HUMMER H2 Overland truck

[HUMMER/Expeditions]

Building an H2 hummer for long distance travel,
Very interesting vehicle to say the least,

I bought this truck about a month ago and started to put the necessary equipment on it for camping and exploration,
Roof tent
The HILIFT jack
And bunch of other things.

interior quality from 1 to 10 scale would be ZERO
Nice large doors
Very powerful AC
The ride quality is 10 out of 10
the drivetrain is excellent,
The GM 6.0 would be one the greatest engines, full time 4x4 with rear locker makes obstacles very easy,
The GM front traction control system is absolutely excellent the way it locks the spinning wheel.

fully boxed frame ( ONLY H2 )
Rear coil springs
Exellent motor and trans combo
Full time 4x4
With standard rear locker

I never liked those vehicles believing all the negative nonsense out there.

But this H2 definitely changed my prospective towards them.

Does anyone know why those H2s come with front tow receiver ?

 

[Trektor73]

Building an H2 hummer for long distance travel,
Very interesting vehicle to say the least,


View attachment 895289View attachment 895292

How did the simultaneous testing of 4 different tires at one time turn out!?

Kidding aside, I've always wondered about these. Apart from their size, they are comfortable cruisers based loosely on the Tahoe platform. could be a great option for more of a touring-style build with some capability.

 

[406to417]

How did the simultaneous testing of 4 different tires at one time turn out!?

Kidding aside, I've always wondered about these. Apart from their size, they are comfortable cruisers based loosely on the Tahoe platform. could be a great option for more of a touring-style build with some capability.

I noticed that too.

Maybe I'm wrong, I've never gotten under one and measured but it seems H2s can fit large tires but don't really have much ground clearance. Especially at the belly.

I don't know his name but there is a guy all over Facebook that 'wheels the heck out of his white H2.

 

[HUMMER/Expeditions]

this is my first H2
I have had Toyotas and H1 Hummers,

So from my observation and parts cross reference and visual inspection,
This is what I found,

Fully boxed heavy duty frame with 5 point ladder design H2 specific, zero similarity to Tahoe

Frame is much wider than any other GM TRUCK. Zero similarity to any other GM

Transfer case is H2 only case full time 4x4

Rear diff is mixed with 2500 GMC but the housing is longer zero similarities to Tahoe

Trailing arms in the back is H2 specific

H2 only rear coils.

Traction control is absolutely excellent traversing cross axle situation.
Rear locker is not even needed.

obviously body is 100% different than other GM vehicles

Front suspension is from 2500 GMC I believe
Ground clearance is 9.9 inches

It has under carriage protection and front skid plate.

Fuel economy is about 12 on the highway,
Off road I assume 8 ish

Very interesting vehicle.
One thing is for sure, this was definitely designed with OFF road in mind,

It even comes with standard rock sliders,
Crazy good approach and departure angels, even The exhaust was designed to tuck away under the rear bumper not to catch anything.

Parts are dirt cheap and available everywhere

so basically what this H2 can do in stock form, other vehicles must have at least moderate modifications.

I have bunch of trips coming up, I’ll see how this truck does.
i can’t compare to my H1 because they are in different universe
But I can compare to my Toyotas.

I already confidently know no stock Toyota stands 5% chance against the H2 in off road situations.

 

[HUMMER/Expeditions]

I noticed that too.

Maybe I'm wrong, I've never gotten under one and measured but it seems H2s can fit large tires but don't really have much ground clearance. Especially at the belly.

I don't know his name but there is a guy all over Facebook that 'wheels the heck out of his white H2.

In stock form it can take 37 inch tires
And that gives 12.5 inches ground clearance for coil spring equipped H2

Air suspension equipped H2 will have 14 inch clearance

Stock tires on H2 is 34.5

 

[HUMMER/Expeditions]

 

[Mako1114]

Does anyone know why those H2s come with front tow receiver ?

I always assumed it was for a hitch-mount winch cradle.

