Video Update



The condition of interior modifications two years into the H3 build.

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PCM of NC

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PCM Reprogram - July 19, 2014 Even though the H3's I5 produces a bit more power than the Montero's V6, it's sluggish at best with low RPM shifts with flat torque curves. I researched a number of mechanical mods to improve this (within my budget) and found that the most common - air intake upgrades, headers - yielded little change in performance and better fuel efficiency.  From various H3 user forums I heard about  PCM of North Carolina  and researched their service; they flash and reprogram the factory PCM (power-train control module) promising better throttle response and fuel efficiency, better shift points making better use of the torque curve, and more horsepower.  Sounds too good to be true, but having lived in North Carolina, it's been my experience to have never been disappointed with anything that comes from that state. So I made the order. I opted for their loaner program where they send a unit to replace the factory PCM while it's sent ...
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Blue Sea ST Blade Fuse Block

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Blue Sea ST Blade Fuse Block The H3 got a Blue Sea fuse block added to provide six extra circuits for powered accessories such as the Hella 700ff lamps, a CB, and rear work lamps. Blue Sea Systems make a variety of marine and automotive application 12v fuse blocks. The ST Blade box comes in 6 and 12 circuits with or without a negative bus. I won't be adding many accessories so I opted for the six circuit ST Blade with the negative bus to make grounding something I won't have to troubleshoot. The ST Blade is mounted to the top of H3's battery box cover between the battery posts. It's powered from the positive post with a 6AWG wire that terminates to a Scorpion 100A breaker with a jump cable made from the same wire to the fuse block. The breaker was mounted in the recess next to the battery box vent to allow clearance for the fuse box cover below to be removed. A 6 AWG Duralast battery cable grounds the ST Blade to the H3's chassis. It's current conf...
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Garvin Roof Rack

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I considered two roof racks, a Gobi Stealth and the Garvin Sport roof rack, the latter being a third the the cost. While the Stealth would offer storage the length of the H3's greenhouse with a different construction, I'd be using a rack to stow recovery items and serve as a mount for an awning. While one of the laws of overlanding is the stuff you carry expands by 1.5 times to the available space, I won't be using the square footage of the Stealth and want to resist overloading the top of the rig. That's why I went with the Garvin. I researched to no avail to find how it mounts to an H3's existing rack system, so I thought I'd provide that illustration here. The front of the H3's rails have a plastic cap that clips into place, finishing the line of the rail to the front of the cab. This has a tab that when compressed and lifted, can be removed to access the rail. With this removed the cleats to which the feet of the Garvin rack mounts to can b...
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