Allrad-LKW-Gemeinschaft

Has anyone ever seen a decoupler system or designed their own way of decoupling the 4 wheel drive system? Im not talking about mechanically removing a driveshaft, but a integrated system to turn the SK/NG into 2 wheel drive essentially. I know VW used a viscous coupler to engage the front wheels in their Synchro systems. Any method one would look at to turn these trucks into 2wd/4wd on demand?

Hi,
depending on your model their is a transferbox with parttime 4wd available.

Reinhard

Hi,
most 1017 and 1019 NG come with part-time 4wd from factory. If one adds free wheel hubs front drivetrain will stop revolving at all! Hence in case of front diff damage you can still drive rear wheel driven. I consider free wheel hubs at the front as useful add on.

Cheers, Frank

Vossba hat geschrieben: ↑

2025-07-29 6:34:12

Hi,
depending on your model their is a transferbox with parttime 4wd available.

Reinhard

Hi Reinhard,

From VIN decoding, looks like Transfer case: 750.850 10 005072 (VG 2400-3W/1,448) - I am new to the euro mercedes world. What resources would I use to look further into your suggestion and compatibility? I would like to seriously consider making the change to my unit for the purpose of redundancy (mechanical failure in remote location) and efficiency (reducing drive wear when highway travel or otherwise not requiring 4x4).

VIN-code: WDB6553371K190454
Sales des.: SK 1838 AK 4X4 3800
Factory version: Tipper chassis
Order number: 1 5 571 25845
Plant: Wörth am Rhein
Production date: 13 03 1996
Delivery date: 03 04 1996
Paint code [1] (cab/body): 3534 / Feuerrot (fire red)
Engine number: 446.927 10 882415 (OM 442 LA EURO-2, 280kW/381 hp)
Transmission: 720.099 10 117642 (ZF 6 HP-600, ratio 5.60 - 0.83)
ZF 4139 065 716 + auxilliary drive ZF 4139 180 033 (ECOMAT N2)
Steering: (LHD) 765.880 10 096075 (LS 8)
Cab: 641.815 15 224973
Transfer case: 750.850 10 005072 (VG 2400-3W/1,448)
Front axle [1]: 731.013 V 336073 (AL 7/1 D-7)
Front axle [2]: 739.121 E 435286 (VD 4/26 DL-7,5)
Rear axle: 740.313 V 337487 (HL 7/015 DL-13)
Lamps: BOSCH/HELLA

SA-codes:

A04 Rear axle, 13 t, crown wheel 300
A40 Rear axle H7, i = 4.14
A70 Differential lock, front axle
A71 Differential lock rear axle
A87 Axle parts for ABS
B02 Anti-block system (ABS) for brakes
B08 Noise reduction measures, brake system
B43 Trailer brake, 2-line

FrankS hat geschrieben: ↑

2025-07-29 7:12:05

Hi,
most 1017 and 1019 NG come with part-time 4wd from factory. If one adds free wheel hubs front drivetrain will stop revolving at all! Hence in case of front diff damage you can still drive rear wheel driven. I consider free wheel hubs at the front as useful add on.

Cheers, Frank

Can you tell me more? Where do I find information about free wheel hubs? Would the transfer case not still drive the differential?

I was wondering if anyone engineered an aftermarket/add on style install that would be between transfer case and front drive shaft. Essentially disconnecting front drive shaft from TC on demand.

Hi
as said, I own both,1017 and 1019 and both are part-time 4x4 and are not equipped with difflocks at the front and do not have AP axles. The drivetrain of these bottom range NGs is pretty similar to the drivetrain from the 1113 - Kurzhauber - and I saw several with freewheel hubs fitted. The front drivetrain is driven by the spinning tires. Fwh interrupte this and whole drivetrain will stop spinning - if part-time 4x4!
I'm not aware of any freewheel hubs suitable for AP axle and I would assume that the 1838 you mentioned above most likely comes with AP axles and permanent 4x4. I can't imagine that you'll find such a powerful motor with with AL7? and part-time 4x4... I'm also not aware of any other "disconnect solutions"
Maybe others within this forum know more?

Cheers, Frank

Such a modification doesen't make Sense to me at all...
If your truck is equiped with permanent 4x4 you cannot Cut Off the front wheel drive without serios risk of destroying your driveline on the long Run. Altough ist would come with loosing the advantages of a permanent 4x4 according to drive security.
If you have Part Time 4x4 the use of free wheel hubs only adds another Part which can brake. And if you use it not often, there may be corrosion issues in the diffentials and Hubs.
And for what? Only to save very few litres of Diesel...?
With AP Axels, lukily there is no posibility to make such a modification as far as I know.
Keep it like it is and get happy with it....you won't do any favor to you with such a modification.
Cheers

With AP Axle is no other constructions possible.
Disable is only between High and Low Gear by the VG 2400-3W/1,448 If you habe this.
This is also necessary to set to 0 if you do not have a 4x4 brake Benchstand. Nummer 1 on the right Corner.
https://www.allrad-lkw-gemeinschaft.de/ ... 151192&t=1
But not still drive the differential in Front and rear. Only the Driveline ist decoupling.

Vossba hat geschrieben: ↑

2025-07-29 6:34:12

Hi,
depending on your model their is a transferbox with parttime 4wd available.

Reinhard

As far as I know, there is no part-time 4WD version of the transfer case VG2400-3W/1,448 available. It is always full-time 4WD.

Pirx

I thought of a more regular Version of NG, aka 1017 - 1624.
the xx38 is a lot of Motor and quite rare, more a prestige Model than seen at regular work at that time.

