Front diff lock in early 463 series G-Wagens?

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mortinson
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Location: Old beehive, Madrid, Spain

(Copy of my posting at the BenzWorld forum)

I always thought that the front diff lock was standard equipment for all 463 series G-Wagens, bar the 500 GE. But looking closely at these pics, all of early Puch G-Wagens, you'll see that they have just 2 switches, for the central and rear diff locks. Dont be misguided by the star at the steering wheel of one of the pics: it's from a Swiss market 300 GD, which should have been originally badged as a Puch but somebody could have it rebadged.



So can anybody out there confirm that the front diff lock was an optional extra for early Puch Gs?

(And again my apologies to anybody feeling robbed of their pictures)

mark
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Front diff lock in early 463 series G-Wagens?

I can't see the buttons clearly enough,,, but wondering if perhaps a few early 463's weren't permenant 4x4,,, doing away with a central diff?? The buttons are in the same position as front/rear,,and the centre diff lock is missing...

mortinson
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Good guess.....

but I don't buy it. As far as I know there were a batch of preproduction 463 G-Wagens which were hybrids, i.e. made with the chassis, engines and drivetrains of 463 Gs but with the bodywork of the 460. Hence, they had the ABS (which was never offered in a 460 series G), together with the permanent 4WD and the three electrically-vacuum operated diff-locks.

You can see pictures of one such G at:

http://www.mbnz.org/gallery/showlink.asp?CatID=454&parentID=48&subname=s...

My opinion is that the early Puch Gs were permanent 4wd with just the central and rear diff-lock as standard and the front diff-lock as optional extra.
Another one was is still for sale at the following link:

http://www.mobile.de/SIDKplNtLC3OdI2G5stRYJaZQ-t-vaNexlCpHpIsAsK%F3P%F3R...

mark
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Front diff lock in early 463 series G-Wagens?

Yes,, i think your right,,, over on autoscout24,,, theres a 1993 500GE,,, the diff lock controls are layed out the same as your pics,,,, so thats my theory down the drain :lol: ...
Could there be a few Puch 500GE's around,,, albeit low spec ones?

mortinson
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Front diff lock in early 463 series G-Wagens?

Yes there are a few Puch 500 GEs but they were identical to the MBs ones bar the badges (heavy loaded with equipment!)

Nice try though :)