Japanese G's

eco 45

Supporting Sponsor
Been a long time since I played with a G Wagon, but I kept seeing them on the Japanese auctions with very low KM's. Next thing you know more than one has followed me home. This first one I am going to make it a little more old school and utilitarian. I like the older pre 2000 G models as they have considerably less headaches where electronics are involved and one of these trucks just might be getting a Cummins diesel in it. First I had to weed out some electrical issues.
 

Attachments

  • 70002037953019080300100.jpg
    70002037953019080300100.jpg
    65.5 KB · Views: 134
  • IMG_7664.JPG
    IMG_7664.JPG
    1.9 MB · Views: 132
  • IMG_7665.JPG
    IMG_7665.JPG
    1.9 MB · Views: 125
  • IMG_7680.JPG
    IMG_7680.JPG
    1.6 MB · Views: 122

eco 45

Supporting Sponsor
It's always fun seeing how people wire in aftermarket items.....thus the pile of cables/stuff in the first photo. Few door actuators were sticking or dead so had fun with those. Some items on Mercedes just don't age well.

Curious, why a cummins vs a Mercedes diesel?
There are always pro's and con's with any engine installation. Mercedes does make some good Diesel engines, however if you really want some power than you have to start looking at the electronic engines. If I am going to have to look at electronic engines why not go new and try one of the Cummins 2.8 crate engines. Small light weight package with lots more power than from the factory gas engine. It seems like a fun challenge and as all my trucks have a/c I want something that will make keeping that functioning not a big headache. Now which truck to choose for said challenge???
 

Attachments

  • IMG_7679.JPG
    IMG_7679.JPG
    78.3 KB · Views: 54
  • IMG_7681.JPG
    IMG_7681.JPG
    2.4 MB · Views: 56
  • IMG_7727.JPG
    IMG_7727.JPG
    115.4 KB · Views: 54
  • IMG_7728.JPG
    IMG_7728.JPG
    69.6 KB · Views: 52

Roverchef

Adventurer
Congrats on the new toys. I have a R2.8 sitting in the crate waiting to go into a 250GD as soon as I finish up the R2.8 install on this clients's Defender. Excited to see which route you decide to go down. I'll message you any hang-ups I run into during the G conversion.
 

eco 45

Supporting Sponsor
Congrats on the new toys. I have a R2.8 sitting in the crate waiting to go into a 250GD as soon as I finish up the R2.8 install on this clients's Defender. Excited to see which route you decide to go down. I'll message you any hang-ups I run into during the G conversion.

Thanks. The R2.8 works well in Defenders. I have used them in Defenders, Land Cruisers 45 and 75 series. The G wagon may be getting an automatic behind the 2.8, so that will ad some fun.
 

eco 45

Supporting Sponsor
What’s an R 2.8 conversion cost in terms of parts and labor?

Just the crate engine runs $7700.00. Then it depends on how crazy you want to go with transmission choice, a/c, aluminum radiator etc. Also it varies by vehicle as some offer more kit options as where the G wagon will be more of a one off build taking more time.
 

eco 45

Supporting Sponsor
Never been a fan of the rectangular fog lights on a vehicle with round headlights, so time to modify.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_7741.JPG
    IMG_7741.JPG
    58.3 KB · Views: 32
  • IMG_7742.JPG
    IMG_7742.JPG
    66.9 KB · Views: 33
  • IMG_7743.JPG
    IMG_7743.JPG
    77.4 KB · Views: 34
  • IMG_7744.JPG
    IMG_7744.JPG
    82 KB · Views: 33

eco 45

Supporting Sponsor
Now that I have the round hole conversion done for the fog lights I am debating whether to keep the plastic end caps on the bumper or weld up their mounting holes. Decisions .... Decisions.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_7777.JPG
    IMG_7777.JPG
    134.6 KB · Views: 23
  • IMG_7779.JPG
    IMG_7779.JPG
    59.4 KB · Views: 23
  • IMG_7780.JPG
    IMG_7780.JPG
    74.9 KB · Views: 24

eco 45

Supporting Sponsor
Taking care of a little maintenance on the truck. The upper timing cover has a fun seal to replace that likes to leak oil all over the front of the engine, actually two seals that like to leak. The fuel filter is really tucked out of the way. Lots of other parts on order and have dropped some items at the powder coater.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_7791.JPG
    IMG_7791.JPG
    62.5 KB · Views: 28
  • IMG_7792.JPG
    IMG_7792.JPG
    78.9 KB · Views: 28
  • IMG_7801.JPG
    IMG_7801.JPG
    86 KB · Views: 27
  • 60133458202__A3B371AF-8FA2-448E-AACD-D5AA2037A877.JPG
    60133458202__A3B371AF-8FA2-448E-AACD-D5AA2037A877.JPG
    40.9 KB · Views: 28

eco 45

Supporting Sponsor
Low profile roof rack and rear ladder are fitted. Also thought I would up the HP of the engine so had the crusty valve cover powder coated "red", should add at least 50 HP :unsure:
 

Attachments

  • IMG_7812.JPG
    IMG_7812.JPG
    50.3 KB · Views: 47
  • IMG_7816.JPG
    IMG_7816.JPG
    62.1 KB · Views: 50
  • IMG_7818.JPG
    IMG_7818.JPG
    87.5 KB · Views: 48

eco 45

Supporting Sponsor
Finished up installing the new distributor and routing new spark plug wires---takes a little patiences on the M103 engine. Rims are back from the powder coater so I got the tires mounted back on the rims. There is a good chance this rig will get some different rims down the road, but until then I wanted to clean up the rims a little as they had gotten a beating in Japan. Getting ready to do a headlight upgrade with the help of some Porsche parts.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_7823.JPG
    IMG_7823.JPG
    89.4 KB · Views: 21
  • IMG_7824.JPG
    IMG_7824.JPG
    73.6 KB · Views: 22
  • IMG_7825.JPG
    IMG_7825.JPG
    67.8 KB · Views: 23

eco 45

Supporting Sponsor
Light bars added to the roof rack front and rear. Fender flares have been removed for some paint.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_7829.JPG
    IMG_7829.JPG
    73.4 KB · Views: 30
  • IMG_7830.JPG
    IMG_7830.JPG
    68.4 KB · Views: 30

eco 45

Supporting Sponsor
With some help from some Porsche parts the G has LED headlights now. Managed to put a few of the other parts back on after painting/powder coating.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_8040.JPG
    IMG_8040.JPG
    66.2 KB · Views: 26
  • IMG_8041.JPG
    IMG_8041.JPG
    65.6 KB · Views: 27
  • IMG_8042.JPG
    IMG_8042.JPG
    65.2 KB · Views: 33
  • IMG_8045.JPG
    IMG_8045.JPG
    111.4 KB · Views: 31

Forum statistics

Threads
185,530
Messages
2,875,574
Members
224,922
Latest member
Randy Towles
Top