Rock Crawler Build - E53 3.0L

[downeaster1]

Sarek,
That's more or less what my truck looked like visually.
A lot of people I've noticed will highly advise against your project, but I can honestly say that I've never had an issue. Sure, its unpractical, but given the right tire setup, its actually pretty decent in an off-road environment. I wouldn't keep it vertical for too long unless you modify the oil system, but it looks great so far. Keep on truckin'.

[Sarek]

I guess its monumental. No frame swapping will be involved. Some Range Rover though. I have a lot of skeptics until it is seen in action. Tires are bfg km2 255 80 17

[Sarek]

4" suspension lift using RR style struts and springs in the front. Custom springs in the rear with rover shocks. 2" front and rear subframe drop lift. Converted to 6 speed manual transmission. Inboard mounted winch. Radiator upgrade with electric fan retrofit. Xdrive lockup conversion. Just to name a few

[JCL]

Intake air mods (snorkel, etc)?

Any relocation or waterproofing of the various low-hanging electronics?

Skid plates?

If those are the standard tow eyes, did you have to beef up the mounting? I recall they weren't too strong unless the winch pull was straight on, and winching with a snatch block often results in a pull at an angle.

[Sarek]

I am having a front bumper built as we speak so the entire front is changing. However, I didnt have any issues with the factory loops and have yanked on them heavily. I have removed the carpet after submerging the vehicle. I wrapped the entire body harness to clean it up. Only module I relocated is the lamp module. I moved it higher up in the dash. Happy to find that the vehicle was designed with water in mind. No other electrical stuff that is too low. Pedal sensor and other stuff mounted low has good weather packing so that as long as the water drains out doesnt pose a problem. Moved the battery out of the plastic box and moved the electrical wiring for trailer harness out too. Eliminated battery box. Moved the amplifier up too. Having rear bumper built too. The most exciting thing I am doing is replacing the transfer case! Will end up with 150 to 1 1sr gear! Cant wait to break sone axles...lol

[nebilex]

Originally Posted by Sarek

4" suspension lift using RR style struts and springs in the front. Custom springs in the rear with rover shocks. 2" front and rear subframe drop lift. Converted to 6 speed manual transmission. Inboard mounted winch. Radiator upgrade with electric fan retrofit. Xdrive lockup conversion. Just to name a few

Would like to see that conversion work, which transmission are you using?

[Sarek]

Mine is a 2001 3.0. The manual trans is the 6 speed ZF from a 2004 x5 3.0. The conversion was easier than I thought. All parts basically bolt right in. I prefer a stick shift for wheelin. Some prefer the auto. I destroyed my gm5 trans. They are not known for their durability. I guess I proved that. Lol .. Finding a donor junk yard x5 manual was a bit tricky. Obvious drawback with manual is lack of low gearing. Hence the transfer case and doubler retrofit. Btw. If you want the 6 speed in a 01 to 03 e53, you have to use the xdrive atc500 transfer case, front and rear driveshaft. You can use the 01 to 03 5 speed manual, you just lose the overdrive which for what I am doing doesnt really matter. It helps for a road car.

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by Sarek

I guess its monumental. No frame swapping will be involved. Some Range Rover though. I have a lot of skeptics until it is seen in action. Tires are bfg km2 255 80 17

Please post a vid of TRUE rock crawling.

FYI, this is rock crawling.

Rock Crawlers Video - Modern Marvels - HISTORY.com

[bcredliner]

I applaud your individualism.

It's especially rewarding when you achieve success after a lot of--you're nuts, I will believe when I see it or you're wasting your time and money.

[Sarek]

Some pictures of the carpet out and the reason why the carpet came out. A close look at the floorboard shows that there isnt much except harness there.