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  #1  
Old 09-27-2009, 09:54 PM
crashone's Avatar
1983 300SD, 4 speeed
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Raleighish, NC
Posts: 664
300SD 4 Speed Conversion Has Begun (Phase 1 complete!)

Started today, we dropped the tranny, drive shaft, and pulled the auto shifter, dropped the 4 speed shifter in did a few other things. This is gonna be fun.

Question for you guys that have done this: What did you do about a speedometer? The SD is electronic and the sensor is off the tranny, the 4 speed won't do that. I am thinking of installing a mechanical speedo unit into the cluster, any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks.

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If it ain't broke take it apart and find out why.

1983 300SD, 4 speed
1994 C280
1987 300TD wagon
1996 HD Road King

Ride in Peace Eric Peterson, Harley of Macon

Last edited by crashone; 11-10-2009 at 11:58 PM.
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  #2  
Old 09-27-2009, 09:58 PM
DrewGerhan's Avatar
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Location: Grove City, OH
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I plan on doing the same swap to my SD, where did you get your driveshaft lengthened and what was the cost? No shops around here will do it
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1981 300 SD 213k miles "Stock for now"
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1981 300 SD 180k miles "Heavily modified" SOLD
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  #3  
Old 09-27-2009, 10:14 PM
crashone's Avatar
1983 300SD, 4 speeed
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Raleighish, NC
Posts: 664
I'm planning on doing the shaft myself. I have done 2 already for other conversions. This is the 4th conversion I worked on, one was straight forward both 123 chasis, the other ones I cut and welded what was needed.
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If it ain't broke take it apart and find out why.

1983 300SD, 4 speed
1994 C280
1987 300TD wagon
1996 HD Road King

Ride in Peace Eric Peterson, Harley of Macon
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  #4  
Old 09-28-2009, 05:17 AM
DeliveryValve's Avatar
Chairman of my Benz
 
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Location: Central California
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crashone View Post
....
Question for you guys that have done this: What did you do about a speedometer? The SD is electronic and the sensor is off the tranny, the 4 speed won't do that. I am thinking of installing a mechanical speedo unit into the cluster, any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks.

Not sure what mechanical speedo you can fit in there, but maybe one from a w124 may work.

However, there is a fella who had his Indy weld on some magnets or metal blocks (not sure which one) to the driveshaft and fitted the speed sensor from the tranny to pick up the speed from it. He stated it works like a charm.



.
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  #5  
Old 09-28-2009, 09:18 AM
pawoSD's Avatar
Dieselsüchtiger
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
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I think the W124 mechanical speedo would fit.

Sounds like a neat conversion! My dad would love to have a manual in his SD. (Not sure if I would in my SD, but in the 300E it would be fun!)
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  #6  
Old 09-28-2009, 03:04 PM
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Location: Out in the Boonies of Hot, Dry, Dusty, Windy Nevada
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Do search on member "ICEFIRE", he did a swap I believe.

I had South Bay Driveline in San Jose, Ca do mine when I swapped the 300D. $150.00.

Charlie
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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works
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  #7  
Old 09-30-2009, 08:57 PM
crashone's Avatar
1983 300SD, 4 speeed
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Raleighish, NC
Posts: 664
Thanks for the replies. I would like to know more about the magnet set up to keep the speedo working right. If someone can find that I would appreiciate it. Meantime I will keep searching for the post.
__________________
If it ain't broke take it apart and find out why.

1983 300SD, 4 speed
1994 C280
1987 300TD wagon
1996 HD Road King

Ride in Peace Eric Peterson, Harley of Macon
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  #8  
Old 10-07-2009, 08:33 PM
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Location: Clayton, NC
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What do you say we get this thing done over the weekend? I ready to chirp some tires!!!
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  #9  
Old 11-08-2009, 10:03 PM
crashone's Avatar
1983 300SD, 4 speeed
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Raleighish, NC
Posts: 664
Took it out for a test drive Saturday. Very nice. This is gonna be fun. We are starting to get good at this.
__________________
If it ain't broke take it apart and find out why.

1983 300SD, 4 speed
1994 C280
1987 300TD wagon
1996 HD Road King

Ride in Peace Eric Peterson, Harley of Macon
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  #10  
Old 11-09-2009, 05:59 AM
ImBroke's Avatar
Diesel way of Life
 
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Location: Cleveland, NY
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Sounds cool. If they won't build it, build it yourself.
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  #11  
Old 11-09-2009, 10:56 AM
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OK, we need pictures now, don`t be bashful

We also need itemized details of what you had to tweek, bend and fabricate to make it all come together.

The peddles should just bolt in, but were there any clearance issues?

Iam sure the shifter assembly would have the same bolt pattern to attach to the floor.

What about the shift rods, seems they would have to be maybe a little longer?




And they said it couldn`t be done, good you didn`t listen to the Naysayers and went for it.

Must be a fun car to drive.

Dang. Now I have another project to put on the to do list.


I saw a SEC a guy installed a 603 (SDL) listed on CL. so that can be done too.
If you can dream it, you can do it.


Charlie
__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works
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  #12  
Old 11-10-2009, 11:54 PM
crashone's Avatar
1983 300SD, 4 speeed
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Raleighish, NC
Posts: 664
First off: Klaus Kallas is the MAN!! He knows his stuff around these cars.

Second: We didn't take pictures. ( I know, maybe next time.)

Third:

I don't remember how much we had to add to the drive shaft but the total length for the front half was 35.25 inches. (interesting that this is the same length as the one we did for the w201 190d conversion.) We were able to use a stock shift rod for the Reverse, a straight rod from an automatic for 1&2, and then added 4 inches to a stock rod for 3&4. The transmission sits up further in the tunnel so we had to add "ears" and redrill frame mount holes for the transmission mount cross member. Had to drill a hole in the floor board behind fuel pedal to route the clutch tubing. Klaus did some rewiring for the nuetral safety switch.

We still have to get the speedometer working.

The car is pretty damn fun to drive.

Next is Phase 2: swapping out differentials (3.07 to a 2.88)
__________________
If it ain't broke take it apart and find out why.

1983 300SD, 4 speed
1994 C280
1987 300TD wagon
1996 HD Road King

Ride in Peace Eric Peterson, Harley of Macon
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  #13  
Old 11-11-2009, 12:55 AM
Ran when parked.
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Aix, France and Salt Lake City, Utah.
Posts: 294
Wow, good to know this is doable. How much more complicated is it than converting a w123 300D to a stick?
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  #14  
Old 11-11-2009, 09:45 PM
crashone's Avatar
1983 300SD, 4 speeed
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Raleighish, NC
Posts: 664
w123 to a w123 is straight forward.
__________________
If it ain't broke take it apart and find out why.

1983 300SD, 4 speed
1994 C280
1987 300TD wagon
1996 HD Road King

Ride in Peace Eric Peterson, Harley of Macon
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  #15  
Old 11-11-2009, 11:08 PM
DrewGerhan's Avatar
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Grove City, OH
Posts: 729
video?

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1981 300 SD 213k miles "Stock for now"
1999 Super Duty 7.3L 113k miles
1981 300 SD 180k miles "Heavily modified" SOLD
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