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Once I get the rig built for off road use I will definitely be looking into that and potentially a standalone GPS device. I plan on doing some treking up in Canada as well since the wife's family is in Victoria.
Also quickly found my audio problem.... Blown rear subwoofer. Went under the rear seat and it looked good but when I pressed down on it I could see the foam had separated.
Did some digging here on the forums and found this replacement, will be here Thursday
Quick note about this. Measure the diameter of the subwoofer opening. I bought the same Kicker 6.75 and mine didn't fit by like, 1/8". So yesterday I had to use a router to make the opening larger. Others have posted that it dropped right in so not sure if the opening cutout changed over the years.
Also, it may be worth it to look a small amplifier to power this 6.75 kicker as the factory amp only supplies around 10W of power, I plugged it in before I took out the rear bench and it worked, but barely, not enough to hear/feel a real difference.
I haven't written up about it yet since I'm still in the middle of my phase 1 audio mod, but should finish up sometime this week and it should be substantially better.
Thanks for the info! I'm in the middle of packing up the garage and I have a spare unused amp and install kit so will definitely do a test wiring if it feels underpowered. I don't blast music really, hoping its a decent medium, but if it sounds like a wet noodle then amp it is.
Thanks for the info! I'm in the middle of packing up the garage and I have a spare unused amp and install kit so will definitely do a test wiring if it feels underpowered. I don't blast music really, hoping its a decent medium, but if it sounds like a wet noodle then amp it is.
Thanks for the tip on fitment.
I think we're trying to accomplish pretty much the same thing. Better sound overall, but never listening too loud.
I just measured the subwoofer cavity volume and it is about 0.53 ft^2. According to the kicker spec sheet, this is technically enough volume to hold 2 x 6.75" compRT's =) (minimum sealed volume 0.18 ft^3, maximum sealed volume 0.75 ft^3 for one) The amazon listing has a 2pk for $168 vs 1pk for $110 if you want to do some custom wood working. (I am seriously considering it)
Also these subs are weird being DVC at 2ohms each. So you can bridge in parallel down to 1 ohm or in series up to 4ohms.
Lastly, since the MB head unit doesn't have audio outs, you'll have to improvise. Since the stock G setup is to use the 3 rear 6.5's as a "simulated subwoofer", I don't know how the different frequencies are split up between the 3 as MB may have tried to be 'cleaver' about this. Driving an amp off of the main subwoofer line level output may or may not give you the full subwoofer audio spectrum (and no fine crossover controls). I plan on just running preamp outputs from my headunit (not stock) as a separate rear channel (using the door 6.5's) and a subwoofer channel to gain as much adjustability as I can.
the smell is cosmoline - Merc's tend to have it sprayed into all the crevices and underbody...... both my merc smell on a warm day or after driving....
agree with you on the stereo upgrade - look forward to seeing what you do, even later G63's were less then inspiring audio wise.
looks like you're taking the fast track on the build !
Popped in the new 6.5" kicker sub and it's definitely an improvement and that's all I was going for. I don't want any additional components inside the truck, since it's nice and clean and I will have my two great danes in and out of the back.
Now on to tires.
I'm looking for something that has a good on road / off road drivability. I've always outfitted my Land Rovers with Grabber AT2s, but these wheels are super wide.
Looking for suggestions that will fit with the current stock suspension, but won't look too out of place once I decide to put a 2" lift on.
I've been on the fence over the Fox 2.0/Thor setup or Koni / ORC Bilstein (which would likely ship from Germany... meaning it will take forever to get).
First thing I'm looking to tackle asap are tires.... and with that..... the tire flip for the spare... I'm now out of love with how unconsidered it looks with the rest of the truck being flawless.
Popped in the new 6.5" kicker sub and it's definitely an improvement and that's all I was going for. I don't want any additional components inside the truck, since it's nice and clean and I will have my two great danes in and out of the back.
Now on to tires.