Cheers

 

[iwillnc]

Building an H2 hummer for long distance travel,
Very interesting vehicle to say the least,

interior quality from 1 to 10 scale would be ZERO
Nice large doors
Very powerful AC
The ride quality is 10 out of 10
the drivetrain is excellent,
The GM 6.0 would be one the greatest engines, full time 4x4 with rear locker makes obstacles very easy,
The GM front traction control system is absolutely excellent the way it locks the spinning wheel.

fully boxed frame ( ONLY H2 )
Rear coil springs
Exellent motor and trans combo
Full time 4x4
With standard rear locker

I never liked those vehicles believing all the negative nonsense out there.

But this H2 definitely changed my prospective towards them.

Does anyone know why those H2s come with front tow receiver ?

Sweet an H2 build, it’s a severely underrated platform I’ve enjoyed for 14 years now - I’m about an encyclopedia of information for H2s. It has received completely undeserved hate by people that are unable to tell me what it “should be”. Engineers took the best parts out of the early 00s parts bin and built a great full size off-roader with only 1 real market competitor, the Land Cruiser. You went through the main points but I’ll add it uses essentially the lighter 3/4 ton suspension, steering and chassis components to do what a half ton Tahoe or Suburban could not do, it’s a very solid chassis with extremely thoughtful design elements. 14 bolt SF is the strongest axle GM sold without a massive pumpkin hanging down, the 2,200lb payload isn’t quickly used up like in most other vehicles, the ability to support 38” tires easily and 40” with minimal work without jacking it to the sky took 20 years for other (full size) manufacturers to catch on to.

Not strong enough? The parts bin front end can be readily upgraded using Dmax sled pulling components which are arguably the best aftermarket front end components for any IFS vehicle on the market. Beyond that you’re wanting something purpose built with a full exoskeleton and towing to site.

I have an 03 currently with 37x13.5 Cooper STT Pro regeared to 4.56 with redhead steering gearbox (not a huge fan) and 40k trans cooler. Leveled the front 0.5in with stock keys. Recently pulled off the factory rock rails since I’m on the east coast and they get either caked in mud or constantly hit with salty ocean spray.

Lynch hummer website still has great factory information and I’m sure having an H1 you’re already aware of the forum situation, Elcova of course is good but older info, site is closed to new members but still a great resource.

To your points, yes the early model interior is probably one of the worst GM interiors I can think of particularly at its price point and more so given how decently good the rest of the GMT800 lineup had.

Glad your AC is great, not sure if the trans cooler obliterated my cooling or what, but I’ve considered e fans as the truck cannot keep up when the outside temp is 85° and 75%+ humidity.

Front receiver is for dealer option winch carriage, my truck I believe was a demo truck in a previous life so it had the dealer optioned winch and hookup when I bought it.
My other big complaint is the transmission, the 4Lslippy leaves a lot to be desired, in my time I’ve killed both a 60 and this 65. I completely understand WHY GM used it, the only other option would have been an 80 and the added power loss and the worse 1st and 4th gear ratios combined with an already heavy, full time 4wd on stock 34.5 tires would have made it even more sluggish. All that said it doesn’t bother me as much anymore seeing the rebuild cost on the new 10speeds going into everything, $1,800 rebuild vs $8,800 rebuild for similar life span doesn’t really bother me like it used to.

First two pics are with 37x12.5 KO2s and the last is the most recent with the “true” 37x13.5 Coopers. This truck should have come stock with 4.56 and the 37 KO1s, it is a perfect match and actually returned better MPG than the stock setup.

 

[LRNAD90]

@iwillnc I'm not really a fan of the H2, but that is the best looking one I think I've seen. 37's seem to have that affect on a lot of vehicles.. LOL

 

[iwillnc]

@iwillnc I'm not really a fan of the H2, but that is the best looking one I think I've seen. 37's seem to have that affect on a lot of vehicles.. LOL

The H2 was meant for 37s, the stock tire size just doesn’t do anything for me.

Random assorted pictures, first pic stock (worn out) tires, second pic factory rock rails(could use a little modification to keep rocks from getting wedged in but still a solid effort for a factory standard rock rails) , and lastly a H2 on 42s (iirc) with a body lift only.

