Inside Nothing But G’s: Shop Tour, Builds, and Projects

Not every day at Nothing But G’s is a test drive or a walkaround review. Some days are about what actually keeps the operation moving: ongoing builds, problem-solving, parts arriving, trucks going out, and new projects getting staged across two different buildings.

This is a behind-the-scenes look at what the shop looks like on a normal day—starting in the parking lot, moving through the main service shop, and finishing across the street in the fabrication building where the wild one-off ideas come to life.

The Parking Lot: Where Projects Line Up

Before you even walk inside, you can tell what kind of shop this is—because the “waiting room” is full of trucks from all over the country.

Here’s what’s staged outside:

Builds in Progress

• A truck mid-4″ lift with wheels/tires arriving that morning, getting 463 Industries beadlocks fitted.

• A long-term client truck with a bent rear axle, queued for a trussed replacement axle being built at the fab shop.

• A fresh out-of-state arrival with a “runs but doesn’t stop” situation and a long list of needs—headed inside for a full inspection.

Big Projects Getting Scheduled

• An older Europa slated to become a pickup conversion (headed to the fab shop to be torn down).

• Another Europa tied to a family heritage collection, commissioned for a full restoration (with a matching second truck in the collection).

Sorted, Sold, and Shipping

• A G63 with only ~7,000 miles that arrived barely able to exceed 25 mph—now running and driving after electronics/transmission sorting, moving into phase two (portal axle install corrections + aftermarket upgrades).

• A recently sold truck back in for rear fog/reverse light upgrades, detailing, and delivery prep.

• Multiple trucks wrapped and staged for shipping, including two same-year G55s (black and white), both receiving stock-plus suspension upgrades and other service work.

• A clean 2016 G550 stock-plus build waiting on one small interior trim piece before transport to Florida.

The “Regular” Stuff: Local Trucks and High-Mileage Heroes

Not everything is a museum piece or a prototype.

• A local client’s 2″ GOAT Mod + full overland outfitter build that sees real off-road miles is back for a steering issue.

• A 2015 G550 with 100,000+ miles that just refuses to quit—proof that a properly maintained G can go the distance.

• A 2015 G550 Darkstar Edition back for a matching fifth spare, an airbag issue, and a command system update.

Rare Imports and Shop Characters

A few highlights that make the lineup feel like a museum with oil stains:

• “Arnold”: a Swiss military PUCH G230, newly titled in the U.S., running and driving, queued for wheels/tires and upgrades—then a full drive video.

• A JDM 1998 G320 import from Japan with a transmission clutch pack failure—headed toward a rebuilt/sourced transmission solution.

• A formerly dead G350 now revived with an OM606 G300 motor swap, finished and awaiting transport back to the owner.

• The shop’s 6×6, currently hunting for replacement portal boxes after a Werewolf portal failure—actively searching for a set in the U.S.

• A G320 in queue for standalone ECU, harness work, and further upgrades.

And yes—“The Avocado”, the personal truck: braid beadlocks, Baja Designs lighting, saddle tan heated/cooled seats, and an exceptionally quick 603 turbo diesel with a 6-speed manual… with a note that it’s headed for sale soon.

Inside the Main Shop: Service Work + Real Repairs

Once inside, the day-to-day becomes clear: this is where the normal problems get solved and the not-so-normal builds get kept on track.

What’s on the racks?

• A Lamborghini LM002 getting doors refitted after repaint, chrome trim reinstalled, and a rebuilt water pump (rebuilt in-house due to cost/availability).

• Another G550 steering pull issue being diagnosed beyond the usual suspects.

• A G63 timing chain guide failure that jumped a tooth—no engine damage, but getting chains, guides, tensioners, and related maintenance done while it’s open.

• A BMW M5 mid-manual swap needing wiring to finish the job.

• A G300 turbo diesel wrapping up before heading to the fab shop for manifold/turbo/exhaust upgrades.

The “Doomsday Special” Build

One of the most interesting trucks in the building is a silver project that doesn’t look like much—until you understand the goal:

A fully mechanical, professional-style build taking a civilian W463 and giving it a W461-inspired interior approach:

• No carpet, no adhesive—painted interior surfaces throughout

• Grip-tape style utility finish

• Fresh headliner, interior reassembly in progress

• Engine pulled, stripped, resealed

• Upgraded full mechanical pump + larger turbo plan

• Custom manifold + custom exhaust

• Heavy-duty stock-plus suspension concept with King shocks + remote reservoirs

• Every bushing and component refreshed

It’s a “no compromise” build: simple where it should be, upgraded where it matters.

Across the Street: The Fabrication Shop

The fab shop is where the “production-ish” work stops and the one-off craftsmanship begins—more Metallica than Mozart.

Prototype: EMC Wolf with an AMG V8 Swap

A major highlight: an early EMC Wolf that’s being transformed from slow diesel to something entirely different:

• 5.5L AMG V8 (CLK55 donor)

• Factory 5-speed automatic retained

• Standalone ECU + standalone trans controller

• Result: tire-smoking power—until a weak link shows up

That weak link? The original 461 rear axle wasn’t built for ~400 hp.

So phase two is underway:

• Swapping to 463 G500 front + rear axles (matching ratios)

• Better highway gearing (reducing high RPM cruising)

• Brake upgrades by default (vented rotors up front + rear discs)

• Transfer case swap to 463 spec due to axle rotation differences

• End goal: a complete drivetrain upgrade package that can be repeated for other 460/461 builds

Portal Axle G300 Turbo Diesel (Big Build Scope)

Another standout is a factory G300 turbo diesel on Tibus portals, currently geared so low it’s spinning ~3,000 rpm at ~62 mph—so it’s getting:

• Full color change back to original green

• Bigger injection pump + bigger turbo

• Axle re-gearing for real highway usability

• Bumper mods + added lighting + re-powder coat

• Swing-away rear tire carrier

• Exhaust fab work + mechanical refresh before paint

G230 “Compressor” Conversion Prototype

A seriously cool concept: keeping a classic G230 as a “230”… but making it actually move.

• Swapping in a 2.3L supercharged (Kompressor) engine from an SLK230

• Targeting ~200+ hp range vs the original low-output setup

• Adding air conditioning (including relocating components to make it fit)

• Making SLK ECU/trans/security work in the G chassis

• Using an ABS emulator so the transmission controller shifts correctly

• Keeping registration simplicity by retaining “G230” identity—now essentially a G230 Kompressor

This is being built intentionally as a future repeatable upgrade package.

Trussed Rear Axle for Hard Use

The fab shop also has the trussed G500/G55 rear axle ready to go under the truck that bent its axle—strengthened top and underside so it survives the next Moab trip.

Why This Matters: Transparency + What the Shop Really Does

The big takeaway from this tour is simple:

Nothing But G’s and Alliance Autocare aren’t just doing GOAT Mods and suspension kits. The shop is doing:

• Maintenance + diagnostics for real-world client trucks

• Sales, brokering, and delivery prep

• Rare imports and drivability sorting

• High-level restorations

• One-off fabrication and prototype drivetrain packages

• Repeatable upgrade systems being developed from scratch

Two buildings, two focus areas, one mission: build and maintain boxy 4x4s properly.