STD Tuning Drivetrain best methods to converting a 123 to 4x4

best methods to converting a 123 to 4x4

best methods to converting a 123 to 4x4

 
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JB3
Superturbo

1,795
07-03-2014, 06:28 AM #1
curious if anyone on the board has done one of those frame jobs where they drop a 123 body onto a 4x4 frame.

if you were committed to building a beach cruiser out of a mercedes sedan, how would you go about doing it?

1974 240D 617 turbo swap, W201 5-speed, in the works project
1983 240D 616 stock, DD
1989 Chevy Astro, 617 turbo swap, T5 5-speed, 4.56 diff, work van

JB3
07-03-2014, 06:28 AM #1

curious if anyone on the board has done one of those frame jobs where they drop a 123 body onto a 4x4 frame.

if you were committed to building a beach cruiser out of a mercedes sedan, how would you go about doing it?


1974 240D 617 turbo swap, W201 5-speed, in the works project
1983 240D 616 stock, DD
1989 Chevy Astro, 617 turbo swap, T5 5-speed, 4.56 diff, work van

CRD4x4
CompoundSuperTurboDiesel4x4!

399
07-03-2014, 07:41 AM #2
Idk firsthand but I'd imagine a S-10/Blazer/Hombre/Jimmy/Sonoma frame is about the right size and readily available.
I've dreamt of doing this to my 300TDturbo!
I'm excited to see you progress!!

'05 Jeep Liberty CRD - 160k
'06.5 VW Jetta TDI - 230k
'82 MB 300TD - 116k (motor going to raysorenson)
'81 MB 300TD - 195k (parting out)
'71 Jeep DJ5 - diesel conversion project
CRD4x4
07-03-2014, 07:41 AM #2

Idk firsthand but I'd imagine a S-10/Blazer/Hombre/Jimmy/Sonoma frame is about the right size and readily available.
I've dreamt of doing this to my 300TDturbo!
I'm excited to see you progress!!


'05 Jeep Liberty CRD - 160k
'06.5 VW Jetta TDI - 230k
'82 MB 300TD - 116k (motor going to raysorenson)
'81 MB 300TD - 195k (parting out)
'71 Jeep DJ5 - diesel conversion project

JB3
Superturbo

1,795
07-03-2014, 09:40 AM #3
this is the wifes agenda. Big Grin

she wants to get a fiat for a dd to replace her 123, but she doesnt want to get rid of her 85 wagon. we also rented a wrangler the other day and went out on a beach. first she wanted to sell the wagon and find a 4x4 with a removable top as a summer play car for her, but then she came across those pics on the web of 123s dropped on 4x4 frames and now she wants to cut the roof off the wagon, put in on 4x4 frame, and make a beach wagon out of it.

will be forever before we get to it, but was curious if any of those guys were on this forum, some of the swaps are pretty nice!

i agree, a s10 sonoma type chassis looks almost perfect, lots of cheap rusty body ones around here. little high for my taste, but i am coming around. wish i could link a pic, but i cant on my phone, later on though

1974 240D 617 turbo swap, W201 5-speed, in the works project
1983 240D 616 stock, DD
1989 Chevy Astro, 617 turbo swap, T5 5-speed, 4.56 diff, work van

JB3
07-03-2014, 09:40 AM #3

this is the wifes agenda. Big Grin

she wants to get a fiat for a dd to replace her 123, but she doesnt want to get rid of her 85 wagon. we also rented a wrangler the other day and went out on a beach. first she wanted to sell the wagon and find a 4x4 with a removable top as a summer play car for her, but then she came across those pics on the web of 123s dropped on 4x4 frames and now she wants to cut the roof off the wagon, put in on 4x4 frame, and make a beach wagon out of it.

will be forever before we get to it, but was curious if any of those guys were on this forum, some of the swaps are pretty nice!

i agree, a s10 sonoma type chassis looks almost perfect, lots of cheap rusty body ones around here. little high for my taste, but i am coming around. wish i could link a pic, but i cant on my phone, later on though


1974 240D 617 turbo swap, W201 5-speed, in the works project
1983 240D 616 stock, DD
1989 Chevy Astro, 617 turbo swap, T5 5-speed, 4.56 diff, work van

mbz123
GT2256V

122
07-03-2014, 03:53 PM #4
(07-03-2014, 09:40 AM)JB3 this is the wifes agenda. Big Grin...

O boy, I got some real high expectations for this one. But my stitches...

I got to here:
(07-03-2014, 09:40 AM)JB3 will be forever before we get to it...

...and just could not keep body centered on chair any longer. Wow, muh sides=sore(4x)weeks!

Thanks for that

MBZ123
mbz123
07-03-2014, 03:53 PM #4

(07-03-2014, 09:40 AM)JB3 this is the wifes agenda. Big Grin...

O boy, I got some real high expectations for this one. But my stitches...

I got to here:
(07-03-2014, 09:40 AM)JB3 will be forever before we get to it...

