What's The Difference

[Carpenterman]

I have a question for all of you wagon masters. I am considering an '85TD as a parts car for my '81TD daily driver. I recall reading that the differential has a different ratio, the speedometer is electronic rather than mechanical, and the transmission is improved in some fashion. Is this correct?

What else of consequence is different? Will the transmission and/or motor swap without hassle?

The owner also said that the motor had been replaced (late '90s?) due to a factory recall. That MB had a recall on this engine is news to me. Didn't the California cars have a trap oxidizer recall? They didn't replace the engine though, did they?

Appreciate any info.