Glk offroad project
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
c32 amg
Glk offroad project
Hi! Ill will soon start my offoad project on my GLK.
I will, among other things, lift the car between 30-40mm. I have googled around a bit and found rubber spacers that are mounted on existing suspension. Is this a good solution or does anyone know if i can buy higher springs some where or even buy new coilovers that will raise the car?
I will be grateful for all the ideas and answers!
I will, among other things, lift the car between 30-40mm. I have googled around a bit and found rubber spacers that are mounted on existing suspension. Is this a good solution or does anyone know if i can buy higher springs some where or even buy new coilovers that will raise the car?
I will be grateful for all the ideas and answers!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 422
Likes: 61
From: South East US.
2015 GLK350
What are you trying to accomplish here? What do you mean by "offroad"? Do you intend to drive on unpaved roads, do you want to drive through mud holes, or are you looking to go rock crawling? Or are you just trying to make the GLK look more aggressive?
As soon as you lift a vehicle you compromise it's handling characteristics. You also change the angles and stresses of the suspension components causing premature wear and early failure. Off road driving puts more stress on the drive train and suspension further increasing wear and decreasing lifespan.
At the end of the day the GLK was designed as a road vehicle and there are virtually no heavy duty off road components available. If you want an offroad vehicle you will be better served by starting with something like a jeep or a 4runner. I think you will find that after modifying the GLK you will be disappointed by the offroad performance and shocked at how breakable it is when used outside of it's intended role.
As soon as you lift a vehicle you compromise it's handling characteristics. You also change the angles and stresses of the suspension components causing premature wear and early failure. Off road driving puts more stress on the drive train and suspension further increasing wear and decreasing lifespan.
At the end of the day the GLK was designed as a road vehicle and there are virtually no heavy duty off road components available. If you want an offroad vehicle you will be better served by starting with something like a jeep or a 4runner. I think you will find that after modifying the GLK you will be disappointed by the offroad performance and shocked at how breakable it is when used outside of it's intended role.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
c32 amg
What are you trying to accomplish here? What do you mean by "offroad"? Do you intend to drive on unpaved roads, do you want to drive through mud holes, or are you looking to go rock crawling? Or are you just trying to make the GLK look more aggressive?
As soon as you lift a vehicle you compromise it's handling characteristics. You also change the angles and stresses of the suspension components causing premature wear and early failure. Off road driving puts more stress on the drive train and suspension further increasing wear and decreasing lifespan.
At the end of the day the GLK was designed as a road vehicle and there are virtually no heavy duty off road components available. If you want an offroad vehicle you will be better served by starting with something like a jeep or a 4runner. I think you will find that after modifying the GLK you will be disappointed by the offroad performance and shocked at how breakable it is when used outside of it's intended role.
As soon as you lift a vehicle you compromise it's handling characteristics. You also change the angles and stresses of the suspension components causing premature wear and early failure. Off road driving puts more stress on the drive train and suspension further increasing wear and decreasing lifespan.
At the end of the day the GLK was designed as a road vehicle and there are virtually no heavy duty off road components available. If you want an offroad vehicle you will be better served by starting with something like a jeep or a 4runner. I think you will find that after modifying the GLK you will be disappointed by the offroad performance and shocked at how breakable it is when used outside of it's intended role.
Okej it may come out a little bit worng.
My purpose in lifting the car is that we have quite a lot of snow here in the winter time and I often go out on unpaved roads in the mountains. I am aware that wheel angles and attack angles on the front and rear are slightly out of position. However, it does not feel like it should affect so much when we just talk 30-40mm raise on such an already high car. Have seen people who have done just that, and i just want to know which is the best way to go. Im not looking to build a monter truck or a rock crawler, just get some more road clearence.
Sorry for bad english, im international.
Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 111
Likes: 2
2010 GL 550 + 2010 GLK 350
I don't have a lot of knowledge about all that attack angles and stuff but as a mechanical engineer and a 2010 glk 350 4matic owner, I can tell you that in my humble opinion, raising the car 3cm wouldn't provide you the traction that a nice set of meaty snow tires couldn't.
I would not touch the suspension but get a nice snow tire set.
I would not touch the suspension but get a nice snow tire set.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 271
Likes: 24
2014 GLK250
The early europeans GLKs had an off-road trim version, with hill descent control and all that. Retrofit that and you’d be a legend.
That said, rubber spacers suck. You want to use the same material used to make cutting boards. Buy the thickest you can find, fit that on top of the stock shock hats and get an alignment.
Done.
That said, rubber spacers suck. You want to use the same material used to make cutting boards. Buy the thickest you can find, fit that on top of the stock shock hats and get an alignment.
Done.
