Built for the Backroads—and the Backyard

This 1986 Mercedes-Benz 280GE was brought to Legacy Overland to become the ultimate family-ready G-Wagen. Our client wanted something honest, purposeful, and usable—a classic with roots in the trail but ready for school runs, weekend getaways, and daily life. With its upright stance and Geländewagen pedigree, the 280GE had the bones. We gave it the soul: troop seating for the kids, custom cupholders, child seat anchors, and just enough attitude to turn heads in any driveway.

Classic Form, Modern Function

Under the skin, the truck was compregensively rebuilt. We overhauled the suspension, brakes, drivetrain, and replaced the transmission to bring the mechanicals up to modern reliability standards. The cabin was reupholstered in OEM Rodeo Brown and fitted with rear troop benches and clever custom touches. A Sony Apple CarPlay unit, rear-view camera, USB charging, and a fully rebuilt HVAC system brought 21st-century tech into this analog machine—proving that the best classics aren’t frozen in time, they’re ready to move.

Highlights of the build:

  • Rebuilt suspension: shocks, struts, sway bars, bushings

  • New fuel tank and lines installed

  • Sealed transfer case, differentials, and steering box

  • Rebuilt brake system with new discs, drums and pads

  • Transmission replaced including new torque converter and mounts

  • Repaired body sections with corrosion damage

  • Sealed roof drip channel to prevent leaks

  • Replaced seat belts

  • 3D printed seat belt B-pillar covers and color matched

  • 3D printed head unit cover cap

  • Repaired interior plastic parts and painted to color match

  • Reupholstered front seats in OEM Rodeo Brown cloth

  • Added OEM rear troop bench seating and upholstered in OEM style

  • Fabricated cupholders and tennis racket mount

  • Integrated child seat anchor points

  • Rewired dash harness and repaired dome/map light repair and tachometer

  • Sony Apple CarPlay head unit + rear-view camera

  • USB charger and auxiliary lighting

  • Fully rebuilt HVAC system: compressor, condenser, hoses, fan

  • Replaced headlamps with LED units

  • Added new auxiliary driving lamps

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