No doors and going into the water?! What about the interior?
You mentioned a RWD conversion, I am curious as to why you are doing this and more importantly HOW you are doing this. Are you using the trans from an E320 or something else and deleting all the components that power the front wheels? I am very interested.

 

Maybe thats to let the water out really quickly Mars.
I also was wondering for an offroad conversion wouldn't it be better to leave it as a 4wd

 

Cool. I'm curious about the mods you did as well as your future upgrade plans for it.

 

I thought they did all these wild mods in Iceland. This will be interesting. (in a good way)

 

Yea, I was planning on turning it into a RWD prerunner and using a Mustang modular 4.6 with a T56 and custom driveshaft but over the last couple weeks I kinda changed the goal. I recently found a 2001 Ford Explorer V8 4x4 (111" wheelbase...same as W163) and I plan on taking the ML body and putting it onto the Explorer frame.

The interior is 95% stripped...just dash and front seats at the moment. I was having a cage built for it but we stopped when I threw out the Explorer frame idea since they were going to have to make different frame/floor mounts for the cage.

 

Can we see pictures of the interior? Wow that is quite the project. So what engine + trans are you going to use on your ML+ exploder (lol) chassis?

 

It sounds like it is getting the 4.6 Ford V-8 which if it is the all aluminum one is a very strong engine. 450 naturally aspirated is a breeze and they are very durable.

 

37x13.5 Toyos on Cepek 20x9s. Tundra 5x150 bolt pattern but using 5x112 to 5x150 adapters. That's a lightbulb connected to a base at the bottom for size comparison.

The Yakima rack now has over 2000 lumens out back along with new shovel and axe held by Quick Fists clamps. Still need to pick out a jerry can mount. lol

2" body lift installed on the left side today. Finishing up tomorrow on the right side.

 

Was the body lift a necessity to fit the larger tires?

 

I haven't test fitted them yet but I have 33x12 tires on right now with stock 16" wheels and it rubs under extreme conditions. I figure with the 37s + low offset wheels + 2" adapters/spacers they will barely fit. I actually want 40" tires or bigger but I'm sure I'll have to trim the fenders and tub the wells by then but one step at a time. I have 7 vehicles so I have a hard time focusing on just one! lol

 

I really like the Dick Cepek Wheels. They are some of the best in the off road market.

 

This is one of my favorites so far.

 

In the tight quad trails. Got a LOT of new pinstriping from the trees! lol

 

more please!!!!! how much was yakima rack?

 

awesome. i would love to have a bullbar like that! do you have a photo showing it better? im assuming its custom made? how much does that cost?

 

The Yakima rack is a Load Warrior which is about $250 without the extension. The prerunner bumper I had made at a local fab shop for $180. I'm gonna redo it later if I decide to go through with the chassis swap.

 

Beautiful Ml project

I've been slowly turning my Ml into an Overland/expedition rig. What modifications do you think should be done first that help offroad capability the most and where did you get the lift kit?

 

Hi nice project, i have a ML to extreme Off road

 

That looks really good. What kind of tires and is that lifted? I'm just now investigating going with bigger tires and possibly a lift.

Steve

 

Nice. Watching this thread for ideas. Having a bumper made for the new one and I like the bar style - not sure if I like it for the ML though. Also have a bunch of Rigid lighting already.

 

Nifty! I'm also looking into turning a ML320 into an overland/expedition rig. Keep it up!