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I have a 2008 G55 that I bought in 2016. I have been modifying it over the last two years and been using it at the off road park. The Jeep Wrangler clubs watch in amazement!
40mm spring lift
Koni Shocks
ORC skid plates (Front, differential, and gas tank)
ORC steel Bumper (not in picture)
Warn Platinum winch (not in picture)
ORC Rock Rails (not in picture)
I'll post some more pictures once I get them. Just wanted to share that I'm open to questions if anyone is thinking about doing something similar.
Love your build, quite jealous! Looking forward to seeing pictures of it with the new Bumper and Rock Rails. Dead set on picking up a G to off road in soon, but struggling to make a decision between a 2005ish g500 or 2005-2008 g55k. Living up in the Rockies has me worried to not go the supercharged route due to some of the monster grades we have out here to get to the best passes and off-road areas. Have you run into any difficulties with the g55k platform? I've read that tire size due to the bigger rims/brakes can be an issue, do you get any rubbing at full lock or during articulation? I've also read that the additional cooling necessary for the supercharged engine can be tricky when mounting aftermarket bumpers etc. These points have had me looking at g500s instead, but it looks as if you've overcome them. Looking forward to hearing more about your experience.
The Bumper I used accommodates the extra cooling needed with AMG. Otherwise, the brakes are larger and need larger wheels. I kept factory 18” wheels and put 305/65 r 18 BF Goodrich ALl Terrain tires on it. I started smaller but they weren’t quite right. I also have 2” spacers on them to push them out to edge of the wider AMG fenders.
what is the overall diameter of your tires? I was running my 33 as a full size spare but since going to 35x12 it is too much weight. Working towards a solution (custom bumper mounted swing arm likely).
looking at the full ORC skids and some rocksliders myself. That and bumpers and I will be done for a bit.
what is the overall diameter of your tires? I was running my 33 as a full size spare but since going to 35x12 it is too much weight. Working towards a solution (custom bumper mounted swing arm likely).
looking at the full ORC skids and some rocksliders myself. That and bumpers and I will be done for a bit.
I have about 4.5” of lift and 1.5” spacers on the factory 20s. The 12.5s rub without the spacers. Just eyeballing it, I think the 35s woudlclear at stock height with spacers though.
i have g63 fenders to put on soon
Last edited by invictusmaneo; 04-22-2018 at 09:59 AM.
I have about 4.5” of lift and 1.5” spacers on the factory 20s. The 12.5s rub without the spacers. Just eyeballing it, I think the 35s woudlclear at stock height with spacers though.
Must feel great to be in the wild with the Jeeps around. I live in Toyotaland and the G goes where the Hilux can't. Always a head turner. How would you say that your G55 has done in situations as compared to the Jeeps? I'm curious because I've never had anything that I was willing to take through rivers, in soft sand, etc. until I got the G.
Nice truck Jared. I have the same AMG wheels, and you've confirmed that those size BFG tires fit the wheels, I wasn't sure!
I'm in the process of ordering my parts for my lift, including springs, shocks and rear stabilizer bar. I'll try and post some pics later when the work gets done.
Nice truck Jared. I have the same AMG wheels, and you've confirmed that those size BFG tires fit the wheels, I wasn't sure!
I'm in the process of ordering my parts for my lift, including springs, shocks and rear stabilizer bar. I'll try and post some pics later when the work gets done.
Having cranked mine up pretty high, I don't see the need for the ORC sway bar kit with a good set of shocks. I am running the softer Thor Offroad springs, with the King external reservoir shocks, and while it does lean, I don't find it unbearable. You can crank the shocks up pretty stiff too and it is still very comfortable on the softer Thor springs. I have also twoed about 2500 pounds with this with no issue. The ORC sway setup is really nice, it is pretty complex and I think a bit unnecessary considering the cost.
Having cranked mine up pretty high, I don't see the need for the ORC sway bar kit with a good set of shocks. I am running the softer Thor Offroad springs, with the King external reservoir shocks, and while it does lean, I don't find it unbearable. You can crank the shocks up pretty stiff too and it is still very comfortable on the softer Thor springs. I have also twoed about 2500 pounds with this with no issue. The ORC sway setup is really nice, it is pretty complex and I think a bit unnecessary considering the cost.
