I am thinking of buying an h3 and was wondering what years are better then others or what years to stay away from? I was also reading some posts that refer to an "alpha" what are the different models the h3 come in?

 

What are you looking for? A pickup truck H3T? A V8 motor with the Alpha? Good gas mileage with a 5 speed 3.5L '06? Offroading with the Adventure package (locking diff, lower gear ratio, 33" tires)

All the years are good, but the 06 has 2 issues- the original head was suspect and could blow up before 50k miles and the 3.5L was down 10% on power. Those seem to have been fixed under warranty already so that shouldn't be an issue. Still, it's a good choice and prices are lower around here than the '07 and later cars and seem to have avoided the price jumps of the last 6 months.

 

What model or year has the best 4wd set up for deep snow

 

All of them. It's not about the "4wd set up" it is about tires. Any H3 is fine in snow, once you shoe it with real tires. Bone stock, look for an adventure or Lux/Off Road with the 33" tires, better that anything with the 32" street rubber, but still not agressive enough for what these trucks can do.

 

I'd suggest sticking with '07+ as they should still have a bit of warranty left plus a bit more power. For more $$ you can get an Alpha (v8 starting in '08).

Unlike Jeeps, for example, there is not a wide range of 4wd setups. H3s all have the same 4HI/4HI-LOCK/4LOW-LOCK plus brake assisted traction control setup. The Adventure/offroad packages add rear lockers (4LO only), and in '09/'10 they also get front lockers (4LO only).

Personally I'd rather run around in 4HI or 4HI-LOCK in the snow, but I've never driven in deep snow with lockers so maybe there is an advantage???

Ultimately, in snow the tires are going to be the deciding factor not whether or not it has lockers, IMHO.

 

i believe u r correct! in my minor experience the stock 265/285 are not too good, slip slide,not much steering in deep snow,lockers on/off

 

I'm in Texas, what's snow? I guess my H3 will never find out.

 

I would try to test drive both the I5/auto and stick and the V8. I have both the I5 5speed & V8. Love them both.

Our I5 is a stick in an H3T Adventure with 35s. With a 5 speed you will have great control over the RPM/Torque band of your choice.

Our V8 is an H3 Alpha OffRoad with 35s. No tune yet, so there is some hunting for gears around 70 mph with the 35s. If you keep the stock tire size you won't be searching for the right gear. It hauls azz pretty well with the 33s (Stock Adventure Tires).

We have never owned and I5 Auto so I can't help you out there.

After many many years wheeling Jeeps, I wouldn't buy anything but a HUMMER! Luxury Wheeling is what my wife calls it.

Good luck with your decision.

This may help in your search:
2006 H3
Base Engine 3.5L I5 (some had head issues I have the vin #s if you need them)
Option Packages:
Base-Cloth/standard radio/Black accents
Adventure-Cloth/Monsoon radio/Black accents
Lux-Leather/Chrome
Option Package Combinations:
Base w/Adventure Lux w/Adventure

2007 H3
Base Engine 3.7L I5
Option Packages:
Base-Cloth/standard radio/Black accents
Adventure-Cloth/Monsoon radio/Black accents/4:1 transfer case/Rear Locker
Lux-Leather/Chrome
Option Package Combinations:
Base w/Adventure Lux w/Adventure

2008 H3
Base Engine 3.7L I5 Optional Engine: 5.3L V8 (Alpha only)
Option Packages:
Base-Cloth/standard radio/Black accents
Adventure-Cloth/Monsoon radio/Black accents/4:1 transfer case/Rear Locker
Lux-Leather/Chrome
H3X-Leather/Chrome/18" wheels/Monsoon
Alpha-Leather/Chrome/Monsoon radio/Cast Iron Front Diff
OffRoad(only on Alpha) -4:1 transfer case/Rear Locker
Option Package Combinations:
Base w/Adventure Lux w/Adventure Alpha/OffRoad

2009 H3 & H3T
Base Engine 3.7L I5 Optional Engine: 5.3L V8 (Alpha only)
Option Packages:
Base-Cloth/standard radio/Black accents
Adventure- Cloth/Monsoon radio/Black accents/4:1 transfer case/Front & Rear Locker//Cast Iron Front Diff
Lux-Leather/Chrome
H3X-Leather/Chrome/18" wheels/Monsoon
Alpha-Cloth (Leather optional)/ Black Accents (Chrome optional)/Monsoon radio/Cast Iron Front Diff
OffRoad(only on Alpha)-4:1 transfer case/Front & Rear Locker
Option Package Combinations:
Base w/Adventure Lux w/Adventure Alpha/OffRoad

2010 H3 & H3T
Base Engine 3.7L I5 Optional Engine: 5.3L V8 Flex Fuel (Alpha only)
Option Packages:
Base- Cloth/standard radio/Black accents
Adventure- Cloth/Monsoon radio/Black accents/4:1 transfer case/Front & Rear Locker/ /Cast Iron Front Diff
Lux- Leather/Chrome
Alpha-Cloth (Leather optional)/ Black Accents (Chrome optional)/Monsoon radio
OffRoad(only on Alpha) -4:1 transfer case/Front & Rear Locker
Option Package Combinations:
Base w/Adventure Lux w/Adventure Alpha/OffRoad

posted by TAINTER on

 

Are you still saying that? Lots of Texas is under snow watch. I know it is cold as H3LL all over!

I love my 07 Luxury Edition. It has 33s on it. Suffers a little on fuel economy compared to others I have heard but I like it. The 07+ 3.7 I-5 is supposed to be an improvement over earlier years. And as mentioned, I got the remainder of the 100k warranty with mine when I got it.

 

you know what any hummer would be cool with tank tracks then snow, mudd, sand wouldn't matter only the driver's ability