Putting a 2003 SWB cab on a 1986 SWB chassis
As you know Im trying get a G over here,but Im really limited.
So Im looking at putting a 2003 SWB cab on a 1986 SWB chassis because the cab is gone.
Any major hurdles,beside the 2003 being LHD ?
Would measuring the points where the cabs bolt on to the chassis be the first thing to check to put this in the realm of possiblity ?
Where would I get these figures ?
Anyone even tried this ?
Thanks for any input.
I don't understand why the chasis would have to be shortened. The body is exactly the same to the best of my knowledge.
Would be a shame to have a 463 interior with a 460 dash if you're going to all that trouble. But I think the LHD/RHD conversion to keep it looking like a 463 will cost about €20,000 there abouts. The AMG LHD/RHD conversions cost about that - if not a little more. Maybe try and get the dash from an older LHD 463? You could probably order the parts new. Heck you might even be able to order the 2005 dash but that would probably be costly due to the command etc.
Max,I dont think its the lentgh thats the problem,its the underneath and where things go...thats why the adapter plates would work by lifting it up enough so that these things arent a problem,plus aligning the differant position holes and bolts for the cabin.
The dash is wider on a 463 as well.
What is the 463 body coming off of? I thought that it was only the G400 and G55 that had a modified frame to take the bigger engine. Or are the tank and exhaust fittings different? Everything else should in theory be the same.
Now the dash I really don't understand. The width of the car is the same and if anything the doors on the 463 (especially a 2003) will be thicker on the inside due to more gizmos making less interior space so if anything a 463 dash should logically be narrower....
But the big question is why do you need to do this conversion? Seems like a lot of time and money when you could buy a newer one?
EDIT - sorry just re-read title. Is it a cabriolet you're trying to fit?
The body was the 2003 SWB that was advertised on a differant topic on this DB. So I looked into weather it could be done.
The comments about the width etc came from the people I rang about them doing the conversion...thats what they are saying they had to do and how the bodies were differant..
Is there anywhere to get this sort of info from about the differances underneath?
The reason Im thinking of doing it is because we cant import any models after 1988. The were never released here after that.
There is a identification no on the body and on the chassis. If you put the two together there may be difficulty convincing the authorities that it was a legal vehicle as the paperwork wouldn't match.
Are you considering importing a body into Oz and then fitting it to your chassis?
Then all the body parts on the bulkhead of your RHD could be cut off and welded to the new LHD body.
Roly,thats what I wanted to do. Id have to check with the authorities about weather they would accept the differant body,but I have heard of others doing it with landcruisers and it was passed.
My main concern was matching the bodies and how the German conversion people saying that they would have to cut into the chassis...thus my idea of adaptor plates.
Bulkhead change crossed my mind. that would be a lot easier than trying to do it the other way.
I would have thought that replacing the bodywork would have been acceptable, the old one could have been damaged etc etc, plus some of the guys "rebuilding" the valuable classic cars appear to retain little more THAN the origional chassis plate, but hey its still a classic.
Good luck anyway
Marcus
As far as I know its the Chassis that counts .
Twodogs
Just wish I could get an engineers diagram or something similar to compare the layout of both chassis and cabin.
Your situation is different I know but I have done LHD to RHD conversion of a 460 and have some photos if I can help?
The dash on the 460 is quite easy as it is very nearly 100% mirror. The brake booster, steering mount combo is not interchangeable. The biggest trouble is the wiring harness and the front axle stabillizer bar. If you put a RHD on a LHD chassis and vise versa your steering will do weird things ie there is a specific axle for RHD and LHD.
If I were in your shoes I would rather change the chassis to LHD and keep that pretty 463 dash, wiring harness etc etc intact. You will need a new axle housing, left hand steering box and a little welding on the chassis and that's about it.
Can't comment about 463 matching the 460 chassis but a tape measure will tell you plenty. Like Max, I can't see why that doesn't pop straight on??
VIN no's are simple - rivet the one that has the same no. as the chassis on. (As long as you own both of course!!)
You say one year....... without a workshop.......who's your daddy!
the following might help you visualize things...
http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.asp?TP=2&F=463227&A=750%2E650750%2E652&...
http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.asp?TP=2&F=463227&A=750%2E650750%2E652&...
The first was the frame of a SWB 463, the following is the frame of a 460 (I assume SWB)
http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.asp?TP=2&F=460343&A=750%2E600750%2E6027...
Hall,Id like to see the pics if you could post them here.
M2dxb,Thanks for the diagrams. The cabin must have enough metal to support itself if its only mounted by approx 6 points to the chassis. Why the German mob said they would have to cut into the chassis...seems like something I would not want to do.
I have attached a page from a MB manual. It is describing the differences between the 460 and the 463.
As you can see, there are differences in the body mounting points
Let's see if this works. Just converted a pdf to a jpeg
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So after many phone calls and in particular to a company in Germany that does this sort of conversion and has done them,the answer is yes,it can be done.
They have done it...to a 1993 cabin on a 1982 chassis.
It will cost 15000 Euro's and this doesnt include the cost of the dash conversion to RHD ....so who knows how much after that.
I was told they would have to cut into the chassis to make the cabin fit. I put the idea that if adapter plates were made so that the chassis would not have to go to the factory...they said that would work if the cabin was raised thus enabling the plates to be fitted. About 50mm.
What the adapter plates would do is take the bolt holes from the cabin and then have a plate that then allows you to bolt that to the bolts from the chassis.
I wonder how many bolt holes that would mean you would have to allow for ?
Does anyone know where to source that info from ? Pics from somewhere ?
I really think it could be done. If you had somewhere to do it,it could take a while,but it would work. It would also mean removing the old LHD dash and putting the 460 dash in. Plus all the electrics for windows and seat from the 463. A good 1 year project...damn I wish I had a workshop !!