Hello everyone! Great site! I have been looking on here for a little while and just joined. I feel I have learned a lot. I have 2 vehicles that I want to build. I have an 04 mercedes ml350 which will go anywhere and an 08 Ram that is unfortunately 2wd. I have seen loads of built Rams but no Mercedes ml. Does anyone have any pics or ideas for my Mercedes. My plans are a roof rack with 360 lighting, custom rear bumper with swing away fullsize spare and fuel can mounts and a steel front bumper. I know the suspension is limited but I am getting spacers made for the rear and crank the front torsion bars. I am also looking at CB radios and a way to mount a tablet. I want to be able to use it for getaways or a SHTF getaway.
mercedes ml???
- Thread starter Mr&MrsC
- Start date
MicroOverland
Observer
An overland ML? You are breaking new ground here... GO FOR IT! I have been an mercedes mechanic for years, and have always lamented how 99.99999% of all ML and G class vehicles never even see dirt, let alone drive on it. Kudos to you!
It seems there is not a lot of aftermarket support for the ML, but is is a great vehicle. Body on frame construction, full time 4 wheel drive and low range. Traction control sorta simulates lockers, and they get not too bad of fuel mileage.
Cirtainly, an internet search will find any available options for roof racks, bumpers, etc, but based on my last "for fun" search, not much is available. There is always custom, and it sounds like you are headed that way anyway.
Please document what you do and find, so we can all celebrate with you...
It seems there is not a lot of aftermarket support for the ML, but is is a great vehicle. Body on frame construction, full time 4 wheel drive and low range. Traction control sorta simulates lockers, and they get not too bad of fuel mileage.
Cirtainly, an internet search will find any available options for roof racks, bumpers, etc, but based on my last "for fun" search, not much is available. There is always custom, and it sounds like you are headed that way anyway.
Please document what you do and find, so we can all celebrate with you...
AeroNautiCal
Explorer
For 2013, the ML and GL models offered by MBZ USA have an On/Off Road Package that adds air suspension, a 2 speed transfer case, some underbody protection, and two off-road driving profiles to make the electronic traction aids work better at very slow speeds. These options have been available to buyers outside USA for years. Nice to see them available to us, too.
For some reason, I don't see the Off Road package listed as an option with the diesel engine models. That would be my preferred combination.
For some reason, I don't see the Off Road package listed as an option with the diesel engine models. That would be my preferred combination.
All-Terrain
No Road Required
Any others using ML's out there in the wilderness? Apparently they are more popular in Europe than here...? I would imagine the W163 is not a bad option, with body on frame, all wheel drive, 4ETS, etc...?
Rosco862003
Adventurer
Yea, I believe Dr. Grant used one of these quite some time ago. I always had a soft spot for the ML series after watching Jurassic park as kid, and dare I say it even 1st gen Explorers. Rumor has it the 6x6 G Wagon may be cast in the 4th iteration of the series.
Hello, I know this is an old post, but I found yesterday, and I registered myself.
I am "creating"an overland ML W163 320 for long traveling. We are Venezuelan living in Spain and our friends are in Finland, Huungary, Montenetro and Russia. Our plans are always drive to there and use their house like base for overland around, but we need 1600, 2000 and 3000 miles driving before reaching. Then, we only need first fast driving and sleeping to reach their house. There we will have nice home and space and then start the adventures around. Montenegro is amazing (Bosnia, Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro itself) for overland and planing for next year (2022 Iceland, driving to north Denmark (2500 miles) and after 3 days in a Ferry to Iceland.
The ML is not a big car for overland and it is 4x4 with low range but is not a Mercedes G or Land Rover, but is enough for us.
We started some months ago and here is our project
1.- Make it "cheaper". I am doing about 6/7 km/liter ( 16 miles per american gallon), then here in Europe is a lot. Now the fuel price is about 1.4 Eur/liter in Spain. Then, I installed GLP/GPL. The price is the half.
2.- After, we need to create the the boxes for storing everything and create the beds.
We did everything by ourself, without any previous knowledge about working wood.
In driving mode, the 2 rear seat are in normal position, in sleeping mode, the 2 back seat must be turned down. Here the design
I am "creating"an overland ML W163 320 for long traveling. We are Venezuelan living in Spain and our friends are in Finland, Huungary, Montenetro and Russia. Our plans are always drive to there and use their house like base for overland around, but we need 1600, 2000 and 3000 miles driving before reaching. Then, we only need first fast driving and sleeping to reach their house. There we will have nice home and space and then start the adventures around. Montenegro is amazing (Bosnia, Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro itself) for overland and planing for next year (2022 Iceland, driving to north Denmark (2500 miles) and after 3 days in a Ferry to Iceland.
The ML is not a big car for overland and it is 4x4 with low range but is not a Mercedes G or Land Rover, but is enough for us.
We started some months ago and here is our project
1.- Make it "cheaper". I am doing about 6/7 km/liter ( 16 miles per american gallon), then here in Europe is a lot. Now the fuel price is about 1.4 Eur/liter in Spain. Then, I installed GLP/GPL. The price is the half.
2.- After, we need to create the the boxes for storing everything and create the beds.
