The Hummer H2 evokes a number of responses from people, ranging from envy to amusement to dislike. If you're a reader of Four Wheeler you know that we've tested H2s extensively, in both SUV and SUT forms, and we haven't been shy in pronouncing them to be some of the most off-highway-capable fullsize rigs available. They're designed with some of the best approach, departure, and rampover angles in the biz, and they come standard with an electric rear locker. All things us wheelers want and love. We fall into the envious category.
1. Here's the kit (RS6556) as it arrived. The owner of this rig chose the black finish, bu
The aftermarket has responded to the H2 over the years, and we're not talking about chrome accessories, though there are most certainly enough of those things. We're talking about suspension kits that further enhance the H2's capabilities. One of those companies is Rancho Suspension, and this month we look at how its 4-inch kit for the H2 helps to modify the rig to make it an even better performer on the trail.
We know what you're thinking. You don't own an H2 and you never will. Well, this story may be relevant to you anyway because some of this suspension kit's architecture is similar to that found in other Rancho late-model GM light truck and SUV suspension systems. Rancho engineers like to say they're the "same parts, but different." For instance, the Rancho H2 subframe has similarities with the subframes used in other Rancho GM lifts. Another example is that the knuckles used in the H2 kit are the same used with the '01-'08 GM 2500 HD suspension system.
We installed this kit at Attitude Performance in Arlington Heights, Illinois, under a vehicle that had already been fitted with 37x15.50-20 tires. The vehicle had no lift, so the larger-than-stock tires were rubbing when the steering system was at full lock. The owner chose to install the kit to solve the problem. Here are the major components and installation highlights of the Rancho kit.
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2. We began the install up front. After removing a number of components including the tors
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3. Once the bracket is cut off, a supplied box plate is welded to the inside of the lower
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4. Next, the upper mount is cut off from the front differential. Printed instructions with
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5. A differential support bracket is then attached to the front differential. Some differe
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6. The front-differential assembly is then mounted to the new one-piece reinforced subfram
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7. It takes a couple of people to lift the subframe/differential assembly into position du
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8. At this point it's important to ensure that the grease fitting on the steering relay ro
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9. Next up are the new extended cast steering knuckles. Here you can see one of the new kn
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10. The new knuckles are installed to the upper and lower ball joints as shown here and th