Here's the Benz transmission mount plate and torque converter plate. Before I can go very far, I need to find and mark the location of the crankshaft when the plate is bolted to the engine.

I took the torque converter mounting plate off the auto-flex-plate so I could use it as a reference.

 

Back of Benz engine with everything removed.

 

Okay, I now have the crankshaft indexed to the trans mounting plate (close). I trimmed 1.5" from the front of the Benz auto-trans housing and 1.5" from the front of the W56 bellhousing.

I'll take these two "rings" to the vertical mill, and cut them down to the flanges, and make sure the thickness is consistant for the entire piece. Then to the lathe to fab a "reverse" clutch-alignment tool to get the five pieces close to where they belong.

Finally, it's off to the CMM to start getting some coordinates into the computer. I'll start playing with MasterCAM, and see if I can address the mounting issues of all the separate pieces.

The manual flywheel and auto flexplate will go to "House of Balance" to try and have these parts matched.

 

I made some progress on this. I trimmed both transmission mounting-flanges down to about 3/4" on the mill. I mocked it up on the engine, many measurements were taken, and I decided that using the 240D flywheel is NOT the way I want to go. That would require using a Frankenstein combination of a Benz pressure-plate, a Toyota friction-disk, and some other pilot bearing and throw-out bearing with a modified clutch fork.

I'm fabbing the adapter(s) so that every clutch replacement parts uses the original factory (or AutoZone) parts. So, the Toyota flywheel will be used. It will need multiple modifications to work though. I'm working on a CNC program to do the mods I need in a vertical-mill. I'm going the CNC route since that's what I use all day. The plan now is to use the Benz starter. This thing is HUGE, so I want to keep that if possible.

The Toyota pilot bearing fits inside the Benz crank, but will need a custom-sleeve to work. My buddy on the CNC-lathe will handle that for me. I should have the flywheel modified late next week sometime, so the trial assembly can begin. The way it looks now, it might not even need any driveshaft mods.

I'll update as progress continues.

Roy

 

I dis-assembled the transfer cases, cleaned everything and bead-blasted the cases. A Marlin 4.7-1 gearset is in route. I needed to combine the cases since I had to convert my original case to a topshift config.

 

Sort of sad to hear the Expo rig body didn't get finished. We were talking about you in the Toy section at ExPo recently about some top modification ideas.

Glad to see this making some headway and I like the top modification you did.


I am really surprised at how short the Benz transmission is. Is it a side shift or a tail shift? 4 speed of 5 speed?

 

PSHHHH I work 70 and get all my chit done

 

WOW sweet build!!!!!
cant wait to see the finished product!!!!
your lucky to have access to a cnc

 

I may do an expo rig yet. I just wanted to get a truck on the road for hauling and towing a trailer. With such a short bed, a trailer will be required for big stuff. I HATE having to rent or borrow a truck for everything.

The Merc shift linkage is on the side.

Roy

 

Hey Grim Reaper, why did you delete the tech from your post? I saw the original version in my email. I'm wide open to input on this project.

Roy

 

Good to see the project is still progressing, sort of, Roy. I'm still interested in doing a diesel conversion in the future... FWIW a new member Flash319 is working on a VW 1.9 diesel conversion you might be interested in looking at...
Keep us posted Aviator

 

I started posting before I read the rest. You had covered most of it and were already cutting the bell housing like I was going to recommend.

My only concern is if the W56 (W58 is the 2wd version..identical internally) will hold up to the motor if you amp it up. The most Toyota ever put against that tranny is the 7M normally aspirated. 190HP 195lbft of torque. They were known for not taking high torque very well. I was going to say the Benz tranny might still be an option with a divorced case. The input is 27 splines and the back section of the tranny has a seal so it seems to me it would only be a matter of turning down and threading the end of the shaft to get a yoke on the input.

 

i just found this build... and read the whole thing... and all i can say is DAMN. you've got some serious talent man, I wish I wasn't so useless with welders and metal... your new design looks like it will be a lot more trail friendly, all though i have to say i was looking forward to seeing the camper conversion

any chance your interested in fabing up a rear bumper for my truck?

 

finished product????????????

this build is awsome by the way

 

Hey Grim, Glad to see you over here this is 4Rescue from the Expo...

I found this thread again, and am sad to hear it got put on hold, like Grim said, I was really mulling over anidea for a bolt on camper shell for our 1st Gen's...

Cheers

Dave

 

I liked the idea of the expo build, but I wasn't happy with how that version was turning out.

After working as a machinist for ten months, I have re-thought the entire build. We have a sheet-metal and welding shop where I work now too, so my options about what CAN be done have changed considerably.

As for making the bumper for the above post, I'm not set up YET to do outside work. I'm adding shop equipment like crazy though.

I'm still working on the body and paint, then I'll return to the engine swap.

Roy

 

It's also used in teh 2wd 95-04 tacoma's.
Many people are turbo'ing them and running 250-400rwhp with just a flywheel/clutch upgrade.. and they're running slicks/drag radials... it's not as weak as you think.
AA also makes 350 to w56 conversion bellhousings... if they were as weak as you say, no one would run them.
But i do agree, a r series trans would be all i would run.

 

Finally, someone doing the air bags. Which model are you looking at running, and what are you up to for mounts, a kit or building your own?

 

This is the most bad ass idea I've seen done to a toyota in a wile, I almost got burned out looking at all the SAS swaps and v8 conversions. thanks for kickin my creativity back into gear!!! And let me know how the MB diesel works, i might just do that for myself...

 

I'm a newb to the yotatech board, just stumbled across this topic today. One of the moderators mentioned I should drop by and see if I can help out any. I'm a mercedes and vw diesel afficionado. I've successfully put the om617 and tranny into an 88 jeep comanche "MJ" pickup in the past with VERY satisfying results. But then again, the mj has the engine bay to fit a 4.0 I-6 gas motor, so I had more room to deal with. Here's what it ended up looking like:



If you have any questions, need myths dispelled, or verified, lol, just ask.

I am VERY curious though, how you overcame the issue of the oil pan. Does it clear the differential and steering linkage? I read that you started the fitting, but not sure how far you got with it before you had to give up the engine lift. So like I said, VERY curious. If it weren't for that oilpan's HUGE front sump, I would have those motors in EVERYTHING around here. (having an almost unlimited supply of them helps, too) They are a tall engine from the timing gear hump in the valve cover down to the sump pan. That alone has prevented me from getting that motor into most things.. Another snagging point is the oil filter housing. Does it conflict with the brake booster or firewall? Do you have any photos from when you had the motor setting in the engine bay? If this motor will physically fit, then I'm buying a IFS toyota TOMORROW!!!