O'erlanderwagen build

[Don Raptor]

now I just need some time and a destination...
@mk216v: just a drawer system away from perfection...again...I gonna steal some of your ideas...if you don't mind...

 

[mk216v]

Go for it, and enjoy your travels. I love seeing others get out there, especially with their family/kids!

 

[mk216v]

Another update; so for a long time on my "build" list I was thinking custom front/rear bumpers. Mike at GWagen Preserve has very stout aftermarket steel bumpers. I had been talking to him about customizing the rear for using a full swing-out where I could mount my spare and my custom RotoPax holder to. This would save me from hanging something off the cargo door, provide strong recovery points, etc. All in all, after lots of thinking, I went another direction. In order to save some weight(truck is now weighing in at ~6750lbs with me in it), extra cost, etc, I decided to see if I could again fit my spare wheel/tire inside like I had before I put the custom FR drawer setup in. Well don't you know, it does fit, and it fits better with the tire aired down to ~10psi! So over to the fabricator's I go to talk to him about building a Ver2 of the spare tire holder. This is what we came up with;

Yes, the tire sits a bit crooked inboard, but that's because the outboard edge of the tire is contacting the inboard edge of the FR aluminum extrusion, plus the interior C-D pillar trim is right there too. Overall, it fits! :wings:
This will restrict my cargo room yes, but it also saves me ~$2000.

Here's the remainder of the bumper plan;
-- Factory euro tow-pin front bumper setup painted factory Tectite Grey (allows me to retain my brush guard of which I prefer the look and minimal animal strike protection, foglights, etc). The other option is to keep it black but then I'd need to paint 4 flares and the rear bumper too.
-- G-Wagen Accessories front winch plate adapter
-- Warn winch with black Viking synthetic line/etc
-- G-Wagen Accessories rear winch adapter for use in factory tow hitch
-- Will run my custom RotoPax holder on the cargo door full time, as will be doing a lot more exploring than ever
-- Working on a custom gear holder solution after losing space above the right rear wheelwell

 

[mk216v]

I'm very excited to announce that ExPo asked to do a feature on my G, so I wrote an article and submitted pics. It's the lead article on their home page today; http://expeditionportal.com/featured-vehicle-jeremy-williams-g500/

Thanks for all of your support and encouragement, ExPo is such an incredible community to share in!!

 

[greynolds]

^ Congrats, and nice job on the article!

 

[So-Cal G]

great read on your rig!

 

[mk216v]

Thanks guys!!

 

[4Rescue]

Yeah man CONGRATS... That was awesome to go to the Home Page and see your build/article. Very nicely done (reads well and it's awesome to have your build "condensed" so you really get to see the truck as she sits now after all your hard work) and congrats on an article/feature well deserved.

Cheers

Dave

 

[mk216v]

Thank you so much Dave! Hopefully some day we can actually meet in person, seeing that we only live like 15min away from each other.

 

[Bikeman71]

A fantastic write-up. It takes 34 pages of forum responses and boils it down into a well-written, easily understood, and passionate summary of your G-Wagen adventure. Thank you for sharing!

And, by the way, I've read all 34 pages of this thread multiple times during my search for a G-500. I found "the one" yesterday...I can't wait to begin contributing to this sub-forum more.

 

[shaggag]

mk216v, nice article, impressive amount of custom work you have done.

 

[mk216v]

Thanks Brent, it was great chatting with you today. Congrats on finding your G500!
Thanks Shaggag!

 

[4Rescue]

A fantastic write-up. It takes 34 pages of forum responses and boils it down into a well-written, easily understood, and passionate summary of your G-Wagen adventure. Thank you for sharing!
....

Sums it up perfectly...

Thank you so much Dave! Hopefully some day we can actually meet in person, seeing that we only live like 15min away from each other.

More then welcome/deserved mate. I keep looking for your truck everywhere cause it seems by the law of odds that we drive past one another at SOME point hahaha.

Cheers

Dave

 

[Bikeman71]

Thanks Brent, it was great chatting with you today. Congrats on finding your G500!

Thank you for taking the time to help me with my build. I'm in that phase where it's all I'm thinking about. It's killing me to not start running wires, building storage, installing fridges and second batteries, etc. I'm forcing myself to think this thing through in several different configurations before starting anything. I made several moves on my Jeep that I regretted...costing either more money or a less than ideal set-up. I'm spending a lot of time with a measuring tape and a sketch pad right now...it will end up serving me well down the road (or trail.)

 

[mk216v]

Thank you for taking the time to help me with my build. I'm in that phase where it's all I'm thinking about. It's killing me to not start running wires, building storage, installing fridges and second batteries, etc. I'm forcing myself to think this thing through in several different configurations before starting anything. I made several moves on my Jeep that I regretted...costing either more money or a less than ideal set-up. I'm spending a lot of time with a measuring tape and a sketch pad right now...it will end up serving me well down the road (or trail.)

You're very welcome Brent, I love helping, especially with G's!

I've found it's definitely helpful to layout a full plan (although I have modified my plan here and there as time has gone on).

I look forward to what you come up with.