I’m trying to figure out which G-Wagen I should buy. I want a late model one (late 90’s) that has been imported through the legal “grey market” channels in the US. I also want a diesel. Further, I want it to have very low mileage (under 50,000 miles) The problem is that most of the Diesels I have found in the US that are on the 463 frame have over 100,000 miles. They also tend to cost more then an equivalent with a gas engine. So the new solution I’m working on is to buy a gas 1994 G320 with low mileage and put a diesel engine into it. I’m thinking of putting the Mercedes “Sprinter/Freightline” Van engine into it (and possibly the transmission too). I think this engine is called the 400td or the ‘OM 602 25 LA’ or something like that, but I’m not sure. My questions are as follows:
1)What gas late Model G-Wagen would be ideal for this conversion (G320, 500GE, etc.)?
2)What diesel engine (the Sprinter van one, the G300 turbo diesel, the 300D, the 350, etc.) would be the best to put into what ever G-wagen I get?
3)What else besides the engine will I have to change to make this swap a perfect success?
4)Who on the West Coast of Canada or the US would be the best to do such a conversion.
5) Will I be able to import one of these “grey market” US DOT approved G-Wagens into Canada?
Thanks,
lee