43runner

I've got a 1988 4runner and a 1985 mercedes 300d turbo diesel donor car. How much would you charge to do the conversion?

Zeppy1311

Im intrested but what come's in the kit. My e-mail is big_piro_666_637@hotmail.com what do I have to have for your kit to work. What flywheel should I use.

riddarunner

This kit is a rip off the one from 4x4 labs is much better and it comes with the correct flywheel

yodacrawler89

hey man i have a ? . i have a 83 om617 i got it for free but it was already pulled with every hose just cut . it seems like there are alot of vacum lines on this thing what do i need exactly for this bad boy to run .

pyrojoe22

what kind of mileage can we expect???

riddarunner

Depends on the year of your motor and turbo/non-turbo. I have an 85 motor and im getting 26 driving the mtns in VT on the hwy. anout 22 intown with 4.10 gers and 33" tires I think i could do better with 35s

ryantowry_81

What do you mean by not the right flywheel? They were using a stock Toyota flywheel Terri led to fit the Mercedes crankshaft. How is that wrong?

On a side note I talked with allen (Crazy_85) about this allot when I was looking into it a while back and I don't think he works for the shop selling the conversions anymore. That is prob why he is not responsive.

Also did 4x4labs come out with a mini-truck kit or are you using he chevy or land cruiser kit adapted to work in a minitruck/runner?

riddarunner

4x4labs came out with a kit for mini trucks (w56) The pilot bearing is much better than the one in the crazy85 kit. The 4x4 labs kit combines the pilot bearing and flywheel spacer, I feel like it would be more stable. Its that the 4x4labs kit comes with the correct flywheel its that it comes with one the crazy85 kit didnt. Then to put the last nail in the coffin i pad $200 less then crazy85 was asking.

ryantowry_81

That is good news cause last I checked 4x4labs the only one they made was for chevy transmissions. If I ever get another Mercedes motor I will have to look inth that 4x4 labs kit.

riddarunner

Just a few pics I ahve a build up thread but thinking about copying the om617 part over to this section. This pick is of the toyota flywheel and you can see the pilot bearing adapter in the center and how it reaches out to each flywheel bolt hole.

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/h...4/DSCN0413.jpg

The trans adapter

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/h...4/DSCN0415.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/h...4/DSCN0414.jpg

calvinr

were is your shop?

nathanmyers

what are the main advantages of doing this swap over a TDI? I know that the om617 is more reliable but it also will cost a few thousand more to swap. You also will probably get about the same power and MPG.

Transplanter

How does the Om617 cost thousands more? You can them for $500 avg and the adapter from tdswaps is about the same price as acme's and for around $500+/- you can get a complete bolt in kit from tdswaps for the Om617. I've seen guys pull 34+mpg from 4x4s as well with the merc and its better suited to haul around a 4,000+lb rig around than a tiny 1.5/1.9
litre VW. You might be able to get the same peak power out of each engine,but in the end the tdi will be working much harder to produce it and at a much higher rpm. The merc engine even has a higher redline as well with the govener kicking in at 5,200 rpm. To me the only plus to the tdi is lighter weight and its shorter in length.

nathanmyers

Wow... I have never seen one for $500. I guess I'm not looking in the right place. Sounds like an awesome deal. I have been looking to do a TDI swap but this looks like a much better option for $500. I would also love to stay away from all of the more modern computerized crap in the TDIs.

nathanmyers

haha... I just found 2 for $200. No idea on the milage at the moment though. Or if they will run. I will just take off the oil pan and head to see if anything is wrong. Do you know if this is a zero clearance engine? If it is a clearance engine I won't bother with taking the head off. I also found a w56 transmission with transfer case for $350 but I bet I can get that down to $300. It has been a good night. I have officially decided that a TDI isn't for me. I have been debating the TDI vs OM617 swap for the past few weeks and the mercedes is just better for what I want to do. This is going to be the biggest build I have ever undertaken. should be fun.

Transplanter

That's a good buy for $200 if they are runners. Not sure on zero clearance unless you mean zero interference as in valves hitting pistons if cam timing is off? And yes,valves will hit. The only real issue on these engines,as long as it doesn't have tons of blowby,is timing chain stretch,as it throws off pump and cam timing. It's an easy fix,but in the $200 range for a new chain and supporting hardware. I've had a few with injectors that needed rebuilt,just put bosio nozzles in them at around $260 for all 5. That's about it for the Om617,shoot I just drove one with 547,000 original miles on it today and the guy wants me to put that eng and trans into another car!

timbuxton

looks pretty sweet. whats the longest you guys have had one running and whats ballpark price for something like this?

nathanmyers

completely depends on the parts... rebuilt om617 would probably be in the $1000-$1500 range. while a perfectly good operational one could be several hundred. you can make the adapter plate or buy one for $600. the transmission could be free if you have one or $1200 if you buy a marlin transmission. it just depends. A good estimate if you do the work yourself would be in the $2000 to $3000 range if your using decent parts. probably double that if you are going all out and getting all new/rebuilt stuff and doing engine mods like a new IP for more power. I have no idea how long anyone has had one running in a toyota. If you use good parts you could probably easily have one go 500,000 miles without a problem. I plan to keep mine for a very long time. anyway i'm finally going to pick up an engine up this weekend if all goes to plan and maybe a trans if I can find one. Ill probably be replacing it with a marlin after a few years but just want to get it running first. I also don't have much experience on a standard so I don't want to go beat up a brand new trans. oh and thanks for all of the info transplanter. You sure sound like you know what your doing I'll probably be asking you some questions if you don't mind. to start. I have read a ton of forms on people doing this swap and trying to make the tachometer work with this engine and everyone seams to either not care or have a different solution. how would you recommend solving the tachometer problem?

skipjack

Can you guys tell me if the towing capacity changes with this swap? I tow a variety of things quite often one of them weighing in at 2000-2400 lbs.

I just found out about this swap...my wife is giving me the evil eye.

OregonHillbilly

Whats the cost on your kit and what does it come with