Hey all,

I am going to get the wheels rollin on a project that will take a 617 engine and 722.3 tranny. My first thoughts were to look for a late model jeep or small truck. I would think that an auto vehicle would make for a easier conversion however a 4x4 might give more space. I would like to stick with later model vehicles and prefer american made. I could ramble on and on about this dream/project, but I'll just say I've done some searching around here and come up a little short. If any one knows a thread, website, person to call, etc, etc. Turn me on! Ultimately, anything can be done. I have not bought the vehicle that will take the MB drive train and would like to start with a vehicle that most easily takes the transplant. I have the ability to do most anything regarding fabrication, but don't want to recreate the vehicle , just modify it. I hope to have project done in a year or two.

Veg

VegErl,

I have been dreaming about a similar project for some time. Through conversations with a friend who has lots of experience with odd conversions (though none with M-B stuff) I have narrowed my list down to a Jeep CJ or Wrangler. The torque of the diesel in 4WD low range ought to be awesome!
One thing my friend is concerned about is the adaptability of the M-B tranny to the Jeep transfer case. In his opinion a person is best off using a GM automatic (which is readily adaptable to a Jeep transfer case) and adapting that tranny to the M-B engine.
Admittedly no experience here but it's worth looking into.

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1983 M-B 240D-Gone too.
1976 M-B 300D-Departed.

"Good" is the worst enemy of "Great".

There are several people with Jeeps, F-150s, Cougar, and others I can't remember. If you search those vehicles you should find them. What Info are you looking for?

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For Sale: 1982 MB 300TD
1995 Chevrolet Suburban 6.5TD

Sold: 1980 IH Scout Traveler- Nissan SD33T Diesel

If I could find a source for info such as...

"an S10 requires an electric fan and a modified oil pan (along with the expected motor mounts and tranny cross members), but the Dakota only needs the expected motor mounts, but ... so on and so forth.

Ultimately I am not too picky as to the base model truck/jeep that I start with, but would like to have a source of info (a "good buddy" if you wil) to call on for advise. I need to know what vehicle to start looking for so that I don't buy a nightmare. I have questions such as "will my 617 even fit in an S10?

V

I don't know about the 617, but a friend of mine stuck a 302 into his s10

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$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=228610

Thanks WhiskeyDan! That's the kinda leads I'm talking about! Do you know any good truck forums I should check out?

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80 300SD, 82 300SD (future drive train donor), 95 Cadillac Sedan Deville, 72 Chevy Fleetside w/Pontaic 400, 67 GTO (My First Car), 67 Austin Healey Sprite, 76 Chevy Farm Truck (Old Gold), Ford 8N, Farmall Cub, Some Chickens, a Dog, a Cat, and some Fish.