The slant-back top of the H3 is a handcrafted addition made of sheetmetal that's been seam
The Hummer H3 Alpha edition was one of the most anticipated vehicles of the decade. From the showroom it had the makings of an incredible off-road machine: a healthy V-8, front and rear selectable lockers, and a 4:1 transfer case. When you threw in the heavy-duty skids that came with the Adventure Package, you had what many hoped would be the ultimate off-road SUV. But, like so many great vehicles before it, the H3 Alpha, along with the Hummer brand, never saw its full potential.
Luckily, off-road enthusiast like Al De Orleans sought to defy convention and pick up were the factory left off. Combining his love for hardcore wheeling and the iconic military HMMWV, Al had the idea of evolving both the look and performance of his '08 Hummer. Though Al isn't afraid of turning wrenches, for his H3 visions to come to life he knew that he would need the help of some expert vehicle crafters.
This meant combining the efforts of two well-known shops in Southern California, American Hot Rod and Off Road Evolution. Al's idea was to let each of the shops do what it does best. For American Hot Rod it was converting the H3 to the military-style HMMWV slant back as well as fitting the ride with a slew of custom interior and exterior touches.
Off Road Evolution took charge underneath the rig, fitting the Hummer with an Evo Manufacturing suspension system along with a set of bulletproof Dynatrac Pro Rock 60 axles.
The result is an incredible H3 with abundant cutting-edge touches and subtle cues that pay homage to the H3's grandfather.
Tech Specs
2008 Hummer H3 Alpha
Drivetrain
Engine: 5.3L
Transmission: 4L60E
Transfer case: BorgWarner, 2-speed, fulltime, 4.03:1 low range
Front Axle: Dynatrac Pro Rock 60 with Dynatrac drive flanges, ARB Air Locker, 4.88 gears
Rear Axle: Dynatrac Pro Rock 60 full-float, ARB Air Locker, 4.88 gears
Suspension
Springs & Such: Evo Mfg. 3-link straight-axle conversion up front with 12-inch travel Fox coilovers; 4-link rear with an Evo-lever and 8-inch Fox coilovers (14 inches of travel)
Tires & Wheels: 37x12.50 Irok radials on 17-inch Hutchinson beadlocks
Other Stuff: Custom slant-back conversion and cage, custom H1 front bumper/winch mount, military-issue Mile Marker 12,000-pound short drum winch, ARB rear bumper, Safari snorkel, custom rear bumper, factory Adventure Package
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Inside the Hummer is a cleanly laid interior cage that blends in with the ultra-plush Alph
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Controlling the full-float Pro Rock rear axle is a custom four-link rear suspension that u
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Part of what makes the Alpha H3 so unique is its powerful 5.3L GM V-8. Al tells us that th
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Though the factory IFS is pretty robust on the Alpha H3, for Al's tall tire and tough terr
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To secure the front axle in place, the H3 uses a three-link straight-axle conversion kit f
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Modern 4x4s are sensor-heavy, and the H3 is no exception. To prevent the Hummer's dash fro