...and just could not keep body centered on chair any longer. Wow, muh sides=sore(4x)weeks!

Thanks for that

MBZ123

JB3
Superturbo

1,795
07-03-2014, 04:34 PM #5
(07-03-2014, 03:53 PM)mbz123
(07-03-2014, 09:40 AM)JB3 this is the wifes agenda. Big Grin...

O boy, I got some real high expectations for this one. But my stitches...

I got to here:
(07-03-2014, 09:40 AM)JB3 will be forever before we get to it...

...and just could not keep body centered on chair any longer. Wow, muh sides=sore(4x)weeks!

Thanks for that

MBZ123

lol
nothing like idle chitchat. some of you SOBs have built some crazy shit. i was waiting for for the guy to chime in-
"yes, the other week ,my buddy and i dropped a 240 onto a jeep frame, installed a 500 cubic inch plant, and welded the diffs."

though it would be a fun fab project, ill tell you reality. we will buy a new car, 300td will be used by me until something major breaks. project will be reassessed at that time.

however, if you were going to do it, the whole frame method seems relatively straightforward

1974 240D 617 turbo swap, W201 5-speed, in the works project
1983 240D 616 stock, DD
1989 Chevy Astro, 617 turbo swap, T5 5-speed, 4.56 diff, work van

JB3
07-03-2014, 04:34 PM #5

(07-03-2014, 03:53 PM)mbz123
(07-03-2014, 09:40 AM)JB3 this is the wifes agenda. Big Grin...

O boy, I got some real high expectations for this one. But my stitches...

I got to here:
(07-03-2014, 09:40 AM)JB3 will be forever before we get to it...

...and just could not keep body centered on chair any longer. Wow, muh sides=sore(4x)weeks!

Thanks for that

MBZ123

lol
nothing like idle chitchat. some of you SOBs have built some crazy shit. i was waiting for for the guy to chime in-
"yes, the other week ,my buddy and i dropped a 240 onto a jeep frame, installed a 500 cubic inch plant, and welded the diffs."

though it would be a fun fab project, ill tell you reality. we will buy a new car, 300td will be used by me until something major breaks. project will be reassessed at that time.

however, if you were going to do it, the whole frame method seems relatively straightforward


1974 240D 617 turbo swap, W201 5-speed, in the works project
1983 240D 616 stock, DD
1989 Chevy Astro, 617 turbo swap, T5 5-speed, 4.56 diff, work van

swampmonkey
hx40 super

280
07-06-2014, 05:42 PM #6
why not get a w124 4matic chassi and mate that to a w123? Big Grin keep the om603turbo 4matic, upgrade the driveline, gearbox+4matic parts Tongue

would be pretty badass! Smile

---------------------------------
daily driver
w115 240d 72hp 3.07 rearend
w123 om602 turbo 200whp 7.5mm pump fivespeed 3.07 rearend
+ a few more.
mbturbo.com
swampmonkey
07-06-2014, 05:42 PM #6

why not get a w124 4matic chassi and mate that to a w123? Big Grin keep the om603turbo 4matic, upgrade the driveline, gearbox+4matic parts Tongue

would be pretty badass! Smile


---------------------------------
daily driver
w115 240d 72hp 3.07 rearend
w123 om602 turbo 200whp 7.5mm pump fivespeed 3.07 rearend
+ a few more.
mbturbo.com

EmJay
Holset

299
07-06-2014, 08:32 PM #7
Benzamino on a S10 or H3 frame, a pair of Dana 30s or 44s.

1987 Mazda B2200 "outlaw" **planning phase**  Chevy 283, Power Pack heads, Edelbrock carb and intake, turbo 350 trans Smile
1985 Mercedes 300D stock for now
EmJay
07-06-2014, 08:32 PM #7

Benzamino on a S10 or H3 frame, a pair of Dana 30s or 44s.


1987 Mazda B2200 "outlaw" **planning phase**  Chevy 283, Power Pack heads, Edelbrock carb and intake, turbo 350 trans Smile
1985 Mercedes 300D stock for now

Simpler=Better
PORTED HEAD

2,127
07-07-2014, 09:04 AM #8
Benzaminoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Or slap it onto a truck frame and bolt the hell out of it. Truck frames are easy especially with your lift.

Really though, you need to come to the dark side and put a 61X into a CJ-whatever. A SBC(87+) flywheel can be made to fit, a 3/8 plate used....starter TBD, mated to any muncie. It's my next project so keep that route in mind.

*Tractor leaks are like hydra-fix one leak and two more appear.

Newbie-read this: Cheap Tricks
617.952-220k-Getting built up
larsalan I guess I need to look at this stupid ass drip shit. What you have to like mess with those elements on the pump? What a fucking hassle. then use some wire to hold the throttle open or some shit?
Simpler=Better
07-07-2014, 09:04 AM #8

Benzaminoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Or slap it onto a truck frame and bolt the hell out of it. Truck frames are easy especially with your lift.

