New to me 04 6 speed mild overland build

[04X56speed]

Thanks to everyone before me in the forum including thstone and his original thread here..
https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...and-build.html

I just picked up an 04 6 speed and looking to do a budget overland build as well.
Will post progress here. I do have a trip planned to Moab in June so have 9 weeks to work on it.

This particular X5 is a base model 6 speed, vinyl seats, analog climate control and slick top. Not much luxury so needs to be an overland based on spec.

Progression and ideas

Cragar Soft 8's with LT 265/70R17's (thanks thstone)
Lift kit (undecided on which kit)
Roof Rack - custom extruded aluminum and modular
Hitch mounted tire carrier (Swing out or down haven't decided)

[Henn28]

Excellent. Looking forward to reading about the build.

[04X56speed]

A couple pics. 157K miles and 1 owner

[Happy]

Originally Posted by 04X56speed

A couple pics. 157K miles and 1 owner

Man… I wish I had those climate controls. Nice X..!!

You’ve gotta be in Houston. I know those home elevations like the back of my hand. LoL..


E53 RiPPeR
XOuTPoST jUNkiE
ReVELaTiON 22:21

[04X56speed]

Originally Posted by Happy

Man… I wish I had those climate controls. Nice X..!!

You’ve gotta be in Houston. I know those home elevations like the back of my hand. LoL..


E53 RiPPeR
XOuTPoST jUNkiE
ReVELaTiON 22:21

Thanks Man, instincts are correct

[04X56speed]

Having a heck of time on selecting a lift kit. HMU and ECS are 1.5" which if you are going to spend that much on a spacer lift surprised they didn't go to 2" or more. Some kits only have spacers for the strut and some have a spacer for the front strut and only for the coil in back not the strut in the back or vise versa a lift for the rear strut but nothing to put underneath the coil spring pad.

Does anyone know if you can get a little extra travel out of the standard shock of 1.5" or so?

[04X56speed]

Originally Posted by Henn28

Excellent. Looking forward to reading about the build.

I found your build as well. Impressive and I am sure you had a lot of bloody knuckles so far into that one. How do you like your FMU lift? I am leaning toward ECS kit but I am struggling to pick the winner including all the stuff on ebay. I don't want to go to high as axle issues would possible come into play.

[Henn28]

Originally Posted by 04X56speed

I found your build as well. Impressive and I am sure you had a lot of bloody knuckles so far into that one. How do you like your FMU lift? I am leaning toward ECS kit but I am struggling to pick the winner including all the stuff on ebay. I don't want to go to high as axle issues would possible come into play.

The FMU lift is fine, for a spacer lift. I think 1.5-inch ish is about the max you can go and still be able to keep front camber in spec, or close to spec. This is because the only “adjustment “ is the elongated mounting holes in the strut towers for the strut fasteners. I suppose you could get out the grinder and elongate them further though.

I think there is reason to believe that the Range Rover L322 spring conversion struts will fit (strut masters), and may be a bit taller. I was going to go this route, but think now that I am going to do a full front refresh, with Bilsteins and new OE springs, bushings, etc. and stay with the spacers. After a year I’ve learned that my X5 build spends endless hours on the highway, driving to go hunting and then on farm and rural dirt and gravel roads, and around town. Therefore I don't really need the added suspension stroke and the OE ride is a very good one, so the Bilstein B4s should be a nice upgrade. My right front spring is shot, which stinks because it looks like OE is the only (good) option and they aren't cheap.

I chose to keep the airbags in the back because I like the ride they give and they are adjustable via INPA...when it is working on my laptop. Windows 10 must have updated and now my BMW tools can't communicate with the car. I did have to fab some simple brackets for the ride height sensors in the back through and the combination of these and INPA got things where I wanted.

It’s all on hold though until I figure out my trifecta. I’m pretty sure it’s a bad module, which means either used or remanufactured. New is crazy money.

I will add that the Method wheels aren't cheap, but they are fantastically strong, are zero offset for some nice poke without spacers and come in 5x120 lug pattern. They aren't making bronze any longer in our lug pattern, but mat black would look fantastic too. They only make the model 701 in mat black now (I think) for 5x120. The zero offset is perfect up front, but a little spacer might be nice on the rears for a bit more poke if you want that. They are 16" only, which looks great for the overland build, but the backs of the front calipers need to be ground off a bit to keep them from rubbing the insides of the wheels. Not a big deal, just a lot of trial and error with the angle grinder so you don't take too much. The rears are plug and play.

