OEM617 into a truck? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MercFan · #1 09-07-2010, 03:56 PM

Hope I'm posting this in the right place... if not, I'm sure we'll find out...

Putting OEM617 into a various non-MB vehicles has been discussed on the forum, but I wanted to ask the question another way: what small size truck would be an 'ideal' vehicle (or close to it) in terms of size, weight ratio.

Looking for efficiency and top mpg more than the power. 4x4 would be desirable; though I'm not expecting to tow much of anything, just hauling stuff from HD/Lowes, running around town, fishing trips and short trips to the mountains now and then. Mix of in-town and highway driving with emphasis on mpg as the top goal.

Looking at possibly these candidates:
Toyota Tacoma
Ford Ranger
Nissan pickup
Mazda pickup
Isuzu pickup

Also, the difficulty of swapping the 617 into another shell is another consideration... Reading about the 617 to Tacoma swap - seems a bit involved.... may not even be worth it for me - thoughts?

panZZer · #2 09-07-2010, 03:59 PM

You can find the V6 forerunners dDOA all the time cheap on craigslist--but the cooler looking taco is probably going to be repowered and kept going.

MercFan · #3 09-07-2010, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panZZer

You can find the V6 forerunners dDOA all the time cheap on craigslist

Not crazy about 4Runners...

panZZer · #4 09-07-2010, 04:08 PM

Me neither. one of the 1990 ish wide landcruisers with the "euro lenses or the lexus with the same body would be cool but you'de have to soup up the 617 to about twice what its got to get it going in cross town traffic.

MercFan · #5 09-07-2010, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panZZer

Me neither. one of the 1990 ish wide landcruisers with the "euro lenses or the lexus with the same body would be cool but you'de have to soup up the 617 to about twice what its got to get it going in cross town traffic.

Right... I like the Landcruisers as well... but like you say the 617 is probably not the right stuff for that body. The array of Toyota diesel engines is just bewildering... enough to make your head spin... so I thought I would try to start with an engine that I at least know something about (thanks to ya'll) and see what truck body this engine may be suitable for - basically trying to narrow down the nbr of possible combinations and remove some variables...

panZZer · #6 09-07-2010, 04:37 PM

I like these motors and wiill have at least one modified pump for above 200hp/and a ported head/holset bft.
And also have the 145hp one with the sprinter turbo for whatever.

I snag and set aside any motor that can be had reasonably-- any one need a good auto tranny

?

A toyota dezl is gonna run into a lot of dinero also-but doesnt have much support group, and are UNcommon in the US.

mach0415 · #7 09-07-2010, 05:10 PM

You need to research Ford Rangers. I saw a 1993-1997 Ranger with am OM617 in it. Also look and see about the Ford 300 L6 Mazda 5-speed retro-fit plate that is being worked on in a thread from a few weeks ago. Simple fit! And approx the same hp rating needed to get the job done. I bet it would be a 35-40 mpg truck. There is plenty of room under the hood. You might have a problem with front axle to oil pan clearance on a 4x4, though.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=283411&highlight=teaser

http://www.4btswaps.com/forum/showthread.php?7413-compilation-of-OM617-swap-projects

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MercFan · #8 09-07-2010, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mach0415

You need to research Ford Rangers....]

Interested... thx. Local CL has quite a few models modestly priced - no DOAs but some close to it...

Does anyone know what the registration process would be like for one of these conversion? I'm in CO... and my diesels undergo annual emissions testing... just wondering how the plates registration process goes when the body and engine don't match - will that cause 'conniptions' at the local Motor Vehicles branch?

mach0415 · #9 09-07-2010, 06:11 PM

More than likely will cause problems. Are your diesels OBDII, or are they pre- 1996? In NC, I am pretty sure I could get one inspected pretty easily if the conversion was a 1995 and prior, as there are no hook-ups to a central computer. Still, though, I would have to know someone, if you know what I mean.

MercFan · #10 09-07-2010, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mach0415

Are your diesels OBDII, or are they pre- 1996?

