Sarlox

Any idea what the total restoration cost was?

Kobzarhomes

Honestly I don’t know ...

Hi didn’t add everything up and I don’t feel like doing it but maybe someday I will... ))


*** I would love to hear some people guesses on how much they think a restoration like this should cost

Sarlox

Not sure what your time is worth. I'm like $1000 per hour, so I'd be in the 500K range

pdeacon

I would guess that if the restoration were done to your standards by an independent shop the cost would exceed $100K. I realize that you have a lot of your personal time and labor invested in the project. Given that fact we are down to parts and specialty tasks performed by outside sources, I'm guessing that number is between $30K and $50K. All this being said the cost of a restoration (usually a labor of love) are hard to justify simply on a financial basis. I have done two ground up Porsche restorations and can testify to the fact that I didn't recoup my investment. Not even close. And these were cars whose values have spiked over the last several years. Restorations don't work from a financial point of view. After following this thread I think your intention is to keep the G long term and enjoy it. It is unique and built with your own hands and expertise. That should "justify" the financial investment in and of itself. You've done a tremendous job on this build...enjoy it!!
By the way, again in my experience, the restoration process never ends. I always found myself tweaking, upgrading or changing details over the course of time after I thought I was finished with the project. That's probably not a bad thing. It is a testimony to the uniqueness of your creation and your efforts.
Good luck as you move forward. Keep the updates coming. This thread has to win "one of the best ever" awards.

Kobzarhomes

Lol... no I doubt labor is that much per hour ....

Usually labor is the most expensive part of a restoration but in this case since I did most of the things myself it’s difficult to estimate that part.

One thing that comes to my mind as far as labor time... it takes approximately 6-8 hours to glue the leather onto one door panel.

About 3 days to install sound deadening inside the car...etc

Kobzarhomes

PDEACON: I agree with you, restoration never ends lol

I think restoration’s that are down to nuts and bolts are only done for people or by people who intend keeping the cars, because like you said, they don’t make sense profit wise.

And I do plan to keep this vehicle and I don’t have any intentions of selling it.

Wolfman

What a stunning build. Congratulations! I have been following the thread and it's great to see the fruit of your labor come to completion. Maybe some coding left? I hope that you finally get to drive the car

Munich77

The car looks incredible - the interior is awesome!

Kobzarhomes

Wolfman: Thank you! Yes, some codes need to be cleared now, give it another polish, clear bra the front end and should be good to go.

Munich77: Thank you! Im myself surprised how well it turned out lol )))

sword181

What make and model # radio did you use. The radio in my 02 G model is junk and am looking for a upgrade. I have looked and purchased
a few on Ebay and nothing will fit even when they say they will. Thanks

Kobzarhomes

Yeh, when I was shopping for the aftermarket one, I also got one that did not fit.
So I retired it and got this one.
Had a radio installer wire it for me and it work just fine.
This the actual seller I bought it from.

sword181

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

azpaquin

Of my almost 20 years on car and 4x4 forums, this is one of the best! What is next on the list?

JD101b

The most impressive aspect of this build is that it looks like it could have come straight out of the factory. Incredible, incredible job.

Kobzarhomes

Thank you AZPAQUIN

Currently I do not have any future plans for any other projects.

But if I decide to start another project that involves a G-wagon, ill definitely announce it here )))

Kobzarhomes

Than you JD101b

I tried to stick with all OEM Mercedes parts.

azpaquin

You are welcome! Keep the spirit and attention to detail alive!! what is next to work on this g wagon? Engine upgrades??

Kobzarhomes

Thank you

I still need to clear some codes, do PPF on the front end and I think that's it for now.

Im sure there will still be little things that I will be addressing and adjusting one I start driving it more and more.

*I do want to do an engine swap at some point in the future, ((as soon as I find a sub 100k mile AMG 55 donor car to pull the engine from)).

For now, the 5.0 motor is solid, leak free and is smooth and that will do.

BradG5001390

I have a android radio the same look. Which Mercedes upgrade is the radio frame? Which year and model is the top control module and bottom climate control unit from?
I see that some are from W209 you posted but I didn't see if the top, bottom and ash tray where from prior Mercedes models.


Thanks so much for any additional information you provide.

Kobzarhomes

Hello
Top buttons are from 2008 G-wagon, top wood trim is from 2006 C-class.
Climate control unit is from W209, wood trim is from W209 as well.
Ashtray is actually from W220 (slightly modified on the width, where screw holes are).

As far as fitting this Android unit in to pre-facelift G-wagon, that's something you will have to figure out. As you can see from my posts, my dash was removed and I had to mold 2 radio crates in to one (which was not simple).

I have seen people install facelift units in to pre-facelift G-wagons.... but I'm not exactly sure how they make it work without cutting some things up.

Hope I was some help.

Kobzarhomes

Finally got around to wiring and attaching the Brabus front bumper lip. Looks good in my opinion )))

jackaleman

Looks like a million bucks! Does the bumper need to be cut so the led module slide into the bumper? Or does it completely hang under the bumper/no cutting required?

Kobzarhomes

Thank you

No cutting required.

horse86

Newer to this...is that an authentic Brabus or are there cheaper aftermarket ones that are just as good?

how did you attach? Bolts, double sided tape? Can you get away with just double sided tape so you don't drill into bumper?

Do you tap into the DRL LED strip or wire to a "fog light" switch?

Kobzarhomes

This is aftermarket. This one had ok fitment, I had to adjust it a bit. I think there are better fitting ones out there.

Double sided tape in the front and sides.
I’m going to drill bumper on sides, under the B logo. I don’t know if you have to drill on the original ones. But I have a feeling you do.

I wired these from the fog lights.