2019 G550 Overland Build - Completed w/ Pics

[Freeb25]

I have always liked the fact that they started out as a military vehicle and then slowly introduced them to the US market as Range Rover's only real competition. I drove a 4 runner (4 inch lift, 35" tires decked out with a brush guard/bumper/skid plate attachment from my senior year in HS until my junior year in college. For some reason, I bought a BMW 328 and then an M3 4 years later (didn't regret that one............the E46 Gen is still the best looking version in my opinion). That '04 M4 was the last time I bought a daily driver that wasn't an SUV. The 1st gen Range Rover Sorts came out in 2006 so I bought one immediately. I loved the look but the early generation Sports were built on the LR3 platform so I bought my first of 5 subsequent Range Rovers in 2006 (2006 RR HSE, 2010 RR HSE, 2013 RR HSE, 2014 LWB RR Supercharged, & 2018 RR SVAutobiography Dynamic). Point being, I was the Range Rover version of you until a few months ago. My wife got a 2019 G550 right after they came out. She loved it but we have 3 young kids so the lack of a 3rd row made her realize how necessary it was when you're carting around kids. I got her a Navigator and decided to take her G550 to work one day. I fell in love immediately. I'm very keen on outdoor activities namely 4x4 mountain trail exploring and fly fishing and I think Land Rover has decided to abandon the roots of the original Range Rover in favor of what I think is too aerodynamic for a proper 4wd vehicle. Granted, they're still capable off roaders but you've got to go back 2 generations if you want to do any sort of suspension modification or put on A/T Wheels. The fact that Mercedes went to an independent front suspension makes me think that they have no plans to abandon the G-Wagens original DNA. Anyway, sorry you had to read my life story but I was trying to emphasize the allegory. I've attached some pictures in chronological order (hopefully). I am waiting on one more major modification which is a LeTech winch bumper and skid plate.

Hey man love the ride I was wanting to do the same lift and size tires. I was wondering if you had any rubbing from the 33 inch tires?

 

[jeev]

Hey man love the ride I was wanting to do the same lift and size tires. I was wondering if you had any rubbing from the 33 inch tires?

Originally there was a little bit when I reversed with the steering wheel turned fully to the right. We fixed that w/o having to cut into the wells. Occasionaly when the front wheels are articulated at a particular angle, there is a little rub but it doesn't really bother me. Side Note: I have H&R Spacers (30mm) and the offset on my wheels is +35. I would imagine you could eliminate the rub altogether with a different offset.

 

[mightymo]

Good information and clean ride. I have 33s, and experience a bit of rub. I was wondering if the 30mm spacers would help alleviate that. Seems like it helped?

 

[jeev]

Good information and clean ride. I have 33s, and experience a bit of rub. I was wondering if the 30mm spacers would help alleviate that. Seems like it helped?

Honestly I couldn't tell you because I had the 33's and the spacers put on at the same time.

 

[38snubby]

IMHO I probably wouldn't run 20" rims on an overland build. Not a lot to work with if you air down or need to use that sidewall.

I agree with you, and I am thinking of buying a G550 but I would want to downsize to an 18" wheel if I did. It would be nice if there was a nice set of icon wheels that could fit this vehicle.

 

[jeev]

I agree with you, and I am thinking of buying a G550 but I would want to downsize to an 18" wheel if I did. It would be nice if there was a nice set of icon wheels that could fit this vehicle.

My G550 is also my daily driver which is why I have the larger rims. Plus, I am more of a "weekend overlander" so I've never needed anything more than a jack, a tire repair kit, and/or a spare. That said, if you're going to take on trails where you're going to be back country for days or weeks at a time and your vehicle is the only thing you're relying on, I'd recommend 16" to 18" beadlocks. A good option in 16" are Hutchinson Rock Monster 1873 or the Rock Monster 2059 if you want 18's.

Unrelated: So I finished doing all the upgrades to my G-Wagen. What's the general rule of thumb in this situation............create a new post or just adding final pictures to this thread?
post?

 

[jeev]

Here is the finished product. Additions and modifications listed below.

• 2019 Mercedes G550
  • Purchased new January 2019
  • Selenite Grey
• Lift Kit
  • 50mm
  • Coil Spring only
• Rear Spare Tire
  • Full size spare
  • To fit on the stock spare tire mount, I had to have an adapter machined which has caused another problem
• Wheels & Tires
  • Black Rhino Trabuco Wheels
    • Matte Black Finish
    • Size 20 x 10
  • Nitto Ridge Grappler Tires
    • Size 33 x 12.50R20
  • H&R Spacers
    • 30mm
• Front Runner W463 Regular Rack
• Front Runner Expedition Rail Kit
• Front Runner Wind Fairing
• Front Runner Rack Accessories
  • Axe Bracket
  • Hi Lift Jack Bracket
  • Shovel Mount
  • Maxtrax Mounts
• Rotopax 1.75 Gallon Mounting Kit & Jerry Cans x 2
• 50" Rigid Midnight E Series LED bar
• Warn Zeon 10-S Winch
• LeTech Winch Mounting Kit
• LeTech Front Skid Plate

 

[38snubby]

My G550 is also my daily driver which is why I have the larger rims. Plus, I am more of a "weekend overlander" so I've never needed anything more than a jack, a tire repair kit, and/or a spare. That said, if you're going to take on trails where you're going to be back country for days or weeks at a time and your vehicle is the only thing you're relying on, I'd recommend 16" to 18" beadlocks. A good option in 16" are Hutchinson Rock Monster 1873 or the Rock Monster 2059 if you want 18's.

Unrelated: So I finished doing all the upgrades to my G-Wagen. What's the general rule of thumb in this situation............create a new post or just adding final pictures to this thread?
post?

Thanks for the info. Your rig looks great. I love that front winch bumper.