wanting an H3 Alpha and find several with high miles, 100k, 150k , 175k. What sort of mechanical concerns do you have to deal with the mileage. Are they worth purchasing. Also have seen salvage title, what is that worth?

 

look for chassis rot and if your chassis is straight if salvaged.

 

The 5.3 V8 is very reliable. Transmission and transfer case are likely to need attention over 175k miles. Maybe at much less. Look for dark or burned smelling transmission fluid. Make sure the transfer case shifts through all modes. Make hard right and left turns to make sure that nothing is binding in 4Hi-Unlock. Hitting the accelerator hard and backing off quickly can expose transfer case problems too.

Just about every other part will wear out anywhere between 40k miles and 180k miles. Depends on how it was driven. I've had 3 H3s with over 180K miles and have never had an engine or transmission failure. (knocks on wood)

Reconstructed/Salvage Title - I would not buy anything with a damage history unless I was fully aware of the previous damage and how it was repaired. Get pictures of any previous damage. Don't be afraid to walk away from a sale. I've also never seen an H3 for sale with a reconstructed title that wasn't listed for nearly the same price as one with a clean title. You are probably better off spending the extra $1000-$1500 and getting a clean title vehicle.

The newest H3 is already 10 years old. Rust would be my biggest concern.

 

100K miles on a 10 year old truck is not high miles....

 

Salvage title vehicles will always be worth way less than a clean title vehicle, not matter how well it has been repaired.

I know this is an older post, but I'll chime in. We have a 2008 H3 Alpha with Off-Road Package with 304K on it right now. The 5.3L is running strong and does not use really any oil. Granted most of the mileage was truly highway for first 277K when it was used from 2008-2016 as crane inspection vehicle all over the Midwest. The transmission was replaced around 200K but only because the prior, original owner (my cousin) got stuck in a blizzard and was rocking/revving the hell out it and blew the trans, the rear diff, and a few other components to the tune of about $4,500-5K. Otherwise, it has just had normal maintenance items go on it to be expected with its age and mileage. Recently the front differential failed, so it is awaiting that repair next. I would not be afraid of high miles provided you have maintenance records and a sense of how those miles came to be. 300K of city driving vs 300K of highway driving were a big factor with ours and why it still looks and runs great.

I would also say finding an H3 Alpha, especially one with the Off Road Package is somewhat difficult. You can tell if it has the Off Road Package (name package was given on Alphas vs. Adventure on non-Alphas) by looking at the center console 4x4 buttons. If a 2008 Alpha, it will have a rear locking diff button next to the traction control button. If 2009-10 Alpha it will have rear and front locking diff buttons since they added the front locking diff to the Off Road Package for those years.. Good luck in your quest. Plan on spending in the "teens" for an H3 Alpha unless you find a nice high mileage one.