1981 300TD four wheel drive hybrid - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

300TD4x4 · #1 11-01-2002, 02:42 PM

I am new to this list. I have spent a great deal of time on the MBZ.org dieseltech list but this is my first day here. I thought I'd share about a project I worked on over the summer of this year. I wanted a 4x4 wagon powered by a diesel and I like to be different. I considered putting a Volvo (really VW) diesel in an Audi Quattro. I think this would have worked but I decided these 6 cyl.VW diesels are too difficult to keep running. While at the junkyard one day I noticed that the older Nissan 4x4's (720's) had divorced transfer cases. I then started taking some measurements. The wheelbase of the w123 and 720 King Cab were off by only 1/2"! The w123 track was about 4" wider but I figured I could overcome that with wheel offset.
To make a long story short, I acquired a 1981 300TD turbo and a 1984 Nissan 720, removed the 300's suspension and mounted it on the Nissan chassis. I had the car running within 2 weeks of turning the first wrench. There are a lot of details surrounding the project which I would love to share if you (other members) are interested. I have written an article which I could share and I do have pictures. I would like to post the best picture but when I go to browse files I can't seem to get at it. A guy at work took the picture and emailed it to me. I'm not too savvy with email so I'm not sure how to post it here. If someone wants to help I can email it to them. I have some other pictures also of earlier stages of the project. The car is a runner now and I have driven it to work (45 miles each way) three times now.

The Warden · #2 11-01-2002, 02:53 PM

Welcome aboard!

Sounds cool; would love to see some pics.

It is possible to post pictures directly to your posts; just go to the "ATTACH FILE" part at the bottom of the Make A Post screen.

Hope that helps some...good luck!

hillbilly · #3 11-01-2002, 03:42 PM

This is tooo cool for a redneck from Arkansas.

300TD4x4 · #4 11-01-2002, 03:42 PM

Thanks for posting it, Bill. How'd you do it?

Ridge · #5 11-01-2002, 03:53 PM

300TD4x4,

Now I down right love that!!!!! Next time I'm up Pollock Pines way I have to stop by and see your wagon and show you my intercooled 300DT.

Love it!! If I had a wagon, I think I'd go for it.

Ben
www.reproduce100s.com

300TD4x4 · #6 11-01-2002, 03:59 PM

That sounds great. We're only about three hours apart. You must be the guy with the silver 300 with all those chrome tubes and the K&N. I need to read all the way through that thread. I'd like to add an IC to mine.

300TD4x4 · #7 11-01-2002, 04:09 PM

It uses the Mercedes turbo diesel engine and MB automatic transmission. I made a short coupler shaft to connect the transmission to the Nissan divorced transfer case.

RG5384 · #8 11-01-2002, 04:17 PM

SWEEET!!!! more details please!!!!!!!!!!!! I want one!!!!!. I already try taking my 300SD off road(doesn't work too well

)
Ryan

RG5384 · #9 11-01-2002, 04:20 PM

do you engage the 4wd system yourself or electronically(in cabin switch), and if it's in cabin, did you rig up some original MB switch???
R

300TD4x4 · #10 11-04-2002, 12:20 PM

You engage the four wheel drive with a transfer case shifter. I mounted it in the floor on the passenger side right next to the console. It uses fabricated linkage. In the Nissan the shifter goes straight up through the floor but that would have necessitated cutting through the console and having the shifter in an inconvenient location (between the seats).

revray · #11 11-04-2002, 03:06 PM

Aloha Mr. 300TD44,

I love it! Congratulations. I'd like to read anything else that you've written about the project and look at any other pictures that you might have. How much money do you think you have invested in it so far? My email is revray@hilo.net

And...if you ever want to sell it and give it a new home in Hawaii, please put my name on the list.

Thanks,

Diesel-Lover · #12 11-04-2002, 03:12 PM

Hey if my memory serves me correctly, was it not a prototype MercWagon that won the London Sydney rally. They would have loved it to be a diesel 4x4 I am sure.

Now if only MB saw the light and made a diesel 4matic for the US market.

300TD4x4 · #13 11-04-2002, 03:40 PM

I told the guy from whom I bought the car what I was planning on doing to it. He mentioned he had seen photos of w123 rally wagons with extra lights and increased ground clearance. I don't think they were four wheel drive, though. I thought about keeping the MB rear suspension and drilling the Nissan hubs to the MB pattern. I thought it would be cool to still have four wheel independant suspension. One of the problems introduced by this, however, would have been matching the front and rear axle ratios.

Ridge · #14 11-04-2002, 07:09 PM

300TD4x4,

I spent sometime on the G-Wagen thread last night and there's this huge knock down drag-out fight about which is better the M Class or the G-Wagen. Just for the fun of it you should post your picture over there and tell them they're both wrong. The 300TD4x4 is best!!! They'd have a fit.

The idea about keeping the MB rearend certainly would have been a good one for the independent suspension. In the event that you are still considering that there might be a couple of options.

1. The are several differential ratios, 3.46 (240D&300D), 3.69(280). 3.07(300DT) and 2.88.
Turbos generally have the 3.07 with the wagons having 2.88.

2. Additionally, there is a thread here on Mercedesshop.com about a guy who adapted a Ford differential from a Thunderbird to his 123 rear end. Apparently he did it for around $500.00. With a Ford rearend, you'd probably be able to match the gearing as there are so many choices.

By the way, if you've seen any of my other threads we've pulled the automatic trannys out of several 300DTs and switched over to the 240D 4 speed manual. If you make the switch, you don't have to wait for an engraved invitation just to cross a traffic intersection. There is also the option of the 5 speed manual although they are very rare in this country. Just last night a found a guy who thinks he can get me all of the 5 speeds that I need. Heard that story before but I'll keep my fingers crossed. 5 Speeds are overdrive units, 1:0.80.

Let's see those other pictures that you have.

Ben, of the intercooled 300DT

www.reproduce100s.com

300TD4x4 · #15 11-05-2002, 11:21 AM

The ratios I have in my car (from the Nissan chassis) are either 4:11's or 4:38's, I haven't taken the time to find out which. However, after the 31" tires the gearing works out just about right. I calibrated my speedo off my brother in laws Suburban and my indicated 60mph is actually about 55mph. At any rate, going back to the MB rear suspension at this point would necessitate cutting the back half of the Nissan frame out. I'm not even considering that. The main axle improvement I'm thinking about right now is putting disc brakes on the Nissan rear axle. I'm very interested in the 4 speed conversion for later down the road, though. On the MBZ.org dieseltech list most modifications are discouraged but those guys say you have to have a flywheel that is match balanced to your crank in order to mate a 4 speed to a 5 cyl engine. What is the real story on this? If you want to, send me an email, broth@sanjuan.edu, and I'll send you an article about building the car with some photos.