Rock Crawler Build - E53 3.0L

[Sarek]

Here is a shot from underneath. Here you can see the piece of tubing that had to be welded in to support the bottom of the e46 radiator.

[brptrailrider]

Originally Posted by Sarek

Here is a shot from underneath. Here you can see the piece of tubing that had to be welded in to support the bottom of the e46 radiator.

Thanks. That's doable for me. Any chance you have the part number or exact year/model the e46 rad is from? Are the all the same? Is the M3 version more robust/higher capacity? Number of rows? My x5 is a 4.4 so it probably needs more cooling. Plus my regular stomping ground is the Mojave desert.

Who's making your bumpers? Local shop? I'm interested in a rear that will hold the spare tire so I can use the interior space to store my emergency kit.

[Sarek]

Originally Posted by brptrailrider

Thanks. That's doable for me. Any chance you have the part number or exact year/model the e46 rad is from? Are the all the same? Is the M3 version more robust/higher capacity? Number of rows? My x5 is a 4.4 so it probably needs more cooling. Plus my regular stomping ground is the Mojave desert.

Who's making your bumpers? Local shop? I'm interested in a rear that will hold the spare tire so I can use the interior space to store my emergency kit.

Its an e46 manual transmission stuff. The radiator is a different in your 8 cylinder than my 6 cylinder. Probably more cooling capacity needed for the 8 cylinder. This mod may not be good for your application. I converted my 6 cylinder to a stick so I no longer needed to use the transmission cooler. The e46 radiator is thicker than the e53, but the e53 has more surface area. Since the manual transmission conversion doesnt add more heat into the antifreeze like the auto did, the e46 radiator works in my application. Also the electric fan from the manual works for me too. The m3 fan is more powerful and would work in my application. It is just 2x as expensive. I will get it only if necessary. I am sure there is a mod you could do for the 8 cylinder. Just need to start doing some research.

A local guy here is building the bumper for me as we speak while I am still waiting on my transfer case adapter stuff.

[X5nHI]

BMW is nearly synonymous with the Dakar.
Enjoy!
BMW X5 Dakar - YouTube

and furthermore
BMW X5 - Rabakoz Kupa'10.m4v - YouTube

[X5nHI]

Obviously not any version you could just walk down to the dealership and buy

Pioneer Desert Team Delta Q: apresentação do BMW X5 para Dakar Argentina Chile - YouTube

[X5nHI]

I just want to tool around the trails a little (once upgrade the tires). Just bought my X5. It's parked up on a berm now, 4x4 or AWD parking only and it seems to like it

BMW X5 Fazekas-Horn (Csató) Best Of 2008 Xsport - YouTube

[Sarek]

Here are some pictures of the front bumper mock up

[brptrailrider]

Originally Posted by Sarek

Here are some pictures of the front bumper mock up

Radiator and front bumper mods are definitely on my todo list now. When it is finished please take some close up shots of the bumper mounting points and tubing angles. Close ups of the lower rad tubing welded up would be helpful too. Thanks.

[bcredliner]

For what you do, what should you be able to hit without damage?

[Sarek]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

For what you do, what should you be able to hit without damage?

"Without damage"..lol.. More like try to "minimize damage". Also dont want to add too much weight. It is still in mock up phase. It is getting some skid plates below the winch area.