As I consider some of the things I would be wanting to put onto a G, a biggie is the winch. As such, given the mass of the G at almost 6,000 pounds it seems to me that you literally need about the largest winch you can get, something like this 15,000 pound capacity one
I have read that to be safe within tolerances you should have 3x your load in capacity - because you are likely pulling up a hill bogged in mud etc etc.
What are peoples thoughts on sizing? More relevantly, how difficult is it to get one attached to the G and installed by someone competent in North America? Can one thats attached to the front be detachable to use via the rear (assuming a hitch connection is there on the model in question)?
You can use the 9k with no issues as long as you use a snatch block when there is additional resitance posed by steep terrain or deep mud. I run a 10k superwinch, but never dead pull with it. I always use a snatch block pulley. There are a couple of places making removeable winch mounts for which you will need the tow pin bumper. Mercedes-Benz G-wagen Accessories & Parts Home Page is one. ORC OFF ROAD EXCLUSIV. Der 4x4-Spezialist für Geländewagenzubehör in Stuttgart Ostfildern. has this and a couple of winch bumpers as well. It's going to be expensive. If you tell us what city you're in, someone might be able to recommend an installer.
__________________ "Truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed, and third, it is accepted as self evident"-Arthur Schopenhauer
As I am a bit of a vagabond, I would drive to a good location. I have seen both those sites but that gets me the part(s) as best I can tell. I would incorporate a high quality installer into a road trip route. 2300 for parts, 2000 for winch, how much do you think install would normally be? I do like the idea of one that I can move to the back hitch location from the front should the need arise.
Well, FWIW I'm in the DC area and install everything myself because there are no good installers here. The G is an anomaly that no offroad shop really cares to research. Odds are, yours will be the only one they ever work on, so they don't do a whole lot of research. It's slam and jam just like they would on a Chevy pickup. If the assembly requires any fab work or critical thinking it'll be butchery. That's been my experience with the off road shops in this geographic area. These shops are staffed with young kids with no particular qualifications. They're lacking any skill set other than the commensurate amount of shit talking regarding the badassedness of their own frankenstein conglomeration of scavenged domestic garbage, assembled in a manner which roughly constitutes a go cart on floatation tires. Turning your supremely engineered $100k vehicle over to this bunch is akin to hiring a pimp for marriage counseling. Just my opinion. If you absolutely cannot do this yourself, I'd recommend using a machine shop or a place that works on heavy trucks (like tractor trailers). They typically have a much higher standard of performance than your local offroad shop.
Last edited by ogrenutz : 11-20-2009 at 08:45 PM.
Reason: piss off
I just bought a G550 and it has already gone off-road several times (with the 22" rims they put on it at the dealer, I would have preferred the stockers!). I've still been impressed what it can do with those rims and tires on it in snow, mud, sand, and in general on the back roads of Colorado. I'm going to pick up a set of stock rims and find some good big lugged tires to throw on it too!
I definitely need to get a winch for it and I have been struggling to find somebody that makes a mount you can just put on the stock bumper. I'm probably just going to have somebody weld a mounting plate to the stock bumper. How big a winch you need really depends on exactly what you're going to be doing. Do you expect to have to winch it up steep slopes, or just on flat ground? Do you see it getting mired in mud? Either of these things will add a lot to the load on the winch versus just having to winch it over a big obstacle or out of a dry spot where it's just stuck in some rocks. Personally, I'm going to get the biggest winch I can because when your winch isn't strong enough, you're really in trouble, and I usually go off-roading by myself in pretty remote locations where I can only depend on me myself and I. For the record I've never been stranded but I've been off-roading for 20 years since I was 12 years old on my family's farm so I have never felt uncomfortable in any terrain.
We are offering a removable winch carrier which can be used with the original tow pin bumper in the front and with our 2" hitch adapter you can mount the winch carrier at the rear 2" receiver.
For the later G-wagen/MBUSA we offer an original Mercedes tow pin bumper included in one of our bolt-on packages.
Well I don't have one 'yet' but I have the approval from the wife! Does that one then not need any mod to the front of the vehicle? How big of a warn type winch can you get on it (I assume you need a plate). Where can it be installed or does it even need installing?
edit - and can you leave it in/on when driving around normally; does the pin lock in place so someone doesn't walk away with your winch?
Last edited by Scott Blake : 11-22-2009 at 10:05 PM.
Well I don't have one 'yet' but I have the approval from the wife! Does that one then not need any mod to the front of the vehicle? How big of a warn type winch can you get on it (I assume you need a plate). Where can it be installed or does it even need installing?
edit - and can you leave it in/on when driving around normally; does the pin lock in place so someone doesn't walk away with your winch?
The mods to the front are:
1.) relocating the existing transmission oil cooler to the location used by the G55's
2.) installing our modified and ready to be installed original Mercedes-Benz AMG 36 G tow Pin Bumper - paint it before to match your fine Mercedes-Benz G-wagen
Our removable Winch Carrier, which has the standard winch bolt on pattern of 4.5in x 10in
will be inserted into the "Zugmaul" of the bumper and locked in with the manly Mercedes-Benz Tow Pin. We do provide a "secret" lock in place so nobody just walks away with your winch.
I do drive around a bit with the winch installed, but you easily can stow it behind the rear seat and tie it to the nice tiedowns - important.
As I consider some of the things I would be wanting to put onto a G, a biggie is the winch. As such, given the mass of the G at almost 6,000 pounds it seems to me that you literally need about the largest winch you can get, something like this 15,000 pound capacity one
I have read that to be safe within tolerances you should have 3x your load in capacity - because you are likely pulling up a hill bogged in mud etc etc.
What are peoples thoughts on sizing? More relevantly, how difficult is it to get one attached to the G and installed by someone competent in North America? Can one thats attached to the front be detachable to use via the rear (assuming a hitch connection is there on the model in question)?
Any thoughts most welcome,
Regards
Hi Scott,
When I bought my G320 from Russ at Europa I had him attach a winch bumper/brush guard. It has a Warn 9.5ti and synthetic instead of metal cable.
__________________ Hell is empty. All the devils are here.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
"Truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed, and third, it is accepted as self evident"-Arthur Schopenhauer
Linear Mode
