New here, can someone explain the Alpha model, engine options, etc and the type/description of the 4wd system please. I am not new to 4wd's, just to the H3 as my wife has become interested in one. Which GM platform is it built on?
Thanks!!

 

Alpha model-comes with 5.3l v8
Base H3 2007 and later-3.7l inline 5
Lux model-comes with leather, heated seats etc
Adventure model-front and rear locking diffs, 4:1 transfer case, 33" tires
They all have fulltime 4wd with an option to lock center diff in high and low range

 

I just recently purchased a 08 Alpha and I love it! Just had a major snowstorm in my area of Ontario and man this thing goes through anything! lol

Brachilius is right the Alpha comes with the 5.3L V8 and all other options available on the Base model are also available on the Alpha. Mine has the Lux pkg (heated leather seats, chrome pkg, etc) and the backup camera. The H3 is built on the Colorado pickup platform with some modifications for the Alpha to fit the 5.3L.

 

The H3 is built off of a frame that is very similar, but not identical to the Colorado/Canyon pickup --- the suspension is unique for the H3 and I believe some of the frame x-members are unique to the H3. This is not a knock on the H3 since the Colorado/Canyon has a very good/stiff frame under it. Many "haters" say that it is just a rebadged Colorado just as they say the H2 is a rebadged Tahoe....sharing components doesn't mean rebadging.

I had a 2005 GMC Canyon Z71 4x4 Crew Cab and I currently own a 2008 H3 -- the only similarities that I notice is the engine ---- both have/had the 3.7 liter Atlas motor. Both were/are very capable in the snow with the right tires (not the p1ss-poor goodyear wrangler RTS tires!!!)

The 4x4 systems are a bit different: The Colorado/Canyon uses a more traditional 4x4 system -- 2wd/4wd hi/4wd lo. The front axle diff is always locked and the rear uses a limited slip. The H3 uses a full time AWD system where the frt gets 30% (maybe 40%) and the rear gets the rest -- the transfer case sends the power where needed btwn front and back, left and right. With the 4 hi lock button engaged on the H3, the power is split 50/50 btwn the front and rear (locked to 50/50) and power is only transfered left and right as needed. 4 low lock works the same way, just in a lower gear range.

I believe the H3 has an open diff in the front and rear unless you have the locking diff option on the adventure package. The H3 uses a traction control system to try and keep both wheels spinning on each axle -- instead of one wheel getting all of the power (the slipping wheel).

The alpha uses the same 5.3L V8 that all GM trucks use, and the 4x4 system is the same as the base H3 (I think the alpha has a locking frt and rear diff --- I may be wrong) If you have a chance at an alpha, you WILL like it.

 

Platform is GMT 345. The Colly/Canyon are GMT 355.

This about sums it up. http://www.hummer.com/popups/h3_mini_brochure.pdf

The locking rear diff is std with the adventure package and the Lux w/ off road option 2006 - 2008. In 2009 and up the adventure and Lux w/ off road added a front locker as well. The T case splits power 60/40 (60% rear, 40% front) unless the T Case is locked to then divide 50/50.

 

Thanks all for the responses. I am a lot smarter than I was this morning!
How about the engines...I knowthe V8 is a great engine, but what about the I5? Reliability? Towing? Fuel Mileage? Which transmission do they use?

 

2006 H3
Base Engine 3.5L I5 (some had head issues I have the vin #s if you need them)
Option Packages:
Base-Cloth/standard radio/Black accents
Adventure-Cloth/Monsoon radio/Black accents
Lux-Leather/Chrome
Option Package Combinations:
Base w/Adventure Lux w/Adventure

2007 H3
Base Engine 3.7L I5
Option Packages:
Base-Cloth/standard radio/Black accents
Adventure-Cloth/Monsoon radio/Black accents/4:1 transfer case/Rear Locker
Lux-Leather/Chrome
Option Package Combinations:
Base w/Adventure Lux w/Adventure

2008 H3
Base Engine 3.7L I5 Optional Engine: 5.3L V8 (Alpha only)
Option Packages:
Base-Cloth/standard radio/Black accents
Adventure-Cloth/Monsoon radio/Black accents/4:1 transfer case/Rear Locker
Lux-Leather/Chrome
H3X-Leather/Chrome/18" wheels/Monsoon
Alpha-Leather/Chrome/Monsoon radio/Cast Iron Front Diff
OffRoad(only on Alpha) -4:1 transfer case/Rear Locker
Option Package Combinations:
Base w/Adventure Lux w/Adventure Alpha/OffRoad

2009 H3 & H3T
Base Engine 3.7L I5 Optional Engine: 5.3L V8 (Alpha only)
Option Packages:
Base-Cloth/standard radio/Black accents
Adventure- Cloth/Monsoon radio/Black accents/4:1 transfer case/Front & Rear Locker//Cast Iron Front Diff
Lux-Leather/Chrome
H3X-Leather/Chrome/18" wheels/Monsoon
Alpha-Cloth (Leather optional)/ Black Accents (Chrome optional)/Monsoon radio/Cast Iron Front Diff
OffRoad(only on Alpha)-4:1 transfer case/Front & Rear Locker
Option Package Combinations:
Base w/Adventure Lux w/Adventure Alpha/OffRoad

2010 H3 & H3T
Base Engine 3.7L I5 Optional Engine: 5.3L V8 Flex Fuel (Alpha only)
Option Packages:
Base- Cloth/standard radio/Black accents
Adventure- Cloth/Monsoon radio/Black accents/4:1 transfer case/Front & Rear Locker/ /Cast Iron Front Diff
Lux- Leather/Chrome
Alpha-Cloth (Leather optional)/ Black Accents (Chrome optional)/Monsoon radio
OffRoad(only on Alpha) -4:1 transfer case/Front & Rear Locker
Option Package Combinations:
Base w/Adventure Lux w/Adventure Alpha/OffRoad

 

4:1 transfer case, is that a 4:1 reduction???

 

yeah,for sure.

figure this; if it was 4/1 increase it would be a great overdrive, at 2500 rpm youd be going 275 mph,,roughly!.
my pittsburgh trip would go from 7 hrs to about 1hr 25 min. id love every minute of it!

 

I KNEW it was reduction, just that 4:1 seemed steep.