Mercedes-Benz G-Class
W460, 1979–91

Factory gearing, tires, angles and brakes for the G-Class, and what the usual upgrades do to it. Every number is from the maker's own figures unless the calculators say otherwise. A few figures here are still waiting on a factory document; the calculators mark them.

Use this truck in the calculators

112.2 in wheelbase · 29.3 in front · 31.5 in rear overhang

Axle ratio4.857–5.286Factory, by trim

Angles36 · 25 · 31°Approach, breakover, departure

Clearance8.3 inFactory figure

Highway mpg16Estimate, not EPA rated

Trims

5 we have figures for

Trim	Tire	Axle	Angles	Clearance	Open
230 G / 230 GE, 4-speed manual	205/80R16	4.89 / 5.286	36 · 25 · 31	8.3 in	Use →
240 GD, 4-speed	205/80R16	4.89 / 5.286	36 · 25 · 31	8.3 in	Use →
280 GE, 4- or 5-speed manual	205/80R16	4.857 / 4.89	36 · 25 · 31	8.3 in	Use →
300 GD, 4-speed manual	205/80R16	4.89	36 · 25 · 31	8.3 in	Use →
250 GD, 5-speed manual	205/80R16	—	36 · 25 · 31	8.3 in	Use →

Size

Wheelbase: 112.2 in
Front overhang: 29.3 in
Rear overhang: 31.5 in
Height: 77 in
Body: SUV
Stock tires: 205/80R16

Axles

Front: Mercedes solid steering axle (AL 0/1C-1,3) with optional diff lock
Rear: Mercedes solid rear axle with optional diff lock
4.857 ratio: 280 GE, 4- or 5-speed manual
4.89 ratio: 230 G / 230 GE, 4-speed manual, 240 GD, 4-speed, 280 GE, 4- or 5-speed manual, 300 GD, 4-speed manual
5.286 ratio: 230 G / 230 GE, 4-speed manual, 240 GD, 4-speed

Brakes

Front rotor: 11.93 in, 303 mm
Rear drum: 10.24 in, 260 mm
Rear: drum

Suspension

Front: rigid axle, two leading arms plus panhard rod, coil springs
Rear: rigid axle, two trailing arms plus panhard rod, coil springs
Rear layout: Radius arms

Fuel economy

Highway, not EPA rated: about 16 mpg
Where it comes from: German rating, steady 90 km/h, scaled to EPA terms
As published: 11.9 L/100km
Source: archive.org

Aftermarket bumpers

1 listed

Makers almost never publish angles, bottom heights or how far a bumper tucks, so these fill in as owners measure them. Measured yours? Add it on the rig page and every owner of this G-Class sees how it does on their tires and lift.

Front 1

AFN 4x4 Steel Front Bumper with Bull Bar & Fog Lights, 1979-2019 G-Class$3,022

Rear

None listed yet.

Every calculator, set up for the G-Class

Tire sizeBigger tires: speedo, clearance, angles and brakes.Compare tires RegearHighway RPM on every ratio and mpg.Pick your gears Crawl ratioHow slow it creeps, against other trucks.Work out crawl SpeedometerWhat it really reads on new tires.Fix your speedo LinksAnti-squat and what a lift does to it.Check your links Your rigBuild sheet and measured angles.Start a build sheet LeaderboardsWhere the G-Class ranks against every stock truck.See where it ranks

Source: en.wikipedia.org. Front and rear must carry the same ratio; 44:9 (4.889) and 34:7 (4.857) sets are close but not identical, so do not mix them.

Use at your own risk. These calculators are here to help you plan and to inform your decisions, not to sign off on a build. Many numbers are estimates worked out from factory figures, and some factory figures are not yet confirmed. Check every number against your own truck, its manuals and a qualified shop before you buy parts, cut, weld, lift, regear or drive on it. Long Range Desert Tools is not liable for anything you do based on these calculators or their results. The full terms are in our policies.

Mercedes-Benz G-ClassW460, 1979–91