diesel g wagen pre 1990 top speed? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

xjvoorheesx · #1 10-02-2006, 01:34 AM

can anyone tell me the top speed of the g wagen on the highway with the diesel engine (om617...). i have read that the g wagen is really low geared and therefore is unable to cruise above 60 mph. is this true? can you change the gearing of the rear end or the rear end itself? would it be possible to gear it so that it could cruise at 80? i would not be doing any intensive rock crawling or anything, but i would need the 4wd for average mountain terrain and fire roads (especially when wet and muddy) so the really low gearing wouldn't be important for me. what is the last year the g wagen was 2wd (shift on the fly 4wd) with locking diffs rather than all time 4wd with locking diffs? thanks everyone...

DUTCH · #2 10-02-2006, 05:53 PM

Top speed is dependent upon the transmission in the truck, but 60 mph sounds low for a max.

You can change the gearing in the rear axle, but it won't do you any good without changing the front axle, too. Even when disengaged from 4WD, the front axle turns; and turning is required to lubricate the TC.

The W463 is the full time 4WD and it was introduced in 1989. Some good websites to find out more are:

http://www.graz.daimlerchrysler.com/20yg/e/start.htm
(works with MSIE only, not Mozilla Firefox)

http://www.g4rce.net/engl/index.html

http://www.pointedthree.com/disc/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=57

Gilly · #3 10-03-2006, 11:06 AM

For a factory, Euro, 300GD, I found 130km/h for a manual 4 or 5 speed, 127 km/h for an automatic, either long or short wheelbase, both the same. The smaller displacements are a bit slower. Let me know if you have a particular engine size you need to know, and which transmission.
Gilly

xjvoorheesx · #4 10-04-2006, 01:16 AM

thanks, dutch...thanks, gilly...

i am hoping sometime in late january to start seriously looking for a lwb g wagen in the $10k or less range (i hope to then put in an om617.952 with either a 4 or 5 spd. manual). i am trying to find out what is the most durable and least luxurious model for extended off road trips. i would be driving long distances and long hours on the interstate...so top speed would be a major concern for me. i would like to be able to cruise at 80 mph (between 75-80) with kayaks, bikes, and gear without worrying about the rpms. are different models geared differently (240, 250, 280, 290, 300...). what years and models have 2wd capabilities with locking differentials? what years were the 460 series made and what models? does any specific body style have a completely flat floorboard (from the pedals to the rear doors one flat level surface)? thanks for any information. i have been on the g4rce site and it has answered alot of my questions, but i can't seem to find the answers to any of these so i thought i would ask. thanks, everyone.

DUTCH · #5 10-04-2006, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xjvoorheesx

thanks, dutch...thanks, gilly...

i am hoping sometime in late january to start seriously looking for a lwb g wagen in the $10k or less range (i hope to then put in an om617.952 with either a 4 or 5 spd. manual). i am trying to find out what is the most durable and least luxurious model for extended off road trips. i would be driving long distances and long hours on the interstate...so top speed would be a major concern for me. i would like to be able to cruise at 80 mph (between 75-80) with kayaks, bikes, and gear without worrying about the rpms. are different models geared differently (240, 250, 280, 290, 300...). what years and models have 2wd capabilities with locking differentials? what years were the 460 series made and what models? does any specific body style have a completely flat floorboard (from the pedals to the rear doors one flat level surface)? thanks for any information. i have been on the g4rce site and it has answered alot of my questions, but i can't seem to find the answers to any of these so i thought i would ask. thanks, everyone.

You won't find much for less than $10k.

You may have been to the g4rce site, but didn't read it very carefully, as the years and models for the W460 series as well as gearing for each are clearly spelled out.

The W460's had 2WD capabilities, but the front axle spins with vehicle movement. Before 1985 or 1986 (it tells you exactly in the graz website link I gave you), diff locks were an extra cost option. After that time, they were standard.

None of the G's - from 1979 to the present - have a completely flat floorboard.

If you want to cruise at 75-80 mph - loaded with a lot of gear on top - without pushing the engine, you really need a G500.

Good luck in your quest.

Gilly · #6 10-04-2006, 10:55 AM

I can try getting an answer for you from an MB history disc I have, will take a few days before I can look at it for that long.
Gilly

Gilly · #7 10-04-2006, 09:48 PM

It seems like the 460 was made from 79 up to 91, except for the 250GD which was made until 92. After that they were 461's.
Gilly

xjvoorheesx · #8 10-10-2006, 10:45 AM

thanks, again...dutch and gilly.

i think a G500 is a little out of my price range. i also would like to avoid the fancy interior and fancy seats. i am going to be getting dirty and i don't want to have to feel bad everytime i soil a plush interior.

i saw the gear ratios on g4rce, but i am not knowledgeable enough to translate the numbers to highway driving (how much does an engine transplant affect possible speed vs. how much gearing controls top speed no matter what the engine?). what is an average safe top speed rpm in a gwagen diesel (om617). i might have already asked, but can you change the gearing (front and back) to gain top speed? i am not going to be doing any heavy duty towing or extreme off roading.

i have not seen an older gwagen in person, yet...and from the pictures i've seen from the rear (doors open and backseat out) it looked like one flat floor board. i guess there is a drop-down or step-up of about 4 - 6 inches where the backseat legroom is?

sorry for the extent of amateur questions...this is the only way i can learn.

also...which model gwagen had all three diff locks...front, center and rear?

does anyone have a preference as to what year, model, engine, transmission, body style, etc...is the most capable on and off road?

xjvoorheesx · #9 10-10-2006, 10:49 AM

dutch...

i tried the graz website, but i have safari and firefox and nothing doing. i am looking forward to going to the library and using a pc when i have time to check it out. thanks for the info. and the links.