darius_ro1

Did any of you guys consider this steering box? It is a Mercedes MB 100 steering box that looks very similar with G klasse. The cost is just a fraction of the G klasse one and the shaft seems to be already machined. It remains to check if fits ast it is or not. Darius

thank you. did any of you guys modified the rims' ET? have you seen any posts on this issue on this forum? I need to solve that asap. I took them to a company here, but the first one done is not ok.

Fredrik, what type of gearbox did you use and from what car model? E klasse , Sprinter...? What ratios? darius

Hi Martin, I found today one like yours, without turbo and one KZT 3 l, but the guy selling them is asking quite a lot. Before this I found one 1HD-FTE (with only 70.000 km) with automatic gearbox. Is seems nice to have 204 HP, but is a very long (1,8 m) asembly including drive line and the electronics could make life more complicated. was the cab also modified or raised in order to fit the engine inside? darius

dear martin, I realized how stupid was that question just after posting it. You are absolutely right. I had in mind some "bolt on" portals manufactured in two different ratios. I did not pay to much attention to this aspect until now, but it looks serious. I will keep that in mind. thank you for the information. I think that you are using the entire driveline from Toyota. what is the lenght of it? weight? did you have to modify the traverse of the chassis or move the engine to the front? darius

Hi Fredrik, did you change also the turbocharger? I am not sure, but the original one of the 606 engine is not with variable geometry? I have seen some mentioning about the need to install a turbo actuator from other engine. what gearbox did you use? the revs is a good reason. is the offroad low speed capability not affected? what did you change? the final pinion of the portal or something else? darius

Here are some pics of the axle works.

Hi guys, I am glad to hear of your experience. Fredrik is the pump the only thing you gave up or also other parts (EGR, etc)? I was discussing that with some mechanics, but they were not so confident. How many HP did you get from this set up? I like this idea. I also had and stil have a lot of electronic in some pick-up trucks that have seen al lot of adverse conditions, but the issue was the confidence of the mechanics in the their ability to get a totally reliable assembly when a lot of electronics is involved. some have done it here, but took them a lot of time and gave up some of the parts prone to defects (like EGR). The ecu software had to be also rewritten. In my opinion and some other engineer friends is perfectly doable, but they are not sure about the result. Mercedes electronics is viewed by them as a special case, being harder to adapt than others. I would like to say go toyota, but for the present moment I have to say go Mazda! (BT 50). Tee next one will probably be Toyota. Why do you want to convert to 5.99? more speed? I have just ordered some Cooper STT 315x75x16. I hope to solve soon the rims modification issue.

Hi Martin, I have seen Daniel's conversion long time ago. I was thinking about tilting cab for a while, but I will stick to the original solution, perhaps a little lifted if the G steering box impose it. My c304 is a radio truck and I am still thinking if to keep the original box shell, rebuilding it a little longer or to build a brand new one a little wider and taller. For the times when the box is not used, I was thinking to build a flat bed that should include an extension to the existing cabin in order to have 5 seats. At the present moment I have all the axles dismantled and rebuilt with new standard automotive seals conversion (like the one made by flying spanners) and complete new brakes and brake pipes. Two of them are finished (excepting the paint job), but still have the front one where I plan to make a king ping conversion. In the mean time, I was looking for some good engine around here. Mercedes engines are very affordable to be bought as parts or together with the entire car, but I am in a dilema raised by the electronics of the last TD models ('95-'99). Several specialists made the point against electronics very strong in case of Mercs. I found some toyota 1hd fte with low km, but is to long and heavy. Lately I was looking for toyota KZT 3 l engine, but still not found it yet. I am aiming for Toyota 4 runner/hilux surf RHD which have lower prices, but no interésting ones are on the market now. some speak against it, but it would be possible to use the entire driveline. I do not know yet what steering column will use, but in any case astrovan is a very rare car here. probably will look for some Mercedes column if fits. I am also trying to modify the ET of the wheels, but it seems to be not so easy to find some good specialist that has a lathe large enough for theese rims. I have one already modified, but did not came out good. I will try again soon. Anyway, all of the original rims are not perfectly round and that is not helping. I will post some pictures as soon as will seriouselly start with the chassis and the cab. Now I have only the axles almost done and a lot of researching and planning. We take our time snowmobiling in the mountains during the weekends, so little contruction time was remaining during this period.

hi

Hi Peeter, I am thinking to go the same way like you with the conversion. The electric powersteering looks easier and less costly, but are to many wheel turns with the standard box. Some people used some other steering boxes, but the mercedes one looks the easiest to fit. I am now restoring first of the two 304 we have. Since some time ago, I was looking for a good engine conversion and still have not 100% decided. Was looking for toyota, but here is hard and very expensive to get a good complete engine and transmission (1KZT). So, I will probably end with Mercedes 290 TD 129 cp or 300 TD, 177 cp, even I do not like to have so much electronics. But there still is some time. will see. I knew about Google translation, but will have to check my computer settings because it is not providing that within this page.

hi, Nice job. I do not understand your language but the pictures let the story build. Is the steering case machining the only modification to it? why did you raise the body? Regards, darius