rab475, Thanks for the info. I'm new to Jeeps and Mercedes engines. I am a diesel mechanic though and have done other swaps. You say the ax-15 is weak but there is an adapter for it and even the weaker ax-5 for the 4 cyl and most jeep swaps seem to be using the ax-15. If it is true about the ax-15 being weak then maybe the are using them since they already have them.

For me the swap will be for driving and off-road when needed. I'm not that hard on a vehicle. I wont be racing or doing burnouts or rock crawling. I'm building a two tank WMO fuel system to drive cheaply. Gearing will be important for me and tire size to keep the engine in it's power curve. For now I found a 89 wrangler with a 6cyl and automatic. My main goal is to complete the swap and drive then later swap the auto for a reliable 5 speed then do a little body work. It has some rust but nothing I can't fix.

There are several 617's in wranglers without a lift and weird angle. Some have said a lift would be nice to give additional clearance but not totally necessary. Mine will have a 4 inch lift with hopefully 31x10.5x15 with no rubbing.:jump::c:

It sounds like you are saying the T-18 bolts to the OM616 without any kind of adapter?

That's what I got out of it too!

Hello not trying hijack this thread . But what kind of fuel mileage do you think you'll get out of 616 or 617 ? I was thinking about putting a 617 in a Bronco :rocking:

I am getting mid 20's mixed with 26 on the freeway in my Cherokee with an auto. I still think there is more to be had. I am putting one in a Ranger 2wd 5spd and hope to get more. I assume you are doing a Bronco II.

No I was looking to put it in a 74 Bronco the old classic boxie looking one's . It weights about 3800 lbs . Do you know what kind of horsepower and torque your making with yours ? Do you have any pictures of your swap , And any advice as a far as a conversion goes ,like what year of car to look for ?

Yes I have a build thread on here, mine is with an auto, kind of wish I did a stick. Look for a mid 80's 300d turbo or any 300sd up to 85.

I found 87 Mercedes wagon with 300 tb in it . What kind of horsepower will that motor make ? Will it work for conversion.

At 3800lbs, the OM617 seems, to me, slightly under-powered in stock form :)

By the way, what differences are there between the 616 and 617 ? The 617 is not a good match with solid front axles and no lift because of the oil pan position....

The om 616 and 617 are the same except the 616 is a 4cyl with no turbo. Either engine will mate to a ford t18 4spd or any ford trans with a 10 spline clutch. No adapter needed just a little machine work and bolt it up. Use stock mercedes clutch (all flywheels are the same 200d-300d mine came from a 115 body 220d) stock ford pilot bearing and turn down the front bearing retainer in trans as small as possible and still get the bolts in it. You then cut the mercedes bellhousing out to fit the bearing retainer. Sil the bellhousing on the front of the trans and drill 6 holes and tap them. i used a hyd throwout bearing first but im working on a shaft mounted clutch fork now. This setup sits behind the front axle and looks stock. Ihave never seen a 617 that is not up aginst the hood in the front and too close to the oil pan on the bottom. Also if you need a 5 speed either your way under powered or you just like to shift. 3+low is plenty of gears for me and i will never have to work on it again.