Cool, I'm probably doing the Thor springs as well, been swapping emails with Alvin for the past month. You may be right with the stabilizer bar, but I guess I want to be confident in the cornering... I'm coming off of a performance truck with beefed up suspension and with the G being about the worst cornering vehicle on the market I'm looking for some added confidence... :-) Of course, getting the extended brake + diff lines as well.
Did you also consider panhard bars, radius arms, or anything to help align drive shafts and wheel caster? Been doing some research and want to make sure things stay aligned...
Surprisingly we didn’t really need the extended lines. I think if I got much longer bodied shocks I would but as is I’m fine. It’s on my long term list though. That being said, I’ve tried everything to find extended lines up front to no avail.
The Thor springs are pretty soft, which I prefer, so you will likely get lean even with the stabilizer bar. But it will likely hep. Not sure what it’ll do to articulation? But the truck was never an ml63 as you know. Good news is the relatively low COG helps.
i went a little extreme and cut off the oem trailin arm brackets and replaced with the mil spec ones. I still need more castor with about 3.5” or lift...may go the bushing route again, not sure yet. I was up around 4.5-5” but driveline angles get a little severe so I am coming back down a bit. I like the radius arms but they are a big investment for four. Would rather save more and portal but for my purposes I should be good.
Im running 35x12.5” so also added the king steering shock. Just note that the higher you go, the closer it comes to hitting suspension pieces up front, and you will need to adjust or custom dab the bracket. It’s a pretty wide body and clearances get tight as driveline angles change.
Good info, thanks. I thought I read somewhere that the extended lines are only needed for the rear with the Thor springs... I think you said you had a 4 inch lift, do the springs lift you that much or have you done something else? Alvin's telling me their springs lift the front 70mm or 2.8 inches, and the rear approximately 50mm. Or are you talking about the overall height gain with the bigger tires? Glad the springs are soft, that's what I'm looking for. Hopefully the stabilizer bar counteracts some of that in the corners though. Not sure on my shocks yet, eyeballing the Fox or Kings.
I'll probably go with the radius arms as well or similar, and some longer panhard bars - just in case. I'll be doing the exact wheel/tire/spacer combo as Jared, 33.6 inch KO2 tires on 18inch AMG wheels with 50mm spacers. Looks like it's a good combo with no rubbing, but since mine's a G550 I'll probably have to source some wider AMG fender flares or the wheels are going to stick out too far and look a little silly. Good idea on the steering damper as well, will probably upgrade that too.
Can't wait to get started, will post some pics in a separate thread (and maybe even some video) when I get the work started. Been planning this for months, I even already had my garage door opening raised 4 inches with a new lintel and high lift door opener installed... need to make sure the G still fits after I lift it up! Unfortunately standard residential garage doors are only 7 ft high.
Last edited by Limey Hooligan; 05-19-2018 at 07:12 PM.
I know this is old thread but I am curious how you over came getting ORC tank and front guards on? My 2009 has some challenges with both.
I used a bench grinder to modify the front guard. I trimmed the front edge a bit in order to get it to fit. I don’t remember any issues with the fuel tank protection plate.
I used a bench grinder to modify the front guard. I trimmed the front edge a bit in order to get it to fit. I don’t remember any issues with the fuel tank protection plate.
thank you. On rear I have GWagen Accessories steel bumper and hitch. For some reason in 2009 Mercedes changed the hitch mount and they have some cage around gas tank. Trying to determine if it can be completely removed or modded to fit the ORC
Jaredg7 which Koni’s are you using, Heavy Track or Raid, and how do you rate them in terms of body control and comfort?
Mines a 2016 year G63 and Im looking at both of the Koni and the Bilstein B6, not much choice here in the UK and cost of Fox etc shipped is more than double the others.
Looking for more comfort (less bounce and crashy ride) and body control, Koni said the HT is softer than B6 on its softest setting but is internally adjustable to match the B6 and that if I dont off road the Raid is a bit pointless as its much more expensive than the HT
04-17-2018, 06:40 AM
