G63 SPRINGS LENGTH
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Joined: May 2015
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From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
Just matching the length may not be enough, the 500 springs are probably softer and will sag more once trimmed to the same free length and put back under the weight of the truck.
Just measure the drop you want, and cut the springs evenly.
Just measure the drop you want, and cut the springs evenly.
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Joined: Oct 2016
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From: southern california
g500
I have a feeling the g500 springs are stiffer than the g63. I just want to get the exact g63 height, because it is shorter than the g500 and more softer ride. Thats why i want to find the exact length
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S500
Fronts measure 18-3/4" high
Rears measure 16-1/2" high
But like ItalianJoe1 said, it's not going to be easy to do what you're proposing. I would sell the springs that you have and buy the proper ones. The Gwagon is extremely heavy, I would say you may open the door to safety issues cutting springs. Just my 2 cents
I've seen take offs pop up for very reasonable. The ones I picked up were off a truck going for armor treatment.
Rears measure 16-1/2" high
But like ItalianJoe1 said, it's not going to be easy to do what you're proposing. I would sell the springs that you have and buy the proper ones. The Gwagon is extremely heavy, I would say you may open the door to safety issues cutting springs. Just my 2 cents
I've seen take offs pop up for very reasonable. The ones I picked up were off a truck going for armor treatment.
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From: Seattle
2002 G500, 1961 190b, 2001 SL500 Sport
Cutting springs makes them stiffer because they lose material from which the spring can flex.
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From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
The spring pressure is rated in a force over distance value. If you shorten the spring, you don't make it stiffer, it still takes the same pressure to compress it. It just has less distance before coil bind. So it will compress less, but not be stiffer.
A G wagon spring cut too short will bottom out on the bump stops sooner, that's all.
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From: southern california
g500
so do you guys think i should purchase original G63 shocks and cut my original G500 springs about 0.7 inches? is it a good idea to save money? overall, will i get a shorter, more smooth ride? thanks
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From: Cape Cod
E450 wagon, C43 AMG Cpe, GLE AMG 63S
As others have indicated, I would not recommend cutting your springs. If you are trying to achieve G63 ride height and handling you need to replace your springs and shocks with G63 hardware. You then have two options. Buy new (very expensive, I'm sure) or take the time to search for take offs from a wreck or someone modifying their stock G63 suspension. It is really as simple as that. Because of the weight and handling dynamics of these trucks tinkering with modifying existing suspension parts is potentially risky and could cause safety issues. Good luck shopping for used parts.
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From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
If you believe the G63 springs are softer, which I think is false, then you would need to swap to them to get the softer rate spring, not just cut to match length.
Bear in mind the 63 has different steering gear and other parts that may contribute to improved ride and handling. It's not just spring length, that actually will have almost nothing to do with it.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Seattle
2002 G500, 1961 190b, 2001 SL500 Sport
No.
The spring pressure is rated in a force over distance value. If you shorten the spring, you don't make it stiffer, it still takes the same pressure to compress it. It just has less distance before coil bind. So it will compress less, but not be stiffer.
A G wagon spring cut too short will bottom out on the bump stops sooner, that's all.
The spring pressure is rated in a force over distance value. If you shorten the spring, you don't make it stiffer, it still takes the same pressure to compress it. It just has less distance before coil bind. So it will compress less, but not be stiffer.
A G wagon spring cut too short will bottom out on the bump stops sooner, that's all.
The first thing you need to know is that cutting a coil spring will not only lower the vehicle, but it will also stiffen the spring making the ride and handling a bit firmer. But this is a good thing because lowering a vehicle reduces the amount of suspension travel. A stiffer spring will help reduce bottoming out.
https://www.eatondetroitspring.com/cutting-coil-springs/
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From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
I see that, so if it's technically stiffer, it still doesn't change the real world issue. Your vehicle doesn't have that much suspension travel to begin with, couple inches. You remove an inch, you gain 3-5% more spring rate (negligible), and you lose 20-25% (assuming 4-5in travel installed). You will still hit the bump stop way before that added rate makes any difference at all.
It will never be a softer ride the OP is looking for either way.
It will never be a softer ride the OP is looking for either way.
Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 109
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From: Seattle
2002 G500, 1961 190b, 2001 SL500 Sport
The overarching issue is that unless you take some measurements and do some calculations, you cannot predict what the resulting spring characteristics will be. Not to mention the fact that you might need to cut the spring in increments of entire coils for the spring to fit back in the perch. Bluntly, cutting springs is for idiots. Spring manufacturers have engineered their products to work and cutting a spring is a shot in the dark.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Seattle
2002 G500, 1961 190b, 2001 SL500 Sport
Just be mindful that changing the ride height affects other things in the suspension and steering. Everything is built for the vehicle to sit at the stock height. The axles will no longer be centered under the vehicle and the drivelines may be too long. You will need to research whether there is enough slip in the driveline yokes for the shorter springs and if there is enough adjustment in the track bars to keep everything straight. Then the sway bars may need work to fit properly. In jeeps and normal trucks, there are plenty of people who lift and lower them so that the info you would need is readily available. I don't know how many G500 owners out there are modifying their ride height, but its not just a spring swap. You would need an alignment too obviously because your steering wheel won't be straight afterwards and your ABS/ESP won't work because the sensors will think you are turning when you are driving straight. This isn't a half ton chevy where they just sell entire kits to accomplish what you want. This is a very electronic, very finely tuned truck that you are trying to mess with without an off the shelf kit to help you. And you're doing it all for a half inch or so ride height difference? Think about if it's worth it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
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From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
Just be mindful that changing the ride height affects other things in the suspension and steering. Everything is built for the vehicle to sit at the stock height. The axles will no longer be centered under the vehicle and the drivelines may be too long. You will need to research whether there is enough slip in the driveline yokes for the shorter springs and if there is enough adjustment in the track bars to keep everything straight. Then the sway bars may need work to fit properly. In jeeps and normal trucks, there are plenty of people who lift and lower them so that the info you would need is readily available. I don't know how many G500 owners out there are modifying their ride height, but its not just a spring swap. You would need an alignment too obviously because your steering wheel won't be straight afterwards and your ABS/ESP won't work because the sensors will think you are turning when you are driving straight. This isn't a half ton chevy where they just sell entire kits to accomplish what you want. This is a very electronic, very finely tuned truck that you are trying to mess with without an off the shelf kit to help you. And you're doing it all for a half inch or so ride height difference? Think about if it's worth it.
If you only change spring length and don't modify the bump stops or change the limit of travel, it will have no more effect than having the vehicle fully loaded with 5 people and cargo.
Surely, if I grab 4 fat guys and throw them in a g-wagon with me, and it sits a half-inch lower than normal, the ABS doesn't stop working.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Seattle
2002 G500, 1961 190b, 2001 SL500 Sport
Actually it's a pretty old suspension design. Radius arms and a track bar. Ford trucks have been using it since at least the late 70s, which makes sense because the first gwagen was 1979 or so.
If you only move the suspension a little bit, it only changes the other components a little bit as well. It will make the steering wheel not straight and move the axles off to the side, maybe less than is noticeable.
If you only move the suspension a little bit, it only changes the other components a little bit as well. It will make the steering wheel not straight and move the axles off to the side, maybe less than is noticeable.
Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 109
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From: Seattle
2002 G500, 1961 190b, 2001 SL500 Sport
It's always best to let someone else be the guiney pig, esp if you don't have a full shop at your disposal.
