Canadian Hummer Club Forums

Hi, I am not sure if this is correct, but is it true that the H3 with the optional adventure package has a stronger and more reliable transfer case than the regular H3 ?



I notice that it is not easy to find an H3 with the adventure package, especially the 2009 model that has both front and rear differential lock.

A couple of things happened in late 2008; firstly the non-alpha started coming with cast iron differential housings instead of aluminum, the addition of the front locker of course, also at some point in 2008 they beefed up the size of the CV shaft and tie rod ends. All of these changes are highly desirable. A bit of a double edged sword because It also means if you break something, expect a higher premium to get it replaced or fixed.



Adventure package also comes with an awesome range of lower gears compared to the non-adventure, plus off-road shocks and a few other smaller things. It is a very good package to have.



Does this make it more reliable or stronger.... sadly no. My brand new 2009 Adventure had a huge amount of problems right off the bat. I attribute some of it to water getting into the transfer case, but mainly low range having enough torque to literally tear apart the drivetrain if you jam up a wheel or have a sudden impact as they are spinning. Trying to spin your way out of a hold works for an h2, not so much for an H3. Mine is also a manual, which means there is no slush box to soften impacts like that either... if you are not gentle with the truck, it is a time bomb IMO.



Which takes me to my next point; drive your truck gentle, look after the fluids and don't over-crank your torsion keys and it will be very reliable. (over cranking torsion keys leads to excessive energy in the bars which can bounce the front end… leading to situations where “slip and grip” damage can occur)



What an adventure will really give you over a non-adventure is simply more options to get over and through obstacles off-road. Having the extra locker is a great option, also the lower gears help immensely for steep grades and sticky situations. Off-road shocks mean you can travel a little more quickly over rough ground without sacrificing control. I think the package is of very good value.



Hope this helps, if I was to do it all over again I might go find myself a 2008 Alpha. Really tough call though as I love driving a stick-shift Hummer.

08 Alpha's had non locking diffs without adventure package and a lighter transfer case with it had rear lockers and a heavier duty transfer case. 09 -10 have front and rear lockers on adventure package.Try and find a Former Avis 10 H3 Alpha Ask Archangel he has one. P.S. Rhino is a 08 H3 Alpha non adventure package and has wrecked 2 Front Diffs and Transfer cases. Part of the problem was a plastic shift fork in Transfer case which deformed under heavier use with v8 engine.

I didnt have front locker on my 09, had front and rear only on my 2012 Alpha

FYI on the TC shift fork business - no idea when mine was assembled or if assembly date vs. model year makes a difference - but on my 08 I had a plastic fork!



Unfortunately no photos.. however I did witness it with my own eyes and had it replaced with the metal fork as the TC was sticking in Hi-Lock. I was amazed myself as it's pretty well accepted that the 08s and up had the metal forks...



Also before I sold it I replaced the stock front diff with a cast iron + elocker... assembly is a direct replacement so definitely doable on a I5 if you really want to!! Might even be cheaper than trying to find an 09+ Adventure package to just retrofit an older H3!

[quote name='MUTAINT' timestamp='1344226079' post='39368']

SUGAR, sorry bro but I have to disagree on something posted. All H3 and H3Ts without the Adventure Package or the OffRoad Package came with cast Aluminum fornt differentials from 2006-2010. Only the 08-10 H3/H3T Alphas(V8s)regardless of the addition of the OffRoad Package or not and 09-10 H3/H3Ts with the I5 AND the Adventure Package (I5) came with the Cast Iron front diff. <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... >/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />

[/quote]



haha, I was going to argue with you, but I had to go check my sources first. It was recently corrected to what you said!



