Building an off-road monster (2003 G500)
08-12-2014, 05:24 PM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Building an off-road monster (2003 G500)
I’m hoping this forum can help me select the best accessories for the following vehicle and situation. Please forgive any stupid newbie stuff in advance...
So I recently purchased a high-mileage 2003 G500 (138k miles) to help navigate and do projects on a large farm property... There are about 5 miles of trails through swamps and forests, across streams and meadows, up rocky hills, you name it. (The differential locks have already helped me get out of one jam on a bumpy, muddy forest path, but I am hardly expert yet in their use.) I sold my Nissan pickup, as the terrain was going to destroy it in a hurry.
This vehicle will rarely be on the road, and rarely travel more than 5-10 miles per day, but it will need to go everywhere around this piece of land. I purchased an older model at a low price because I expect (a) to use the vehicle pretty roughly and (b) want to add a lot of stuff to it, and thus spent less on the truck itself.
The following is the gear I’ve been considering
• Offroad tires
• Front and back hitches
• Movable winch (to use with dual hitches)
• Offroad bumpers (if necessary)
• Brush guard
• Head/backlight grilles
• Skid plate
• Rock rails
I’ve been all over the usual websites, and some less usual ones, but have gotten lost in the weeds of details and options. The closest Mercedes dealer seems to have never had someone come in with a G500 that they wanted to take somewhere other than a club or garden party, and seems unexcited to advise.
Any suggestions on the best rig for this vehicle and terrain would be most appreciated. Again, sorry if I’ve broken any unspoken rules or said anything plainly stupid
So I recently purchased a high-mileage 2003 G500 (138k miles) to help navigate and do projects on a large farm property... There are about 5 miles of trails through swamps and forests, across streams and meadows, up rocky hills, you name it. (The differential locks have already helped me get out of one jam on a bumpy, muddy forest path, but I am hardly expert yet in their use.) I sold my Nissan pickup, as the terrain was going to destroy it in a hurry.
This vehicle will rarely be on the road, and rarely travel more than 5-10 miles per day, but it will need to go everywhere around this piece of land. I purchased an older model at a low price because I expect (a) to use the vehicle pretty roughly and (b) want to add a lot of stuff to it, and thus spent less on the truck itself.
The following is the gear I’ve been considering
• Offroad tires
• Front and back hitches
• Movable winch (to use with dual hitches)
• Offroad bumpers (if necessary)
• Brush guard
• Head/backlight grilles
• Skid plate
• Rock rails
I’ve been all over the usual websites, and some less usual ones, but have gotten lost in the weeds of details and options. The closest Mercedes dealer seems to have never had someone come in with a G500 that they wanted to take somewhere other than a club or garden party, and seems unexcited to advise.
Any suggestions on the best rig for this vehicle and terrain would be most appreciated. Again, sorry if I’ve broken any unspoken rules or said anything plainly stupid
08-18-2014, 10:25 PM
#2
Super Member
Have a look also on Benzworld - these cars are easily modifiable for off-road. I would get some better offroad tires
