Hi Guys,


I am about to buy 1989 w124 3.0 4matic. As we can suppose the 4matic is not working and that is why the price is low. The deal is damn good and i was thinking the following. Would it be possible to disengage/remove things like hydraulics, clutches, whatever is not needed and just weld the central differential making the whole system awd instead of reactive 4matic? Has anyone tried it? Do you think it would work this way? Any concerns about the idea? Thanks

If you are never planning on driving on pavement it would work. I would think welding the xfer case would tie the front and rear axles which would create a lot of stress on the system.

I have no experience with the W124 4matic but I did have several old 4x4 Ford trucks years ago and they couldn't be driven on dry pavement in 4x4.

What would be the reason that the car can't be driven on dry pavement in 4x4?

If the axles are locked together so that they are turning at the same speed it can create extra stress in the driveline. This is very evident when you are locked in 4WD and turning. Normally on a full time AWD system the power is moved as needed to either the front or rear axles.

I believe the central differential is lsd, thus allowing some slippage. Shouldn't this eliminate the extra stress in the driveline? The front differential should be open, so there should be no probs in turning. Do these facts make any difference or you still think it would be an issue? I have read some theoretical stuff on the internet but i am lacking real world experience so your help is much appreciated! Thanks

There is no central diff in W124 4matic, only clutches. What you are thinking is at best not possible, worst idiotic. Just fix the system they are very easy to work on.

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You could also pull the front driveshaft and remove the transfer unit and just make it a rear wheel drive vehicle.

Sounds like a ton of work for no reason. Just find a non-4matic car.

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