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Seems like a lot of information is scattered so hoping to get together a guide to pull it all together. Please add your knowledge and inform of any corrections and I'll edit it in.
This is for the 2012-2018 G63 application.
Easiest/cheapest option:
2" lift can be performed simply by installing wheel spacers. H&R has 30 and 50mm options and going up in tire size will basically give you that 2" lift. Opt for the 50mm look to give a slightly wider than fender stance. 30mm will get you more flush to G63 fenders look. Cost: Spacers will set you back about $350-400 plus cost of new tires.
Full kit(2-4" lift):
1: Shocks- cheapest option is the Fox setup which costs about $1900, all the way up to Öhlins for about $4200. Kings(seems to be around $2,000 to $2,400) is another option and is close to cost of the Fox setup. From one of poster's comments, Fox has easier install.
I'm sure there's other options but these are what I found based on other forum posts. Feel free to look at other websites. I'm not affiliated with Viking Off Road, their website is just the most convenient to find.
2: Springs- Thor seems to be the go to but ORC makes a set as well. Thor's seems to be the most popular at ~$800 vs ORC's at ~$2000. ARB is the currently the cheapest at $595 but I've not seen any posts about them.
4: Stabilizer bar- Things get fuzzy beyond this part and I cannot confirm if these are the required parts. Looking at stabilizer bars, there's 2 links that give very different prices. ORC's($3,000) being more expensive and King's($375). Looking for more guidance here. Seems like it's mainly a rear stabilizer part.
5: Caster correction- Out of my element here since I can't find exact info. Some posters talk about bushings($275) but some pre-made lift kits talk about caster correction radius arms. Seems to be a correction needed just on the fronts.
7: Tires- Obviously an important decision to make on tires and this is entirely dependent on whether you spend alot of time on pavement or mainly Off-Road. Below are some tire options and sizes I've seen posters mention. More information from others would also be appreciated here. This list is mainly for those going to a larger sized tire(please note some have mentioned ESP issues with larger tires but for most, it's not an issue)
2" lift can be performed simply by installing spacers....H&R has 30 and 50mm options and going up in tire size will basically give you that 2" lift. Opt for the 50mm look to give a slightly wider than fender stance. 30mm will get you more flush to G63 fenders look."
Sounds like you are referring to wheel spacers, which move the wheel itself out further. That won't make any impact on height/lift.
Are you referring to spring spacer for adding 2".....If there is a specific brand of spring spacers avail then that may be a route some owners could go. Would be curious on how the ride would be.
2" lift can be performed simply by installing spacers....H&R has 30 and 50mm options and going up in tire size will basically give you that 2" lift. Opt for the 50mm look to give a slightly wider than fender stance. 30mm will get you more flush to G63 fenders look."
Sounds like you are referring to wheel spacers, which move the wheel itself out further. That won't make any impact on height/lift.
Are you referring to spring spacer for adding 2".....If there is a specific brand of spring spacers avail then that may be a route some owners could go. Would be curious on how the ride would be.
Wheel spacers allow you to run larger tires hence why I included cost of new tires with the spacers. I can edit it to state wheel spacers though.
I did see gwagen’s pre made 4” lift kit include spring spacers with the strut and spring combo.
in my opinion, the best option is the portal axle but the prices are ridiculous
The prices do start getting ridiculous and likely overkill for those doing it just for aesthetic reasons(without worsening the suspension/ride). It’s definitely a slippery slope once you pass the spacers+bigger tires. Struts and springs? Well then you need to add stabilizer bar and extended lines. Oh and caster correction kit. Oh let’s not forget a panhard 🤦*♂️
Is it possible to combine thor springs and add a spring spacer with it?
From the posts I read, it is possible, but not without a longer strut. Gwagen(website) has a 4” lift kit that incorporates both(Thor springs with spring spacers), but it also includes a new strut.
From the posts I read, it is possible, but not without a longer strut. Gwagen(website) has a 4” lift kit that incorporates both(Thor springs with spring spacers), but it also includes a new strut.
Gotcha something like the fox racing one? An OEM/ARB wouldnt suffice.. Im torn in which direction to go my self, i want to stay on Bilstein shocks and achieve max height.
So its either Lift Springs like Thor , or Keep my oem spring and just use 50mm spacers.. I suppose the spacer way is about half the cost .
food for thought - for a G63 the power of the motor and the progressive OEM springs ( most non Merc springs are not progressive ) led me to just use 40mm ploy spring spacers to keep handling charecheristics similar - and swapped out the shocks to Fox's that are much more compliant and truly transform the ride .... while I tried and fitted 35x12.5's in and they do clear for the most part, even with an aggressive custom offset on my Forgestar rims ( 35mm more than OEM - wqith a 10.5" width) I did rub lightly on the headers..... so I dropped back to a 305/55/20 Toyo AT2 that actually rides and handles better ( and despite the manufactures spec,
is actually a full inch wider....)
