Anyone interested in a group buy of HD torsion bars? I got a hold of Sway -A-Way and they'll do a group buy around 850 a pair if I get enough people. Let me know.

 

How much of an increase do they claim, at this time, over an OEM Alpha torsion?

 

Wasn't sway-a-way an alternative source for "HD" t-bars. Then the Alpha H3s came out in 2008 and had a very similar spring rate?

Might want to check the spring rate of the Alpha bars VS the sway-a-ways. Cheaper to find a used set of Alphas form a rear ended Alpha H3/H3T. Heck it might be cheaper to get'em from the dealer or online than $850 a pair. Alpha bars online are only $100ea.

 

There was a lot of vague and mis-information on those back in 07 so not sure what to believe. There was a group buy for $465 but not sure about the claims of spring rate. I also believe it was Sway Away that was selling some for $625, at that time.
One claim was 30% higher spring rate than OEM. Then I saw that someone did not think GM would make them stiffer for the Alpha, but they did, or so GM claimed and comparing the ride of my Alpha to my 06 they made a difference.
Another post also stated 30% more comparing them to Alpha but don't know how they came to that conclusion.
So I'm not sure if they are still available aftermarket or if they can confirm the difference in those and Alpha torsions.
It's a mystery.

 

I have not found them available after market from anyone SAW used to make them back when the 3s were still being produced. I have an Alpha, so Alpha bars won't be much help.

These are pricey but they are a custom build. I can ask about spring rate but I believe it's 35% over stock, Alpha bars are 17% over I5 as far as I can tell.

These aren't for everyone and maybe I'm the only one interested but I thought I'd ask.

 

I was not aware you already had an Alpha, you don't have a signature or a garage.
So what is the problem now in the front with the Alpha?
What do you have on the front end, winch/mount, brushguard? What shocks are you running?
I have and Alpha with all that up front and it seems to carry itself very well especially compared to my 06 with the same stuff.
Let us know why you want to get some stiffer torsions? I'm interested.

 

I'll write up a sig, sorry for the confusion.
A little about my H3, I live in Canada, my H3 is in Phoenix, it's strictly to the trail, over the trail and home rig but to the trail can be up to 300 miles. It is a 2009 Alpha Adventure.
I have cranked the bars and have 315/70/17 MTR-Kevlars on MB-TKO rims. They rub, not a lot, but sometimes, I've trimmed all the plastic I can, still rub.
I have Shwartzy Rock Sliders. Stock adventure series shocks

I am doing an Ironbull Bumper, winch, lights, 2nd battery, gobi rack for more lights, fuel and I'm tired of wedging my hi-lift into the back.

I'm thinking, to get rid of the slight rub, I'll do a key lift, then over crank and an add a leaf in the back.

I currently have no problem in the front end. My thoughts are that with all that torsion lift and weight in the front it can't hurt to pick up some heavy duty bars if they're available, I've had sag issues in the past on my rigs that hold a lot of weight on the front.

If that ironbull is anything like my bulletproof on my 2500HD and it looks identicle, it's gonna be heavy, with the winch and lights maybe 300 pounds, rock sliders are another 160, 20-30 for a battery, plus a few hundred lbs on the roof. Distributed weight will be like a 500lb sumo on the hood.

I've been checking out your mods Hunner, I appreciate everything you've done for H3s! I'm at a distinct disadvantage, since I don't live with the hummer I am not able to do things like measure for new tie rods. I have no fabrication gear down there either.

So long story longer, I will replace them if I can, if I can't I'm not really worried about it.

 

Ahh that explains a lot. I looked at the Iron Bull but was really concerned about the added weight also.
I contacted them about getting one made with the center cut down to allow a Warn Power Plant winch to fit in there. I was also concerned about loss of air flow for the Alpha with that bumper, they said no they would only make it one way. I was going to order it unfinished and then mod it but decided to pass.
I also did lots of contacting people with an ARB and with their help had an idea for modding the center of that so I could have my winch exposed.
I understand some people like those, that may not offroad where they need them very often and they do look great I just do not want the weight and limited access.
Everyone has different requirements.
I have done a lot of "winching" and "mudding" in the past in my old LandCruiser FJ55 and my number one priority is to have the winch accessible.
I saw people with the early designs "in the bumper", a Sidewinder I believe was the first, that continually had to dig out the winch to use it or have the cable winched out because of overrides.
I worked with the original guy that made my skids on some ideas for an H3/T bumper and we came up with some ideas for an open one for his new style FJ that really looked good. The plan was to cut it down to my liking for the H3 and of course create some mounts. I think it would have been lighter than the other two. However he bailed on that when he got a huge contract and it has been set aside indefinitely.
I got over 50,000 miles on the Alpha with all my extra "stuff" hanging on the front but so far I still like the way it works and rides without any issues other than having to reinforce the pass side rack mount. I think all that weight and cranked torsions affects the reliability of the OEM clamp and rubber bushing design.
I wanted the great fabrication skills done that those bumpers have but do the modding here to fit my winch. Maybe later.

Let us know if you find any other specific info on those torsion bars as to added ability to support more weight. That may have to be a future mod when we reach the end of whatever the life is of the existing ones.

I have a long time idea of a mod to assist in the front suspension but have not continued to pursue further development for awhile.

Just some visuals
The old Crusher "Thu Bus" we named it. Early Warn 8000 was a work horse.

ARB mod

Iron Bull back side. I was thinking of mounting the winch between the H3 frame and opening this up as well as air flow intake below.

Local design marked by that white line to cut off the added lower apron for an H3.
As it appears the ARB design appearance that has been used on Rovers and Toyotas and now H3 has also done but changing the mounting points.

 

Thanks for all the thoughts Hunner, I have done a lot of winching with my 12000lb Warn tucked into my bumper on my diesel, but I can see where access would be an advantage for sure. I'm from western Canada so my thoughts on the bumper are for wildlife protection, brushguards bend, 1/4" steel and roll cage tubing generally do not, I've been left on the road with a hole in my rad from an animal strike, I armour all my trucks now.

I was also concerned with cooling, as I have that issue canyon crawling in the summer as it is, I'm thinking of electric fans, low temp t-stat maybe a bigger rad.

I'd love to do my louvers too although that is a subject of much controversy I think I figured it out. I'm working on a replacement panel concept, if I can cut a thin electric fan into it... who am I kidding, that kind of work will have to wait until I retire (about 20yrs), I work 11 on 3 off 13hr shifts away from home, 2 days driving leaves me 1 day home which isn't where my hummer is, I get about 10 days a year with her.

I'll keep everyone posted on the t-bars. Thanks again Hunner.