Rim & Tire Sizes
Rim & Tire Sizes
Any way I could get some information / input from the those who have made this conversion? It looks like there is a ton of aftermarket rims out there, 15" on Craigslist, et cet. Any information on the W126 1986+ conversion also would be helpful since the local Pull-A-Part has a bunch of 1986+ upward cars -- the W123's 1979-1985 are now few and far between. Actually, it would be great to get a definitive list as to
1. What cars for the 15" upgrade
2. List of rim & tire sizes that will work
3. List of front and rear spring options to lower the car (not just cutting the springs) and possible vendors.
Thanks for the anticiaptory input.
Ninth Year Anniversary with STD on 1-9-2020
visit: www.dieselfuelinjector.guru
Project 2018: Really get the car finished -- Turbo OM617 greater than 175 MPH goal.
RED W123 - left Germany as 240D in 1982. Full AMG body kit less rear apron, 2:65LSD, five speed Getrag 717.400, manual steering, read leather interior, manual brake conversion, electric water pump (EWP), and a bunch of other goodies ...
As my 14" tires are starting to show their wear, it will be time to replace them this Spring. As such, I am going with the W126 2nd Generation 15" upgrade. Instead of possibly "hi-jacking" the other threads, I was wondering what type of rims and tires will work on the 1986+ conversion? I really do not know / understand all the mumbo-jumbo about spacers, in-set, sizing, et cet. for rims.
Any way I could get some information / input from the those who have made this conversion? It looks like there is a ton of aftermarket rims out there, 15" on Craigslist, et cet. Any information on the W126 1986+ conversion also would be helpful since the local Pull-A-Part has a bunch of 1986+ upward cars -- the W123's 1979-1985 are now few and far between. Actually, it would be great to get a definitive list as to
1. What cars for the 15" upgrade
2. List of rim & tire sizes that will work
3. List of front and rear spring options to lower the car (not just cutting the springs) and possible vendors.
Thanks for the anticiaptory input.
Ninth Year Anniversary with STD on 1-9-2020
visit: www.dieselfuelinjector.guru
Project 2018: Really get the car finished -- Turbo OM617 greater than 175 MPH goal.
RED W123 - left Germany as 240D in 1982. Full AMG body kit less rear apron, 2:65LSD, five speed Getrag 717.400, manual steering, read leather interior, manual brake conversion, electric water pump (EWP), and a bunch of other goodies ...
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Gota love Mercedes Diesels!
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DeliveryValve
10-11-2011, 12:15 PM #2The question is what car do you have? w123 or w126? Because the tire size is not the same.
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Gota love Mercedes Diesels!
.
I want to upgrade to 15" tires and to upgrade with the later modeled rotors, calipers, et cet.
Thanks,
Ninth Year Anniversary with STD on 1-9-2020
visit: www.dieselfuelinjector.guru
Project 2018: Really get the car finished -- Turbo OM617 greater than 175 MPH goal.
RED W123 - left Germany as 240D in 1982. Full AMG body kit less rear apron, 2:65LSD, five speed Getrag 717.400, manual steering, read leather interior, manual brake conversion, electric water pump (EWP), and a bunch of other goodies ...
I own a 1985 300D Turbo, W123 Chassis with OM617.952 Engine. Currently, my tires are 14"
I want to upgrade to 15" tires and to upgrade with the later modeled rotors, calipers, et cet.
Thanks,
Ninth Year Anniversary with STD on 1-9-2020
visit: www.dieselfuelinjector.guru
Project 2018: Really get the car finished -- Turbo OM617 greater than 175 MPH goal.
RED W123 - left Germany as 240D in 1982. Full AMG body kit less rear apron, 2:65LSD, five speed Getrag 717.400, manual steering, read leather interior, manual brake conversion, electric water pump (EWP), and a bunch of other goodies ...
2nd gen w126 sized tires are 205 65 R15. If your are going to use 15 inch rims, then a good compatible tire size to the 195 70 R14 is 205 60 R15.
