nine8taco

Hey guys ive got a 98 tacoma 2.7 5 spd 4wd and im pretty dead set on converting it a to a diesel. I also definitely want to go with the mercedes om617 turbo diesel out of the old 300d so my question is this, has anyone done it before, i know its been done to older trucks but i havent been able to find anything on one in a tacoma (point me in the right direction?) also i have the w59 and i believe most of the trucks that run this motor hav switched to the r150. necessary or is there an adapter for my w59? or should i just go with the r150 and call it a day? pretty much im looking for any and all info on putting this little diesel beast into my tacoma. thanks for your help in advance guys!!

PowerstrokeJoe

I have not heard of anyone doing this to a Tacoma. Most guys actually run a w56 or a g58. Those two are the most common and there are a couple of companies that make the conversion kit for it. I used the R150 in my swap and it made things kind of difficult as it is longer so I had to move the whole shebang back 4 inches. You might call 4x4 labs or get in contact with tdswaps and find out if one of their adapters would work with your truck. Other wise I don't see it being that much different from doing it in an older truck.

nine8taco

alright so i talked to brian at td swaps and i dont see this happening with this motor. i have a frame crossmember at the front of the engine bay in the way, i would need to switch trannys and then my diff would be on the wrong side so basically to make this work i need and sas which would be freakin sweet buuut i can only swing one major project at a time. gay! on to other options! vw tdi maybe?

Whitson Metalworks

could the cross-member not be cut out and moved? or even a simple tube cross-member cut and welded in? assuming this would be a one way swap with no plans to put the gasser back in?

snobdds

If want a mercedes engine, there are other options out there.

If I was going to put in a diesel, I would go with the 4 cyl. OM904la motor. It is a stout motor and a torque monster. Some drive train upgrades would ne necessary... as well as moding the oil pan.

Here is a picture of it

nine8taco

The crossmember could easily be cut out and moves if that's all it was but the front two feet of my front diff mount to that crossmember which makes me a bit leery to hack it up. Snobdds what does that motor come in? Drivetrain upgrades in reference to its ability to break stuff or it need to mount to my trans?

snobdds

Well, here are some specs...

I lifted the following from their Specifications section:
*****copy follows*****
Engine Type Mercedes Benz OM 904 LA
Number of Cylinders 4
Displacement 4.25 Liter
Horsepower 170 hp
Torque 485 ft lb (660 Nm) @ 1200 rpm

The torque on the thing is crazy for such a low RPM, however the HP is just around 170. The Tacoma can handle the HP, and can probably handle the torque too, but a few areas would need beefed up. Therefore new gears (higher) 3.90 or bigger tires would be in order. Of course there would be changes in the drive train to hook everything up (trans adapter, drive shaft, etc...), but I would rather just get the engine and trans together and install as a unit. If it was me, I would drive it and see if anything breaks due to the torque. Then upgrade and replace as needed.

These things come in Mercedes delivery trucks, like the one the guys on "pickers" drive in.

nine8taco

Thanks for the info! I haven't been able to find one in the us all the ones in finding are in the middle east or the uk. Any good sourcing tips?

PowerstrokeJoe

This engine is used in Unimogs and other large pieces of construction machinery and the like. The engine in the Sprinter van that the pickers drive is the om612 which is an I-5 2.7L. Its good for about 160hp. At almost 500ftlbs of torque you will need to beef up basically everything. Is the X-Member in the way of the oil pan? Another Idea would be the VW TDI. Done right they can be pretty darn snappy and they are tiny size wise.

snobdds

You are correct about the new sprinters having the OM612. I searched everywhere to find a new sprinter van with the om904la and just could not find it. I heard somewhere these vans were running them, maybe they were installed in the older style before Mercedes merged with Diamler back in the mid 90's. But yes, they are in Unimogs and there is a build on Mud right now where someone is putting one into a 60 series landcruiser, or is about to....

Edit: They are putting a Om906la, which is the inline 6 cyl, not the 4 cyl. OM904la. Now that thing is pushing close to 800ft/lbs of torque. Crazy.

draggin209

There's a Guy on a tdi forum tht put one in his Tacoma. Google tdi club an it shud be one of the first things tht pop up

snobdds

Here is a youtube video of an OM906la running. It also has the name of the engine dismanter that can get the engine.

IT has a funky idle, but sounds like a fun engine. Like most MB diesels, they rev high...

http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...13430540989845

aa1911

iTrader: (1)

holy crap, that is some amazing low end torque!

I'm pretty much sold on a diesel swap for at least my 4runner but it will be a while. Going to rock my veezy until then.

pretty stupid that Toyota didn't offer more diesels here in the states; thanks to the oil companies and their greed...

Man4God

Ignorant comment is ignorant.

Diesels are not offered due to America's experience with American made Diesels of the 80s. No other reason, period. Oil companies love making and selling Diesel fuel because it takes less energy to refine it and it fetches the same amount of money per gallon.

Marketing ability is the only reason we didn't get more diesels. Only since 30 years have past that we have gotten diesels to start to make a comeback in anything other than an F350.

BC_4runner

Mercedes engines are Lame!

Shoooooooweee

Has anyone swapped a om612 out of a sprinter van?

never mind. I should have read first.

HAS anyone grabbed an eBay drive train like… the 1kz that has trans abs transfer case with it?