Lifting a Hummer H2

[Fireman431]

Re: Lifting a Hummer H2

Nice burn out video, but not very indicative of what is really going on, we used to do that with all of our rigs, by setting up an adjustable bias valve in the brake system and then dialing where we wanted the most holding power..

Yea...must be the braking. Probably has nothing to do with the 400+ horses on that tubbed, pro street, dual carbed, tunnel-rammed 355 SBC roller motor!! That doesn't include the 150 shot of Zex NOS.

 

[12vMan]

Re: Lifting a Hummer H2

I can vouch for FabTech. Everything they've done for me and an off road race team I'm on has been nothing but top notch.

For primarily off road trail & crawling use I'm running 4.56 gears with 36's right now with a 302 & blueprinted c-4 a/t w/no o/d, and I would guess that with the o/d you would probably doing the best with 4.11's minimum with the 40's for highway. That's such a tall tire, you're going to lose all your torque on top end, and possibly burn up your overdrive if you don't change your ratio.

Here's a great gear ratio calculator that can be a great help.

Post pics when you're done

 

[dolluper]

Re: Lifting a Hummer H2

I tried but it was TOO FRIGGIN heavy so I gave up....lift kits are to do with needs WHAT DO YOU NEED is the question ...horses and drive can be obsulate if not combined right.....angles and such ,,,,,research your NEEDS

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Lifting a Hummer H2

I tried but it was TOO FRIGGIN heavy so I gave up....lift kits are to do with needs WHAT DO YOU NEED is the question ...horses and drive can be obsulate if not combined right.....angles and such ,,,,,research your NEEDS

I NEED to get the gas mileage from 12 around town to about 9...

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Lifting a Hummer H2

I NEED to get the gas mileage from 12 around town to about 9...

ok so if your committed to this I think your going to have to upgrade your shocks to coil overs or maybe an after market swaybar to control your top end, something to think about, that H2 is really heavy high and lifting it that much is going to compound it so I would check what the kit has, if it simply relocates the stock mounts that probably wont be enough since you actually use your truck to play so I would then look for an aftermarket swaybar say from Currie or somewhere else. Not that you will need it but check it out now and have a plan since I bet your going to want it on the street. Coilovers can control alot of sway but thats not really what they are designed for so upgrading your stock swaybar(might even be bars, front and rear) you can make it pretty driveable when your driving to work. I loved my CJ but once I got to a certain point it just became unsafe to drive on the road, lockers front and rear 40" tires and beadlocks so I sold it. Since then I have learned a few tricks, if I'm talking to much go ahead and tell me to shatup!

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Lifting a Hummer H2

I appreciate all of the input. Some things are what I'm looking for and some seem overkill. The lift kits I've looked at come with the aftermarket shocks/coilovers and sway bars to compensate. Most even come with the aftermarket front driveshaft and wedges to keep the angles proper. That's why the kits are so stinking expensive! They also list maximum sizes for tires & rims.

When it's done, I'll be looking at something like this:

That's right...I'm compensating!!

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Lifting a Hummer H2

like what? what are we missing? We know your compensating! your a hose puller!! Sorry bud I had to!! Don't forget the pics your H2 is going to be a beast!!

 

[swaycleveland]

Re: Lifting a Hummer H2

id stick with fabtech if it was me. they fab stuff to function properly the first time. i run a 4runner and have never broke a fabtech lift.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Lifting a Hummer H2

like what? what are we missing? We know your compensating! your a hose puller!! Sorry bud I had to!! Don't forget the pics your H2 is going to be a beast!!

Had to redo the post. Can you see the pic now?

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Lifting a Hummer H2

Had to redo the post. Can you see the pic now?

I can see a little tiny picture, but its there!

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Lifting a Hummer H2

That looks really good!

Don't do this though:

It could ruin your day!!

 

[skargo]

Re: Lifting a Hummer H2

40's on an IFS H2.....OK
I personally find it silly to roll on big tires and lifts on the street, but I have been a real wheeler for many years, rockcrawling was my thing.

Here's an H2 on an easy trail. Seen it happen many times.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YacG9PkGtI

Here's my last rig,
Linked, full hydraulic steering, LT1 swapped,etc etc etc FJ40

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Lifting a Hummer H2

I completely agree, what good is it if you don't use it, and if you use it on the rocks all the better and since it looks like Fireman plans on using it then I have no problem sharing the fun!! Nice Rig skargo somehow I am not surprised!!

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Lifting a Hummer H2

Try posting on the Chuck's Trucks forum (orlando) they may be helpful.

36 - 40" 5 inches seems like a lot of clearance since the tire is only 2" taller axle to fender.

