cgalpha08's build!!

[bunger]

Looks like fun.

[cgalpha08]

Couple small things. I put some wild horse 4x4 springs in the front. They are dual rate vs the single rate that I had. Thanks to Mutaint for the recommendation.

Also upgraded the winch hook to a factor 55 flatlink E

[cgalpha08]

Went and weighed the H3, surprisingly easy to do. Clocked in at 5720lbs, includes half a tank of gas and me (185lbs).

That puts me at 5535lbs with a SAS, SOA, 37s, Thorparts front bumper, winch w/synthetic line, rock sliders, and schwartzzy t-case skid.

If you strip the hypothetical weight of the bumper, skids, sliders, and winch, the SAS probably doesn't add too much weigh to the factory curb weight of the Alpha.


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[cgalpha08]

So I've been working on a rear cargo platform for more storage, especially on longer trips. I decided to take the rear seats outs. FYI they weigh about 90 pounds.
This isn't really designed for camping, but more for just storage of gear, parts, etc.

I made supports for the platform from 4x4's, bolted a post support to the studs that are already in the vehicle, drilled out a hole in the 4x4 to slide over the stud, then through bolted them. I put some rubber washers between then metal and the post support bracket as well.

For the platform, I started with a 4'X4' 3/4 plywood. Cut it down to about 32"×40". Drilled out all the holes I would need.

I also bought some OEM cargo tie downs to match the existing ones in the back. Then I covered the whole thing in some generic indoor/outdoor carpeting.

[cgalpha08]

Hit up Drummond Island Michigan this last weekend with some hummer peeps. Absolutely beautiful, fantastic weather.
Trip was largely uneventful, had a ZJ in the group that broke a rear axle shaft, a H3 front driveshaft boot tore and lost all the grease and had to be swapped out. H2 cracked a rim.

This was the first true long hard test of the SAS. I have taken it to some local trails in Indiana, but never really more than a couple hours from home. Drummond is 9 hours away from me, about 570 miles one way. So over 1100 road miles, plus all the wheeling miles. The axle swap performed flawlessly. Didn't have a single issue with the axle or the suspension.

I did however have some transmission problems.
The clip that holds the trans line into the cooler came out and I lost all trans fluid. The trans was revving and like crazy and not moving the truck. And the transfer case wouldn't shift into any gear as there was no power from the trans. The theory was that when I shifted into 4 hi unlocked there was no power going from the trans to the t case, so the t case wouldn't shift. Originally thought it was a t case issue, until a keen o server noticed red fluid everywhere. Luckily we sourced 3-ish quarts of trans fluid that a couple people had to get me to the parts store. Added a quart and everything seemed fine, however I called it quits for the day. Trans fluid temp never got over 150° on the trail. The next morning when it's time to leave, trans fluid looks low again, so I add half a quart. Then proceed to drive 5 hours and check it again....looks low, still not reading om the dipstick at all. Add the last half a quart I have and look for an auto parts store. I then ended up adding 6 more quarts of transmission fluid for a total of 10 all together. Every time I added a quart and rechecked, and moved the H3 forwards and backwards a few feet, I couldn't get a reading. I figured with 10 quarts in there I could probably drive home and be fine.

Well a kind passerby on the highway informed me I was smoking. So I pulled over and see trans fluid everywhere underneath. I definitely overfilled and a lot came out of the vent hose. It was still oozing a couple hundred miles later as well. Made it home though and trans temps never for over 215° either.
Having it flushed and checked for leaks out of caution.

My cargo platform worked perfectly too which was nice.

[cgalpha08]

Update: Shop found no leaks in the transmission lines, did a full flush as well. So hopefully no more issues down the road.

[lchase3t]

Great pics! I was supposed to join you guys but got some issues going on, luckily MU brought my full size cut out so I was there in spirit. Lol

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[MUTAINT]

Great pics! I was supposed to join you guys but got some issues going on, luckily MU brought my full size cut out so I was there in spirit. Lol

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You went everywhere we did Buddy!

Larry 1.jpg

4.5.jpg

Larry 6.jpg

larry 11.jpg

Larry 8.jpg

[MUTAINT]

Connor, nice video. Got a lot of rigs int here. THANKS!
I may steal it...

[cgalpha08]

This past weekend went down to windrock ORP in Tennessee with The Hummer Club Inc. Had 3 H1's, 3 H2's, and 7 H3's. Ran a wide variety of trails over the 2 days. Only carnage was a CV shaft and an oil line that came loose and was luckily caught before the engine burned up. Also crossed over 36k miles on the way home. One of the H2's almost had a shattered rear window due to a falling tree.

[cgalpha08]

Been working on installing some rock lights, I see them as practical and flashy lol never know when the additional light will be handy on the trail, especially for repairs. I went with the KC cyclone 6 light kit. Comes with everything you need, plug and play really.
https://www.kchilites.com/cyclone-le...light-kit.html

I'm happy with the placement of the rear wheel well and mid frame lights but the front wheel well ones are off center more than I'd like. Largely due to where I had to mount them due to where the body came in relation to the wheel well liner. They are super bright.




To run the wires into the cab I had 3 options, drill a hole, poke through an existing boot, or splice into the factory auxiliary wires that are there.
I had tried to poke through the big boot that is there but decided to not push it too aggressively for fear or hitting the factory harness, and i chose to not use the wires that were present as i didn't want to cut/splice/solder the harness that came with the lights.

I opted to drill a hole and install the daystar firewall boot. (https://www.daystarsuspensionparts.c...wall-boots.asp)
This way I can easily add more wires as needed. The firewall in that small square that's pictured below is only 1 wall thickness, about 1/8 inch thick.
For those wondering I used a step drill bit to get to 1.25" then a Dremel to smooth out the edges and some touch up paint to cover the bare met.
I still want/need to run some silicone around the edge of the boot in the engine bay out of caution.



Obviously I did a bad job centering the drill bit, but it worked out.