4Runner with Mercedes diesel desirability and value?

Hi everyone.. I’ve been tasked with selling a 1995 4Runner for someone, but I want to try to get an idea of desirability and value for this thing. It has a Mercedes five cylinder turbo diesel engine swapped in. Overall this rig is pretty much stock 200k mile nothing special, but I’m wondering what the Mercedes diesel does for it in terms of value. Apparently this was done with a kit that included the bellhousing adapter, flywheel, clutch, etc etc.

Any insights from you all? Thanks!

 

No idea, but it definitely sounds cool. A manual turbo diesel 4Runner sounds like a great base for a trail rig.

 

OP could you post some photos of the thing? That sounds like a neat build.

 

Neat swap. From what understand those OM engines last forever. Not sure if it would add value unless it's the right person.

 

And some of the last MB engines that can be maintained by shade tree mechanics found in remote villages of the north african desert.

The only passenger cars harder to kill than the W123 Benz are the E90 and E100 FWD Corollas

 

It’s going to crater the value unless you can demonstrate the quality and durability of the workmanship and parts. (but even then, there’s a whole saying about never buying someone else’s project.)

(It’s not really a Mercedes diesel concern, it’s that whole engine swaps to something completely different opens a can of worms)

There might be some folks who’d be interested in that but you’ll have to hold out for them if they exist.

So unless you get lucky, assume it’s much less than a comparable, stock vehicle.

Can always reduce the price or accept a lower offer later.

 

Welcome

 

Goodwill donation

 

I will in a couple odd days. Going to evaluate it, clean it up and take a proper set of photos of it for the sale ad I’ll put up for it this weekend

 

This reads more like one of those “nah, it’s junk, but sell it to me cheap!” type of replies than an actually serious comment. Obviously I haven’t provided much info on it yet, but this is not a project, it’s a runner that’s been back and forth across the country and has plenty of real miles on it, not just something slapped together yesterday.

 

Which one do you work at? I’ll bring it by.

 

I think you are probably looking for a niche market. Some years ago in my "expo" days, an acquaintance of mine was working on getting an OM 617 into a '91 Toyota pickup. I'm not sure if that project ever got finished. At the time, burning veggie oil was all the rage and I was interested as well but in the end, that kind of comittment is not for everyone. But find the right person...

 

MB old school diesels will go on forever

 

Some State emission law would prevent it getting registered.

 

Funnily enough, that sounds like a “I know what I got!” response to me!

I am being frank though, nothing about a Mercedes-swapped 4Runner appeals to me beyond the novelty, the problem-solving it likely entailed and I imagine the general buying public would agree.

An MB engine swap sounds like any project to me so you’ll have to work to come back from that with a buyer unless they’re specifically looking for a wildcard like that.

It’ll probably come down to the trade off between lower price + quicker sale versus holding out for longer though.

Just my opinions though.