Mercedes OM617 5 cyl Turbo Diesel engine swap to Jeep Wrangler YJ conversion
 

Here are some updated pictures of our Mercedes OM617 going into 1995 Jeep Wrangler YJ with AX15 5 speed manual transmission. Not running yet I decided on 4" lift kit to help clear the MB oil pan. #1 is MB crankshaft to flywheel adapter. #2-3 is the adapter bolted onto stock Jeep flywheel. #4-5 is the OM617 engine to AX15 bellhousing adapter plate. #6 is with the flywheel and clutch mounted. #7-8 is AX15 bolted to MB OM617 engine. #9-10 is the engine installed in YJ waiting for motor mounts and some diesel. We are making motor mounts tonight and hopefully starting on accessories. It sure was helpful to see what the other guys did to make this swap. My son already is wanting to build our 2nd diesel wrangler, since he already has MB that runs on waste vegetable oil.

Sweet :tu:

LOOKS AWESOME....
 

I Am going to do the same thing, 1985 mercedes 300td into a dodge truck with a AX-15 Transmission... did you buy the conversion kit...if so where... IF NOT...Dang!!!:jump:
one of the concerns I have, someone on another post said they did the same thing(300td to AX-15)...and they could not use 5th gear due to the gear ratio...I am not sure what he ment by that, It seems with the torque the 300td puts out, It should be able to use 5th...
Have you heard of that??? he said he got 28- 32 mpg... but i guess thats with out 5th gear ... Please keep us posted...thnx

Welocme to the club! I love my om617 in my cherokee, even though #5 is down 100lbs. I should have the replacement motor in next week. As for 5th gear, you just have to gear the axles correctly, this motor loves to rev. I have 30's with 410 gears and od is used mostly for freeway, it loves 70+mph. Nice work on the adapters!

Thanks for comments. It was not a kit, but i will probably make another one soon for my son. I am very fortunate to work with some guys who are in drafting and engineering, plus the company has a large machine shop. Once the autocad drawings are double checked these would be easy to make again.

Hey kellymctampa-
don't believe everything you read!
I have the stock Jeep Cherokee Diesel with the 2.5 engine equipped with the AX 15.

Why shouldn't the AX-15 fit? It does fit very well. Forget about the extreme mileage- if I go like grandma with stock street tires I get 28mpg. But that does not include any fun and you will experience fun!

The OM is a very good engine! Thats for sure and the AX15 is reliable enough to hold the torque too.:rocking:

Lift and the motor mounts are in. It moved!!! Forward & backward last night. Power steering is working and glow plug relay is wired. Still working on a electric over vacuum fuel shutdown, anybody done that yet? We will be taking more pictures soon. :jump:

I'm doing the same swap on my Comanche. How was the adapter? It looks like you did a great job with it, very clean install. If you make any more i would certainly be interested. :tu:

~Dave

I used the boost overide switch out of the Benz, 12v to the switch closes vacuum, off opens vacuum circut. I used the 12v that went to the coil.

any chance of buying a set of the adaptors??