For Mercedes G Wagon enthusiasts looking to elevate their off-road capabilities, the JWO 4 Inch (100mm) Lift Kit is engineered to transform your vehicle. Developed by Jack Wagon Overlanding (JWO), a dedicated expert within the G Wagon community, this comprehensive lift kit is the result of years of hands-on experience and direct engagement with G Wagon owners worldwide. Designed for both the serious off-roader and the overlanding adventurer, this kit provides a significant 4-inch lift, enhancing ground clearance and allowing for the fitment of larger tires, all while ensuring correct suspension geometry and maintaining on-road drivability. More than just an aesthetic upgrade, this lift kit is a fully functional enhancement, built to withstand the rigors of off-road exploration.
Introducing the JWO 4-Inch Lift Kit for Mercedes G Wagon
This meticulously designed Lift Kit For Mercedes G Wagon includes all the necessary components to not only lift your vehicle but also optimize its suspension and handling. Understanding the specific needs of the G Wagon community, JWO has created a kit that addresses common challenges and delivers unparalleled performance both on and off the beaten path.
Key Components of the JWO 4-Inch Lift Kit
The JWO 4 Inch Lift Kit is a complete package, offering a range of high-quality components designed to work in perfect harmony. Here’s a detailed look at what’s included:
-
JWO 4 Inch (100mm) Lift Springs: These are the core of the lift kit, providing the full 4 inches of lift. Engineered for optimal performance, these coil lift springs are designed to offer a balance of on-road comfort and off-road articulation.
-
JWO Caster Correction Offset Bushings: Crucial for maintaining correct suspension geometry after lifting the vehicle, these offset bushings correct caster angles. By realigning the front axle, they ensure proper handling and steering response, which is essential for both on-road stability and off-road control.
-
Eurowise Front and Rear Adjustable Panhard (Track) Bars: Lifting a G Wagon can shift the axles off-center, leading to uneven tire protrusion and potential handling issues. The included Eurowise adjustable panhard bars allow for precise axle alignment, centering the wheels under the vehicle and preventing rear steer. This ensures balanced handling and optimal vehicle dynamics.
-
Extended Brake and Locker Lines: To accommodate the increased suspension travel from the 4-inch lift, extended brake and locker lines are essential. These lines prevent over-stretching and potential damage to the factory lines when the suspension is fully extended, particularly during off-road articulation.
-
Fox Steering Stabilizer w/ Extension Bracket: Larger tires and increased ride height can impact steering feel. The Fox steering stabilizer, complete with an extension bracket, enhances steering control and reduces steering effort, especially when navigating challenging terrains.
-
Optional H&R Wheel Spacers: Available as an option, H&R wheel spacers allow for a wider stance, improving stability and preventing larger tires from rubbing against suspension components or the wheel well. These spacers are high-quality adapters that ensure safe and reliable wheel mounting.
Solving Common G-Wagon Lift Kit Challenges
JWO designed this lift kit for Mercedes G Wagon to directly address the most frequent concerns voiced by G Wagon owners when considering a lift:
Tire Clearance for Larger Tires (35-inch)
One of the primary motivations for lifting a G Wagon is to accommodate larger, more aggressive tires for enhanced off-road traction. The JWO 4-inch lift provides the necessary clearance to run 35-inch tires without rubbing issues, both on and off-road, when combined with the appropriate suspension modifications included in the kit. Previously, a 2-inch lift typically limited tire size to 33 inches without rubbing. This significant increase in tire clearance unlocks a new level of off-road capability for your G Wagon.
On the “Jack Wagon,” a 2014 G550 equipped with this lift kit, measurements from the center of the center cap to the bottom of the fender flare are 24 inches at the front and 24.5 inches at the rear. This measurement, unaffected by tire wear or specific tire dimensions, provides a reliable gauge of lift height. Stock height models typically range from 19-21 inches. With 35-inch tires, this lift kit provides approximately 6.5 inches of wheel well clearance, calculated by subtracting half the tire diameter (radius) from the fender flare measurement.
