2017 G550 4x4² Build Thread

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Jul 12, 2017 | 08:30 PM
  #1  
Everyone.

We finally secured our 4x4². Here is a list of everything the Dealer helped us with (MB Manhattan). I bought the parts myself, and they did the install. First impressions are...wow. I love this truck. It is much more nimble than the 6x6 (obviously), however I don't feel the lack of power as much as I though I would. We traded in a 2016 G63 for this thing, and couldn't be happier. It was just dropped off at another Audio/Video Shop to get a Satellite Installed, along with some other cool things. Will updated this thread with better photos/information as much as I can.

FYI, we DO NOT do any work ourselves, so technical questions may not be answered, lol.

2017 Mercedes-Benz G 550 4x4²
197 Obsidian Black

Exterior:
• Removal of Rear Bumper Guard.
• Removal of 4 Mud Flaps.
• Removal of the 2 Rubber Side Strips (to match 6x6)
• Installation of the rear Skid Plate in Aluminum (European).
• Installation of the Military LED Side Marker Lights.
• Installation of 6x6 Hutchinson Rims (on their way from Europe).
• Installation of BRABUS Long Side Steps/Mufflers (IT SOUNDS AWESOME).
• Installation of OEM Mercedes-Benz Roof Rack (shortened to not block Moonroof).
• Installation of working LED Lights on the Light Bar.
• Installation of the Satellite.
• Installation of G65 Grille (to match the 6x6).
• Installation of 3M Clear Film over Rear Fenders.
• Installation of BRABUS Snorkels (need to be shortened to clear Light Bar).

Sorry for the crappy photos, better ones will come when the truck is completely finished! Can't wait to put this next to the 6x6 for some proper photo shoots.

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Reply 0
Jul 12, 2017 | 08:48 PM
  #2  
with that license plate, do you get immunity for removing that rear bumper in case of an accident??
Reply 0
Jul 12, 2017 | 09:07 PM
  #3  
Quote: with that license plate, do you get immunity for removing that rear bumper in case of an accident??
No, I don't think the Consulate Plate has anything to do with modifying whatever car you may have. The Consulate Plate is good for importing cars that are not legal in the US (6x6). Also good for tickets, lol.

If it is safe enough in Europe, it should be safe enough in the US, lol.
Reply 0
Jul 12, 2017 | 09:26 PM
  #4  
Badass!! I know you said that you didn't install anything, but could you at least confirm that the rear skid place is the OEM euro version available on most G class aftermarket shops (https://www.gwagenparts.com/product/...x4%c2%b2-w463/), and that it was a simple nuts and bolts job and didn't require any cutting or welding or fabricating. Thanks.
Reply 0
Jul 12, 2017 | 09:35 PM
  #5  
Quote: Badass!! I know you said that you didn't install anything, but could you at least confirm that the rear skid place is the OEM euro version available on most G class aftermarket shops (https://www.gwagenparts.com/product/...x4%c2%b2-w463/), and that it was a simple nuts and bolts job and didn't require any cutting or welding or fabricating. Thanks.
I can't tell you exactly what he did, however I do know that he added some bumper re-enforcement from a standard G Wagon.

I think everything unbolted (don't quote me), and part of the parts he unbolted were re-enforcement. So he took it upon himself to find the solution to do US Spec standard G Wagon stuff.

If anyone is in the North East, and only takes their G's (or other AMG/MB) to dealers for service, I can strongly strongly strongly recommend the Head AMG Tech at MB Manhattan. He is ridiculously good, and have never had any issues whatsoever with his work.

Regarding the Skid Plate from gwagenparts, I assume it is the real deal. I know G-Wagen Accessories has really good parts which are usually OEM as well.
Reply 0
Jul 13, 2017 | 01:12 PM
  #6  
Do you live in NYC or upstate? I cant imagine where you could park there, even an indoor garage you wont have any clearance. Nice car nonetheless my G55 would look like a mini cooper next to yours if we ever bump on the streets
Reply 0
Jul 13, 2017 | 05:04 PM
  #7  
Look forward to seeing more photos.

