I would like to convert my W123 / 300 turbo diesel to a manual. I found somewhere in this great forum some auto transmission ratios: 3.68-2.41-1.44-1.00 and final drive 3.07
There are also remarks about premature clutch wear because the torque converter brings the 1 gear further down.
The jeep AX5 ( wrangler 4 cylinder) has ratios 3.93-2.33-1.45-1.00-0.85.
So the first is already somewhat lower.
Then I found somewhere on the forum great post about changing final to reduce RPM and increase MPG, the 5th gear of the AX5 would take care of that.
Unfortunately the MBZ 5 speeds are not cheap, the jeeps can be picked up from $100.
It looks that the stick of the AX5 ends up a little closer to the dash then the original gear shift mechanism.

here are my questions:
1 Did MB use the manual linkage to isolate the transmission noises and movements from the interior or was it common practice in the 1980 to use linkages on rear wheel drive cars?

2 Did anybody spend time on a match like this.

3 Does anyone has a clutch / brake cluster with hydraulics to aid in this experiment?

Thks Johan

My buddy had a 5 speed from a 94 YJ he blew up and we were going to see if the tranny would bolt up but we never got around to it. I'd still like to try it if I could get my hands on a decent tranny. Let me know how it goes if you do get everything going.

__________________
1981 300 SD 213k miles "Stock for now"
1999 Super Duty 7.3L 113k miles
1981 300 SD 180k miles "Heavily modified" SOLD

Im interested. Keep us posted!

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

I like to keep using the flywheel and use the existing flex-plate to bolt a modified jeep flywheel to it and drill / tap 3 additional holes in the existing flywheel to shim the jeep flywheel and prevent it from wobbel. So ,it will not disturb the balance of the crankshaft and the original flywheel.
With this set up I can use the jeep clutch and pressure group as well.
The flywheel will get somewhat heavier. I did not measure / calculate the difference yet but the torque converter is not lite either. I think a little heavier would be good then the vibration will be a little lower adn that will be al ot better for this gasser transmission .

The bell housing of the wrangler had the starter cutout at the same side but a little lower then the mbz. Funny because with an off road I would have thought it be as high as possible.

Thks everyone.

Johan

Hrm I would think the the starter bump doesnt match up you are SOL?

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Contact KEP. Kennedy has an adaptor for just about every combo.

Someone here put a 617 in a jeep. What your talking about is just the opposite so why wouldnt it work. Do a search and get in contact that guy. Then let us kbow how it worked out.

that AX-5 is a French POS from what I know on the Jeep boards. Better go with the AX-15. the 5 came on the 4 bangers, the 15 was on the 4.0 six.

I'm looking to adapt a 123 series diesel to my AX-15 for my Jeep...one of these days.

The AX-5 simply will not hold up I don't think.

The other issue is that either of those tannies is set up for a transfer case. There might not be any way to adapt the MB driveshaft to the AX trany once you remove the t-case. Or even to use a Jeep driiveshaft yoke either with the t-case removed.

__________________
1987 300TDT
1981 VW MKI Caddy 1.6 diesel, waiting on engine swap
1983 D-50 Power Ram 4x4 "Mitsubishi" 2.3 turbo diesel
assorted gas powered crap and motorcycles

RIP: 1984 300TDT, 1982 300TDT, 1984 190D 2.2, 1992 300D 2.5, 1987 300TDT, 1982 Maxima LD28, 1983 Maxima LD28, Isuzu C223 P'ups X3, 1983 Holiday Rambler 6.2 Banks turbo diesel, 1984 Winnebago LeSharo 2.1 TD, 1985 Allegro 6.5

get one from a 2 wheel drive jeep.

KEP specializes in adaptations to air cooled VW & Porsche transaxles.

Not sure about anything else they deal with.

__________________
1987 300TDT
1981 VW MKI Caddy 1.6 diesel, waiting on engine swap
1983 D-50 Power Ram 4x4 "Mitsubishi" 2.3 turbo diesel
assorted gas powered crap and motorcycles

RIP: 1984 300TDT, 1982 300TDT, 1984 190D 2.2, 1992 300D 2.5, 1987 300TDT, 1982 Maxima LD28, 1983 Maxima LD28, Isuzu C223 P'ups X3, 1983 Holiday Rambler 6.2 Banks turbo diesel, 1984 Winnebago LeSharo 2.1 TD, 1985 Allegro 6.5

What about a 5spd from a S-10. I bet those are abundant, cheap. I saw one for free on CL the other day.
I would think the shift likage, driveshaft, starter issues would make for a real PIA swap. Then after its done resale value would be lousy.

I did not research an S10 yet, may be the bellhousing is a better match.
Tried to find the person with the 617 to jeep swap, that would be very interesting, could not find it, anybody has a link? Sorry for the lack of lingo knowledeg , what is PIA swap.
Yeah resale would be bad but i figure why would you sell it when you have it working the right way.

Thks Johan

Jeep with a turbo diesel motor

mercedes 5cyl in a jeep wrangler.. help is SD

Jeep Inplant

__________________
1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

That S10 suggestion looks very promising, it uses a T5 transmission
First gear is even lower 4.03, 2.57, 1.49, 1.00, 0.86 Interesting that this tranny was used from 4 cyl. upto mustang? How about that for a range of horsepower.
Great is that the mustang version has the shifter much further backward so it might be better matched to the shifter position in MB.
What is the general opinion about the 4.03 ratio first gear.
Same transmission is used in Isusu and had the shifter also further to the rear.
There is another version with ratio 3.76, 2.18, 1.42, 1.00, 0.72 a nice long overdrive. What do you all think about these gear ratio's

Thks Johan

Since a Manual tranny doesn't have a torque converter, you will want a tranny with a lower first gear than the Auto tranny you are replacing.

__________________
Ron Schroeder
'85 300 Turbo Diesel 2 tank WVO
'83 300 Turbo Diesel 2 tank WVO
Some former WVO vehicles since ~1980:
'83 Mercedes 240D
'80 Audi 4000D
'83 ISUZU Pup
'70 SAAB 99 with Kubota diesel
'76 Honda Civic with Kubota diesel
'86 Golf
Several diesel generators
All with 2 tank WVO conversion
LI NY