2000 ML430 Build in Arizona

[sonofabenz]

I was looking for an XJ to build for exploring and camping, but the good ones are picked through, or too expensive. I did some research, and I found that these early model Mercedes-Benz M-Series seem to be the best deal around. I picked up this ML430 (4.3L V8) with less than 95k miles, for $4000. I'll use this thread to show the gradual build progress. In the photos below, you can see that I let my daughter borrow it for her wedding get-away car. It's as minivan/mall crawler as you can get.

This weekend I'm picking up some LT285/70R17 BFG KO2s, and then we'll go from there.

 

[OverLamb24]

I was looking for an XJ to build for exploring and camping, but the good ones are picked through, or too expensive. I did some research, and I found that these early model Mercedes-Benz M-Series seem to be the best deal around. I picked up this ML430 (4.3L V8) with less than 95k miles, for $4000. I'll use this thread to show the gradual build progress. In the photos below, you can see that I let my daughter borrow it for her wedding get-away car. It's as minivan/mall crawler as you can get.

This weekend I'm picking up some LT285/70R17 BFG KO2s, and then we'll go from there.


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Looking forward to the mandatory Jurassic Park paint scheme

 

[sonofabenz]

With some help from the guys at Mile High Off-road I got some Rubicon take-off BFG KO2 285/70R17s on there. We cranked the torsion bars to get a couple inches clearance in the front, and it all fits perfectly with no rubbing.

I have a plan for next steps, but am interested in suggestions and recommendations.

 

[sonofabenz]

The rear bumper comes off while adding the tow hitch and reinforcement brackets. This truck looks so much cooler without the rear bumper. I put it back on for now, but I've got ideas...

 

[sonofabenz]

I added a rear tire carrier and a roof rack. The tire carrier is a tricky problem to solve. The easiest way to do it is to get a hitch mount tire carrier, but these tend kill the departure angle and stick out too far behind the tailgate. I flipped the hitch upside down to save the departure angle, and have a firewood bag attached between the tailgate and tire carrier to minimize it he gap.

 

[sonofabenz]

I installed a pair of 40mm strut spacers for a 4” rear lift. I added 30mm wheel spares all around. The front torsion bars were cranked (not indexed) for about 2” lift. It’s a little raked forward, but I’m fine with that. If it bothers me I’ll index the torsion bars one day. I stopped by Sedona on the way to Overland Expo in Flagstaff last week, then this weekend took it from Cave Creek Rd to Bloody Basin with the AZ Gambler 500 crew. It drove well and was a ton of fun.