Really though, you need to come to the dark side and put a 61X into a CJ-whatever. A SBC(87+) flywheel can be made to fit, a 3/8 plate used....starter TBD, mated to any muncie. It's my next project so keep that route in mind.

*Tractor leaks are like hydra-fix one leak and two more appear.


Newbie-read this: Cheap Tricks
617.952-220k-Getting built up
larsalan I guess I need to look at this stupid ass drip shit. What you have to like mess with those elements on the pump? What a fucking hassle. then use some wire to hold the throttle open or some shit?

MFSuper90
Budget Builder

1,533
07-07-2014, 10:49 AM #9
Find a 4x4 with roughly the same wheel base as a w123 and slap the body on it. It as long as the wheels sit inside the fender wells it wouldn't be too outrageous.

'82 300D -3" straight pipe, ALDA deleted, 3in1 glowshift gauge, HX30, egr-less manifold, A/W intercooler Big Grin
'14 Ram 6.7l cummins -G56 handshaker, wishing it was deleted         
MFSuper90
07-07-2014, 10:49 AM #9

Find a 4x4 with roughly the same wheel base as a w123 and slap the body on it. It as long as the wheels sit inside the fender wells it wouldn't be too outrageous.


'82 300D -3" straight pipe, ALDA deleted, 3in1 glowshift gauge, HX30, egr-less manifold, A/W intercooler Big Grin
'14 Ram 6.7l cummins -G56 handshaker, wishing it was deleted         

CRD4x4
CompoundSuperTurboDiesel4x4!

399
07-07-2014, 04:09 PM #10
You should keep your eye out for a divorced transfer case so you can use just about an 2WD transmission in your build. It'd probably require fabricating a crossmember for the transfer case to bolt to and custom driveshafts. They come in 2 flavors: drivers side drop & passenger side drop. Choose according to the offset on the front diff you use or vise versa.

'05 Jeep Liberty CRD - 160k
'06.5 VW Jetta TDI - 230k
'82 MB 300TD - 116k (motor going to raysorenson)
'81 MB 300TD - 195k (parting out)
'71 Jeep DJ5 - diesel conversion project
CRD4x4
07-07-2014, 04:09 PM #10

You should keep your eye out for a divorced transfer case so you can use just about an 2WD transmission in your build. It'd probably require fabricating a crossmember for the transfer case to bolt to and custom driveshafts. They come in 2 flavors: drivers side drop & passenger side drop. Choose according to the offset on the front diff you use or vise versa.


'05 Jeep Liberty CRD - 160k
'06.5 VW Jetta TDI - 230k
'82 MB 300TD - 116k (motor going to raysorenson)
'81 MB 300TD - 195k (parting out)
'71 Jeep DJ5 - diesel conversion project

JB3
Superturbo

1,795
07-10-2014, 04:32 PM #11
some pics for our interest of bodies on frames-

This looks like a chevy frame, at least those wheels look chevy to me. Maybe an S10 or Blazer (small type) im betting

   

This one looks more like ford rims to me. Ranger?

   

and this last one is a volvo, but it looks like a toyota frame was used for this one. Wheels look toyota to me

   
   

1974 240D 617 turbo swap, W201 5-speed, in the works project
1983 240D 616 stock, DD
1989 Chevy Astro, 617 turbo swap, T5 5-speed, 4.56 diff, work van

JB3
07-10-2014, 04:32 PM #11

some pics for our interest of bodies on frames-

This looks like a chevy frame, at least those wheels look chevy to me. Maybe an S10 or Blazer (small type) im betting

   

This one looks more like ford rims to me. Ranger?

   

and this last one is a volvo, but it looks like a toyota frame was used for this one. Wheels look toyota to me

   
   


1974 240D 617 turbo swap, W201 5-speed, in the works project
1983 240D 616 stock, DD
1989 Chevy Astro, 617 turbo swap, T5 5-speed, 4.56 diff, work van

Simpler=Better
PORTED HEAD

2,127
07-11-2014, 08:40 AM #12
If you want front articulation, the older ranger and f150 torsion bar setups can flex a lot with the proper setup. You lose strength, and have to use manual hubs(the vac locks never worked form the factory)

If you want solid axle look elsewhere

Newbie-read this: Cheap Tricks
617.952-220k-Getting built up
larsalan I guess I need to look at this stupid ass drip shit. What you have to like mess with those elements on the pump? What a fucking hassle. then use some wire to hold the throttle open or some shit?
Simpler=Better
07-11-2014, 08:40 AM #12

If you want front articulation, the older ranger and f150 torsion bar setups can flex a lot with the proper setup. You lose strength, and have to use manual hubs(the vac locks never worked form the factory)

If you want solid axle look elsewhere


Newbie-read this: Cheap Tricks
617.952-220k-Getting built up
larsalan I guess I need to look at this stupid ass drip shit. What you have to like mess with those elements on the pump? What a fucking hassle. then use some wire to hold the throttle open or some shit?

 
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