Increased clearance on W123? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Phil_F_NM · #1 11-13-2013, 04:35 PM

I am only posing this question as a hypothetical.

Is there any way to increase ground and body clearance on a W123? Or maybe just body clearance, as larger tires will increase ground clearance.

I am a bit of a die hard Jeep Cherokee fan (and I want to stick an OM617 turbo into one) but at the same time, I've been reading about the extreme durability of Mercedes-Benz in rougher conditions than dirt roads. I think even crossing some of the medium difficulty passes in the rockies would be possible in a W123. So, modifying a TD for a couple inches of increased clearance would just be cool for the "yeah, I crossed Ophir Pass in a diesel Mercedes-Benz wagon" factor.

I know the car is a unibody design so I'm thinking some creative sawzall work and welding of 55gal drum halves to create new wheelwells would be in order to clear bigger tires. Any way to increase suspension travel while still retaining decent alignment?

Phil Forrest

MTUpower · #2 11-13-2013, 04:41 PM

There is a spring pad which goes on top of the springs- you can install OEM taller or shorter ones, and there was a super clearance version from the factory as well. There are more than a few links to camper style high ground clearance w123 wagons.

DeliveryValve · #3 11-13-2013, 04:45 PM

You can use w116 front springs as they are physically taller along with thicker spring pads. For the rear, you can use w116 or w126 springs as again they are a taller spring. You can use a thicker spring pad in the rear also with those springs. I don't have the part numbers or wire size and length off the top of my head.

As far as alignment, the rears are not adjustable. But a company called K-MAC offered a rear camber kit in the past. Not sure if the are still offering it.

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Simpler=Better · #4 11-13-2013, 04:51 PM

You could probably fit pretty decent tires on there and just get away with spacers on the springs for a lift. The SLS will need to be adjusted.

The rear trailing arm suspension should lend itself well to a lift. unhook your shocks and jack the car up to see stock travel.

The rear bumper could be replaced with a tubular unit, the front under-bumper trim and radiator, etc. would need some adjustment and a skid plate.

I would add a 1/4" skid plate under the oil pan, and possibly raise the engine with spacers.

Phil_F_NM · #5 11-13-2013, 04:53 PM

Just increasing the spring height will create negative camber without a load to equalize the suspension. The wheels don't move straight up and down, they rotate a bit as the body rolls in corners in order to keep the most tire surface area on the road.

Phil Forrest

Phil_F_NM · #6 11-13-2013, 04:58 PM

How about the CVs in the rear? With increased lift, they would have to articulate that much more. Let's say one more inch of lift to an unloaded wagon; would that severely limit the life of the CVs?

This is just a cool thought exercise, I think. Getting my wheels turning in my head about a far off future project.

Phil Forrest

Simpler=Better · #7 11-13-2013, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil_F_NM

How about the CVs in the rear? With increased lift, they would have to articulate that much more. Let's say one more inch of lift to an unloaded wagon; would that severely limit the life of the CVs?

This is just a cool thought exercise, I think. Getting my wheels turning in my head about a far off future project.

Phil Forrest

Good point! Possibly add a spacer to lower the differential?

If I was making an offroad rig the TD wouldn't be my first choice, due to how low the rear hatch sits. With a sedan you could tuck the end up to the tail lights and get a great departure clearance.

t walgamuth · #8 11-13-2013, 05:25 PM

You'd prolly want a limited slip too.

whunter · #9 11-13-2013, 05:56 PM

There was a fellow near Flint, MI.
He replaced the rear assembly with, (I think) a cut down FORD axle.
As I recall, he lost the car while fishing on thin lake ice.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/186787-w123-off-roading.html#post3238210

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DeliveryValve · #10 11-13-2013, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil_F_NM

How about the CVs in the rear? With increased lift, they would have to articulate that much more. Let's say one more inch of lift to an unloaded wagon; would that severely limit the life of the CVs?

This is just a cool thought exercise, I think. Getting my wheels turning in my head about a far off future project.

Phil Forrest

You might want to consider using a longer w126 1.3 liter diff case axle to fill the gap instead of lowering the diff, which would give you more clearance.

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