G55 offroad capable???

[AAA]

Hello. I have an opportunity to buy a 2003 g55 for a pretty good price. Gas milage aside can this be modified into a capable offroader like a g500? Would i need to get smaller brakes, etc..?

[otiswesty]

The 2003 G55 should be about the same offroad as a G500, both are naturally aspirated, G55 with more power though by a 5.5 liter engine. The G55 got the Kompressor in 2005 I believe. Some would argue that the G55 is limited by the side pipes, but really there is just a risk of damaging them, then you have a good reason to cut them off. Use the 18" wheels with a 33" tire then you do not need to do anything with the brakes. More brake is better anyway.
Some would also argue that it is too much power for offroad

[4x4abc]

the G55 would make an excellent off-road vehicle
springs are a little shorter though and you have less ground clearance unless you get G500 springs
shocks have different valving and might get you a little rough ride

the G55 is definitely my next G - after my still young and strong G500 (170,000 miles) needs replacement
never had a better off-road vehicle in my life (had many other G before and still have several Jeep and Toyota in the fleet)

it has its (physical size) limits, however, the extreme rough (like the Rubicon Trail) are better driven with a swb Jeep or Toyota

[AAA]

Thats very inspiring! So you dont think 18 is to big of a wheel to offroad with. I live in the rocky north east. Most go with 16, but i dont know if the difference in size will dramatically decrease offroad comfort.

[autonovice]

Hello. I have an opportunity to buy a 2003 g55 for a pretty good price. Gas milage aside can this be modified into a capable offroader like a g500? Would i need to get smaller brakes, etc..?

I know the 2000 G55 has the same brakes as >2002 G500.

I know the 2005 G55K has bigger brakes; 17in. These are ATE.

I am not sure how big the 2003-2004 G55 brakes are. You can tell by looking
at the rotors in relation to the wheels. There should be only .5 gap between
them if these are 17in rotors.

This link confirms the 2003-2004 G55 has the same brakes as regular G500
http://www.mbworld.org/forums/g55-am...4-up-g55s.html

I would stick with the same brakes since you probably will get bigger tires anyway.

I would swap out to a G500 or similar springs and shocks. The G55K ride
is very stiff unless you plan to road race. In that case, it is a perfect set up.

[4x4abc]

Thats very inspiring! So you dont think 18 is to big of a wheel to offroad with. I live in the rocky north east. Most go with 16, but i dont know if the difference in size will dramatically decrease offroad comfort.

there is no wheel size too big for off-road
point is - you need as much rubber between the ground and the wheel
the more volume of air a tire has, the better for off-road

if you would compare two tires equal in diameter and compare 16" wheel to 18" wheel = the tire mounted on a 16" wheel has more volume = better for off-road - more comfort on-road (air in tires act as "secondary" springs)

for on-road performance (especially high speed and fast cornering) you want as little rubber as possible between road and wheel

please also note: all stock 4x4 tires are way too small for real off-road use
since 99.99% of all 4x4 are operated on pavement its the right choice from the manufacturer
if you ever want to leave pavement, you must get larger tires from a dependable manufacturer (not many to chose from)

larger tires have a myriad of advantages (need a new thread for that) and a few draw backs (expensive secondary modifications like lower gears)

[hoser]

IIRC, the G500 and G55 have different final drive ratios with the G500 having a numerically higher ratio. A consideration for some.

[4x4abc]

meaning that the G500 will crawl slower than the G55 - a very important point!

[hoser]

Harald, I can't seem to find reliable information on the gear ratios for the 2003 G55. Know where I can find such? I don't want to pass on bad info.

[4x4abc]

someone would have to look it up in the EPC