Mercedes diesel in a Suzuki Samurai? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

stimpy451 · #1 12-30-2009, 11:43 AM

Anyone know of someone who has done this? I know ACME makes a conversion kit for the VW Turbo Diesel...

I just saw a Samurai on the way in to work and was all "oooooh"

SwampYankee · #2 12-30-2009, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stimpy451

Anyone know of someone who has done this? I know ACME makes a conversion kit for the VW Turbo Diesel...

I just saw a Samurai on the way in to work and was all "oooooh"

I don't know of any MB powered ones but I've been Jonesing for a TDI powered Samurai trail rig project for quite some time. Sadly time is a far more precious commodity for me right now (well, parking spaces can't be totally discounted either). There are a couple kits out there which take a lot of the work and engineering out of it. Unless the fit and fabrication process is what appeals to you, I'd go the trail already blazed.

compu_85 · #3 12-30-2009, 04:02 PM

Even the lill VW 1.6TD is about at the power limits of the stock transmission and axles in those cars. Plus, the 1.6 is fairly light.

-Jason

cscmc1 · #4 12-30-2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampYankee

I don't know of any MB powered ones but I've been Jonesing for a TDI powered Samurai trail rig project for quite some time.

Me too. I dilly-dally'd and missed out on a great deal on one locally. Trouble seems to be that all the donor Zuks in the midwest are RUSTY. The one I saw was a tin-top in excellent shape, and had the conversion all done/running... just needed the interior re-installed. Took too long thinking about it, and someone grabbed it. Oh well.

SwampYankee · #5 12-30-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cscmc1

Me too. I dilly-dally'd and missed out on a great deal on one locally. Trouble seems to be that all the donor Zuks in the midwest are RUSTY. The one I saw was a tin-top in excellent shape, and had the conversion all done/running... just needed the interior re-installed. Took too long thinking about it, and someone grabbed it. Oh well.

We've got no better luck body-wise here either.

Every now and then one (donor) pops up so I'm not giving up hope yet. Hardtops are more common around here but I'd really like a soft-top and build a full cage.

Did you happen to see the Extreme 4x4 episode with their TDI Samurai running on WVO?

cscmc1 · #6 12-30-2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampYankee

Did you happen to see the Extreme 4x4 episode with their TDI 'Zuk on WVO?

Missed that, but I think I saw the DVD on eBay.

Is this it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/RTM-PBV-S2FXT002-Dvd-86-Samurai-Diesel_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5ad601b384QQitemZ390137492356QQptZLHQ5fDefaultDomainQ5f100

SirNik84 · #7 12-30-2009, 06:03 PM

My friend and I were talking of this. 617 + Mercedes 4 speed, devorced TCase, and toyota axles... he has his Sami in his backyard, with the toyota axles and a new body for it... someday he'll get working on it, but at the moment the not so hip happen'n econemy has his focus else where.

SwampYankee · #8 12-30-2009, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cscmc1

Missed that, but I think I saw the DVD on eBay.

Is this it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/RTM-PBV-S2FXT002-Dvd-86-Samurai-Diesel_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5ad601b384QQitemZ390137492356QQptZLHQ5fDefaultDomainQ5f100

That's the one. It's a bad @$$ trail rig!

pawoSD · #9 12-30-2009, 09:46 PM

The 617 + trans probably weighs half of what the entire vehicle weighs!

franklynb · #10 12-30-2009, 10:11 PM

Radiator to firewall is just too short for a 616.
I'm currently trying to stuff one into a short wheelbase 1st generation Montero.

In addition to the oil pan requiring a flip to get it out of the way of the front diff;
its "jam up and jelly tight" between firewall and radiator.

The Zuk wheelbase is a full TWELVE INCHES shorter: 92 vs 80"!

Can't even consider a 617.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stimpy451

Anyone know of someone who has done this? I know ACME makes a conversion kit for the VW Turbo Diesel...

I just saw a Samurai on the way in to work and was all "oooooh"

4x4_Welder · #11 12-30-2009, 11:40 PM

Samurai already has a divorced t-case, but it has reduction in high range. Better off with a Nissan 720 case, or even an old NP205. A frame stretch is a prerequisite to that engine and to having it be a good wheeler, really. Stock wheelbase with a springover and 33" tires, and you actually do run the risk of cartwheeling down a hill. Put the front axle out about 8-10", set it on 4-link with coilovers, and you can get high rate springs to handle the engine's weight. Move the rear axle back about the same and set it on quarter-ellipticals with adjustable nitro shocks, lift to clear 35-36" tires, and it should be ok. You could wheel all day on a tank of fuel.

rcounts · #12 12-31-2009, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4_Welder

Samurai already has a divorced t-case, but it has reduction in high range. Better off with a Nissan 720 case, or even an old NP205. A frame stretch is a prerequisite to that engine and to having it be a good wheeler, really. Stock wheelbase with a springover and 33" tires, and you actually do run the risk of cartwheeling down a hill. Put the front axle out about 8-10", set it on 4-link with coilovers, and you can get high rate springs to handle the engine's weight. Move the rear axle back about the same and set it on quarter-ellipticals with adjustable nitro shocks, lift to clear 35-36" tires, and it should be ok. You could wheel all day on a tank of fuel.

I like the way you think!
Move the front axle forward 8" and the rear axle backward 8" and your 80" wheelbase becomes 96" - same as a stock TJ (Wrangler), but with a narrower track (unless you put Toy axles under it). Move them both 10" and you'd be at 100" - basically the same as an XJ (Cherokee) which is 101". Your approach and departure angles would be >90* since the 35" tires would extend past the suspension, frame, bumpers, and everything else!

That'd be pretty sick alright.

SwampYankee · #13 12-31-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4_Welder

Samurai already has a divorced t-case, but it has reduction in high range. Better off with a Nissan 720 case, or even an old NP205. A frame stretch is a prerequisite to that engine and to having it be a good wheeler, really. Stock wheelbase with a springover and 33" tires, and you actually do run the risk of cartwheeling down a hill. Put the front axle out about 8-10", set it on 4-link with coilovers, and you can get high rate springs to handle the engine's weight. Move the rear axle back about the same and set it on quarter-ellipticals with adjustable nitro shocks, lift to clear 35-36" tires, and it should be ok. You could wheel all day on a tank of fuel.

Or a serious stinger (bumper)!