[04X56speed]

Originally Posted by Henn28

The FMU lift is fine, for a spacer lift. I think 1.5-inch ish is about the max you can go and still be able to keep front camber in spec, or close to spec. This is because the only “adjustment “ is the elongated mounting holes in the strut towers for the strut fasteners. I suppose you could get out the grinder and elongate them further though.

I think there is reason to believe that the Range Rover L322 spring conversion struts will fit (strut masters), and may be a bit taller. I was going to go this route, but think now that I am going to do a full front refresh, with Bilsteins and new OE springs, bushings, etc. and stay with the spacers. After a year I’ve learned that my X5 build spends endless hours on the highway, driving to go hunting and then on farm and rural dirt and gravel roads, and around town. Therefore I don't really need the added suspension stroke and the OE ride is a very good one, so the Bilstein B4s should be a nice upgrade. My right front spring is shot, which stinks because it looks like OE is the only (good) option and they aren't cheap.

I chose to keep the airbags in the back because I like the ride they give and they are adjustable via INPA...when it is working on my laptop. Windows 10 must have updated and now my BMW tools can't communicate with the car. I did have to fab some simple brackets for the ride height sensors in the back through and the combination of these and INPA got things where I wanted.

It’s all on hold though until I figure out my trifecta. I’m pretty sure it’s a bad module, which means either used or remanufactured. New is crazy money.

I will add that the Method wheels aren't cheap, but they are fantastically strong, are zero offset for some nice poke without spacers and come in 5x120 lug pattern. They aren't making bronze any longer in our lug pattern, but mat black would look fantastic too. They only make the model 701 in mat black now (I think) for 5x120. The zero offset is perfect up front, but a little spacer might be nice on the rears for a bit more poke if you want that. They are 16" only, which looks great for the overland build, but the backs of the front calipers need to be ground off a bit to keep them from rubbing the insides of the wheels. Not a big deal, just a lot of trial and error with the angle grinder so you don't take too much. The rears are plug and play.

Wasn't aware that the L322 suspension might work, I forgot the Gen 1 X5 was designed during Land Rover years. Dang I love the tailgate on this thing, like a Rover makes sense now. Don't need a ladder to tie down things from the back as I can just step on tailgate.

I am going to be taking some trail trips in this thing. Big Bend and Utah Colorado but like you see more highway miles. You have convinced me to stay around 1.5"

I ordered Sachs struts/shocks kit for all 4 corners and new bump stops and dust covers. I figure while I have the spring compressed to add the lift kit might as well refresh all 4 corners. No offense but glad I don't have to worry about air suspension and the height sensors. I enjoyed air suspension on my old GX470 though.

Your gold wheels go well with that blue. Looks sharp man. I ended up finding a set of 4 Cragar Soft 8's in black and will be mounting them up with 265 70 17's. Same set up as thstone so should be perfect amount of poke. I will post that pic when done. I would also like to add BMW roundel's to them somehow I will find a way. Maybe the all black roundel would look good

[Henn28]

Originally Posted by 04X56speed

Wasn't aware that the L322 suspension might work, I forgot the Gen 1 X5 was designed during Land Rover years. Dang I love the tailgate on this thing, like a Rover makes sense now. Don't need a ladder to tie down things from the back as I can just step on tailgate.

I am going to be taking some trail trips in this thing. Big Bend and Utah Colorado but like you see more highway miles. You have convinced me to stay around 1.5"

I ordered Sachs struts/shocks kit for all 4 corners and new bump stops and dust covers. I figure while I have the spring compressed to add the lift kit might as well refresh all 4 corners. No offense but glad I don't have to worry about air suspension and the height sensors. I enjoyed air suspension on my old GX470 though.

Your gold wheels go well with that blue. Looks sharp man. I ended up finding a set of 4 Cragar Soft 8's in black and will be mounting them up with 265 70 17's. Same set up as thstone so should be perfect amount of poke. I will post that pic when done. I would also like to add BMW roundel's to them somehow I will find a way. Maybe the all black roundel would look good

All sounds fantastic and I’m looking forward to the updates. I looked for roundels too but couldn’t find any to fit the 72.6 mm (if I recall correctly) bore. Let me know if you find any as I think they would be a nice look.