Project Trailhugger Hummer H3 Alpha Suspension- Shock Jock

Here at Four Wheeler we like Light Racing JounceShocks so much we've installed them on several project rigs. 'Con Artist, Killer Bee, and our Nismo Frontier are some of the recipients of these extraordinary little devices, and we've been very impressed with the results. This month, we install them on our project Trailhugger H3 Alpha.

If you're not familiar with JounceShocks, here's the short version: These devices are basically air springs with damping control that replace the stock bumpstops on your vehicle. Devices like these have been used in the off-road racing scene since the late '80s, but only recently have found their way into the mainstream off-highway market. So what is the benefit? Well, as a supplemental suspension device typically utilized during the last third of suspension travel, JounceShocks provide vastly improved bottoming protection and substantial improvements in gross vehicle motion. In other words, they can do all kinds of tricks that a piece of rubber or urethane can't. As a bonus, they're externally adjustable for compression and rebound, nitrogen and oil fill adjustable, and fully rebuildable.

1. For reference, here are... 

   

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1. For reference, here are all of the stock parts that we removed to install the JounceShocks. Where did they come from? Read on.

As you'll recall, our plan for Trailhugger includes keeping the suspension height stock. To some this may seem like a radical decision, but our goal is to explore ways to preserve, and improve, the rig's excellent handling and ride, both on- and off-highway, as well as retain our rig's decent mpg numbers. After all, Trailhugger is a daily driver. With that said, we planned on integrating minimal suspension mods that provide maximum results. In Part 2 (Sept. '08), we installed a set of rugged Rod Hall Racing piggyback shocks. Now, with the addition of these JounceShocks our suspension modifications are complete.

The kit for our H3 Alpha came to us from Light Racing with everything needed to transform the ride and handling. We pointed Trailhugger to Attitude Performance in Arlington Heights, Illinois, where owner Matt Dinelli made it happen. Here are the highlights of this relatively easy install.

2. Light Racing offers universal...        read full caption 2. Light Racing offers universal fit and custom fabricated JounceShock systems. Ours was the latter, so it came with everything needed to complete the install, including front and rear weld-on mounting brackets, a pair of front 1.5-inch-travel JounceShocks, a pair of rear 3-inch-travel JounceShocks, a pair of rear hit pads with fasteners, and four domed feet for the JounceShocks. This system is designed to fit a stock-height H3 Alpha.	3. This is an image of the...        read full caption 3. This is an image of the stock front passenger-side suspension at full droop on a lift. Notice the contact pattern on the lower A-arm made by the factory urethane jounce. The H3 (as well as many GM IFS trucks), is designed so the factory jounce rests on the lower A-arm. The only time the jounce doesn't contact the lower A-arm is when the suspension is unloaded, or drooped.	4. The first step to install...        read full caption 4. The first step to install the new front JounceShocks is to remove the front wheels, stock urethane jounce pads, and front shocks. The torsion bars are then loosened and the halfshafts are covered with a weld-resistant material. The next step, shown here, is to cut off the stock bumpstop brackets. Specific instructions are included with the kit outlining what to remove and what not to remove.
5. In preparation for the...        read full caption 5. In preparation for the installation of the Light Racing mounting brackets, the frame surfaces where the stock brackets were removed are ground smooth as shown here.	6. Detailed instructions explain,...        read full caption 6. Detailed instructions explain, and illustrate, exactly where the JounceShock mounting brackets are to be welded to the framerails. The mounts are tack welded to the frame and the JounceShocks are test-fit to ensure good alignment with the top surface of the lower A-arms.	7. Here's the passenger-side...        read full caption 7. Here's the passenger-side JounceShock bracket after it was welded on. The welds were cleaned up with a wire brush and then each mount was painted to limit corrosion.