I got home and installed the battery as fast as I could.  My son was with my wife at “My Gym” so I had about 45 minutes to get this battery in.

Installation should take about 15 minutes, it took me about 30 minutes, mainly because I double checked everything and took pictures along the way to make sure I didn’t forget anything.  It was dark.

It’s really quite easy.  The battery I installed was a Bosch PremiumPower.  (about $75 USD)

This summer when I have time, I’ll probably install an Optima Red Top and keep this guy as a backup.

Here is what it says on the top:

• CCA @ 0^F : 630
• CA @ 32^F : 785
• RC Mins @ 25 Amps : 90
• Part Number: 86-630B
• Group Size: 86

Uninstallation of Old Battery:

Click open the battery’s negative (black) cover to access the post and nut.  Loosen the negative battery cable nut.

I used a 10mm socket wrench for this.  Pull it off the post and set aside.  Make sure it doesn’t touch anything.

Click open the battery’s positve (red) cover.  Loosen the positive cable nut.  Work it off the post and set aside.  Again make sure this doesn’t touch anything.  Even though it’s not connected to anything it’s just a good habit to keep when working with electrical stuff.

Remove battery vent hose.  It slides right off.

Remove the battery upper box.  Press the locking tabs inward and lift up.  It might be easier to do one side and angle it up to release the other tab.  The tab closest to the fender is a little tight to get your hand in to push the tab.  Angle it out.

Disengage the battery strap.

I used a 13mm socket wrench for this.

Loosen and take off the nut.  Slide strap end up.  This will create the slack you need to take the strap off the other side of the battery’s lower tray’s restraint.  Also this exposes the cleat that holds the base of the battery down.
The cleat fits over a groove that is in the battery and wedges it down.  Remove the cleat by pulling it straight up along the bolt that it sits on.

Here is a picture of the cleat.

You must remove the cleat before you remove the battery.  The 2 pictures above where shot just to show the cleat.  I had already taken the battery out so you can see how it wedges the battery down. Just imagine the battery sitting in the tray. You’ll see in a couple of photos below with the new battery installed.

Remove the battery.

Installation of New Battery:

Note the groove toward the bottom backside of the battery.

Place new battery into lower half of battery tray.  Notice there is no cleat yet.  Make sure, if you are installing a battery intended for a Hummer H3, the groove on the back of the battery is closest to the firewall of the engine compartment.  This is where the safety cleat will clamp down on.

Place safety cleat over bolt and slide down into position.

Place battery strap on the front side, hook into position.

Place end of battery strap over bolt on top of the safety cleat.

Install the retainer nut.  Use that 13mm socket and tighten down.  If the battery you are installing sits a little shorter, wedge it with some material that can take some heat, it gets hot in there.

Install the battery upper box and make sure the tabs click.

Make sure your Positive and Negative battery cables are free from corrosion.  Use a wire brush to clean.  Install the positive (red) cable.  Use the 10mm socket to tighten nut.  Install the Negative cable, tighten the nut.  Close the plastic covers.

Connect the battery vent hose.

All done.  Start her up!

Hey, Leave a comment.  Let me know if you stopped by!  Thanks!

Related posts:

1. Story of the Battery Early December I thought to myself I might be in...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

It doesn’t help that recently my 2 year old has taken a liking to playing in the H3.  He likes turning on the lights, rolling down the windows, opening and closing the sunroof, turning on and off the fan for a good 10 to 15 minutes almost every time we get home and pull into the driveway.  That’s another story.

I threw a question out to my Hummer Friends at HummerXClub.com for their suggestions on what is the best battery on the market for an H3.

“I have a 2006 Hummer H3. What’s the best battery for the rig without too much fuss of installing?”

Many came back with great pictures of their installs.  The overwhelming response was the Optima brand, more specifically, the Optima Red Top.  Well as time passed by my battery grew weaker and weaker.  I still hadn’t pulled the trigger as to which battery I’d get.  In the long run the Optima Red Top would work the best however there were some immediate drawbacks.

