Rock Crawler Build - E53 3.0L

Sarek · #1 02-09-2014, 02:40 PM

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 · #2 02-09-2014, 03:15 PM

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.

nebilex · #3 02-09-2014, 03:45 PM

Quote:

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?

acannell · #4 02-20-2014, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarek

Inboard mounted winch.

sick. how are you doing this. pics pleassseeee

Sarek · #5 02-20-2014, 10:40 PM

Still stock diffs. 4.10 ratios front and rear. The x5 has what they call differential braking (like the range rover L322) where the the brake is applied to the wheel that lifts or slips off the ground to transfer power to the opposite wheel. This system works pretty well. You can have one front and one rear wheel off the ground and still move forward.

acannell · #6 02-20-2014, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarek

Still stock diffs. 4.10 ratios front and rear. The x5 has what they call differential braking (like the range rover L322) where the the brake is applied to the wheel that lifts or slips off the ground to transfer power to the opposite wheel. This system works pretty well. You can have one front and one rear wheel off the ground and still move forward.

interesting...this would give you a nice bonus of open diffs on slush and ice but locked behavior for the one wheelin...this should be pretty bad ass..is that you in your avatar pic in the X5? so is this already a done deal or whats going on?

whats your plans for the suspension?

Sarek · #7 02-20-2014, 11:08 PM

Yes that's me in the pic. Its never done but a work in progress.

Sarek · #8 02-20-2014, 11:12 PM

After the strongbox doubler and dana 300 is installed. I think the diffs might be fine. Axles and CVs on the other hand will probably be another story.

acannell · #9 02-21-2014, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarek

After the strongbox doubler and dana 300 is installed. I think the diffs might be fine. Axles and CVs on the other hand will probably be another story.

whats your inboard winch plan? i always wanted to do that to my jeep but couldnt figure out a realistic way that wasnt basically designing a truck around a winch lol

btw, sort of off topic, but how much more annoying is it to work on the X5 engine versus the jeep straight 6, for instance? im trying to gauge what its going to be like when my parents get an X5 and i attempt doing timing chain/guide service..

and is it just more annoying or is it actually more complex, and how much can you trust the bentley manual?

Sarek · #10 02-21-2014, 01:32 PM

right now it is mounted in the spare tire well. It only pulls to the rear at this point. I'm still trying to figure out how to get the cable to the front. I have some ideas but as you well know it is in an easy path. I will post some pictures if I choose to keep it this way. I may just mount it on the front and be done with it. As far as the x5 versus the Jeep engine I'm assuming you're talking about the BMW inline 6? Or are you talking about the 8 cylinder?