Has anyone found an easy/reliable way to transplant a 300D drivetrain into a pickup body???? I know that the Chevy S-10 was a good choice for my 190D drivetrain, but what about the 300D? Has anyone here done that? I've wondered about turning my 300D into a van, or a pickup truck with a sleeper bed in the back . . . lots of welding . .. LOL!!!!

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1983 300D, the "Avocado"
1976 240D, 4-spd the "Pumpkin", SOLD to Pierre
1984 190D, 2.2L, 5-spd, my intro to MBZ diesels, crashed into in 2002

That has crossed my mind several times. It looks like some of the experts would chime in.

A 4B Cummins would be a much better choice. It has much more torque and will accept a variety of transmissions.

If you can find a pickup which will handle the 8 or 900# of the cummins.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I've considered eventually putting a 95 E300 engine and transmission in my 97 Ford F150. I think it would be a good combination.

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Jim

Well, I figure the body of my '83 300D will rust off before I get to 300K on my enigne, so really looking to use my existing drivetrain. The F150 seems to have a long enough hood area to fit the 5-cylinder engine. anyone do that yet? And shat about Vans that could be used for camping in the back???

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1983 300D, the "Avocado"
1976 240D, 4-spd the "Pumpkin", SOLD to Pierre
1984 190D, 2.2L, 5-spd, my intro to MBZ diesels, crashed into in 2002

i believe there's a kit to mount a OM617 to a toyota w56 transmission. I'd like to do that swap... it would be just about the perfect size for a small 4x4. Should be a power upgrade from the gutless 22RE too.. HP is fairly similar but the diesel has much better torque.

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1985 Mercedes 300D turbo 144k

Right - that adapter is here: OM617 to Toyota W56 5 speed adapter kit | 4×4 Labs

Looks like a quality piece. There have been some documented swaps on IH8MUD.com and 4btswaps too I believe. There have been some good transplants of 617 into a Jeep body. Looked and sounded great....

Too bad it's not big enough for a Land Cruiser - that's what I'm looking to do eventually.

Good luck -
James

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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

what about those inline 6 turbodiesels from the later benz diesels? Those put out over 150 hp right? I know some of the heads were bad.. but i thought some were good as well...

a friend of a friend has a 4 cyl benz engine in a samurai with toyota running gear... that would be a fun little machine, probably sips fuel too.

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1985 Mercedes 300D turbo 144k

They weigh about 750#- not much more than the 617.

There was a thread on here a while back where a guy transplanted a 617 into an 80's Mazda pickup. I remember he lives in Canada, and posted some video.

Edit: WHunter just bumped the thread. It was a 616. Pretty good explanation of everything that went into it.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

Starting here is where he changed his mind from the 616 to the 617.
really incredable talented guy.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/2096937-post21.html

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

Now I want one of those sprinters or T1s!!!! Think I can find a good body with lunched engine for cheap, to drop my engine in by the time I retire????

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1983 300D, the "Avocado"
1976 240D, 4-spd the "Pumpkin", SOLD to Pierre
1984 190D, 2.2L, 5-spd, my intro to MBZ diesels, crashed into in 2002

I am a member of several Toyota forums and the OM617 is becoming a very popular swap. I am putting one in a 1970 FJ-40 now.. I have seen several threads of others putting them into toyota pickups.

Or, how 'bout I get Grandpa's welding gear out in SoCal, and a lot of bracing, remove the back seat, build a base, and a box to start a van conversion? What if any, would have to be done to the suspension? (There I go again, starting trouble!!!!). Or the possibility of dropping a truck bed behind the front seat and sealing off behind the seat with the torch? Anyone know of an existing truck bed that would drop on and bolt on?

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1983 300D, the "Avocado"
1976 240D, 4-spd the "Pumpkin", SOLD to Pierre
1984 190D, 2.2L, 5-spd, my intro to MBZ diesels, crashed into in 2002