54 GMC, S10 swap, OM617 diesel

[69CST-V]

Awesome work. Looking forward to more updates.
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[Katrina/10]

Originally Posted by DieselRat

Thanks Shannon, Browsed a couple of your builds, you do killer work!




Same company makes them for the AX-5 as well, but IMO unless you have a jeep or something thats already a 2.5L with an AX-5 the 15 is a much better 'truck' trans. I'm actually surprised advanced adapters hasnt picked up on OM617 adapters yet..

Right, I had a Jeep with an AX5 and a dead 2.5L, so I swapped in a 305. The AX5 lived for nearly 6 years! AX15 should be a pretty strong trans.

[DieselRat]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

Right, I had a Jeep with an AX5 and a dead 2.5L, so I swapped in a 305. The AX5 lived for nearly 6 years! AX15 should be a pretty strong trans.

ax-5 isnt a bad trans by any means! Ive had a couple of yjs and a comanche with one, both had well over 200K and after about 5 miles of warmup it would shift smooth as you can ask for a jeep lol.

ax-15 should have no problem with the MB motor, they make similar power to the 4.0.

[Katrina/10]

Is your AX15 adapter a full bellhousing?

[DieselRat]

Ill have pics later, prob gonna put it all together tonight!
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[DieselRat]

Well it was really hot and sticky last night so I ended up quitting a little early. Got my flywheel drilled for the adapter, and the exsiting plate off the back of the motor. I pretty much need a jeep starter before I can do much, the side of the pan needs to be ground down for clearance, and I dont wanna get shavings inside the clutch and bellhousing.

Heres the adapter mounted to the engine



Flywheel adapter, had to drill out the 6 holes which are the mercedes bolts to mount to the crank.



this part has to be ground down for the starter

[Katrina/10]

Interesting! So the adapter kit consists of a bellhousing plate, and a flywheel adapter? And you use a Jeep flywheel, starter, and bellhousing?

[DieselRat]

exactly, its meant to use as much OE jeep equip as possible. The other kits out there (4x4labs) is twice the price, but it includes a custom flywheel, thats for the chevy bellhousing. Then you still gotta buy a clutch, starter, trans etc. I'm into this whole setup for about $500 for everything to run it except the starter which will be free from my brother.

[RINC]

Free parts from your brother ?

Brilliant !

[av8tr33337]

You are one hard working man, I really appreciate all the pics. I think you may have started something here. Will be interesting to see if you have inspired anyone to go the route you are. My guess is with out a doubt, yes.

[DieselRat]

Originally Posted by av8tr33337

You are one hard working man, I really appreciate all the pics. I think you may have started something here. Will be interesting to see if you have inspired anyone to go the route you are. My guess is with out a doubt, yes.

Thanks for the kind words! Its like a bad addiction! Everynight I HAVE to get out in the garage, even if I'm just sitting there pondering a future mod to it.


My near future plans is to mount the trans, get the starter area fitted up (picked up an old starter tonight for fitment. Probably going to lift the cab off, fit the engine and trans and fab a crossmember. The engine sits pretty high so I'm gona need to tunnel the floor some, at least along the firewall and I think it will be easier to lower the cab down to trim, than try to do it with the cab mounted and engine on the crane.
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[DieselRat]

Only had a little time to mess around tonight. Started to tackle the starter. Slightly daunting to grind away and make room, lickily its webbed and aluminum.




And apparently Im gonna have to get some paint on the adapter. Rusty finger prints overnight.

[Katrina/10]

That's a lot of grinding! I did not realize the block was aluminum.

The adapter I had on my Jeep was a full bellhousing with a Jeep trans pattern on one side and Chevrolet block pattern on the other. Had a casting for a hydraulic slave cylinder on the outside, worked well.

[DieselRat]

thats not the block, its the 'upper' oil pan. Then theres a lower steel oil pan where the sump actually hangs down. The block is cast.

[Katrina/10]

Geez, that shows what I know about Benz motors.

[54 jimmy]

cool project. I just sold my 54 gmc. good luck. where in pa are you located. i'm in Pittston between Scranton and wilkesbarre.

[_Ogre]

nice work on the fabrication

[DieselRat]

Originally Posted by 54 jimmy

cool project. I just sold my 54 gmc. good luck. where in pa are you located. i'm in Pittston between Scranton and wilkesbarre.

Located in southeast pa. Lancaster/chester co line east of ephrata/new holland.

Originally Posted by _Ogre

nice work on the fabrication

Thanks!!
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[DieselRat]

Got the pan ground down enough for the starter to clear fine. Actually went a little further than I needed to. Hopefully get the trans and engine all mated up tomorrow and maybe pull the cab back off.
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[DieselRat]

Pulled my lower pan off today, where I cut and welded it was leaking in one spot, so I welded thst up and resealed. Took some pics that may be beneficial to anyone doing an OM617 swap in the future.




Here you can see where I modified it to not interfere with tie rod ends.


Here is the oil pickup, I searched everywhere to find a pic like this showing location so I knew where I could/couldnt plan to cut the pan before I took it off.



View from front.



Adapter and flywheel bolted to the engine. No issues there at all, everything lines up nicely.



Clutch bolted up. Went with a napa labeled LUK clutch, which is oem for jeep and a good set for my truck.


And lastly I stripped it back down to the frame so I can mount the engine and make a crossmember without working around the cab.




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[1994Sierra350]

This is looking awesome. I have to say, a Mercedes turbo-diesel swap is pretty unique. Looks like your making quick progress. Keep it up.

[T Hilde]

Cool build. Thanks for sharing.

[DieselRat]

After a little battle getting it all lined up I got the tranny mated up.







Spent most of the day getting it mounted to the chassis. Of course there were some hiccups. I had to redo one of the mount arms on the engine because it was interferring with the steering, which left one side a little off. So I built up one side and made sure the engine sat level.





Figured out all my angles and spent way too long devising a cross member and way to mount the trans. It worked out to be perfectly level and I had already bought a factory jeep mount, only to realize the bracket on the trans itself was gone.

So heres what I came up with, and another piece thst adapted the mount to the bottom of the trans. Nothing special really.



And finally the money shot!









Just by eyeballing it, looks like the shifter is gonna come up in a good spot through the floor. Definately going to be building a trans tunnel on th cab as well.
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[DieselRat]

Made my cut on the firewall to drop the cab back down over the engine/chassis. My dad came by and helped get everything lined up and we nailed it first cut. Still gotta cut the floor a bit under the seat for the tailcone and driveshaft area but at least the cab bolts back on!!

Getting a little dark so not the best pictures.



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[Wheelie]

Cool build, Its gonna be torquey for sure.