If you had one day to strip a donor 2002 X5

[bradb]

Props to you my friend. It would take me hours just to remove the door actuators. Even if I had done it before it would take less hours but still hours.

Brad

[KDX5]

Hi Brad,
I have not removed actuators yet, but the other parts I have removed you get pretty quick at. When I work on my own car I am careful to not destroy any parts. When I know that the car I am pulling parts from is going to the smelter soon, I still try to be careful, but you tend to get pretty good at cutting/sawing/yanking past parts that are in the way. If I needed a bunch of door parts (switches, actuators, regulators, glass, card, handle, etc.) I would not take each piece off. I would just take the whole door. It takes about 10 minutes to get a whole X5 door off and I can pull the parts carefully out/off later when at home.

[KDX5]

A few pics of the OEM hitch I found. It was in great shape, but I wire brushed, rust treated and painted it before install. All the electrical works and it pulls like it isn't there.

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by KDX5

A few pics of the OEM hitch I found. It was in great shape, but I wire brushed, rust treated and painted it before install. All the electrical works and it pulls like it isn't there.

Nice! I still have to find one someday.

[srmmmm]

Originally Posted by Effduration

seats if they are better than yours,

I might take whole doors if any of yours are rusty
spare wheel if any good

Good point - if you've got a trailer or van (rent a U-Haul), it would be quicker to take major sub-assemblies (such as doors) in one piece to save time on the pull. Then you can break them down into necessary components later.


2002 X5 3.0 368,400 miles
2014 428i 65,500 miles


2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles


1970 Firebird under restoration

[oldskewel]

Perhaps obvious stuff - tool kit, jack, etc. in the trunk

Instead of extending your list, I would put some thought into prioritizing it and speeding up steps (e.g., the excellent suggestion above to take full doors rather than opening them up). And when doing that, I'd carefully consider the risk of getting stuck on some things that would eat up a lot of time. So basically, you'd try to get 25% of the list (the easiest things) in the first half hour. It would actually take an hour. And then have plans from there.

BTW on the limitation of battery powered tools - that should still allow a cordless angle grinder with a cutoff wheel, which might help you stay on schedule. Multiple spare batteries and chargers to keep things going.

And also, this sounds like a really fun "project." Maybe the beginnings of a reality TV series.

[KDX5]

oldskewel
I could become a reality TV star. First episode could be “BMW X5 Locusts”.

[KDX5]

Overboost
Are you hoping to find an OEM hitch locally or would you be willing to pay for one if cost and shipping were reasonable (if I notice another one)?

[KDX5]

Anything to add to the list? I will prioritize based on; (1) what I can get out fast, (2) what I think I will definitely need, (3) what will be the hardest to find in the future, (4) what will cost the most to replace.

Any thoughts on pulling the cylinder head? While I want the practice of getting down this far in the engine, it will take a while. I plan to take the valve covers so I will be a good ways in. Has anyone had to exchange/rebuild their cylinder head and at what mileage?

PARTS LIST SO FAR

Starter
Alternator
Valve Covers
Cylinder Head
ECM / ECU, DME, EWS, Ignition, Key, Door Lock Set (Ignition incl. antenna ring)
Door Actuators
Seat Bottoms (plus motors and butt detecters)
SAP (Secondary emission control air pump SAP 1172 1437910)
MAF
Coil Packs (I would take all of these with the cylinder head)
Coil pack connection housings
Trans Selection Switch (TRANSMISSION NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH M2614)
BST (replaced the original already, but why not another)
MID (my pixels are starting to die)
Front knuckles (and CV) - I have replaced a CV Boot and thought I would snag the full axles if in good shape).
No wheels (not an option)
All Relays
Interior trim pieces (if they match)
Steering wheel (was not thinking about this, but great suggestion)
Under-ride bars (had not thought about these but I will look)
ABS Module Complete (only took the DSC module last time)
Air Suspension Solenoid Valve Block
No battery option
Doors (was planning on two if good. No rust on mine but a bit of a crinkle at the driver side pillar)
Headlights (I took bulbs and sockets previously)
Climate control module (redundant, but what the hey)
Light/rain sensor module (behind mirror)
Passenger side mirror

Instrument cluster (I am planning to get another instrument cluster but I will post this in another topic because I need a bit of help with drill or pull to get at the pixel card.

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by KDX5

Overboost
Are you hoping to find an OEM hitch locally or would you be willing to pay for one if cost and shipping were reasonable (if I notice another one)?

Thank you for the offer KDX5 but I would think customs and shipping from Canada would be cost prohibitive. I'll find one around here some day...