Ride is excellent with minimal road noise. Very happy so far.
if you've got a G63 I would keep the stock springs and use spacers as long as 30-40mm is enough lift.... the 63's really need a firm spring in my opinion..... the only 63 I drove with Thor springs had more roll then I liked ( although it ran narrower tires then I do ) with 10k on my setup I'm happy as can be - with no caster or camber issues and even tire wear...... and we use it offroad and for highway trips.....
if you've got a G63 I would keep the stock springs and use spacers as long as 30-40mm is enough lift.... the 63's really need a firm spring in my opinion..... the only 63 I drove with Thor springs had more roll then I liked ( although it ran narrower tires then I do ) with 10k on my setup I'm happy as can be - with no caster or camber issues and even tire wear...... and we use it offroad and for highway trips.....
E
texas E63, I agree with you, the G63 AMGs really need a firm spring.
I have a g63 and lifted it with Thor springs and used FOX 2.0 Shocks. Within a month I removed the springs and reinstalled the AMG springs. While the ride was extremely comfortable with the new suspension, the truck felt uncontrollable at highway speeds. While the lift was installed I had a couple of shops try to correct the caster angle with the “Corrective” caster bushings, but after going down that route that seemed endless and needed constant tweaking I decided to put the AMG springs back on, now I am considering on taking the fox shocks out and reinstalling the AMG shocks.
when you took the Thor's out did you add in spacers to keep some lift ? and are you running a wider stance/ tire ? I found that the stance alone helped with ride quality... the fox's then just smoothed it out - and the option of adjustment allows me to tweak it from firm for highway to softer for offroad and around town.... I tend to run middle of the range in the front and almost fully soft in the rear around town. on fully firm the ride on highways and sweepers is nicely crisp but none of the hard hit's the AMG bilsteins have.....
how many miles did the set of Fox's have when you installed them ? they are rebuildable - and /or might need to have more nitrogen added ? I had that issue with the Icon's on my landcruisers.... awesome shocks but they did tend to loose a bit of charge over time in the extreme heat of TX... once I realized the issue it was an easy fix.
Seems like a lot of information is scattered so hoping to get together a guide to pull it all together. Please add your knowledge and inform of any corrections and I'll edit it in.
This is for the 2012-2018 G63 application.
Easiest/cheapest option:
2" lift can be performed simply by installing wheel spacers. H&R has 30 and 50mm options and going up in tire size will basically give you that 2" lift. Opt for the 50mm look to give a slightly wider than fender stance. 30mm will get you more flush to G63 fenders look. Cost: Spacers will set you back about $350-400 plus cost of new tires.
Full kit(2-4" lift):
1: Shocks- cheapest option is the Fox setup which costs about $1900, all the way up to Öhlins for about $4200. Kings(seems to be around $2,000 to $2,400) is another option and is close to cost of the Fox setup. From one of poster's comments, Fox has easier install.
I'm sure there's other options but these are what I found based on other forum posts. Feel free to look at other websites. I'm not affiliated with Viking Off Road, their website is just the most convenient to find.
2: Springs- Thor seems to be the go to but ORC makes a set as well. Thor's seems to be the most popular at ~$800 vs ORC's at ~$2000. ARB is the currently the cheapest at $595 but I've not seen any posts about them.
4: Stabilizer bar- Things get fuzzy beyond this part and I cannot confirm if these are the required parts. Looking at stabilizer bars, there's 2 links that give very different prices. ORC's($3,000) being more expensive and King's($375). Looking for more guidance here. Seems like it's mainly a rear stabilizer part.
5: Caster correction- Out of my element here since I can't find exact info. Some posters talk about bushings($275) but some pre-made lift kits talk about caster correction radius arms. Seems to be a correction needed just on the fronts.
7: Tires- Obviously an important decision to make on tires and this is entirely dependent on whether you spend alot of time on pavement or mainly Off-Road. Below are some tire options and sizes I've seen posters mention. More information from others would also be appreciated here. This list is mainly for those going to a larger sized tire(please note some have mentioned ESP issues with larger tires but for most, it's not an issue)
BFG K02: 305/65-18
BFG KM2: 305/65-17
I am new to this forum and hope that I am posting properly. I am looking for a reputable shop in the Denver area that can install a 2” lift, tires and roof rack on my 2018 G63. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks
Wheel spacers allow you to run larger tires hence why I included cost of new tires with the spacers. I can edit it to state wheel spacers though.
