How good is the GM belly armor?

[08SolarFlareH3]

I know several people on the Russian Hummer forums and Sennin on here is running a solid UCP. Maybe he can comment.


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[poncho1965]

Good point. I assume the heat concern is mainly during slow speed off road conditions where not much of anything is getting the benefit of air cooling? Seems to me at highway speeds or even around town there would be sufficient turbulence underneath the rig to have adequate cooling. It is certainly something to consider....

 

[06 H3]

I may try and design one like reloaders his offers airflow and less G.C. loss

 

[Sennin]

I know several people on the Russian Hummer forums and Sennin on here is running a solid UCP. Maybe he can comment.


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mine is a solid 4mm steel plate laser cut from the front diff carrier to the last cross member just behind the transfer case. The only issue I had to date was a slight leak from the 4L60E overflow when towing long distance. Then again I constantly monitor the Bullydog and never try to exceed 105C radiator temp, rather let off the throttle than over working the engine and gearbox. to me it feels almost as if the air coming in thru the radiator in front, has to exit underneeth the vehicle, and the belly plate helps to funnel that air over the gearbox, then again its just a speculation.

The solid skid however performs excellent in mud/snow conditions
My biggest problem is actually to get the 44kg+ piece of steel mounted each time:gaah:thats the only reason I have not yet fitted the belly plate.

 

[mkmcgreg]

I may try and design one like reloaders his offers airflow and less G.C. loss

I purchased the steel yesterday to do the same plan on posting up my results. 65$ for the material plus I am being taught to weld! Can't argue with that

 

[telemike]

How easy is it to put the GM armor on? Any rivnuts?

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[08SolarFlareH3]

How easy is it to put the GM armor on? Any rivnuts?

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Here are the install instructions for the BA UCP which is nearly identical in install

http://www.hummer4x4offroad.com/forum/showthread.php?t=514



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[speedy]

GM is best but maybe because it is the only option other than custom. It is recommended to add metal strips to the piece that protects the transfer case to prevent rocks from coming between the bars. I added those strips a bit late, kinda like adding a home alarm after you've been burglarized.

The transfer case skid can updated for just a couple of dollars:shifty:

This what i did to Bebe's
Less then a hour off and back on

3/4 gas pipe Free

A little work with the hammer:cheers:

Weld en up.Shoot a little black paint and re install :thumbs:

 

[Schwarttzy]

View attachment 7141

Like this?

Ya that is what I'm doing.

 

[SolidusJ]

Rasta 4x4, CBPhoto, and there is a place in Texas that makes UCP but I can't think of the name. Boulder Accessories used to make one similar to the GM one, just used round tubing on the bottom instead of square. DOI used to also make UCP. Thorparts/4speedfunk makes plates you can weld to the OEM UCP.


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GM + THOR plates.

 

[bebe]

I would guess that if you make them solid like in Poncho's pic, you may have some heat issues. It may work in Russia because it never gets over 50* there, and is freezing most of the time....like - below freezing

 

[Schwarttzy]

Well, once I get my Solid Aluminum Plates done I will be happy to show the difference with logging the trans temperature for you guys. I have this Bluetooth device that allows my Android cell phone to monitor anything on the car while it is running. I'll do some recordings for you guys with and without, but I'm more than confident that the air flow should be more than sufficient.

 

[alrock]

Schwarttzy, have you been able to get transmission temp for the H3? I assume you're running the Torque app on your Android phone. While I haven't looked that closely I haven't seen a trans temp option. If you've found it, or are using a different app, please let me know.

 

[Schwarttzy]

Really getting sick of all the nay sayers, Russia!? are you kidding, unless you have any experience with this stop making assumptions people. Why don't you ask the person that has had a solid skid on his H3 for the last three years?

Schwarttzy, have you been able to get transmission temp for the H3? I assume you're running the Torque app on your Android phone. While I haven't looked that closely I haven't seen a trans temp option. If you've found it, or are using a different app, please let me know.

Yes I'm using torque, your right I don't see a trans temp. O well, just means getting the trans temperature isn't as easy as I thought I might be...

 

[bebe]

Sooooo, no need to get defensive here doood. We have been schooled in the fact that ambient temps are significant in the operating temps for the H3's.

Alex and I are both residing in climates that regularly if not all summer long, are over 100*. It's very different from Illinois, yes?

