Portals would be awesome, but maybe overkill for now!
How much larger are the tires over stock? Did you have to recalibrate the speedo? How about gearing? Did/will the suspension lift necessitate custom drive shafts or affect the factory steering geometry?
You mentioned custom rock sliders in the future, to replace the factory running boards, when are those coming? It sometimes disheartens me how little aftermarket 4x4-oriented parts support there is for the G. I appreciate you sharing your experiences. You give us all hope about what can be done with a G.
Looking back, would starting with a G55 be a better or worse choice as a starting flatform - larger brakes, different gearing, tougher transmission (the only downside I can think off is the side exhaust)?
And the tent, it looks small, I'm not familair with this model, but how large a person can it fit? With the ARB-style tents, they are sandwich/fold-design and seem to be twice the length/width then the model you've chosen.
Thanks
At $13k + install, portals are a dream, to me at least.
~33" tires vs 30.5" stock. Yes, in the TC module you have to trick it into thinking you have the largest tire size possible (combo of tire size and axle ratio).
Nope on custom drive shafts or steering geometry.
I've been thinking about them a lot lately as the side step addition to them would help get into/out of the truck a bit easier. I just haven't been excited to hand over almost $2000 for the complete setup.
http://www.g-wagenaccessories.com/products/LWBw463RockSlider.htm
http://www.g-wagenaccessories.com/products/sideStep.htm
Wow, thanks, but there are others(in Europe) with more modded G's than mine.
'03-04 G500 and G55 have the same size front rotors...however, if I had larger brakes I couldn't have fit the 16" Hutchinson's.
I'm unsure on '05+ G55 gearing honestly.
Many of the G55's were the same 722.6 tranny as I have. This 5spd is very strong and been around for a long time. I believe those with the 7spd auto's were having some issues, at least in the GL's?
Side exhaust of a G55 would get in the way. I like mine in the LR, before the wheelwell.
Autohome Variant sizes are here;
http://www.autohomeus.com/rooftop/variant.php
57”W x 83”L x 59”H (open) for the medium as I have. Yes, at 6' tall, I barely fit. They do have extra long which is 9" longer, and also Small and Large widths too. Of course carbon fiber if you fancy as well (if I could have found a used Carbon instead, I would have sprung for it).
ARB Series3 Simpson is 55" wide x 94" long x 51" high comparatively, so a bit longer yes, but a smidge narrower and less headroom.
However, I went with a fiberglass RTT as when it rains, it's far less likely that my canvas sides will get wet, whereas the ARB/EeziAwn/etc canvas will get soaked, and then you have to put it away wet = greater chance for mold. Plus, my RTT is a whole lot more aerodynamic than the canvas "bricks." It would be nice to have a covered changing room underneath, but I can honestly make the same by having some sides made for my Fiamma F35 (TacoDoc has all the measurements already).