I'm sure re gearing would be nice but you don't need it. (don't forget you have low range in your transfer case. You won't have crawling gears but you'll actually be able to run it faster in low making it more usable for most offroading)

 

[avenger79]

Re: Lifting a Hummer H2

IMO 40" tires with 3.73:1 ratio will be very disappointing. I had 40's on a Ford I used to own and ran 4.56:1 with a 400 eng this seemed a good ratio for low end power.
we have a current truck with a 454 and 3.73:1 ratio running 33's. it does ok for those tires.my jeep has 3.73 with 32 inch tires.
don't forget to look into upgrading your brakes as well. getting it going is easy, stopping all the extra mass can be a challenge.
I have to say I wonder if the difference in kits is due to lowering the transfer case versus lengthening the shafts? just a thought. if you start getting too tall you will need exteneded shafts unless you lower the transfer case. this will help with angles as well.
haven't seen too many lifted hummers. seems it would be cool. I would disagree with previous about going up in steps. too spendy that way.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Lifting a Hummer H2

40's on an IFS H2.....OK
I personally find it silly to roll on big tires and lifts on the street, but I have been a real wheeler for many years, rockcrawling was my thing.

I do have to run them on the street, but I wheel with it as well. Go back to page 1 and check post #6. No rock crawling around here. This is florida. We have mud, sand, and swamp.

Here's an H2 on an easy trail. Seen it happen many times.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YacG9PkGtI

I've seen that before. Driver error.

Try posting on the Chuck's Trucks forum (orlando) they may be helpful.

I will. Thanks. Nice and local-ish.

36 - 40" 5 inches seems like a lot of clearance since the tire is only 2" taller axle to fender.

It's also for the width. The 40's are 13.5 width and stock are just over 10". 5" lift will allow me to get full turn lock-to-lock.

I'm sure re gearing would be nice but you don't need it. (don't forget you have low range in your transfer case. You won't have crawling gears but you'll actually be able to run it faster in low making it more usable for most offroading)

The gearing should be fine. I've run 40's before on an F-250 with 3:73 and it was just fine. I don't need crawling gears since there's nothing to crawl on here. Just mud & sand and you really aren't supposed to spin that much in the slop anyway. 4WD low gear is pretty low.

Don't forget to look into upgrading your brakes as well. getting it going is easy, stopping all the extra mass can be a challenge.

Brakes are already upgraded. New tires are only 60 lbs heavier than the 36's that are on there. Less than 250 lbs difference. That's just like having another person in the truck with me.

I have to say I wonder if the difference in kits is due to lowering the transfer case versus lengthening the shafts? just a thought. if you start getting too tall you will need exteneded shafts unless you lower the transfer case. this will help with angles as well.
haven't seen too many lifted hummers. seems it would be cool. I would disagree with previous about going up in steps. too spendy that way.

2 of the kits I'm looking at come with longer front driveshafts. You only have to change the angle of the rear shaft. There is enough adjustment in the factory shaft.

 

[skargo]

Re: Lifting a Hummer H2

LOL, driver error. Sorry, the IFS is NOT setup for any kind of wheeling. If you want to play in the mud, get an old rig with real axles and real steering components and save the H2 for mall crawling and towing duties.

I dare you to sign up over here and ask these questions
www.pirate4x4.com

Best of luck!

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Lifting a Hummer H2

My old 76' blazer had 39" ground hawgs with stock gears and drove fine on the street but when you shifted into low range it would blow people's minds the acceleration and power were great and it would run 45-50 mph no problem (which as you know is fast offroad)

I get the lift being 5" now, that's good thinking, you definitely need clearance.

Hey when you get it done you should ride over here and play at the mud runs. Bandit mud racing puts on races every first saturday across the street from the New Smyrna Speedway (415 & 44) in Samsula.

They have a dirt track and a mud hole. You don't have to worry about breaking it just have fun they always let people play after the event is over.

Let me know if you do and we'll meet up with you.

Also, Chucks is great they really specialize in the military axle thing though. Their forum is filled with great deals on parts. Most the guys on there have yards full of 3/4 and 1 ton stuff that there wives are yelling at them to get rid of. It's all junk to them but gold to us that don't want to trailer our trucks.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Lifting a Hummer H2

Thanks NSBCraig. When i get it done, I'll get with you. My last outing was down at Moose Lake in Samsula...I'm sure you know it.

I'm familiar with the mud runs. I used to run a NOS fed VW rail with paddle tires out there, but that was a while ago. That was back when the Dirty Bird was a regular fixture out there.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Lifting a Hummer H2

They had the dirty bird on a trailer in the Samsula tracktor parade saturday.