Mercedes OM 501 LA V6 engine / MB VG 1700 transfer case - few questions

[tooFATtoDRIVE]

All,

Mercedes OM 501 LA V6 engine
It appears that the Mercedes OM 501 LA V6 engine mounted in Actros MP1 came with a number of different power outputs ranging from 310HP to 456HP (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_Actros). I am trying to find out how do these engines differ, what are the differences in peripherals of these engines, perhaps the ECUs as well. Does anyone on here work in a Mercedes workshop to get that information? At my end I do not have a Mercedes authorised truck workshop where I could get that info. Perhaps someone here could help?

MB VG 1700-3W/1,0 transfer case.
The truck I am interested in has the following transfer case: MB VG 1700-3W/1,0. It seems it is one gear only transfer case and personally I have never came across one gear transfer cases. Does anyone on here have any means of getting more info on this particular type of the transfer case? Would it be possible to convert it two gear transfer case? Would such a conversion make a financial sense?

Many thanks,

[Pirx]

ZF VG 1700-3W/1,0 transfer case.
The truck I am interested in has the following transfer case: ZF VG 1700-3W/1,0. It seems it is one gear only transfer case and personally I have never came across one gear transfer cases. Does anyone on here have any means of getting more info on this particular type of the transfer case? Would it be possible to convert it two gear transfer case? Would such a conversion make a financial sense?

The transfer case VG 1700 used in the Mercedes-Benz Actros MP1 is made by Mercedes-Benz, not by ZF.
VG 1700-3W/1,0 is a one speed only transfer case, used in conjunction with low speed axle ratios, powerful engines and multi-speed gearboxes (e.g. 16 gears) giving a lot of low ratio gears
VG 1700-3W/1,403 is a two speed transfer case

I do not think that a conversion of the one speed VG 1700 into a two speed makes any sense (financial or technical). But you could change the one speed VG with a two speed VG.

Pirx

[tooFATtoDRIVE]

Pirx,

Thank you for the above clarification re transfer box manufacturer.

Could you educate me on something please?

When the transfer box description states VG 1700-3W/1,403, does it mean that the high speed (i.e. road) gear is 1,403 times faster than the low speed (i.e. off-road) gear?

[Pirx]

on-road = 1,0
off-road = 1,4

Pirx

[tooFATtoDRIVE]

All,

I am trying to establish what elements are needed for a fully functioning 2-speed transfer box, literally from the switch in the cab to the physical box distributing power to the front and rear axles.

I gather this is what I need:
* transfer box
* pneumatic system providing air pressure allowing to switch gear in the transfer box
* some sort of divider switch lined to the pneumatic system that delivers air pressure to either air line (low and high-range gear)
* switch in the cabin

Some of the technical terminology listed above might be incorrect, I am not fully familiar with it. Please feel free to correct it and call it with the actual technical terms.

So, what else would be needed for this whole system to work?