Regarding your brake upgrade. As you probably know, the 2nd Gen w126 have front rotors that are larger in diameter compared to the 1st Gen w126 and w123. So the use of 14 inch wheels will not work any more.
Install is straight forward.
A) The w123 backing plate needs to be replaced with the 2nd Gen version as it is larger in diameter to fit the larger rotors.
B) Rotors bolt on directly to the stock w123 hub or the use of the w126 hubs should be OK if you went the bone yard route for acquiring rotors.
C) w126 2nd Gen calipers would also be needed and are a direct bolt on.
The 2nd Gen brakes also have an anti-lock brake hub to them with teeth on the side for the sensor to count. If you want to install anti-lock brakes at a later time, you'll need to get the steering knuckle also for the ABS sensor mount. The steering knuckle is a direct bolt on.
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Gota love Mercedes Diesels!
.
DeliveryValve
10-11-2011, 01:01 PM #4For the w123 Chassis, the only 15 inch OE stock wheels that fit is from the 2nd Gen w126 years 1986 and up. All wheels from those chassis will fit the w123 without the use of spacers because of the similar offset. The only change maybe the type of lug used. I don't have information of wheel styles and specs, but certainly that can be obtained through a search. A database of wheels styles and specs here on this forum would be helpful, perhaps someone has this information they can put together for us all.
2nd gen w126 sized tires are 205 65 R15. If your are going to use 15 inch rims, then a good compatible tire size to the 195 70 R14 is 205 60 R15.
Regarding your brake upgrade. As you probably know, the 2nd Gen w126 have front rotors that are larger in diameter compared to the 1st Gen w126 and w123. So the use of 14 inch wheels will not work any more.
Install is straight forward.
A) The w123 backing plate needs to be replaced with the 2nd Gen version as it is larger in diameter to fit the larger rotors.
B) Rotors bolt on directly to the stock w123 hub or the use of the w126 hubs should be OK if you went the bone yard route for acquiring rotors.
C) w126 2nd Gen calipers would also be needed and are a direct bolt on.
The 2nd Gen brakes also have an anti-lock brake hub to them with teeth on the side for the sensor to count. If you want to install anti-lock brakes at a later time, you'll need to get the steering knuckle also for the ABS sensor mount. The steering knuckle is a direct bolt on.
.
Gota love Mercedes Diesels!
.
I am looking at this as a total package upgrade since I hate replacing one or two parts instead of the whole package since my luck always requires all parts in the package at some point. And yes, junkyard finds so my costs will be under $100 except for the tires and rims. I guess I need to find out the spec's of the W126 rims for starters unless someone has this out there.
Ninth Year Anniversary with STD on 1-9-2020
visit: www.dieselfuelinjector.guru
Project 2018: Really get the car finished -- Turbo OM617 greater than 175 MPH goal.
RED W123 - left Germany as 240D in 1982. Full AMG body kit less rear apron, 2:65LSD, five speed Getrag 717.400, manual steering, read leather interior, manual brake conversion, electric water pump (EWP), and a bunch of other goodies ...
Thanks Delivery Valve .... Any info on the springs?
I am looking at this as a total package upgrade since I hate replacing one or two parts instead of the whole package since my luck always requires all parts in the package at some point. And yes, junkyard finds so my costs will be under $100 except for the tires and rims. I guess I need to find out the spec's of the W126 rims for starters unless someone has this out there.
Ninth Year Anniversary with STD on 1-9-2020
visit: www.dieselfuelinjector.guru
Project 2018: Really get the car finished -- Turbo OM617 greater than 175 MPH goal.
RED W123 - left Germany as 240D in 1982. Full AMG body kit less rear apron, 2:65LSD, five speed Getrag 717.400, manual steering, read leather interior, manual brake conversion, electric water pump (EWP), and a bunch of other goodies ...
For comparison, the standard 300D springs is part number 123 321 36 04 or 123 321 41 04 with a wire size of 15.41 and 15.8mm respectively. Cutting I believe is the only option here if you want to keep the stiffer ride.