All were are trying to point out, and what you may want to keep in mind, is that these sites are surfed by many thousands of H3 owners, and it's wise to at least say that ambient temps could affect operating temps.

I know that even in Moab/Rubicon, if I'm "crawling" Low range,low speed operation, those skids would assist in cooking my tranny. Even with the Aux cooler and Ron Davis Radiator....I'd be changing the fluid every 5K miles vs 30K.

Know what I mean?

 

[bebe]

I am not making assumptions - I have the Scanguage II, and being someone who has the proto-type - I watch and report my temps regularly.

 

[Sennin]

I can honestly say theres a major difference between the 3.7 and 5.3 the temps this side is shooting up to 36+C and standing next to the Hummer driver side (right hand side where exhaust is) you can actually feel the immense heat from the 5.3's exhaust, will definately have the exhaust changed and heat wrapped before I install my full skid on the V8.

 

[cbetts]

Okay, I need to play devil's advocate here . . .

Ponch lives in Ridgecrest, one of the hottest places I have been in California. I am interested in hearing experience with his full-length shield. Also, since I am running a manual transmission, would I be as susceptible? I have beet the living $#!+ out of my OEM UCP and would love to have one that ran the full length of the tranny and t-case.

 

[poncho1965]

Agreed ambiant temps will most certainly effect your tranny/engine run temps. I've run mostly Panimint or Inyo range canyons with steep, rocky climbs to 10,000 feet. My engine temp gauge will climb slightly over halfway and hold steady (for what thats worth). I have no data to offer on tranny temps, but I think I might have access to a scangauge or similar and will see what I can come up with for data. I have noticed nothing out of the ordinary, I would recognize the smell of hot overworked equipment. My tranny fluid shows no signs of extreme temps or scorched burnt smell. Granted, I run these trails March through June, October through December. Believe me no one runs Death Valley, Saline, or Panimint Valley canyons in the heat of the summer, thats just nuts. I believe we saw highs of 117-118 this summer. It is possible I could be slow cooking my tranny, I just haven't seen any evidence of that yet. I've had this skid installed for 3 years and knock on wood, no probs yet. Now if I can just get some hard data! I appreciate the feedback and insight, keep it coming!

 

[Medic_Morgan]

Where did you get the skid poncho? Cost? I'm def interested in one like that


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[poncho1965]

Where did you get the skid poncho? Cost? I'm def interested in one like that


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A local shop, Fabrication Unlimited Squared (FU2). They do rock crawler, King Of The Hammers type of rigs. I'm thinking it cost me $500 or so. Did this after I dented my Tcase.

 

[poncho1965]

Just to revisit the topic on the solid skid. I have all the skids pulled, so decided to drop the tranny pan and change fluid. Happy to report nothing but normal wear residue in the pan, no burnt smell, nice red color. Granted I only have 37.5k miles on my 06. For what it's worth

 

[cbetts]

37K on an 06?! I am so jealous!

 

[ArtHummer]

I'm not sure it was ever discussed before but I'm just throwing the idea out there...
If there is a problem with transmission temperature for the "full belly cover" maybe the solution is not to modify the skid plate but to improve the cooling of the transmission itself? Not sure if this is possible on H3, but it was done on my old 240sx... Instead of little stock transmission radiator the larger one was fabricated (almost the size of the engine coolant radiator.) The biggest problem on 240 was not enough room. The issue was resolved by removing the stock huge fan that sits on the pulley and replaced with 2 electric low profile fans. That gave enough room for the transmission radiator and the turbo radiator. (Another plus to removing the stock fan is it reduces the drag on the engine pulley, therefore increasing the hp and torque)

I can honestly say theres a major difference between the 3.7 and 5.3 the temps this side is shooting up to 36+C and standing next to the Hummer driver side (right hand side where exhaust is) you can actually feel the immense heat from the 5.3's exhaust, will definately have the exhaust changed and heat wrapped before I install my full skid on the V8..

If there is a problem with having the exhaust pipes to close to transmission and cooking it... The you can wrap it in the heat protection wraps. It is verry popular on motorcycles and race cars.

 

[poncho1965]

We use a similar wrap at my work for freeze protection, but 650 degree fluid circulates in the daytime. Thats a great idea Art, thank you! I won't be reinstalling the skids until I'm satisfied I'm not cooking my tranny with the full skid plate.