New (to me) G and first trail run

[Devin W]

I found a reasonably priced '03 G500 w/61K miles on it. Everything checked out and I secured a 3yr/100K mile warranty for it. Threw on some 275/65R18 siped MT tires and I'm in business!

I took it out for the inaugural trail ride yesterday to get a feel of the capability and was very happy with the results. I think the best part was while waiting for a 15 vehicle line up of modified Jeeps and TLC's coming down the trail, the leader stopped and said that if he were me he wouldn't go much further. I asked why and he answered by asking me if I was familiar with the trail. I said yes and he just mumbled that he wouldn't take his Mercedes up there. I can only guess he's never driven one!

Gratuitous glamour shots:






Thanks to forum for getting me up to speed before making my purchase and giving me an idea of the things that I'll need to address and/or prioritize moving forward.

Devin

[jwmol]

Great pictures! What tires did you put on? Thread pattern looks unfamiliar to me.

JW

[Devin W]

Thanks, JW. The tires are Hankook Dynapro MT. 3 ply sidewall, load range E, 1550kg @ 80psi. They're obviously a bit more stiff ride than stock, but surprisingly not extraordinarily noisy and seem to handle very well on the pavement at any speed. I've used BFG MT's, Maxxis Bighorns, and GY Wrangler MT's and these seemed quieter than all of the above.

Traction is hard to rate only because I've never used diff mounted lockers before (all my LR's were open diff because I didn't want to upgrade all of the axle running gear).

[inkblotz]

Congrats on your new ride. Good to see you exercising it's muscles.

M

[Andyman746]

love that first pic, it reminds me of a man with his fists on his hips and leg on a rock. Ha!

[Zé Bocaina]

Nice trail, nice pics.....and NICE TRUCK !!!!!!

[ewalberg]

maybe next time you can say you bought a G-wagen so you don't have to worry about taking it up the trail. although in earnest i'd probably just let it slide too... there's rarely and value in being cocky. Interesting tire... the look a little tighter spaced lugs than your average MT... almost like a really agressive AT... i kinda like that idea.

[YankeeGWagen]

Nice pics!Dont listen to those Jeeps!

[Devin W]

Thanks to all for the comments and enthusiasm. I've always been a car nut so this is definitely something new that I'm having fun with.

I got some of the same reactions taking my very mildly modified Defender 110 on the same trail from the crowd with the super modified trucks. I like those, too, but find that I'd rather have something that I can use for everything, especially since I'm not really into the extreme rock crawling thing. The bottom line, though, is we're all out there to enjoy the same thing, we've just opted for different solutions.

It got me thinking how my 110 and the G500 achieve some of the same things with different methods.

- My 110 walked up that same trail with no problem just like the G. The difference is that in the G I had to lock the center and rear diff. The 110 had much better axle articulation, so even with open diffs I was able to make it quite easily.
- Both the G500 and 110 allow you to check the oil without ever opening the hood. The G, I have to put the key in once the engine is warm and toggle through the dash menu. With the 110, I could just glance underneath for the fresh spot of oil on the ground...

So, being a new owner and all, I've got a few more questions that I didn't find solutions through searching. I'll post them up in a separate thread.

Devin

[Zé Bocaina]

Devin , you will see lota of difference in big / long mud or thin sand gradients for example . In that case the G500 torque will show the diference.

You remembered me my D90 times ( rear arb lock / variable turbo).