Don't need pics (YET!), but any info would be nice.

 

Well for now, I'm in a holding pattern waiting to find a donor vehicle for full size axles and trying to make up my mind on which divorced transfer case to use (depending on where my front diff is). The only thing I have really accomplished is to remove the dash and wiring harness from the YJ and get it pressure washed. I am going to take my time with this one and keep aesthetics in mind while I work through it.




Wife has three requests:
1. It has to look like a jeep
2. It has to be and automatic
3. She has to be able to get in/out without assistance
(#'s 2&3 are due to her disability)

 

Transmission.....are you planning to keep the Mercedes 722.1xx automatic tranny? Most Mercedes guys will swap those out in a heartbeat if they get a chance. I had one die on me...sitting in my garage taking up space.

 

Definitely keeping the trans. I am going to get as schooled up on them as much as I can, because we have a few of them around here with over 500k miles on them that are still very much bullet proof, and one of them has even been used as a camper tow vehicle.

The one I used in the MJ didn't give me any problems, either, and made a good tow vehicle for a 21' welcraft boat (old fiberglass boat with galv. trailer.)

 

I'd take a look at PeachParts - Mercedes Parts & Tech Info and read up on them. While they do last a long time like the engine, I wouldn't consider them bulletproof. BTW, go to the diesel forum....all the gurus hang out there. And the purists will probably give you some crap about dropping it into a YJ, but too bad for them. Look up "5cylturbojeep", it's been done as a YJ. But I think he was hoping to go to a 4wd.

But then again, depends on what your wife will be using the jeep for, and how she will be driving it. I certainly wouldn't tow anything with one of those trannies, but if it is general running around, it will probably last a long time.

 

Didn't know mercedes shop changed it's name. Same username there as here (as well as everywhere else, vwdieseljunkie)

She will be stomping the guts out of the skinny pedal. No, really. This will be purpose built for her to abuse, so long as it makes her happy. Big stupid tires, 3/4ton axles, and a whistling turbo. Flying mud, lots and lots of flying mud.

I've done a lot of heavy (for a comanche pickup) towing with my MJ after the diesel conversion and do not have a single bad thing to say about the trans. Power and rpm range is perfect with 4:10 axles and 31" tires, and the ability to pull it down to a lower gear or punch the WOT button made it a pulling machine! And it could get 27mpg on the highway cruising at 80mph.

 

what did you use for mount placment? (comanchee) as in did the 617 sit in the same spot? im doing the swap over the next few days. im an the point the hood grill finders and all that stuff is out the old 258 and tranny are out and i steem cleaned the frame and stuff. (all on friday) sat had to work. back at it today. plan is the put the 617 and trans in today send off for the drive shaft, and send out the alt to be converted to a one wire. im going to have to make a yoke. i cant use the sub shaft. the cj5 is just too short. i cant post pics from the work pc but i will load them in the next few days. i just wanted to say hi to my fellow swapers and keep ya posted. its happening now!

 

It pretty much sat in the same spot. I used 3x.250 flat stock to build the engine mount brackets and frame pads to use the factory Mercedes motor mount "cups". In hind sight, though it worked as designed, I would rather use a different style mount, something that has a firmer grip on the motor. I've torn the motor mounts on the cars, and it's scary when it breaks loose. Usually it's the driver's side mount that gives up first.

I used the jeep transmission cross member, it was two inches forward from being perfect alignment for the Mercedes transmission.

The only real issue I see you possibly having for fitment may revolve around either the down pipe from the turbo and the firewall, and/or the oil filter housing and the firewall. You may have to play with the height of the motor a little bit to find the best place between the front axle and the closed hood. Oil pan should sit forward of the axle, but might be tight clearance. I wish I had the time to run down there and put my hands on the project with you. I was just down at Hurlburt field a few weeks ago, and next time I make that trip I'll try to schedule some down time to swing by.

 

so i pulled out the dash, pulled all the wire out of the whole jeep. cut the dash in half. pulled the heater out and the blower. i got new plugs for the head lights and some other do dads. i need oil water and a speedo. i still dont know what to do about the tech. i should have the wiring done by fri with the new custom dash back in. sat the welder fires up and the mount pads go down. im not sure if a can get a yoke yet. if not im going to send it out, have one made. i would say a week from friday she will drive. as for you coming down, wait. when i am working on something like this i find it better to be around people who think im stupid. i work more and talk less. like minded people make me talk more then drink 20 beers and do nothing.... just wait.

 

How is the placement of the oil pan? Everything clear, or kinda tight?