Does the gl450 with rear locker exist in USA?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,762
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From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
Being oblivious to the potential "soccer mommy" mistreatment of the EORP, I picked up a specimen equipped with said option without second thoughts. I might live to regret it... time will tell. Servicing diffs can't be more complicated than servicing a manual tranny, can it?
But yeah, it's definitely not like a manual trans, with heavy gears. It's a more electrically driven system, with clutches and a thin fluid. Needs to be used and maintained.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 648
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From: Yeast Coast, Canada
GL550 X164
Enhanced Off-Road Package includes differential (center and rear) locks, plus a low range. Also a funky multi-step suspension lift. You're looking at ADS for the comfort and sport modes, and the simple raise and lower is stock.
I understand the diffs and locks have an automatic transmission type clutch system, which needs to be exercised regularly. This is pure hearsay. If yours works, and you've changed the fluids without new forms of life crawling out the drain holes, I'd guess you're okay.
But yeah, it's definitely not like a manual trans, with heavy gears. It's a more electrically driven system, with clutches and a thin fluid. Needs to be used and maintained.
I understand the diffs and locks have an automatic transmission type clutch system, which needs to be exercised regularly. This is pure hearsay. If yours works, and you've changed the fluids without new forms of life crawling out the drain holes, I'd guess you're okay.
But yeah, it's definitely not like a manual trans, with heavy gears. It's a more electrically driven system, with clutches and a thin fluid. Needs to be used and maintained.
https://www.mercedesmedic.com/rebuil...-differential/
There is a video in the article. Seems to be a very straight forward setup, mechanically.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 630
From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
Curiosity got the better part of me, again 🙂 and I found this about rebuilding diffs on the X164, W164 and R251.
https://www.mercedesmedic.com/rebuil...-differential/
There is a video in the article. Seems to be a very straight forward setup, mechanically.
https://www.mercedesmedic.com/rebuil...-differential/
There is a video in the article. Seems to be a very straight forward setup, mechanically.
Last edited by eric_in_sd; Nov 20, 2020 at 09:51 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 648
Likes: 144
From: Yeast Coast, Canada
GL550 X164
ah, but that is the front differential, which is the same with or without EORP. I think. I believe the front diff and transaxles are the same. With EORP, the center half shafts and rear transaxles are different lengths; the center diff and rear diff are different. The rear has to have a locker, and the front has to have both a transmission (low range) and a locker.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 630
From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 648
Likes: 144
From: Yeast Coast, Canada
GL550 X164
I had a "scare" earlier this year with the diff dial not engaging the center and rear diffs when selected. It was attributed to a low battery which threw a thousand hundred million codes. After trickle charging the battery and clearing the codes, she's been back to "normal". I've only used the lockers twice, both times to test them engaging and behaving properly, in the year I've owned this beast. I have a feeling this year's winter will give me some good opportunities to run them. And I should test them more frequently.
I invested in a wehicle recovery kit this year: strap, shackles and hitch receiver with shackle. Now I just need candidates to pull out of a snow bank. 😀
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 3
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GL450
Yes, I specifically bought a GL450 with off road package here in Seattle area so it can handle my difficult driveway which is basically off roading it is not easy when it floods and turns to mud or in the snow.
The package moves the height control to a dial so you can change the level as needed and it also has both center and rear lockers, you hit the botton twice to get both to lock. It does add more things that may brake though but I'm changing the fluids pretty often.
There were a few for sale on Craigslist that's how I bought mine but they are popular out here, basically try searching west of the Rockies where they are pretty common. also realize that allot of people don't use Craigslist anymore since they ask for money to list a car for sale. Try facebook marketplace or a car search website like offerup or autotempest etc...
The package moves the height control to a dial so you can change the level as needed and it also has both center and rear lockers, you hit the botton twice to get both to lock. It does add more things that may brake though but I'm changing the fluids pretty often.
There were a few for sale on Craigslist that's how I bought mine but they are popular out here, basically try searching west of the Rockies where they are pretty common. also realize that allot of people don't use Craigslist anymore since they ask for money to list a car for sale. Try facebook marketplace or a car search website like offerup or autotempest etc...
Last edited by John82; Dec 25, 2020 at 10:39 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 648
Likes: 144
From: Yeast Coast, Canada
GL550 X164
Yes, I specifically bought a GL450 with off road package here in Seattle area so it can handle my difficult driveway which is basically off roading it is not easy when it floods and turns to mud or in the snow.
The package moves the height control to a dial so you can change the level as needed and it also has both center and rear lockers, you hit the botton twice to get both to lock. It does add more things that may brake though but I'm changing the fluids pretty often.
There were a few for sale on Craigslist that's how I bought mine but they are popular out here, basically try searching west of the Rockies where they are pretty common. also realize that allot of people don't use Craigslist anymore since they ask for money to list a car for sale. Try facebook marketplace or a car search website like offerup or autotempest etc...
The package moves the height control to a dial so you can change the level as needed and it also has both center and rear lockers, you hit the botton twice to get both to lock. It does add more things that may brake though but I'm changing the fluids pretty often.
There were a few for sale on Craigslist that's how I bought mine but they are popular out here, basically try searching west of the Rockies where they are pretty common. also realize that allot of people don't use Craigslist anymore since they ask for money to list a car for sale. Try facebook marketplace or a car search website like offerup or autotempest etc...
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Super Member
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Staten Island, NY
2010 MB S550, 2017 MB SLC 300
I just purchased a 2011 GL550 a few days ago. I was looking nationwide for GL550's up to $23,000. Not one had the off-road package. When I Included the GL450 in my search at the same price point there still weren't any with the enhanced 4wd. I had been looking for about 6 to 8 weeks before I found the one that I bought a few miles away from my home.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 648
Likes: 144
From: Yeast Coast, Canada
GL550 X164
You'll probably have better luck finding an X166 with the option than an X164, these days. The number of 1st gen GLs on the market is getting smaller and so is the chance of finding one equipped with all desired options. Add to that the relative rarity of the off road package.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
beta 390rrs. 2010 GL550
You'll probably have better luck finding an X166 with the option than an X164, these days. The number of 1st gen GLs on the market is getting smaller and so is the chance of finding one equipped with all desired options. Add to that the relative rarity of the off road package.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
beta 390rrs. 2010 GL550
I just purchased a 2011 GL550 a few days ago. I was looking nationwide for GL550's up to $23,000. Not one had the off-road package. When I Included the GL450 in my search at the same price point there still weren't any with the enhanced 4wd. I had been looking for about 6 to 8 weeks before I found the one that I bought a few miles away from my home.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 648
Likes: 144
From: Yeast Coast, Canada
GL550 X164
I believe you are correct. the X166 uses ABS, ESP and 4ETS. The offroad package on the X166 also has a low range option/button, compare to an X166 w/o the off toad package. I was not intentionally referring to lockable diffs, but the off-road package on the GLs.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
beta 390rrs. 2010 GL550
