Semi off road e53 x5, 15cm lift(+/-6inch)

[Lucas.ua]

Originally Posted by hansnielsen

Awesome work so far! I'm very curious to see the suspension setup.
I've contemplated adapting L322 suspension to my E53... it would be a lot of work and basically everything would need to be swapped (oil pan, diff, axles, control arms, knuckles, outer tie rods, etc.) and would need to make an adapter plate for the top of the strut.
I wonder if it would be possible to weld new brackets on the E53 subframe to accept the L322 control arms?

Thanks for the compliment! Much appreciated
So an issue with adapting those l322 parts is. The suspension will not match up at all. If you compare them from underneath everything is basically backwards.
So it won’t reach simply said. Best way I found out is to lower the subframe. Make a custom steering shaft(can show how and what later).
The oil pan of a non x was also on my list but might do that after with a full rally raid setup. Won’t use the bmw diff then. Mount it in the center and go all out suspension wise. But that will cost serious pennies.
Top strut is easy, you can just file out the holes a little bit and they fit! It’s really close.
I am however experimenting with l322 arms with e53 ball joints and poly bushes to get an aditional bit of camber into the positive range. I’m currently at zero but it’s not up to my wishes.

Just shoot me a dm if you’re gonna start building !

[hansnielsen]

I'm also running an E46 radiator on my M54 powered E53 with the electric fan conversion. Works great and keeps the bottom of the rad up high and away from danger!

[Lucas.ua]

Originally Posted by hansnielsen

I'm also running an E46 radiator on my M54 powered E53 with the electric fan conversion. Works great and keeps the bottom of the rad up high and away from danger!

That looks neat! Nice guard up front too. Selfmade?

[Henn28]

Nice radiator set-up. I've blown a couple OE BMW radiators over the years where the cheesy plastic sides are glued to the alumium. CSF makes nice stuff. I've been thinking of their E39 M5 radiator paired with a bit cooler t-stat and a CSF air to oil tranny cooler, since the e53 X5 seems to be the only E car with the radiator "cooling" the tranny oil.

I had planned to be deep into my 4.4 rebuild (with M60B40 heads) right now, but have gone down a LSD rabbit hole for my rear diff. I'll post some pics as I go on the overland thread.

[Lucas.ua]

I have everything on its own rad. Engine and trans have their own thermostat too.
No more plastic ! Which also raises the cooling pack a lot