Do I really need a v8?

[fowlken8]

Hello. Long post...beware.

I used to have an H3 with the 3.7l I5. To me, it was fine. I'm not a speedster and I didn't really have a need for a v8.

I've been in and out of jeeps, giant Ford trucks, and am wanting to get back to a Hummer. It's a little unfortunate that they haven't made them since 2010 because mileage and price are always going to be the big question marks as well as the premium prices.

Recently I've been wanting an H3t. There are i5 and v8 versions out there that are within $5-10k of each other and the v8's usually have quite a bit more miles.

My previous H3 had front and rear lockers....BUT I never used them, EVER. My previous Hummer wasn't used for towing, but I was able to pull a 900lb trailer once and it didn't seem awful.

I'm wanting the H3t because it's more practical and it's still a Hummer. What are the reasons I would NEED a v8? I really can't envision myself ever towing an actual trailer, I don't haul heavy loads and I'm not heavy on the gas pedal.

Why would I need lockers, heated seats etc? Lockers are great, but I never ever off-road. Leather heated seats, they're nice, but I've never had em and can't miss what I don't have.

I can buy a 2010 i5 H3t without lockers and 93k miles for $20k
There are 2009s with front and rear lockers and 94k miles for $25k

and There are lots of V8s fully loaded between $23k-27k...but miles are 120k plus.

Do I go big and get it all, just to do it, although I can guarantee I will probably not use it the right way? It's nice having stuff, but does it justify the extra $5-10k just to sit there and not be used? I know this is my decision and that's the answer I'll get, but it's nice to see if anyone else has had these thoughts and why they chose how they did.

Thanks.

 

[alrock]

It's good to hear someone with honest answers to what they want in a vehicle. Too many buyers go big or go home - most of those Jeep Rubicons don't ever see dirt. I can understand Saharas and the other models being street only, but why do that with a Rubicon? Same thing with your H3T. That 2010 I5 sounds like the way to go for you.

My purchase was prior to V8 being available and I didn't know enough to buy the Adventure package. For me, the lockers, etc are important and I would likely go with a V8 if I could. But now that my H3 is no longer a daily driver, I am more likely to stay with an I5 if I ever have to swap out the engine. I don't need the extra power enough anymore to justify the additional expense of a V8 swap.

 

[JPaul]

I switched to an Alpha from a base model H3 because I needed to be able to tow a trailer for camping and other things. Having a family of 5 means space becomes very short and while I have a roof rack and a hitch basket that we could fit all our camping stuff with, it was a pain and took way too much time and effort to pack up at home, unpack at camp, pack up at camp, and unpack at home. Plus I couldn't easily get to stuff most of the time.

I also live in an area surrounded by mountains, so going most places loaded down meant really long and slow climbs up the passes.

The luxury package is nice and all but I wasn't looking for one on purpose, it just happened to also have it in addition to the V8 and Adventure package.

My base H3 with the 3.7 was really nice other than the lack of power for my needs. Around town it was perfectly fine, and offroad unless you're trying to run up sand dunes the 3.7 is more than adequate. The Adventure package with lockers and the 4:1 low ratio is really nice, but I ran all the same trails in Moab as everyone else did without them and had pretty much no problems, so for mild to medium offroading you don't need them. Plus adding lockers and the 4:1 transfer case later on is pretty easy if you decide you need/want them, it's not like trying to swap in a V8.

If you're going to be going around town mostly with it and live in a fairly flat area then just go with the 3.7L. But i would suggest checking out both the 5cyl and the V8 in person and test driving, you might decide you do want the additional power of the V8. Everything else is just gravy. An engine swap is a big ordeal.

 

[Traxx]

If you already know what you don't need that's a great place to start. If you don't need lockers and don't want heated seats just find a base I5, they are cheap and plentiful. An H3T will have a premium just about anywhere, low production and highly sought after. I would trade my T for a nice 3, I would rather have the extra interior room these days than a bed I seldom use. Those cheap trailers from harbor freight work better for the occasional home depot runs anyway.

 

[fowlken8]

If you already know what you don't need that's a great place to start. If you don't need lockers and don't want heated seats just find a base I5, they are cheap and plentiful. An H3T will have a premium just about anywhere, low production and highly sought after. I would trade my T for a nice 3, I would rather have the extra interior room these days than a bed I seldom use. Those cheap trailers from harbor freight work better for the occasional home depot runs anyway.

Yeah I know what I don't need, but it's tough because I may find something fully loaded for the price of a base unit, then I'd just get it to get it.

H3t prices are pretty insane compared to the H3, up to 3x as much with more mileage.

Okay, I'll buy an alpha H3 and trade you for your T, it's settled

edit: just looked at your truck, and it's beautiful. Looks PERFECT.

 

[mjferencak]

Owww I can answer this quick.... YES!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[SlcHummer]

Buy an i5 so that there are more v8's available when I'm in the market for another

 

[Mcssls]

The real question is do you WANT a v8? More power. Maybe slightly better fuel mileage...

