarker elect., go to Harbor Freight and get the same one for a lot less (It's made by Milemarker). If your buying a winch just to sit there and look good, go the cheepest route. If your going to be really using it more than just occasionally, don't cheep out. I'm not a big fan of electric winches anyway (had two and they will ALL let you down eventully in some way or another be it water infiltration into the motor, corroded conections or overheating) I now use a Milemarker hydrulic winch and love it. It runs directly off your power steering pump, will NEVER over heat and won't stop until you run out of gas. Cost is LESS than a good electric and you won't need things like dual batteries, dual batt. isolators, alternator upgrades, etc. I bought mine here http://www.winchesplus.com/index.html and they were great to deal with.
This being my third winch, I can honestly say I'll never go back to electric.
I commonly get the argument that if my rig breaks down I won't be able to use my winch. That being said, if my rig does break down, I have bigger probs than using my winch. Putting a load on a electric w/o having your truck running is akin to putting your manual trans in thiird gear and cranking the engine. In other words, you won't get far before your battey dies (about six feet with a full load) Go here and watch Milemarkers winch comparison video http://www.milemarker.com/video/comparison.html You'll notice that they really don't toute their electrics (actully bash electrics).

 

I'll agree with you on the electric vs hydraulic.... Hydraulic is superior.... I just don't think it would be the best for my Deuce... the PS pump has enough issues now without the stress of a winch.

 

Winch is mounted low and not very protected. Mount will most likely flex under a heavy pull.

Does not affect approach again, and winch is protected. But it is also not accessible without removing the whole bumper.

HEAVY!! EXPENSIVE!!! But it is solid and looks good. The winch is protected but that can actually make it a PITA to get to on the trail. Comes with a custom aluminum fairlead so you'll need to use synthetic rope which means more $$$.

Basically same design as Predator so same pros/cons. The good thing is it is available with a variety of different winches, or can even be purchased separately.

Quote:

H3 Winch Bumper (2006-2007) - This product does not have a price, says to contact your Hummer Dealer.

Around $1800-2000, depending on dealership. Great design, shouldn't impact approach angle, and winch is hidden. But suffers from the same problem as the other "hidden" designs - no access to winch/cable.


I actually just installed the Tough Country winch bumper on mine. I wanted the winch to be up closer to the grill, protected but accessible, and I wanted an integrated brushguard. The two biggest drawbacks are that it is very heavy (will require two people to mount) and there is a gap between the bumper and skid plate. I have the SAW torsion bars to account for the weight and we'll find out if the skid plate mounting becomes an issue.

 

This is the one that I will eventually buy. It looks like the cleanest design with the most bang for your buck. I'm not sure if anyone on here has one installed. I'm curious about installation ease, and how it performs as well. You can purchase it on line at Adventure Accessories:http://www.adv4x4.com/huh3inwibuki1.html

 

i just got a brush guard off ebay for $250, got a winch plate for $12, and a smittybuilt 8k winch for $299-4wheel parts. looks good too! look at my link below, there are pics in the rotm forum.

nice! and well under 1k lol

 

I need the winch mainly for when I go out alone with my brother in law or wife. I know some trails that I might need a winch to get through. I would not use it heavily so I guess I don't need thebest of the best. So generally the Milemarker is just "ok"? I am more leaning toward an electric winch rather than hydraulic. I am aware of the possibility of water penetration and other issues but I plan on keeping it nice and protected. Will that suffice?

As far as winch mounts... I am getting the feeling from Sewie....
that hidden winches are just not accessable enough. Do you all agree? I liked the idea of just a hitch showing with controls that I can have inside the vehicle or use from the outside. Will I often need access to the internal part of the winch? If so I better get an external one.

Are new heavy duty torsion bars a recommended solution to the heavier front end equipment?

Thanks,

Rob

 

I'm running the Milemarker / Steelcraft Teaka Toys combo and I am happy with it.

No, the Milemarker isn't the nicest winch out there, and has succombed to the elements with a little rust on the roller fairlead and on the drums, but it still works...

The only other one I would consider would be the Amstar / Boulder Accessories bumper replacement. Very bad *** in every way, but then again, it is twice as much money...

As always, it's a trade off.

 

Did you have to buy a better battery to run that winch? I have never owned one so I am not sure if you have to buy a heavier duty battery or what.

Rob