I'm looking for something that has a good on road / off road drivability. I've always outfitted my Land Rovers with Grabber AT2s, but these wheels are super wide.
Looking for suggestions that will fit with the current stock suspension, but won't look too out of place once I decide to put a 2" lift on.
I've been on the fence over the Fox 2.0/Thor setup or Koni / ORC Bilstein (which would likely ship from Germany... meaning it will take forever to get).
First thing I'm looking to tackle asap are tires.... and with that..... the tire flip for the spare... I'm now out of love with how unconsidered it looks with the rest of the truck being flawless.
Send me part numbers before you order, we carry fox and Bilstein.
You have one of the better looking OEM wheels that I personally like.
I came across this in case you are interested in showing off those nice classy wheels.
Mercedes G-Wagen Spare Tire Flip Mount - 1990-2018 G Class G500/550/55/63/65 W463
Popped in the new 6.5" kicker sub and it's definitely an improvement and that's all I was going for. I don't want any additional components inside the truck, since it's nice and clean and I will have my two great danes in and out of the back.
Now on to tires.
I'm looking for something that has a good on road / off road drivability. I've always outfitted my Land Rovers with Grabber AT2s, but these wheels are super wide.
Looking for suggestions that will fit with the current stock suspension, but won't look too out of place once I decide to put a 2" lift on.
I've been on the fence over the Fox 2.0/Thor setup or Koni / ORC Bilstein (which would likely ship from Germany... meaning it will take forever to get).
First thing I'm looking to tackle asap are tires.... and with that..... the tire flip for the spare... I'm now out of love with how unconsidered it looks with the rest of the truck being flawless.
The post above is for the piece from 911 Motorsports. You should contact them and see if you can get a discount since you just purchased the front license plate bracket. Never know!
I've been eyeing a set of BF Goodrich KO2's in 285/60R18 (right around a 32") Not sure how badly these will rub a full lock but I rarely go full lock anyway. Funny enough, the G has a BETTER turning radius than my Volvo S60T5 Manual, which makes no sense at all.
For the Fox 2.0/Thor setup, ask around different vendors now since I spoke to Alvin @ Vikingoffroad a few weeks back and he said lead times were 4-8 months BEFORE the world got crazy.
Yea I figured getting the lift kit would prove to take time with everything going on.
I love the wheels that are on this G, not looking to change them at all. But looking for the right tire to complement where I want to take it.
I've seen the KO2s on JackWagon's post and they look pretty amazing, but my first concern would be rubbing. He said they are pretty good on road.
With the move to Seattle coming up I'm wondering if I just leave the road tires I have on there now and put the miles on those then go for newer ones once I can install the lift at the same time.
I think I just have idle hands and want to build this rig out right now!
Just chatting with LimeyHooligan and the guys over at VikingOffroad and have the following on the way:
- Fox 2.0 Adjustable Shocks
- Thor Springs
- Panhard Bar
- Lengthened Brake and Locker Lines
Once they arrive I will be doing the lift, but leaving the lines to be done by a shop so I don't have to worry about bleeding lines and air bubbles.
Looking to rewrap the wheels in BFG KO2 All Terrains in 305/65 R18, Saw a post of Limey's current setup and just love the look.
I currently have a stock spare wheel, so debating on wrapping that in the KO2 and leaving it flipped or getting the storage pan to cover the hole.
Outside of that I am looking for a plug/play solution to get an AUX cord attached to the Command unit.
Limey has a rad build. Saw his videos on YouTube of him going over Fins N Things and Hells Revenge. Makes me want to get back into a pre-2018 G550 and do all the mods he has done as it is easier to do so than the current G. I can only hope the aftermarket for the 2019+ G picks up (rock sliders, reverse tire mount, etc.)
Big respect for the guy, he gets what the G is about. Good on you for following his lead!