Reinhard

Hi, Idrive a full time awd-truck and the full-time-awd prevented because of working all time 3 Times to Stuck in mud on a gravel road in the Chako in South America. Thats why I like full time awd best. To safe fuel is the 1838 because of the engine-power in my opinion much to big, with or without permanent awd. There is a SK (MK) 1224 a better choice.
For further information average fuel comsumption by trucks used by forum members
https://www.allrad-lkw-gemeinschaft.de/ ... t#p1136180

the first thing to get rid of, if you want to safe fuel is the Autotrans....
A 16 speed manual would be my choice. Solo you use maximum 4 Gears and 1 time Split.

Reinhard :-)

Vossba hat geschrieben: ↑

2025-08-04 17:25:49

the first thing to get rid of, if you want to safe fuel is the Autotrans....
A 16 speed manual would be my choice. Solo you use maximum 4 Gears and 1 time Split.

Reinhard :-)

Well,

the manual 16-speed gearbox was yanked out when the truck has been transformed into a fire truck in switzerland.
By the way, they also elongated the frame and added a non-driven axle (Vorlaufachse).

Pirx

Vossba hat geschrieben: ↑

2025-08-04 17:25:49

the first thing to get rid of, if you want to safe fuel is the Autotrans....

A good choice to loose all fun.

Vossba hat geschrieben: ↑

2025-08-04 17:25:49

the first thing to get rid of, if you want to safe fuel is the Autotrans....

If you want to safe fuel, get rid of the truck and buy a smart...
Big Truck, big Power and big traktion always needs big fuel.
No way to change that.
And with the big money you loose trying to do so, you could have bought big amounts of fuel to enjoy the truck in it's original full capabilities..

Gregorix hat geschrieben: ↑

2025-08-05 6:25:52

And with the big money you loose trying to do so, you could have bought big amounts of fuel to enjoy the truck in it's original full capabilities..

thumps up!

Not sure for a VG2400 but my 1990 SK1729 has a VG2000 which only engages 4wd if it's locked, normally i'm running as rwd. Axles are AL7 and HL7...

Gregorix hat geschrieben: ↑

2025-08-05 6:25:52

Vossba hat geschrieben: ↑

2025-08-04 17:25:49

the first thing to get rid of, if you want to safe fuel is the Autotrans....

If you want to safe fuel, get rid of the truck and buy a smart...
Big Truck, big Power and big traktion always needs big fuel.
No way to change that.
And with the big money you loose trying to do so, you could have bought big amounts of fuel to enjoy the truck in it's original full capabilities..

Its less about fuel savings and more about reducing mechanical failure potentials and having redundancy. This truck is intended to go far, around the world, in remote and harsh environments so just looking at all possible options to maximize. Fuel savings is nice considering a million kilometers of travel, but also the option to minimize wear and tear on drive train components when not required and have alternative drive options if one fails.

Borsty hat geschrieben: ↑

2025-08-04 7:40:55

With AP Axle is no other constructions possible.
Disable is only between High and Low Gear by the VG 2400-3W/1,448 If you habe this.
This is also necessary to set to 0 if you do not have a 4x4 brake Benchstand. Nummer 1 on the right Corner.
https://www.allrad-lkw-gemeinschaft.de/ ... 151192&t=1
But not still drive the differential in Front and rear. Only the Driveline ist decoupling.

I like the idea of driveline decoupling. Just wonder about how robust they are. Would love to hear someones personal use experience.

Hello, it is not wonder, it is normal with the old mechanic 4x4, trucks are built for 1 Mio km and more, not to compare with VW.
Here You will find any SK with high mileage
https://m.mobile.de/lkw/search.html?ml= ... _DRIVE_4x4
Mercedes Benz bought in the 1970 the Producer Henschel and within the strongest axle-construction in this time and developt it forward.

But good luck with Your project.
And I hope for You, You wiil never say: " the truck was good, i maked it better, but now i wish, it'll be good again.
I drive a SK (MK) 1224 with 4x4 an 395/85R20 wheels and i think about many things but not about the lifespan of the drive train.
Regards Bernd

skybreakeroverland hat geschrieben: ↑

2025-08-17 23:00:47

Gregorix hat geschrieben: ↑

2025-08-05 6:25:52

Vossba hat geschrieben: ↑

2025-08-04 17:25:49

the first thing to get rid of, if you want to safe fuel is the Autotrans....

If you want to safe fuel, get rid of the truck and buy a smart...
Big Truck, big Power and big traktion always needs big fuel.
No way to change that.
And with the big money you loose trying to do so, you could have bought big amounts of fuel to enjoy the truck in it's original full capabilities..

Its less about fuel savings and more about reducing mechanical failure potentials and having redundancy. This truck is intended to go far, around the world, in remote and harsh environments so just looking at all possible options to maximize. Fuel savings is nice considering a million kilometers of travel, but also the option to minimize wear and tear on drive train components when not required and have alternative drive options if one fails.

As I wrote before: Adding additional mechanical devices wich are changing the operational conditions away from the originaly constructed circumstances never increase durability.
You are going to ad another mechanical System wich is mechanicaly more sendible than the original AP Axels and can fail.
Diffs and other driveline components wich are designed to move all the time don't like to stay still all the time, because the corrosion protection and all moving parts need the movement to maintain functionality.
And last but not least: a VG with full time 4x4 ist designed, that Torque is always led to front and rear. It will be far more stressed if you change that


Ist also makes no sense according to redundancy.
If you really have issues in this area you can allways simulate a decoupler by removing some components when really needed.
Without wasting money and stressing the driveline with bad designed changes.

So: with this modification I am sure, you will seriously reduce durability of your truck. Keep it like it is designed from the factory and you will have the best results for your journey.