We did everything by ourself, without any previous knowledge about working wood.
In driving mode, the 2 rear seat are in normal position, in sleeping mode, the 2 back seat must be turned down. Here the design
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3.- Electric install.
I discover a power sock 12 volt in the trunk, and take out from there the plugs and using a victron battery mixer (intelligent) and installed another battery in the boxes with electric connections, a panel in the side and I did this
The panel from left to right is
1 Reading light (in the middle if the two doors
2 Ambient lights
3 Power inverter 220 volts
4 Fridge/Freezer connector
5 Water pump connector
6 Light in the back door
I discover a power sock 12 volt in the trunk, and take out from there the plugs and using a victron battery mixer (intelligent) and installed another battery in the boxes with electric connections, a panel in the side and I did this
The panel from left to right is
1 Reading light (in the middle if the two doors
2 Ambient lights
3 Power inverter 220 volts
4 Fridge/Freezer connector
5 Water pump connector
6 Light in the back door
5.- Water tanks. Two bidon (I don't know in english the word for this) with 25 litters each one. in the back of the passenger seat (in the back of the driver will be the fridge/freezer in sleeping mode.
6.- Fridge/Freezer
After much studying about it, I decided for a compressor 40 liters Mobicook MFC40, the best in cheap price, and perfect for sleeping mode in the back of the drivers seat
6.- Fridge/Freezer
After much studying about it, I decided for a compressor 40 liters Mobicook MFC40, the best in cheap price, and perfect for sleeping mode in the back of the drivers seat
8.- The 4x4 proyect..
I am going to install when the pandemic allow (I need to drive to north Spain) to the specialist garage and here is totally different to my lovely USA, here, every modification you do to the car must be designed by and engineer and installed in a special garage, and you need to make homologation for it to YOUR car, and we have every year to drive the car for inspection.
My "home made" install is not a problem because is not fixed to the car (is removable) and I am able to take out everything in 1 hour, before my yearly inspection. For the the lights are with clips.
But for the bumpers, snorkel, under car protection it must be installed in a special garage and a goverment designed Eng must certificate it, then he must DO a project about the car modification. Is similar to an airplane modification. For that you can't see so much modified car in Spain, is expensive, difficult and you finish tired about it... Imagine, spending thousand of US$ for something and in the inspection the refuse it... is a nightmare and it could happen.
Then, I am going to install a Snorkel, I am going to make a front and maybe rear bumper, the under protections./
If you are interested about the spares.... are here
Snorkel , Protection and Shock absorber
Also I found a company MAYBE is capable to make for me (because it must complain with Spain regulation, for that I can buy one from USA, Australia o Venezuela) a front and maybe (I don't know the price, then I need to wait) a rear bumper
Bumper
9.- Wheels.....
My tires are perfect and I love it. M+S for "summer" with very good quality for medium mud, but in my longs trips to the East and North, I will need to switch the tires to Winter tires. I can depart from here because "never" is winter in the south, and for reaching the east/north are plenty of miles before the winter comes... then, I need to switch the tires in the "way"..... For that, I good roof rack
I bought 4 wheels for having the rims and I am going to put (in the pictures they aren't my tires, I bought the wheels/rims and came with those old tires) this tires for winter... Cooper Tires AT3 4S
Checking the best position for the tires in the roof.
For driving short, I will carry only TWO (because they will be different size to installed, If one the bad, I need to replace both)
I am going to install when the pandemic allow (I need to drive to north Spain) to the specialist garage and here is totally different to my lovely USA, here, every modification you do to the car must be designed by and engineer and installed in a special garage, and you need to make homologation for it to YOUR car, and we have every year to drive the car for inspection.
My "home made" install is not a problem because is not fixed to the car (is removable) and I am able to take out everything in 1 hour, before my yearly inspection. For the the lights are with clips.
But for the bumpers, snorkel, under car protection it must be installed in a special garage and a goverment designed Eng must certificate it, then he must DO a project about the car modification. Is similar to an airplane modification. For that you can't see so much modified car in Spain, is expensive, difficult and you finish tired about it... Imagine, spending thousand of US$ for something and in the inspection the refuse it... is a nightmare and it could happen.
Then, I am going to install a Snorkel, I am going to make a front and maybe rear bumper, the under protections./
If you are interested about the spares.... are here
Snorkel , Protection and Shock absorber
Also I found a company MAYBE is capable to make for me (because it must complain with Spain regulation, for that I can buy one from USA, Australia o Venezuela) a front and maybe (I don't know the price, then I need to wait) a rear bumper
Bumper
9.- Wheels.....
My tires are perfect and I love it. M+S for "summer" with very good quality for medium mud, but in my longs trips to the East and North, I will need to switch the tires to Winter tires. I can depart from here because "never" is winter in the south, and for reaching the east/north are plenty of miles before the winter comes... then, I need to switch the tires in the "way"..... For that, I good roof rack
I bought 4 wheels for having the rims and I am going to put (in the pictures they aren't my tires, I bought the wheels/rims and came with those old tires) this tires for winter... Cooper Tires AT3 4S
Checking the best position for the tires in the roof.
For driving short, I will carry only TWO (because they will be different size to installed, If one the bad, I need to replace both)