Were you able to source the Hutchinson wheels for less than the $3,000/wheel which some US vendors are asking?

Did you relocate the exhaust so that it is not blocked by the full-length sidestep? I only had the front step installed in order to clear the stock exhaust. The steps definitely make a difference in getting in and out of the G.

-g550-4x4-2-steps.jpg  

Reply 1
Jul 13, 2017 | 07:32 PM
  #8  
Quote: I can't tell you exactly what he did, however I do know that he added some bumper re-enforcement from a standard G Wagon.

I think everything unbolted (don't quote me), and part of the parts he unbolted were re-enforcement. So he took it upon himself to find the solution to do US Spec standard G Wagon stuff.

If anyone is in the North East, and only takes their G's (or other AMG/MB) to dealers for service, I can strongly strongly strongly recommend the Head AMG Tech at MB Manhattan. He is ridiculously good, and have never had any issues whatsoever with his work.

Regarding the Skid Plate from gwagenparts, I assume it is the real deal. I know G-Wagen Accessories has really good parts which are usually OEM as well.

Looks great. Where is the roof rack from? You mentioned factory MBZ. Is that something you can get from the dealer?
Reply 0

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Jul 13, 2017 | 07:53 PM
  #9  
Quote: Do you live in NYC or upstate? I cant imagine where you could park there, even an indoor garage you wont have any clearance. Nice car nonetheless my G55 would look like a mini cooper next to yours if we ever bump on the streets
Manhattan. Both the 6x6 and 4x4 fit easily in the garage where they are parked, however height is definitely an issue.
Reply 0
Jul 13, 2017 | 07:56 PM
  #10  
Quote: Look forward to seeing more photos.

Were you able to source the Hutchinson wheels for less than the $3,000/wheel which some US vendors are asking?

Did you relocate the exhaust so that it is not blocked by the full-length sidestep? I only had the front step installed in order to clear the stock exhaust. The steps definitely make a difference in getting in and out of the G.
No, the price we paid was over the $3,000/wheel mark. Vendors who say they have them in the US, be wary...they are impossible to find, and ours are coming from somewhere in Europe. I do know of a few sets of wheels that are new and are either stateside, or will be here soon. I heard it through the grape vine, lol.

The Full Length Side Steps meant that we had to change the muffler, so the tips are obviously not exposed. On the 6x6, we went with the "Short" Side Steps, so the exhaust STAYS exposed. The BRABUS Muffler sounds incredible, it was such a great (expensive) upgrade!
Reply 0
Jul 13, 2017 | 07:58 PM
  #11  
Quote: Looks great. Where is the roof rack from? You mentioned factory MBZ. Is that something you can get from the dealer?
I ordered it via a Contact in Dubai who I used to service my MB when I lived there. He sourced the Rear Skid Plate and 6x6 wheels as well.

Pity we cut it, it was ridiculously expensive.

MB Manhattan was NOT able to source the rack, however when they put the part number into the system, it actually came up, just nothing available.

When we bought ours, it came directly from the G Wagon factory in Austria.
Reply 0
Jul 13, 2017 | 08:00 PM
  #12  
Is it possible to post or pm me the part number. I was thinking of fabbing one up over the next few weeks but it would take me about 2 days of work and if something is out there I would rather try buying it.

Thanks
Reply 0
Jul 13, 2017 | 08:05 PM
  #13  
Quote: Is it possible to post or pm me the part number. I was thinking of fabbing one up over the next few weeks but it would take me about 2 days of work and if something is out there I would rather try buying it.

Thanks
The part number was on my old email at work, so I don't have it anymore, I can get it for you however. Will take a few days though.

