Hummer-Worthy SuspensionAfter the engine was fitted, Bully Dog turned to upgrading the axles and suspension. Front and rear TeraFlex Tera 60 solid axles were built with ARB Air Lockers and were connected to the 4L85E van transmission through an Atlas II transfer case using Tom Wood's custom driveshafts. Mount Logan Off-Road in Logan, Utah, fitted its Rock Slider custom four-link suspension with Sway-A-Way remote-reservoir Race Runner coilovers.
This stage of the project was just as challenging as fitting the Duramax because it required lots of fabricating to make the new suspension and axles mount to the stock frame, which was designed for the independent front suspension. When it came to mounting wheels, the technicians faced even more challenges that forced them to bore out the centers of the Moto Metal 951 wheels to fit over the new axle hubs.
Upscale InteriorThe truck's interior remains fairly stock, with the exception of the dash. The factory Hummer gauges would not work with the new Duramax, so Bully Dog fitted one of its Performance Management Tools to monitor the engine. Stereo components from Sony Xplod provide entertainment with upgraded speakers, a subwoofer, and an in-dash DVD screen.
Off-Road TestingDuring our photo shoot, we took the Hummer out on some 4x4 trails to see how the H3 would perform in its intended environment-we sloshed it through mud, water, and dirt, and took it up hills, through fields, and romped on it pretty good. The suspension and axles work very well, and the Duramax's power and torque are excellent when maneuvering over obstacles. Bully Dog and Mount Logan Off-Road have definitely built an exceptional, purpose-built machine with this H3 that's a lot more Hummerlike than the stock H3.