Thoughts on Hummer H2 for overlanding

[Kali]

Newb here, looking to get into overlanding. I have an older Hummer H2 on 37s Toyo MT at my second home with a 100k miles on it, which gets very little use. I do not see anyone using an H2 for overlanding on any of the forums, any particular reason why besides being wide and heavy? It seems to be decent off-road. I am also considering purchasing a 2000's G wagon or a 2010ish Range Rover as well. I love the H2 but if it isnt a good match for overlanding I rather buy another vehicle and start off with the right platform.

Thanks

 

[tarditi]

The H2 has some off-road prowess - I've wheeled with plenty of them... What generally keeps them off the overlanding radar are things like reliability, weight, fuel economy, and visibility. You may see them on local trails, but just not in the further reaches, away from civilization.

That said, "run what you brung" and just get out there and enjoy your vehicle without worrying too much about what others think. It's not a contest. KNow your vehicle and prepare for contingencies... doesn't matter if you get there in a jeep, toyota, land rover, or otherwise...

 

[Martinjmpr]

Isn't an H2 basically a Hummer body on a 2500 Suburban chassis? Should be as capable as a Suburban, even a bit more due to higher clearance and bigger tires.

 

[ChevyPit]

I'll go with tarditi....use what you have and enjoy the outdoors.
H2's share most of their parts with 2500 Chevys and GMC, so you should be good with spare parts and upgrading.
It is wide and heavy, but so are Suburbans and YukonXL's and there are some here, actually you have the same GVWR as my Yukon XL, at 8600 pounds. For overlanding it will do the job.

 

[Dalko43]

Isn't an H2 basically a Hummer body on a 2500 Suburban chassis? Should be as capable as a Suburban, even a bit more due to higher clearance and bigger tires.

Are the H3's based on the Colorado platform?

 

[ChevyPit]

Are the H3's based on the Colorado platform?

Yes they are, they share engines, transmissions, and most of suspension parts.

 

[Buliwyf]

I thought the H2 was a Yukon.


Either way, anyone got a recommendation for much stronger steering tie rods for the H2. It's going to need them. That's what I've seen fail.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I thought the H2 was a Yukon.

.
Yukon XL 2500 and Suburban 2500 are the exact same vehicle except for the badges and some of the trim options.
.
On the 1500 there were differences in drivetrain between the Suburban and the Yukon Denali, the 'Burb had the 5.3, 4L60E and a two speed transfer case with normal 4wd (albeit with an "auto 4wd" feature), while the Denali had the 6.0, 4L65E and a single-speed AWD transfer case.
.
But at the 2500 level there was no difference: 6.0 or 8.1 V8, 4L80E and part time 4wd was the only drivetrain.

 

[rayra]

IIRC the H2 is a different but similar frame to the 2500 series, but also more akin to the Tahoe / Yukon.
Looking at wheelbase numbers it's in the middle, actually. 116" for the Tahoe/Yukon, 122" for the H2, 130" for the Sub / YukonXL

 

[Happykamper]

I like my H2. Great highway rig !!! Most comfortable rig I have ever driven hands down. Never have wheeled it hard as I have other vehicles for that. But when I have used it , it did just fine. I have not had any quality issues with it at all. Bought it new and only have 53k on it . It's been very reliable and as I said a real pleasure to drive !!!

 

[02TahoeMD]

That said, "run what you brung" and just get out there and enjoy your vehicle without worrying too much about what others think. It's not a contest.

This, times 100.

Isn't an H2 basically a Hummer body on a 2500 Suburban chassis? Should be as capable as a Suburban, even a bit more due to higher clearance and bigger tires.

I like to think of the H2 "guts" as what could have been the basis of a 2500 series Tahoe. Many shared components with the 2500 Suburban but with close to a Tahoe length frame.

Either way, anyone got a recommendation for much stronger steering tie rods for the H2. It's going to need them. That's what I've seen fail.

Rare Parts tie rod ends. SUPER heavy duty.

There used to be a website called " Yellow H2 ", guy basically 'overlanded" his rig all over the West. Great photos and he managed to get off the beaten path on a regular basis, and he had a really impressive list of mods done to it. Alas, it seems the site has vanished into the ether.

Nothing wrong with using your H2 as an exploration rig. They are closely related to the Tahoe/ Yukon / Suburban and there are tons of us using those rigs all the time.