Speaking of aftermarket for the G, even the pre-'19 market is thin... I just got back from Starwood Motors (modified Jeep specialists) in Dallas who are working on my truck for some offroad Baja Designs lights, and they're having a hell of a time installing them. Keep in mind this is what they do all day long, install offroad lights. Apparently the G wiring is just not capable of handling the load for the lights and they're having to create some additional wiring harnesses. And some LED taillights I'm trying to get installed as well are throwing codes. You guys may know more than me, but it seems even getting some relatively simple aftermarket parts added always seems to end in a struggle.
Last edited by Limey Hooligan; 05-07-2020 at 04:29 PM.
BD lights are excellent - I'm running the LP6's and several sets of S2 pros on my LC with a set of LP6's on the shelf for the G - the wiring isn't bad if you opt to use a system for mulitple lights like an Spod or S-tech...... mounting is the only real challenge i'm thinking....
305's are the way to go - are the 55's flares wider like the 63 ? if you you'll want spacers to push the scrub radius out..... but they'll fit fine in the wheelwell once the offsets solved for...... I ran a set of 305's and also 35's on stock suspension for a bit.....
check the speed rating on the BFG's..... the Toyo's to me were the best option that were at least rated to 114...
Yep, two LP6 Pros on the brush guard, but they are having a hard time getting them to work, in particular the amber DRL on them. We'll see how it comes out...!
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305's are the way to go - are the 55's flares wider like the 63 ? if you you'll want spacers to push the scrub radius out..... but they'll fit fine in the wheelwell once the offsets solved for...... I ran a set of 305's and also 35's on stock suspension for a bit.....
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And purchased! Tires are being delivered to a mobile installer, should have them on by this weekend so I can look at how they sit stock, find appropriate spacers, and then install the lift to see how it looks in all three setups.
31mm H&R wheel spacers will put your tires flush with the G55 fender flares and look good. I went with 50mm spacers, and my tires stick out from the flares almost an inch. Still not a bad look...
Love that you're jumping right into all these mods! What is the current wait time for the fox shocks?
I'm still on the fence about lifting the truck, and any scenario where I go with Fox 2.0's will require at least a 30mm lift. So get them installed, say how amazing they are, and make my mind for me =D.
Agree with Limey, that ~30mm spacers will put the wheel edge right in line with the fenders.
Love that you're jumping right into all these mods! What is the current wait time for the fox shocks?
I'm still on the fence about lifting the truck, and any scenario where I go with Fox 2.0's will require at least a 30mm lift. So get them installed, say how amazing they are, and make my mind for me =D.
Agree with Limey, that ~30mm spacers will put the wheel edge right in line with the fenders.
Definitely,
Now that I've been "daily driving" i.e. driving when I can pull myself away from my home office...
I can easily say I love everything about this truck aside from how it drives. I know the G55 has a more harsh suspension, but this thing drives like my 95 lifted Range Rover Classic... which was par for the course for a truck w tech from the 70s.
I want the lift so I can have a bit better ground clearance for trails in the PNW once im up there. And I really like the trucks I see in the wild that have a bit more height to them.
Just took the truck on a trip to Long Beach to get more highway driving on the current setup, and it's pretty harsh. Looking forward to doing as much as I can to get the rig in a better setup. I also just realized that my front and rear tires are different brands.
The tires are all brand new, but didn't notice the difference until I got to LBC... used car purchasing has some weird easter eggs.... 'sigh.
I will definitely report back. May do the same drive with the new tires and stock suspension and the new tires and upgraded suspension.
Well, here's what she'll look like once you get the springs and shocks (and tires) mounted... . More rugged-looking, and in my mind better proportioned...
Last edited by Limey Hooligan; 05-09-2020 at 10:17 AM.
All of the suspension components will be here Monday, so I will install them next weekend. Tires arrive Tuesday, and I'll have them put on by a mobile installer.
I'll take some short trips w the wheels and stock suspension then the new suspension w wheels and have a full assessment of how it performs. Wishing I pulled the trigger a few days sooner, would have been a great weekend to get this all done.
05-04-2020, 12:29 PM
. More rugged-looking, and in my mind better proportioned...
