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