 

[HUMMER/Expeditions]

Sweet an H2 build, it’s a severely underrated platform I’ve enjoyed for 14 years now - I’m about an encyclopedia of information for H2s. It has received completely undeserved hate by people that are unable to tell me what it “should be”. Engineers took the best parts out of the early 00s parts bin and built a great full size off-roader with only 1 real market competitor, the Land Cruiser. You went through the main points but I’ll add it uses essentially the lighter 3/4 ton suspension, steering and chassis components to do what a half ton Tahoe or Suburban could not do, it’s a very solid chassis with extremely thoughtful design elements. 14 bolt SF is the strongest axle GM sold without a massive pumpkin hanging down, the 2,200lb payload isn’t quickly used up like in most other vehicles, the ability to support 38” tires easily and 40” with minimal work without jacking it to the sky took 20 years for other (full size) manufacturers to catch on to.

Not strong enough? The parts bin front end can be readily upgraded using Dmax sled pulling components which are arguably the best aftermarket front end components for any IFS vehicle on the market. Beyond that you’re wanting something purpose built with a full exoskeleton and towing to site.

I have an 03 currently with 37x13.5 Cooper STT Pro regeared to 4.56 with redhead steering gearbox (not a huge fan) and 40k trans cooler. Leveled the front 0.5in with stock keys. Recently pulled off the factory rock rails since I’m on the east coast and they get either caked in mud or constantly hit with salty ocean spray.

Lynch hummer website still has great factory information and I’m sure having an H1 you’re already aware of the forum situation, Elcova of course is good but older info, site is closed to new members but still a great resource.

To your points, yes the early model interior is probably one of the worst GM interiors I can think of particularly at its price point and more so given how decently good the rest of the GMT800 lineup had.

Glad your AC is great, not sure if the trans cooler obliterated my cooling or what, but I’ve considered e fans as the truck cannot keep up when the outside temp is 85° and 75%+ humidity.

Front receiver is for dealer option winch carriage, my truck I believe was a demo truck in a previous life so it had the dealer optioned winch and hookup when I bought it.
My other big complaint is the transmission, the 4Lslippy leaves a lot to be desired, in my time I’ve killed both a 60 and this 65. I completely understand WHY GM used it, the only other option would have been an 80 and the added power loss and the worse 1st and 4th gear ratios combined with an already heavy, full time 4wd on stock 34.5 tires would have made it even more sluggish. All that said it doesn’t bother me as much anymore seeing the rebuild cost on the new 10speeds going into everything, $1,800 rebuild vs $8,800 rebuild for similar life span doesn’t really bother me like it used to.

First two pics are with 37x12.5 KO2s and the last is the most recent with the “true” 37x13.5 Coopers. This truck should have come stock with 4.56 and the 37 KO1s, it is a perfect match and actually returned better MPG than the stock setup.

View attachment 897291View attachment 897292View attachment 897293

Good to see another H2 here,

I am new to H2 world and love this vehicle.

GM 6.0 the really an amazing engine,
The transmission is easy to rebuild, I can do that in a few hours since i rebuilt 4L80e 60 is the same juts lighter duty.

As far as the capability of the h2, I can’t say one negative thing about it.

Ride quality of the vehicle is probably the best in the world, yes it’s that good,
I have my buddy drive it who drives air suspension Range Rover
He was speechless.

37s would be my next and final mod.

 

[HUMMER/Expeditions]

View attachment 897573

 

[Umbrarian]

2007 H2/SUT here and yeah it is a sleeper overland vehicle.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

2007 H2/SUT here and yeah it is a sleeper overland vehicle.

"Sleeper" I dont agree with. Looks right at home where it should be to me. Seeing these in the city going to Starbucks is. What I think, made public opinion of them what it was at the time they were prevalent. It seems out of place in the city. Always like it should just have dipped in for supplies at the moment before heading back out to be alone somewhere out there. Maybe knocking over a building on it's way out.

Love these. A friend owned one. I'd love to own one. I do t think people realize how much of a 3/4 GM truck it is, but made better for adventure. Hell, the H3 is built off the Colorado.

 

[LRNAD90]

At least they have decent payload capacity, something we can't say about a lot of platforms these days..