Optima Red Top

CONS:

• I’d have to modify the existing battery enclosure in-order to for the optima to fit.  It’s a little taller than the OEM sized battery.
• Possibility, based on current reviews of the battery, that it potentially could be hit or miss on getting one that was DOA or with non-working cells.
• Price.  The Optimas tend to be a little more pricey than your everyday battery.

PROS:

• Well liked and a good name in the wheeling community.
• Powerful battery used in cold weather.
• Sealed and maintenance free and lasts a long time. (As long as you get a problem-free one…)

My dilemma?  How much time would I have to physically replace the battery given the variable of my two year old son?  In a perfect world, a couple of hours and a beer; in the real world, 3.5 minutes and a red-bull.  I needed to find something in the middle.

Let’s jump to the end of the month, December 28th.  The original battery lost it’s mojo.  Not bad, I guess, it lasted a good 3.5 years 62K miles.  I walked out to the parking lot after work, turned the key and there was silence, a silence similar to what I would give in place of vermouth to my dry vodka martini.

I was the last one out to lock up that evening, but luckily my friend and co-worker, Finlay G., was in the area to come back and help jump start it.  He followed me over to the Sear Auto Center, given the lack of time I thought, “Die Hard, that will work.”  Much to my surprise Die Hard/Sears don’t make a battery for the size the H3 needs.  Bummer.  The guy at Sears pointed me over to PepBoys a few miles away.  Jump start and I was on my way.

PepBoys – for some reason the same smell of tires and stale car fresheners has stayed the same over the years.  It triggered memories of when I was a toddler going up and down the aisles with my dad looking for parts for either the Pinto, the Corvair, or the Volaré.  Classic.  I went to the back counter and asked for a battery for the H3, they had one.  And when I say they had one, I mean they had one. One brand and only one in stock.  ”I’ll take it.”

Bosch Premium Plus

CONS:

• I hadn’t done any research on this battery.

PROS:

• I’ll fit.
• I can install with minimal time and effort.

Read the Installation Here.

Related posts:

1. Normal Battery Installation for Hummer H3 Okay, here are the details of installing a battery for...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

There has always been that marketing/sales quote. “If a customer receives good service he’ll tell 1 other person, customer received bad service he’ll tell 10 others.” I’m out to change that in this post.

This week I was pleasantly surprised. I feel, especially with today’s economy, customer service is a differentiating factor I have come to place more weight upon. If I am going to spend my hard-worked money for a product or service there are a few things I expect: knowledge of the product or service that is being provided, mutual respect and a fair price. That being said, the first two criteria can influence the third. Earlier this week I took my H3 in for service. I took it in the Cerritos Pontiac, Buick, GMC, Hummer Service Center where I met Robert D. I was having a “Serv 4WD” in the DIC light up and then go away occasionally. I was due for an Oil Change so I thought I’ll take it in to get the 4WD serviced. I feel, had I taken it somewhere else, I would have had to pay for an oil change and a 4WD service and still not have solved the problem. It ended up being electrical and not a 4WD problem. Nice catch on Robert D’s part to diagnose the problem instead of treating just the symptom.

So here is my plug for Robert D. <plug> If you are in the Los Angeles/Orange County area and need to get your Hummer or any other GM vehicle serviced take it to the Cerritos Pontiac, Buick, GMC, Hummer Service Center, ask for Robo or his real name, and you won’t be disappointed. He knows what he is doing, doesn’t talk down to you when explaining some basic things and a pleasant cool guy.</plug>

Related posts:

1. Normal Battery Installation for Hummer H3 Okay, here are the details of installing a battery for...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

I ordered the Cargo Basket and 18” extension from eTrailer.com.  They had the best price and their customer service was top notch.

Basic Rola Roof-Rack (Photo from eTrailer.com)

18 3/4" (Photo from eTrailer.com)

Rola Roof-Rack with Extension (Photo from eTrailer.com)

Features:
•    Black powder coat finish resists rust and corrosion
•    Includes custom fairing to help deflect wind
•    Stylish design

Specs:
•    Universal mounting hardware fits round, square and most factory OEM racks
•    Factory roof rack cross members must not be wider than 3-1/4″
•    Inside Dimensions: 48″ x 37-1/2″ x 4″
•    Extension is available to lengthen carrier by 18-3/4″
•    2 piece steel construction
•    Do not exceed the vehicle manufacturer’s roof rail weight ratings

Installation was a breeze.  The basket came in two pieces plus an extra piece that was the extension.  They slide into the other pieces and screwed in with the provided hardware.  I placed basket up on the roof of the H3 where I wanted it and then snapped the brackets on the basket and crossbars.

