I am trying to find someone who has swapped a mercedes 5 cylinder into an early Bronco or other older (heavier) rig. I am having trouble finding any information on the finished product. I am trying to assemble all the parts and equipment I need to swap a om617 into my 73 bronco. My biggest concern is power. I am not looking for a ton of power I just want to make sure that this swap is going to give me enough juice to drive on the freeway or pull a pop up tent trailer. Any info or pointers would be awesome.

 

I had one in a Cherokee and wouldn't waste my time with that motor in a heavy 4x4 like yours. It definitely won't pull a trailer with good results. I have better power/mpg's with a smaller DI motor, so what I'm saying is there are way better choices out there.

 

you arent going to be towing anything...ive got one in a cherokee with 4:10s and 31s and it drives fine, but added weight like a bronco and a trailer and you may as well be driving a top kick with a gas 4.3

 

Thanks for the info. I was worried that this may be a poor motor choice. This seemed like the next best choice for a diesel swap. I want the reliability and toque of a diesel but don't want to shell out the money for a 4bt.

 

Not saying I would do this conversion. and since I own one I thought I would weigh in so to speak. The official curb weight on the old bronco with a 302 v8 was 3545lbs, and I think some models may have been advertised close to 3800, A light weight one would be just a tiny bit over what a Cherokee xj weighs. I have not put my old bronc on the scales, and I have a bit of doubt if that is a real weight or a pie in the sky factory weight. My stock '01 2wd manual trans Cherokee scaled at 3550 with half fuel and me in the driver seat. There was a jeep wrangler guy on this or 4bt forum who posted a pic of his wrangler on the scale at well over 4000lbs. I forget who it was, maybe turbo6bar? I don't remember what engine he was running; maybe a Kubota v2203.
My MB jeep cherokee with a NON turbo benz is a dog, it does go, but it is a dog no doubt about it, it has a 3.55 rear.
The Bronco should have a factory 4.10 rear. With small tires you might be able to run the MB, but it would probably not be VERY FUN to drive. Stepping on the gas in my 302 Bronco always brought a smile to my face. Going to the gas station did not, 35 gallons with my big tanks installed and about 8 mpg at 55mph in the snow in 4wd high, or 13mpg at full speed in 2wd
I would think that if you search hard you could find a 4BT or Isuzu for a reasonable cost. I will also say again, that if you start a conversion with crap, you end up with crap, with a different engine.
I hope everyone has a very happy new year

 

thanks for clearing my mind in his regard .. would certainly go with it and hopefully it would turn out in some good to me as well

 

I appreciate all the info and insight. It is good to hear from folks who have a MB motor. I think that this helps clear things up, and will help motivate me to find a cummins or isuzu motor.