For the rears though I have not tried, I think TD springs would work to bring down the car (pn# 123 324 41 04) in conjunction with an appropriate spring pad size. Again the 280, 240 option 123 324 14 04 and 123 324 06 04 would work to lower the car, but it would be softer then the standard 300D springs 123 324 36 04.
Again, cutting the 300D springs would work also to keep the stiffer ride. But I believe going to rear TD springs would make it even more stiffer.
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(10-11-2011, 01:09 PM)Greazzer .... I guess I need to find out the spec's of the W126 rims for starters unless someone has this out there.
If it came out of a w126 originally, you wouldn't have a problem fitting the wheels. Generally the w126 as around an ET of 20-30, which is perfect for the w123.
(10-11-2011, 10:19 AM)Greazzer ...
3. List of front and rear spring options to lower the car (not just cutting the springs)....
...
I also want to add if you are going to the cutting route and want a stiffer ride then cutting up the standard 300D spring, then I believe cutting a w116 front spring 116 321 32 04 with a wire thickness of 16mm would work in combo with the cutting of a w116 rear spring 116 324 08 04 that has a wire thickness of 16.9mm.
You can probably use the 300TD rear spring with that w116 front combo also.
On another note, I have some hard to find stiffer rear progressive springs 123 324 35 04 that I might cut down a bit and try with a front w116 spring combo.
HR Springs and Vogtland Springs that come to mind at the moment for aftermarket stuff. There is also an outfit that makes expensive custom springs. But I forget who they are.
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Gota love Mercedes Diesels!
.
DeliveryValve
10-11-2011, 01:44 PM #6Springs, the only stock springs that are readily available in the junkyards is the 240, 280 springs. Front pn# 123 321 21 04, 123 321 21 04, or 123 321 39 04 with wire size 14.75mm, 15mm, 14.7mm respectively. They will bring the car down lower without cutting, but the drawback is the car will ride softer and handle soft.
For comparison, the standard 300D springs is part number 123 321 36 04 or 123 321 41 04 with a wire size of 15.41 and 15.8mm respectively. Cutting I believe is the only option here if you want to keep the stiffer ride.
For the rears though I have not tried, I think TD springs would work to bring down the car (pn# 123 324 41 04) in conjunction with an appropriate spring pad size. Again the 280, 240 option 123 324 14 04 and 123 324 06 04 would work to lower the car, but it would be softer then the standard 300D springs 123 324 36 04.
Again, cutting the 300D springs would work also to keep the stiffer ride. But I believe going to rear TD springs would make it even more stiffer.
.
(10-11-2011, 01:09 PM)Greazzer .... I guess I need to find out the spec's of the W126 rims for starters unless someone has this out there.
If it came out of a w126 originally, you wouldn't have a problem fitting the wheels. Generally the w126 as around an ET of 20-30, which is perfect for the w123.
(10-11-2011, 10:19 AM)Greazzer ...
3. List of front and rear spring options to lower the car (not just cutting the springs)....
...
I also want to add if you are going to the cutting route and want a stiffer ride then cutting up the standard 300D spring, then I believe cutting a w116 front spring 116 321 32 04 with a wire thickness of 16mm would work in combo with the cutting of a w116 rear spring 116 324 08 04 that has a wire thickness of 16.9mm.
You can probably use the 300TD rear spring with that w116 front combo also.
On another note, I have some hard to find stiffer rear progressive springs 123 324 35 04 that I might cut down a bit and try with a front w116 spring combo.
HR Springs and Vogtland Springs that come to mind at the moment for aftermarket stuff. There is also an outfit that makes expensive custom springs. But I forget who they are.
.
Gota love Mercedes Diesels!
.
1981 Mercedes 300TD Lowered 4 speed manual Holset HX30
mike-81-240d
10-12-2011, 02:15 AM #7Spaxx and cobra also make lowering springs for the W123.
1981 Mercedes 300TD Lowered 4 speed manual Holset HX30
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