MB World‘s Kobzarhomes is doing a great job of upgrading and customizing his 2002 G500 inside and out.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen is a robust machine. Sturdy construction, four-wheel drive, slab sides – it’s not what you’d call a “soft-roader.” In fact, the only thing soft about it is its seats. However, the boxy brute isn’t immune to time and occasionally needs some TLC. Just take a look at forum member Kobzarhomes‘s 2002 G500.
He got it as a project vehicle with every intention of “repairing it, restoring it and updating it with 2016 G63 parts.” Boy oh boy has he been matching those intentions with action. He’s stripped it, blasted and covered over the rust, filled in dents, and pulled out old seals and weather stripping. Not only that, he’s even gotten down to a nuts-and-bolts level of attention to detail – literally. He has the receipts to prove it.
During one of his G500’s various stages of disassembly, Kobzarhomes replaced a great deal of its suspension and axle hardware. He even upgraded its brakes to G63 units (with eye-catching red calipers). Those will sit inside of matching G63 wheels.
While he had the hood and fenders off, Kobzarhomes did a little under-the-hood work which included replacing the valve cover gasket and spark plugs. Keeping the G63 theme going, he plans on installing a G63 front bumper with faux intercooler inserts that he (expertly) made himself.
Kobzarhomes has already lined the interior of his G500 with a generous amount of sound-deadening material. In his build thread, he said, “The plan for the interior is to update the dash with 2012 parts, hydro dip wood trim, install black carpet and reupholster entire interior in leather. Dash, door panels, wrap all plastic trim in leather. Basically similar to what Brabus does to their interiors.” The quilted leather Kobzarhomes bought looks as if it’s worth every penny and hour of work he put into preparing for its arrival. Up above, Kobzarhomes went through the trouble of fitting a moonroof.
As of right now, Kobzarhomes‘s G500 is far from finished, but it’s looking damn good so far. Please keep the pictures coming, Kobzarhomes. The G-Wagen is a strong vehicle, but interest in your build is even stronger.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
