Rock Crawler Build - E53 3.0L

[SlickGT1]

I am soo loving this it is not even funny. Keep up the good work.

[beamertruck]

Hey sarek you need any amsoil for your rig lol?

[acannell]

does it have the stock differentials in the front and rear? what are those anyways on an X5 haha

how will you lock the diffs so that you get traction with wheels in the air?

[Skyline]

If you want an offroader that performs as well as the X5 on road, get a Cayenne. It has a number of key features that are sorely lacking in the X5:

--Available air suspension can lift the car MUCH more than the system in the X5
--Comes with a low range and lockup feature in the transfer case
--Available with an electric locking rear diff, (quite rare though)
--Double sealed doors make it waterproof up to about the door handles

On road, a V8 "S" model is faster than a 4.6 or 4.8 X5, and considerably better riding. If that's not quick enough, you can get a Turbo. A Range Rover would be another superior option, and if you're looking for a used one, you can get one with many shared components as an E53 X5, including the same engine.

Face it, if you want to go off road, the X5 is the wrong choice. If all you want is to handle a gravel road, a set of all-terrain tires on the X5 should do it. I recommend the BFG Rugged Terrains. Comfortable on pavement, good in gravel and dirt, and decent in snow.

[Sarek]

I have just realized all the mistakes I have been making! I should have started with a good off road platform like a "porsche". I will go buy a porsche for 3k and start over.........

[Skyline]

Originally Posted by Sarek

I have just realized all the mistakes I have been making! I should have started with a good off road platform like a "porsche". I will go buy a porsche for 3k and start over.........

Well in that price range, a Jeep Grand Cherokee would be a better starting point.

[Sarek]

Originally Posted by Skyline

Well in that price range, a Jeep Grand Cherokee would be a better starting point.

I guess u didn't pick up on my sarcasm

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by Skyline

Well in that price range, a Jeep Grand Cherokee would be a better starting point.

I really think you missed the point here. The guy has a cool ass build and we are all enjoying it. If you cannot contribute, don't.

[Skyline]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

I really think you missed the point here. The guy has a cool ass build and we are all enjoying it. If you cannot contribute, don't.

Sorry, but I think this is a silly build that is trying to "make a silk purse out of a sow's ear" as the expression goes. Consider my "contribution" as steering others away from such a silly path. There's no question that you can turn a Camaro into a mud truck if you want...anything is possible if you're crazy or redneck enough. But some SUVs have the right "bones" to become good off-roaders..others do not.

I have plenty of experience building and breaking off-road vehicles. Even beginner trails at most of the off-road facilities I've been to would be impossible with an X5 without huge expenses in modifications, while a stock 10 year old Jeep Grand Cherokee or Toyota 4 Runner with the right factory options could handle these same trails with ease. It's not just what kind of trail you can get through, it's what you can get through without breaking your car, or smashing the body to bits. Or taking your life in your hands. Most off-road parks won't even let you in to the beginner trails without a low range TC.

The X5:
The bad:
---A unibody vehicle with no frame
---4 wheel independent suspension
---No low range in the TC
---No lockers
---No lockup in the TC
---A PLASTIC gear that controls the TC
---TC itself is prone to failure with normal street use
---Rubber guibos in the drive shafts; drive shaft mounted in rubber
---No reputation for transmission robustness, (at least with the automatics)
---CV joints in the axles shafts
---No skid plate protection underneath for Gas tank, TC
---No attempt to make the car waterproof from the factory. (This is not just a lack of double door seals or positioning of electrical components. You must also keep the venting of transmission, TC, and axles in mind, as water in these vents will ruin them almost immediately.)
---Speaking of electricals...have you noticed that the ABS/DSC module is only 18" off the ground? How the hell are you going to move that to a "high and dry" location? I've been on plenty of beginner trails with water crossings or water holes more than 2' deep. While this very expensive bit of electronics is designed to be slightly water resistant, it is absolutely not waterproof.
---Lack of ANY pre-made lift kit. Even if you could work out some lengthened coil-over, exactly how you're going to get the rest of the suspension geometry working properly is a mystery to me. For example...how would you lengthen the front control arms?
---Lack of available pre-made winch mounts/ off-road bumpers.
---Lack of availability of ANY sort of axle lockers (ARB, Eaton, Detroit, etc...but I guess you could weld them.)

On the plus side...
---The engine has a thick aluminum plate underneath
---Descent control
---Good brakes

The best use of an X5 for off-roading is to tow a modest sized off-road rig to the trail.

Here's my soccer mom car: (for sale BTW)

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

I really think you missed the point here. The guy has a cool ass build and we are all enjoying it. If you cannot contribute, don't.

There is nothing silly about the build or going against the grain. That's the source of innovation. Out of the box thinking should be admired and praised not belittled. What makes no sense is a list of why something cannot or should not be done when it already is. A redneck saying--when you got notin' to say you say it.