I'm not sure what that is... yeah, my cars are '85 and '87 (soon selling the '85- it runs great, but I don't need two).

I need to research this area well before I get too excited...

47dodge · #11 09-07-2010, 06:20 PM

The 617 into the Toyota Tacoma is a mighty tight fit. Radiater needs to be moved, and I think the body might need to be lifted a little for the trans to clear, if you stay with the Mercedes auto. If you change to a manuel trans be aware that the flywheel is balanced for each engine, and if you change it(which you will need to for a manuel trans) the new one needs to balanced for your engine.

I am starting on a 616(240d) conversion into a Toyota pickup. This should fit much better. Oil pan may still need some reworking. But at least it has a manuel transmission. I plan to add a turbo to it. Yes I have read most all the posts about adding a turbo.

You may want to look at the Dodge Dakota. I don't think you will get anywhere near 35-40 mpg though, more like 25 or so. The 617 will fit much better. I did look at this truck myself, and ruled it out as being to big, and likely to be poor milage. i do have a full size Dodge, of course with the Cummins, so for me a mini truck with really good milage suits my needs better. This is why the 616 with manuel trans into the Toyota.

4x4_Welder · #12 09-07-2010, 06:25 PM

The only way to really do this and get through emissions is to swap into a truck that is older than the engine, and make the EGR look functional. My swap into the Courier is actually legal since the truck is an 81 and the engine is an 82. Since I am also swapping in a Dana 44 front axle, and running at least 31s, I'm expecting low 20s, with a high of 25. Anything more is just a bonus.
If you are in a non-emissions county, then the post-86 Mazda will fit this engine pretty well. Here's a video of one in a B2600i Cab Plus:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2fWrqShmys
He has a bunch of other videos of that project, and it's a pretty clean install.
The 85-94 Toyota pickups fit this engine pretty well, as it's about the same length as the 22R/RE. There are a few guys who have done this swap on the 4BTswaps.com site.
This guy is one of the ones that inspired me to go the direction I am:
http://www.4btswaps.com/forum/showthread.php?8362-89-Toyota-4runner-OM617.952-Benz-Swap
A 4Runner on 38s that gets 17mpg, just unreal.
If you want an adapter plate for just about any bellhousing, let me know. I haven't installed my engine yet so I can make an adapter as long as I can find a transmission to adapt.

MercFan · #13 09-07-2010, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4_Welder

The only way to really do this and get through emissions is to swap into a truck that is older than the engine...

I guess that shoots the '91 Ranger with '85 OEM617 idea that I was focusing on for a moment...

I'd have to get a ranger that's older than '85 and they're lookin' pretty shabby... Oh well, need to look at some Mazda's. Someone gave me a link to a Mazda with an Isuzu engine up near Vail, but it had WVO kit on it and looked kind of beat up... Oh well - the search continues.

mach0415 · #14 09-07-2010, 08:25 PM

Actually a 2.3 liter 5 speed in my 1989 Ranger got 24 mpg all day long at 105hp rating and 135 lb/ft torque. A fairly strong OM617 is rated at 125hp and 170 ft/lb of torque. So, I would still maintain that these year model Rangers (especially regular cab short beds) could see well into the 30s for fuel mileage if gearing, age and wear, etc., etc. are taken into account. But, I will agree that stepping down year models, in terms of engines may be restrictive. BUT, remember the Clean Air Act did not regulate particulate emissions until later, so who knows?. I am unclear as to when diesels even had to meet more stringent requirements - as OM617s from 81-85 had an EGR valve (possibly earlier - someone correct me if I am wrong).

OR

Like I said, know someone who has an inspection license. I am not condoning illegality, and I am not saying it is right to ask someone to go out on a limb and risk their license, BUT, they are out there and do it all the time for these purposes. I know of a few in my area that inspect non OBDII vehicles that I KNOW would NEVER pass, given a legit look-over and they come out with a passing inspection.

t walgamuth · #15 09-07-2010, 10:00 PM

The biggest issue in any swap of a benz motor into another vehicle has to be the front deep sump. It cannot be altered much because of the way the oil pump mounts up to the engine.