We paid a lot for the rack, way more than anything aftermarket that is available now. I think it was around $13-15k (!). I don't remember exactly, though. May be worth your two days to fabricate your own, lol.
Reply 0
Jul 13, 2017 | 08:06 PM
  #14  
Wow. For $15k I'd rather make my own. I think it would cost me less than $1,000
Reply 0
Jul 13, 2017 | 08:10 PM
  #15  
Quote: Wow. For $15k I'd rather make my own. I think it would cost me less than $1,000
Lol, yeah I know. And we cut off a section, too.... There are lots of good aftermarket racks out there.

Check out:

https://www.g-wagenaccessories.com/c...ons/roof-racks

Also, this is OEM, however it's $8k:

https://www.g-wagenaccessories.com/p...onal-roof-rack
Reply 0
Jul 13, 2017 | 08:16 PM
  #16  
I've seen both of those. The mount system on yours looks pretty darn good. That's not something I can easily replicate. The tubing is a piece of cake.

From the portion of the rack you cut, you don't by chance have an additional mount do you? If I had 1 I could likely machine a few sets.
Reply 0
Jul 13, 2017 | 08:18 PM
  #17  
Quote: I've seen both of those. The mount system on yours looks pretty darn good. That's not something I can easily replicate. The tubing is a piece of cake.

From the portion of the rack you cut, you don't by chance have an additional mount do you? If I had 1 I could likely machine a few sets.
No, I think they trashed it at the dealer already.

Google "Mike Horn G Wagon". There are much better photos of the rack.

Reply 0
Jul 14, 2017 | 09:52 PM
  #18  
The roof rack is a LeTech roof rack, which is now the factory roof rack that comes on the Professional G outside of the US. I have a shipping container coming in the next month or so that will have several of the correct size roof racks to fit the 4x4² with the carbon visor, will also have some of the standard length ones for regular G's as well.

It is a bummer that this one was cut but it does give good sunroof access in case you need to stick your head out of the sunroof.
Reply 0
Jul 14, 2017 | 09:57 PM
  #19  



Here is a pic from my shop a couple weeks ago when I had a set of the 6x6 wheels just about ready to ship, and also a LeTech roof rack ready to ship in the background. I am THE vendor that can truly get all of the correct G parts here in the US.
Reply 0
Jul 14, 2017 | 10:10 PM
  #20  
Quote:


Here is a pic from my shop a couple weeks ago when I had a set of the 6x6 wheels just about ready to ship, and also a LeTech roof rack ready to ship in the background. I am THE vendor that can truly get all of the correct G parts here in the US.
man thats so sexy
Reply 0
Jul 14, 2017 | 10:10 PM
  #21  
Quote: with that license plate, do you get immunity for removing that rear bumper in case of an accident??
This appears to be an outside of USA spec vehicle, the stainless fuel tank protection plate has the 8 empty holes were the bumper was mounted. Totally different from the US model.
Reply 0
Jul 15, 2017 | 01:21 AM
  #22  
How much will one of the roof racks that fit the 4x4 cost?
Reply 0
Jul 15, 2017 | 02:32 AM
  #23  
Quote: How much will one of the roof racks that fit the 4x4 cost?

I am still waiting for final pricing on this rack.

I can tell you that the cost for the full size rack for the standard G is in the $5k to $6k range, variables like exchange rate and shipping cost will determine actual price.

Hopefully the cost of the one to fit with the visor will be within the same ranger hopefully less expensive. Really the only different parts between the two are the side structures and a panel or two.
Reply 0
Jul 17, 2017 | 03:52 AM
  #24  
Looks great. Lucky you could find parking.

I passed on a 4X4 because there is absolutely nowhere to park it near me. I live in Tribeca and it could not fit in my building's garage or any garages near me.
Reply 0
Jul 21, 2017 | 04:11 PM
  #25  
OEM 6x6 Wheels finally arrived!

Should be mounted tomorrow, and the Satellite should be finished as well.

Pics of the completed project soon!

Reply 0
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