Diesel truck options? MB in a Ranger? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Niloc · #1 03-06-2006, 02:16 PM

Hey folks I'm a small business owner who just got an '85 300TD last fall and I love it. Got it running on biodiesel she's a beautiful and flexible machine.

Anyways we need a new (used) truck for my environmental contracting / consulting business, and I'm having a hard time coming up with options. We run a crew in a 2001 F-350 crewcab, and we're looking for a smaller "runabout" type truck. I'd love to be able to run an all biodiesel fleet, but we just paid off the crewcab and its running great so it would be hard to justify trading in it for a diesel model just now, but I figured I'd look around for a diesel truck for the runabout.

Problem is its hard to come up with a good option out there. Yes there are plenty of domestic diesel trucks, but they're all of the heavy-duty variety with big 7 litre diesels which would be overkill (not to mention low mpg) for our application. For small utility diesels all I know of are the Isuzu pup/Chevy LUV and the VW caddy (rabbit pickup). Problem is these are not easy to find and when you do they're over 20yrs old, often in poor shape and the seller is asking inflated "biodiesel trendy" prices. I looked at an '82 Isuzu last week that had primer for paint, bondo, destroyed seat upholstery, missing trim etc. and the guy wanted $2750! There's a decent sounding restored VW caddy in the area but $4500 seems a little rich.

Of course I love the Mercedes diesel engines, super sturdy, great IP etc. and I thought what about transplanting a 240D or even better a 2.5 turbodiesel engine into a Toyota or Ford Ranger or something? Then the logistical and economic reality of such a swap hit me. I'm no mechanic but I imagine this would be difficult and cost a fortune.

Anyone have an ideas for me? I would say $3000 or so is my spending limit.

-Colin

boneheaddoctor · #2 03-06-2006, 02:22 PM

How about a OM617 with a manual or automatic into a Ford ranger or Chevy S10 or toyota 2wd pichup...they are light enough.....But a Toyot Landcruiser is too heavy for the OM616 and would be anemic with even a OM617 turbo. THat really opens up your options if you are in a state friendly to that sort of swap. Not familiar with how Washigton State views this sort of swap.

bgkast · #3 03-06-2006, 02:31 PM

There is a really nice caddy on ebay in Olympia that is bid to something like $600 now. I'll see if I can find the link. I think it would be in your best interest to shop around and find a diesel truck, rather than doing a swap which will easily put you over your spending limit by nickel and dimeing you.

bgkast · #4 03-06-2006, 02:33 PM

here it is.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1982-VW-Pickup-Diesel-5-spd-3-DAYS-ONLY-Low-Miles-NICE_W0QQitemZ4619243439QQcategoryZ6060QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It is up to about $1500 now, but It can't hurt to watch it.

#5 03-06-2006, 02:37 PM

The only problem with that beast is it's FWD only. Why VW chose to make the worlds only non-RWD pickup is beyond be.

boneheaddoctor · #6 03-06-2006, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

The only problem with that beast is it's FWD only. Why VW chose to make the worlds only non-RWD pickup is beyond be.

You forget the Dodge Rampage of the same era.

R Leo · #7 03-06-2006, 02:56 PM

I owned and used a Rabbit diesel pickup for a service truck. It was a miserable POS that I eventually reengined with a VW gasser and sold after the head cracked.

RIP.

Niloc · #8 03-06-2006, 03:15 PM

Thanks for all the replies guys. Bonehead I would love to put a MB diesel in a small pickup like I said but I gotta believe it would be a royal PITA and end up costing a fair amount, plus licensing hassles.

Thanks for the caddy tips, I think those are kinda cool actually but an acquaintance has one and has had alot of trouble. Of course he only paid $500 for it. Boy are they underpowered. You'd really want to be sure lots of recent repair/maintenance had been done.

I wouldn't mind finding a LUV or Toyota diesel, espeially with a long bed or xtra cab but I guess those were mostly non-turbo and pretty slooooww as well. Anybody have an experiences to relate?

-Colin

boneheaddoctor · #9 03-06-2006, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niloc

Thanks for all the replies guys. Bonehead I would love to put a MB diesel in a small pickup like I said but I gotta believe it would be a royal PITA and end up costing a fair amount, plus licensing hassles.

Thanks for the caddy tips, I think those are kinda cool actually but an acquaintance has one and has had alot of trouble. Of course he only paid $500 for it. Boy are they underpowered. You'd really want to be sure lots of recent repair/maintenance had been done.

I wouldn't mind finding a LUV or Toyota diesel, espeially with a long bed or xtra cab but I guess those were mostly non-turbo and pretty slooooww as well. Anybody have an experiences to relate?

-Colin

Have no idea how bad your local DMV is....and the local inspection-nazi's. Some states couldn't care less while others outright prohibit it.

A TDI swap into a Caddy would be possible if not easy. (actually it would be a PITA)

Biodiesel300TD · #10 03-06-2006, 03:41 PM

The Isuzu Pup had a diesel engine stock. I don't know if it was a very good pickup or not, but it's another option.

Niloc · #11 03-06-2006, 03:46 PM

BD300tD check my original post

Niloc · #12 03-06-2006, 04:10 PM

BD300tD check my original post

nuckingfuts · #13 03-06-2006, 05:27 PM

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=136829&page=2&highlight=mercedesrover

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=87761&highlight=mercedesrover

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=143470&highlight=mercedesrover

Hope these threads help. I can't remember the name of the company but there is one out there that will build an adapter plate for anything just call them with the engine and tranny model and they will have an adapter plate made.

Niloc · #14 03-06-2006, 06:51 PM

NF thanks for the links. I didn't find those earlier. So has anyone put a 617 or 603 in a old half-ton like a custom20 or something? Would that not have enough grunt? I think an 80s Dakota longbed could be a pretty good chassis for the 617. Hell there both Chrysler products right?

I guess it would be easier to bring over the MB tranny as well so you'd be stuck with an auto, but since it would be a work truck a think thats OK. Seriously you mechanics out there, how much would the swap cost ballpark?

-Colin

nuckingfuts · #15 03-06-2006, 07:27 PM

If you have the rescources to do it on your own I would take a guess. I am kicking around the idea of putting a 617 in my XJ. Here is what I have found.

Motor/auto tranny 500-1200 used with average of 180k (gotta love Wyoming salvage yards)
adapter kit for mp transfer case $400 if you plan on a two wheel drive you just have get a custom driveshaft made. 250 for the ones on my jeep but they are shorter than what you will need.

A couple of hours will be required welding the mounts to the frame and getting them in the right spot.
getting the radiator, accelerator, tranny shifter, and cooling lines to match may require a little work too.
A nice 80s dakota pickup: priceless

just my opinion please don't take it as gospel

I think to make it financially effective this would be a DIY project.