rear differential gears
 

alright I have tried searching but to little avail. I really want to aquire a new rear differential with 3.46 or 3.96 gears if at all possible. 1985 300d with 340k. Anybody know what would be the most economical way of doing this. Is there a company that reproduces mercedes gears? where could I get the ideal differential? I am not against simply buying a used differential and regearing it, just a little lost being new to this particular community :)

346 gears are around as they came on the 300D NA. I have some but might use them so they are not for sale. 3.90 was offered on the 220D and may bolt up to a 123 diff. The 369 was offered in the 240D and is very common. I may have one of those. I'd be happy to sell if so....if that would be of interest to you.

What is your purpose in wanting such low gears in a 300D?

You do know the 85 has the 2:88 Differential. that was the highest gear ratio available.

A 3:46 and a 3:96 would be a lower gear ratio. good off the line performance, but the engine would running at a much higher rpm at hwy speeds.

Which way are you trying to go?

Why regear your existing Diff when you can just swap in a Diif with the ratio you are looking for.

Charlie

pulling
 

It sounds like the OP is either sled pulling or trailer pulling on the farm. Obviously, the OP is not planning on driving on the interestate.

IF you do swap out your rearend, I'm probably interested in obtaining yours if it's in good condition.

Yes I have a 369 out of my 240D. It is a real stump puller, could also be used for plowing corn if the soil isn't to heavy. And it is for sale cheap. PM me!

I'm totally up for swapping either a 3.46 or a 3.69 diff for your stock 2.88.
I'll even swap the instrument cluster for yours as well.

Is there a list of the diffs by year or model anywhere?

What vsteck said. You change the rear end you have to change the speedometer head or cluster if you want any fairly true mph indication. Most members just change out the whole rear pumpkin rather than internal gears.

Wouldn`t make any sense to swap the gears and then have to set up the gears, spacers and bushings etc.... plenty of Differentials around to just swap the whole thing. Haven`t read of anyone just swapping the Ring and Pinion.


Here is a list of the chassis and differentials that were used together.

Diff info?


Charlie

116 body SD- 3.07
126 body SD up to 84 - 3.07
123 body wagon from 81-84 3.07
123 wagon from 77 to 80 3.46
123 body sedan/coupe 300 from 77-81 3.46
123 body sdean/coupe 300 from 82-84 3.07
123 body 240D all years, and transmissions 3.69

123/126 300XX 1985 2.88

gassers have all kinds of crazy ratio's from 2.24 or so and up.

all the pumpkins from the above years are interchangeable physically.

No difference between turbo and non-turbo sedans? Worth the work to trade out a 3.46 for a 3.07?

123 turbo started in 81 for the wagon, and 82 for the sedan and coupe my list notes that change...
non turbo is 3.46 turbo up to 84 is 3.07 85 is 2.88

Oh, I see. I didn't know if the turbo and non turbo models were sold side by side. I suppose my parts car has the 3.07. I'd like to squeeze a few more highway miles out of the wagon, just don't want to be defeated by every hill.

only the euro vehicles were available non turbo side by side years...
all US models are the same. 123 77-80 are non turbo wagon got turbo in 81, and all the other model 300 123 bodies got turbo in 82
the 240 never got the turbo.

Learn something everyday. haha.