thanks, again...dutch and gilly.

i think a G500 is a little out of my price range. i also would like to avoid the fancy interior and fancy seats. i am going to be getting dirty and i don't want to have to feel bad everytime i soil a plush interior.

i saw the gear ratios on g4rce, but i am not knowledgeable enough to translate the numbers to highway driving (how much does an engine transplant affect possible speed vs. how much gearing controls top speed no matter what the engine?). what is an average safe top speed rpm in a gwagen diesel (om617). i might have already asked, but can you change the gearing (front and back) to gain top speed? i am not going to be doing any heavy duty towing or extreme off roading.

i have not seen an older gwagen in person, yet...and from the pictures i've seen from the rear (doors open and backseat out) it looked like one flat floor board. i guess there is a drop-down or step-up of about 4 - 6 inches where the backseat legroom is?

sorry for the extent of amateur questions...this is the only way i can learn.

also...which model gwagen had all three diff locks...front, center and rear?

does anyone have a preference as to what year, model, engine, transmission, body style, etc...is the most capable on and off road?