 

[Mr_Rich]

I test drove an Adventure I5 from the lot in Thousand Oaks back when I was shopping ten years ago. I liked the truck but really decided if I was going for the I5 it had to be an M5 and I found one in Pasadena. I've been satisfied with my decision for the most part. Back in 2016 I took a trip back east to NC in my 3T and it was a comfortable traveler. I remember stopping for gas in Needles when it was 115 degrees. Truck ran fine and temp gauge looked as normal as a 80 degree day. I think that's just one of the advantages of the M5 since trans cooling is not really an issue. I still have my K1500 with the V8 for the bigger jobs since storage space can also be a concern in comparison to my 3T. I also like the fact that my 3T has the same wheelbase as a regular cab pickup and U-turns are not a problem compared to an extended cab pickup like my K truck.

 

[fowlken8]

Without starting another thread, what are the lift options for an H3t? I'm not seeing anything and I know they don't make the Rancho kits anymore.

 

[cgalpha08]

Without starting another thread, what are the lift options for an H3t? I'm not seeing anything and I know they don't make the Rancho kits anymore.

Torsion bar crank with shackles in the rear

Body lift

Used Rancho

Solid axle swap

That's about it

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[Traxx]

Finding one with a lift already would be the cheapest way to go. Kind of answering your own question here, if you want a lift and 35's then get an Alpha to push them. Alpha T's are somewhat rare and expensive.

 

[3rdH3]

i did a PCMofNC tune on a 3.7 I had at one time. Really woke it up. Did a Catback and AirDoc Intake along with it.

 

[rascole]

Daily driver? Go with the V8, with 100k miles it will be cheaper to replace the 5.3 than the 3.7 when the time comes and it comes quicker with the 3.7. If it is a weekend toy then the 3.7 will be fine.

 

[650Hawk]

Here's my take: When I started looking for an H3, I wanted the 3.7. My justification was better mileage, and I really had no plans for towing. Then I test drove both (3.7 and 5.3). Mind was instantly made up. For ME, there was no comparison and no going back. The 3.7 was working it's butt off to accelerate up a freeway onramp, and the 5.3 just casually loped up the same ramp. And the difference in mileage is only 1-2 mpg, while gaining 33% more towing capacity.

Now I'm not a speed demon, but I reasoned that while the 3.7 was having to work hard to push that 5000# truck around, the 5.3 wasn't even breaking a sweat, hence it would last longer. I rarely see more than 2500rpm while driving, even when accelerating onto the freeway. And then there's this: My wife said the 5.3 felt and sounded like a man's truck, while the 3.7 was like riding in a sewing machine (no offense to all of the 3.5/3.7 drivers out there, but my wife knows how to press MY buttons!). Now I also lucked out that the Alpha I found had the Off-Road package, rear camera, etc, so that was icing on the cake.
Bottom line is to drive both, then decide. I didn't NEED the extra power, but I sure as h3ll LIKE it!:cheers:

 

[FactoryOrdered2010AlphaT]

riding in a sewing machine

Three Avalanches in a row and I was cringing at having no choice but to downgrade to the sewing machine built into all Rubicons...and then, the factory, re-opened. Shreveport built me some"T"hing magical that's made every Jeep owner envious for TEN full years. Worth, every, penny.

So looking forward to parking next to one. I'm actually starting to wash it now!

 

[Mr_Rich]

I did a search on GM crate engines for the 3.7L part no. 12626560 and it has been disc. GM gave up on the I5 so any replacement engine in the future will have more than five cylinders in my truck if I have anything to do with it.

 

[Jeepwalker]

I haven't driven an H3 with a V8, but I've owned Grand Cherokees with both I-6's ad V8's. The I-6 are good engines and move the vehicle around nicely and are good workhorse engines. But the V8 does it SO much more smoothly and smartly. It gives the vehicle a whole different ownership experience. Given the choice between the two, if you don't mind spending the extra money, I'd select the V8.

 

[2010H3TAlpha]

IMHO as long as the truck is in good shape, you can't go wrong with any H3T right now, even higher mileage trucks. However, I would consider an Alpha if the price is right, and it is in good condition because they seem to be holding value like Tacomas. People pay top dollar for Alphas with the off-road package, so there are probably some decent deals to be had on an Alpha without the off-road package.

I haven't driven an H3 with a V8, but I've owned Grand Cherokees with both I-6's ad V8's. The I-6 are good engines and move the vehicle around nicely and are good workhorse engines. But the V8 does it SO much more smoothly and smartly. It gives the vehicle a whole different ownership experience. Given the choice between the two, if you don't mind spending the extra money, I'd select the V8.

It's funny you mention this. I've owned two different WJ Grand Cherokee Overlands with the HO 4.7 V8 and those hooked me on fast trucks and SUVs. At the time it was an absolute beast (and they are still a blast, especially in rough conditions).

 

[jakesz28]

No. You do not need a v8 and I dont need over 1000 ft lbs of torque in my truck either. But after you drive the I5 for a while you will wish you had a v8. I hardly drive my H3 because of how slow and under powered it is.
Should get a ZR2 with the baby duramax but I like not having a car payment.