[MOC] Mini 42177 - Mercedes-Benz G 500 PROFESSIONAL Line

[Ngoc Nguyen]

 

It's a new month, so it's time for another mini replica! This time, another Mercedes Benz joins the replica collection. Like every mini replica, this one also has a story to tell.

 

DEVELOPMENT

Doing mini replicas is not just a hobby but also a chance to change the original model to my liking. 42177 to me is kinda like 42129. They look cool, and their builds are enjoyable, but they dont really look like the original vehicle they are supposed to represent. It's taller and shorter compared to the proportions of a real Mercedes Benz G. Another part I want to modify is the gearbox. I think the supposed order is that engine -> DNR -> only D connects to Lo-Hi -> middle differential. At least that is the setup in 42210. The last part is the differential lock. I'd like them to be coupled, and since I already found a solution for that in the Mini 42129, I used the chassis of 42129 and developed from there.

 

THE GRILL

The grill is the most distinctive part so I had go get it right. I have a space of 2 studs, and I have to fit 4 bars, or 4 thin things between it. This is the solution that I found. I used 4 clip holders attached to a bar. Since the space is 3 studs wide, one group is put horizontal, and another group is put perpendicular.

 

THE FACE

You can notice that the headlights are put 1/2 studs higher than the grill, while in the original 42177 the headlights are on the same line as the grill. Actually in my original design I put the headlights on the same line too, but then I realized it just felt off. Below are the two options.

 

 

 

 

In the real vehicle, the headlights are put a bit higher and closer to the hood than the grill, so it actually makes sense to move the headlights up.

 

THE EXTERIOR

Thanks to the new #7 connector, I can make the slanted doors. All doors have working handles, just like in the original model.

 

DRIVETRAIN

I replicated the inline 6 engine, the DNR and Lo-Hi gearboxes, and the 3 differentials from the original model. The engine goes to the three 8z gears, which connects to the DNR gearbox on the driver's side. The tan gear is for reverse, so it goes directly to the differential through gearing down. The white gear is for drive, so it connects to the LoHi gearbox on the other side.

In the LoHi gear box, the orange gears drive the differential at the ratio of 1:1, while the blue gears drive the differential at the ration of 1:3.

 

STEERING

The steering transmission goes on top of the gearbox to reach the HOG steering on the roof. It it also transmitted to the driver's side to make a working steering wheel, just like in the original 42177.

 

DIFFERENTIAL LOCKS

I use the knob gears to offset the transmission by 45 degrees so that it can be routed to the rear axle and also to route the control to another knob on the roof. It works very smoothly. Check the GIF below to see.

 

TIRE(D) CHOICES

This is the problem that I struggled with the most, surprisingly. I mentioned earlier in the General Part Discussion thread that the 49.5 truck tire is very awkward to scale around, as its diameter is only 6.2 studs. Usually for models that use this tire, I have to scale the model around having a tire diameter of 7, which makes the wheel smaller than it should have been. Back then when I was working on this set, the only tire that has a diameter of 7 studs is the Jeep Wrangler tire. It doesn't really fit a luxury SUV, but 49.5 tire doesnt feel right either. Therefore originally the model looked like this. 

 

The model was already finished and ready to launch in May, but then the news broke that there would be a Bronco in August. I had a speculation that the Bronco might come with new tires, so I waited until the Bronco was out to try it. The result? Bronco tire makes the model look better but it interferes with the steering and the suspension.

 

So I decided to go back to basic and use the 49.5 truck tire. This tire is also the only tire that fits the back wheel without intefering with the rear door lock. This is how it compares to the real Mercedes G.

 

Overall I'm very happy with how this turns out at the end. Instruction: https://reb.li/m/231550