Close up of Bracket and Clamps (Photo from eTrailer.com)

I installed this by myself and it took about 45 minutes.  I would have been shorter if it hadn’t been cold and dark but it was all good.  It was the only time I had after our 17-month old son went to bed.

Once it was on the H3 it gave a whole new look.  It sat a little high, but because of the Fairing on the Thule crossbars and the Fairing that is part of the Rola Rack it works great.  The only tweak I need to do is bring the basket one rib up toward the front of the truck.  Right now it’s rear sticks out a little over the roof-line.  It’s not bad, but I’ll see what I could do.  If I didn’t have a sun roof it wouldn’t be a problem I would be able to bring everything forward.

Overhang

Rola on Hummer H3

All-in-all a great piece of gear that I will get it’s use out.  eTrailer.com was great in price, shipping, and customer service with video instructions and write-ups I will definitely visit them again for other cargo needs.

For more information go directly to Rola Roof-Rack Mounted Vortex Cargo Basket at eTrailer.  Or visit Rola’s Website

Also, if this review was helpful to you, I’d like to know.  Leave a comment below!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

H3 OEM Crossbars

Those where not what I wanted, I needed something more substantial so that I could eventually place a safari basket atop the rack.

When I was younger my Dad had a Thule bike rack installed on our 1985 Audi 5000S Turbo. (Now that was a sweet car.) From that point on I’d always leaned towards the Thule Rack System. I know there are a few vendors out there that do the same job, most notably Yakima, however, I went ahead and decided on the Thule Roof-top Rack System. My only reservation was that fact that I couldn’t find any pictures of the rack on a H3. I wasn’t sure if it was going to stick out too high and look stupid or if it would add to the character of the truck.

Here is the set-up for the rack:
430 Tracker II Foot Pack | TK12 Tracker Kit | LB58 Load Bars

I ordered the set online from Amazon. They had the best price and shipping was free. I ordered it in pieces and installed it in phases.

The first to come were the 430 Tracker II Foot Pack.

430 Tracker II Foot Pack

These are just the base units that attach to the existing tracks on the H3. These are basically a permanent install. Permanent in the sense that you don’t’ have to take these off if you want to take off the rack. They will just look like nubs on the rails of you roof by themselves. I installed them on the existing rail and tightened down the flat, square nut with the provided Allen wrench in the position I wanted the crossbars to be parallel to each other.

The “Towers” and Load Bars where next on the list.

TK12 Tracker Kit

58 Inch Load Bars

I ordered the “Towers” (TK12 Tracker Kit) and 58” Load Bars (LB58). I slid the load bar into the square hole on one of the towers. I did that three more times since there are 4 tower and 2 load bars. I did not tighten the clamp for the load bar so that I could adjust it when it was on the roof. I placed the load bar with two towers up on the roof into the preinstalled Foot Pack. They snapped in and then I made sure the load bars were centered on the roof and tightened into place with the provided Allen wrench. I repeated this for the other set to finish the platform.

I added a fairing to cut down on wind noise.

Thule Fairing

That hooks up to the leading load bar pretty simply. You just have to put the fairing together before you hook it up to the roof. Once I placed that up on the roof with the rack, it added to the look of the H3. I was quite happy with the look. It didn’t sit too high on the roof, in fact it gave the H3 some height while adding to it’s square body profile.

For protection I added 4 core locks to the towers.

Core Locks

Since they are easy to take off, it would be easy for anyone to take them off so now they are locked on.

Thule Rack

All-in-all, functional and cool looking; Well-engineered and ready to use. I’m glad these worked out perfectly.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Like Nothing Else.

2006 Hummer H3

Related posts:

1. Normal Battery Installation for Hummer H3 Okay, here are the details of installing a battery for...
2. Story of the Battery Early December I thought to myself I might be in...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.