I did see gwagen’s pre made 4” lift kit include spring spacers with the strut and spring combo.
Just a note - any increase in the OD of the tire- from 285 (31" ish) to a 305(34" or even 35/12/5 only nets half the increase in OD as lift....half is above the axle- half is below.... you'd need 37's to get 2" of lift. as most 37's are barely a true 36"
Chris - I don't know if Christo at Slee offroad will work on a Merc but he's a wizard with cruisers and it was worth running my 200 out for him to do stuff from TX.... give him a call.
Wheel spacers allow you to run larger tires hence why I included cost of new tires with the spacers. I can edit it to state wheel spacers though.
I did see gwagen’s pre made 4” lift kit include spring spacers with the strut and spring combo.
You might want to go ahead and edit your first post for clarity. As noted by another person on here, wheel spacers move the wheels out. Spring spacers give you lift.
You might also want to clarify that wheel spacers allow for wider tires without them coming into contact with things like the downpipe by moving the center of the tire out farther from the steering knuckle. They don't actually lift the truck, so the lift you gain comes from the increase in tire height, and it would be tough to net 2" of lift from tire height without doing a spring lift or spring spacers in order to clear those tires. With the correct wheel spacers or the correct aftermarket wheel with proper offset you can pretty much run a 33" tiire without suspension modifications. It might rub in some instances (like offroad with more extreme angles of approach or flexing of the suspension). The width of the tire and clearance issues due to width come into play in that scenario. This would net you roughly 1" of "lift" from the increase in tire height.
You would need to run a 35" tire to net 2" of "lift" from tire height, but 35s don't fit without suspension modifications. As @Texas E63 noted, you can get away with 34"-35" tires with minimal lift (30mm-40mm spring spacers), but again tire width and wheel offset come into play.
At this point many people new to the forum might be confused about the term "lift". Generally speaking, when someone says they want to "lift" their truck they referring to modifying the suspension. Increased ride height due to tire size is NOT typically what they are referencing when they are talking about lift height.
Last edited by The Butcher; 05-23-2021 at 09:41 AM.
and just a related thought ( as I plan to get a G55 to replace the poor g63 that was rear ended) if you're thinking of wheel spacers... give a good bit of thought to just getting a custom set of rims built..... the 4 31mm spacers and extra lugs alone ran 18lbs !! - add that to a heavy OEM rim and it's a lot of unsprung weight....
I did forgestar's 20 x10.5 for the G63 with a perfect offset to maximize stance and they were only 24.2 lbs each.... 10lbs + lighter a corner then OEM with spacers.... and enough that the larger tires were still under the OEMplus spacers setup.
it was roughly 2300 for a set of 5, plus the 911 rear rim flip kit.
'87 911, black (modded); '05 E55 AMG, black (modded), '18 G63 AMG, Indium Gray (modded)
Originally Posted by Texas E63
food for thought - for a G63 the power of the motor and the progressive OEM springs ( most non Merc springs are not progressive ) led me to just use 40mm ploy spring spacers to keep handling charecheristics similar - and swapped out the shocks to Fox's that are much more compliant and truly transform the ride .... while I tried and fitted 35x12.5's in and they do clear for the most part, even with an aggressive custom offset on my Forgestar rims ( 35mm more than OEM - wqith a 10.5" width) I did rub lightly on the headers..... so I dropped back to a 305/55/20 Toyo AT2 that actually rides and handles better ( and despite the manufactures spec,
is actually a full inch wider....)
Ride is excellent with minimal road noise. Very happy so far.
Hey Texas, love your setup! Am considering upgrading to Ohlins suspension and 40mm poly spring bushings on the stock AMG springs to improve general ride quality and to provide a bit more off-road clearance. Any idea if I can fit 305/55/20s like yours on the stock 20" G63 wheels without rubbing, or might I need wheel spacers as well? If spacers, any thoughts on what size? Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
Just re-reading the whole thread, I may end up going with custom 20 x 10.5 Forgestars like you did as the stance looks great. Do you happen to recall the total offset you used with the custom wheels? I think I'm reading 50mm (stock) plus the additional 35mm you specified, for a total offset needed of 85mm. Can you confirm?
Last edited by BoatsontheBrain; 05-28-2021 at 04:44 PM.
Reason: Additional information
Still running the stock ones that came with it, it rubs about half an inch into the front fender i am wondering if a 2" lift would eliminate this problem.
the spacers change the scrub radius.... and it's more impacted with an IFS front I suspect. I'm not sure on lift options for the 463A's, bust suspect like the solid axle earlier versions - there is a large cost once you cross a specific point to get it right....
What's the offset on the rims you're running ? that also may be compounding things.... can you share pics ?
08-26-2019, 03:40 PM