Simplified Installation and Suspension Geometry Correction
The JWO 4-inch lift kit is engineered to provide a substantial lift without necessitating extreme or overly complex suspension modifications. Unlike some lift kits that require extensive changes, this kit primarily requires the included Caster Correction Offset Bushings to correct caster in most applications. Higher lifts often demand costly upgrades like longer control arms or drop-down brackets, sometimes requiring welding. The JWO kit streamlines the process, making it more “plug and play” and cost-effective while still achieving optimal suspension geometry. While upgraded control arms can be considered for further enhancement, the JWO kit focuses on providing essential corrections for a 4-inch lift without unnecessary complexity.
Optimized Rear Springs for Overlanding and Load Capacity
For G Wagon owners who use their vehicles for overlanding and expeditions, carrying extra weight is a common requirement. Many lift kit springs either sag under load or are too stiff for comfortable off-road use. JWO has addressed this with dual-rated rear springs in this lift kit for Mercedes G Wagon. These springs feature a stiffer primary rate for stable on-road handling and a softer secondary rate that engages during off-road excursions, providing enhanced articulation and ride comfort. Furthermore, these springs are designed with the longest free length available, ensuring they remain seated even during maximum suspension extension, a common issue with shorter springs in lifted applications. This design optimizes load-carrying capacity for overlanding gear while maintaining excellent off-road performance.
Choosing the Right Shocks for Your Lifted G Wagon
The JWO 4-inch lift kit offers a range of shock absorber options to suit different driving styles and performance needs. These upgraded shocks provide longer extension lengths compared to factory options, maximizing wheel travel and droop for superior off-road performance. Current shock options include:
-
Koni Raid Shocks: Known for their robust 2.75-inch diameter and responsive damping, Koni Raid shocks offer excellent on and off-road performance. They are semi-adjustable and are a direct bolt-on fit for all G Wagon models, requiring no modifications. JWO also offers optional extension pieces for the Koni Raids, increasing front axle travel by 1.25 inches and rear axle travel by 3 inches compared to standard Koni offerings.
-
Fox 2.0 Adjustable Shocks: These shocks feature a 2.0-inch diameter body with a remote reservoir and adjustable damping. The remote reservoir enhances cooling and consistent performance, while the adjustable knob allows for fine-tuning the ride quality. Installation is straightforward, typically requiring minor trimming of the wheel well liner and drilling two holes to mount the remote reservoirs.
-
King 2.5 Adjustable Shocks: With a larger 2.5-inch diameter body and remote reservoirs, King 2.5 shocks offer maximum fluid capacity for superior damping and heat dissipation, ideal for demanding off-road conditions. Installation requires wheel well trimming for the remote reservoir hose and, on 2013 and newer G63 AMG models, removal of a mounting bracket. G55, G500, and G550 models do not require this bracket modification.
-
King/JWO Custom 2.5 Adjustable Shocks: These custom shocks build upon the King 2.5 design with a JWO-specific extended length, optimized for this 4-inch lift kit. They offer the greatest down travel and droop of any off-the-shelf shock for the G Wagon, maximizing off-road performance in extreme situations.
When selecting shocks, consider that lifting the G Wagon raises its center of gravity. Choosing slightly stiffer shock settings can help mitigate increased body roll, especially during on-road driving.
Important Considerations and Disclaimer
While the JWO 4-inch lift kit for Mercedes G Wagon is designed for comprehensive on and off-road functionality, it’s crucial to exercise caution during installation and operation. Familiarize yourself thoroughly with all included parts and the altered handling characteristics of your lifted vehicle.
Please note that cruise control (Distronic Plus) functionality may be affected by this level of lift, and the speedometer may indicate a lower speed than actual. While speedometer recalibration may be possible on older models, Distronic functionality is generally limited at this lift height due to the raised front bumper, a common limitation in high-lift vehicles like the G Wagon 4×4 Squared and 6×6.
Tire rubbing in extreme conditions remains a possibility depending on tire size and wheel offset choices. For optimal results, JWO recommends tire sizes between 35×11″ and 35×12.5″ (or metric equivalents) with a wheel offset no higher than +20. Using 50mm wheel spacers with most stock wheels can help achieve this optimal fitment.
Jack Wagon Overlanding, LLC assumes no liability for any issues, damages, losses, or faults arising from the installation or use of this kit. Professional installation is recommended.
Enhance your Mercedes G Wagon’s off-road prowess with the JWO 4-Inch Lift Kit and experience a new level of adventure. Contact us today to order your kit and begin your journey to off-road dominance!