Base or Lux versions of the H3 have aluminum housings

[quote name='MUTAINT' timestamp='1344226079' post='39368']

SUGAR, sorry bro but I have to disagree on something posted. All H3 and H3Ts without the Adventure Package or the OffRoad Package came with cast Aluminum fornt differentials from 2006-2010. Only the 08-10 H3/H3T Alphas(V8s)regardless of the addition of the OffRoad Package or not and 09-10 H3/H3Ts with the I5 AND the Adventure Package (I5) came with the Cast Iron front diff. <img src='http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum ... >/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />



shotgun-cam, I don't know you but it seems some incorrect info was passed on to you. The plastic shift fork issue was limited to 06 and early 07 H3s. The shift fork would break off or crack one of the arms which would not allow it to fully shift in and out of 4HI, 4HI Lock and 4LO. After mid-year 07 the Shift fork as replaced on ALL H3s regardless of which transfer case it had with an upgraded aluminum fork. So mid-year 07-10 H3/H3Ts ALL had the Aluminum forks.





To the OP (WIBS), the transfer case on the Adventure/OffRoad package in not any stronger or heavier duty. It does have a greater gear ratio in 4LO (4.03 to 1 VS 2.64 to 1 on the non-Adventure/OffRoad). The Adventure/OffRoad package also included different tune to the shocks. Overall the BW-4493 or NR4(2.64:1) & BW-4494 or NR6(4.03:1) are pretty darn reliable right out of the box. Sure some are bad right from the factory, but that can be said with any part.



I have included a year by year breakdown of info I have compiled over the years of HUMMER ownership and HUMMER obsession. If anyone has any info they think could be added free to PM me.



I hope this helps some.



Option Packages:

2006 H3

Base-Cloth/standard radio/Black accents / 265/75R16(32”)

Adventure-Cloth/Black accents/4:1 transfer case/Rear Locker/ 285/75R16(33”)

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/ 265/75R16(32”)

Adventure-Cloth/Black accents/4:1 transfer case/Rear Locker/ 285/75R16(33”)

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/ 265/75R16(32”)

Adventure-Cloth/Monsoon radio/Black accents/4:1 transfer case/Rear Locker/ 285/75R16(33”)

Lux-Leather/Chrome/Monsoon radio

H3X-Leather/Chrome/18" wheels/Monsoon/Square Chrome Brushguard/ 265/65R18(32”)

Alpha-Leather/Chrome/Monsoon radio/Cast Iron Front Diff

OffRoad(only on Alpha) -4:1 transfer case/Rear Locker / 285/75R16(33”)

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 and Championship Edition only)

Option Packages:

Base-Cloth/standard radio/Black accents/ 265/75R16(32”)

Adventure- Cloth/Monsoon radio/Black accents/4:1 transfer case/Front & Rear Locker//Cast Iron Front Diff/ 285/75R16(32”)

Lux-Leather/Chrome/Monsoon radio

H3X-Leather/Chrome/18" wheels/Monsoon/Square Chrome Brushguard/ 265/65R18(32”)

Championship Edition- V8, Cloth/Monsoon/Red Shocks and Brake Calipers/Hood Sticker/ 285/75R16(33”)

Alpha-Leather (Cloth optional on H3T)/ Chrome (Black optional H3T)/Monsoon radio/Cast Iron Front Diff

OffRoad(only on Alpha)-4:1 transfer case/Front & Rear Locker/ Cast iron front diff/ 285/75R16(33”)

Option Package Combinations:

Base w/Adventure, Lux w/Adventure, Alpha/OffRoad, H3X/Alpha, Championship Edition, Championship Edition/Chrome Package, Alpha/Base(H3T only)



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/ 265/75R16(32”)

Adventure- Cloth/Monsoon radio/Black accents/4:1 transfer case/Front & Rear Locker/ /Cast Iron Front Diff

Lux- Leather/Chrome/Monsoon radio

Alpha-Cloth (Leather optional)/ Black Accents (Chrome optional)/Monsoon radio

OffRoad(only on Alpha)-4:1 transfer case/Front & Rear Locker/ Cast iron front diff/ 285/75R16(33”)

Option Package Combinations:

Base w/Adventure, Lux w/Adventure, Alpha/OffRoad, Alpha/Base(H3T only)

[/quote]

Sorry to say that atleast some 08 alpha's ( Rhino was new on road Nov 07 so is an early build 08) got the plastic fork I was actually shown both original and 1st rebuild deformed units from Rhino as well as the other damaged parts. On second rebuild we were informed that GM had replaced the fork as well as other components with later model parts ( metal fork was one of these )