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-   -   Newbie Intro-'80 300TD (http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/174602-newbie-intro-80-300td.html)

SwampYankee 12-28-2006 11:12 AM

Newbie Intro-'80 300TD
 
I searched for a roll call or intro. thread but didn't come across one so I hope this is the appropriate place. I just want to pop in as (finally) an MBz diesel owner. I've been a long-time lurker as a 300 wagon has always been on my want list. (BTW-I think the Vintage section ought to be expanded by a year or two :) )

I'm picking up a '80 MBz 300TD on Friday. No rot anywhere, jack points are perfect, some bubbling behind the wheel wells and on one rocker, brakes were done 2 years ago, a bunch of recent hoses, vacuum locks work, all windows work, good tires, shifts good, 101,000 fleet maintained miles and at an outstanding price.

The only bummer for me was that mine doesn't have the 3rd row seat and with 4 kids that would be a plus if I want to take the whole family for a ride. I have given thought to trying to find one and converting it but I haven't researched that much yet. There may be a lot more involved than I think.

rrgrassi 12-28-2006 11:16 AM

Cool! Welcome aboard!

Post some pics when you get them. There should be someone who can advise you on the 3rd row seat, as I have the sedan.

Get that rust taken care of, as is seems to spread rapidly.

Good choice on the MB Diesel.

vstech 12-28-2006 11:17 AM

Welcome!
it sounds like you found a cherry one! 101K wow. if you find in a junk yard a td with a 3rd row, you should have no problem converting. search here for 3rd row or some such and you will find all the info on converting them. almost a drop in.
John

JimmyL 12-28-2006 11:38 AM

Welcome Oh Nameless One, (odd to welcome a "handle")
Congrats on the wagon! I absolutely loved my '80 wagon, just couldn't ever get the smoking problem fixed. There is nothing wrong with a non-turbo 617 in either a wagon or sedan.
Do some searches on "row" probably to pop up pertinent info on a 3rd row seat. (we have a one word search function :( ) There are plenty of threads, including a good one on safety of them without rear head rests. Threads on adding them also.
Be sure and take some pics for us. You can post them to this thread, and also create a gallery for yourself.
BTW, my wagon has a 3rd row seat, and it is an "add on" from another car. ie: no rear head rests.....:(
Welcome aboard, and become one with the search function.......

justinperkins 12-28-2006 11:48 AM

Welcome and enjoy the wagon. I like my 80 TD, which also lacks the 3rd seat. Since I use my wagon for mostly dog transport, everything in the back stays folded down most the time anyway.

From having the 87 wagon (which I like a lot better than the 80) with the 3rd row seating, I can say that dropping the seat in should be no problem. It's hooking up the seat belts that can be a huge job. On the 87, which I think is practically identical with respect to the 3rd seat in a W123, there are two seat belts (3-point) which bolt up to the side, just behind the 2nd row seat belts.

I'll take some pics if you want.

Mismost 12-28-2006 11:54 AM

Welcome fellow Wagonneer! Glad you found your wagon and hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine (which has the 3rd row seats, no headrests and is never used as it cuts into my "rolling gun safe" storage room.).

NOW...the way I see it, you ain't real concerned about having to haul 4 kids around, OR, you would have bought a mini-van, or a school bus, or condoms!! :rolleyes: But, you just couldn't get that sweet looking grill with the star on top outta your head, so you bought what you loved...so did I.

Keep your eyes and ears open, visit the "For Sale" section of this forum, and get to know the junk yard operators by their first name....you'll find the thrid row seats.

Biodiesel300TD 12-28-2006 12:03 PM

Congrates on the wagon. It's pretty easy to install a 3rd row seat. The only issue is no headrests between the passengers in the back seat and the 3rd seat. Watch for head knocking. :dizzy2: The hard part is finding a 3rd row seat. They can be found on Ebay fairly often.

My back seat is more often than not folded down and the dog is spoiled having the entire back to himself.

justinperkins 12-28-2006 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biodiesel300TD (Post 1370270)
Congrates on the wagon. It's pretty easy to install a 3rd row seat. The only issue is no headrests between the passengers in the back seat and the 3rd seat. Watch for head knocking. :dizzy2: The hard part is finding a 3rd row seat. They can be found on Ebay fairly often.

My back seat is more often than not folded down and the dog is spoiled having the entire back to himself.

Since nobody mentioned it but me, I'm beginning to wonder of the W123 3rd seat uses simple lap belts instead of the 3-point belts found in the W124.

vstech 12-28-2006 12:26 PM

I seem to recall that my 83 has harness in the rear seat... not lap. I will check when I get home.
John

SwampYankee 12-28-2006 12:57 PM

Thanks for the welcome & the leads on my future projects!

I updated my signature just to illustrate that this won't be a primary kid hauler, just when the wife is somewhere else with her van. I've just had a "thing" for the wagons and this opportunity smacked me in the face.

The 3rd seat wouldn't get that much use but it would be nice to have for Sunday cruises, going to car shows, etc. It's funny that the safety issue of the 3rd seat was mentioned. My father bought a '66 Vette back in the late 70's because it was just big enough for my younger brother and I to cram in the back!

I will do some searches for the 3rd row threads but any pics you might have would be great!

I don't have any problem w/it being a non-turbo. If I wanted fast I'd have gone in a different direction (like when I buy the Mrs. her late 50's grocery getter in a couple of years). Less parts for me to worry about, too!

Thanks again and I look forward to settling in here.

-Bill, SwampYankee

SwampYankee 12-28-2006 01:09 PM

vstech, I see you've got a '72 T'all. I've got a soft spot for the IH Light Lines, too. I've got a '69 Scout 800 that ideally should be a parts truck but I will bring it back to former glory. Even if it takes me 10 years and way too much money! My father had a '67 T'all when I was a kid and that's when I was bitten. I'd love to get my hands on one of those now!

LaughingGravy 12-28-2006 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampYankee (Post 1370323)
My father bought a '66 Vette back in the late 70's because it was just big enough for my younger brother and I to cram in the back!
-Bill, SwampYankee

Welcome! I've got the third seat w/ headrests in my '83 300TD.
Have patience, they turn up often enough.
Those seats do use the three point, so those would be needed as well.

What I use just as often are the crossbars for the roof rack.
Love 'em! The prices they go for are sometimes nuts!

My dad bought a 77 Corvette and me and my brother were also just big enough to put our legs in the back, facing backward, with our little heads looking out an inch from the tiny back window. We went for a few family cruises that way.
I also used to sit behind the rear seat of the Beetle, just over the engine. It was always nice and warm.

Now we've got the kid seats, boosters, etc. that only allow for 4 to sit in what would otherwise be a 6 seater sedan, thus the SUVs and minivans.

I love how the Station Wagon is clearly back in style. It never went out of style for me. Always wanted one, now I drive an MB Wagon, as sweet as it gets.

vstech 12-28-2006 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampYankee (Post 1370333)
vstech, I see you've got a '72 T'all. I've got a soft spot for the IH Light Lines, too. I've got a '69 Scout 800 that ideally should be a parts truck but I will bring it back to former glory. Even if it takes me 10 years and way too much money! My father had a '67 T'all when I was a kid and that's when I was bitten. I'd love to get my hands on one of those now!

PM me if you want to chat about her. or if you wan Pictures...yeah, mine will not start, motor is free, but starter will not turn it over... it burns a LOT of oil when it is running, gums up the plugs in about 1500 miles... and the top needs to be rustproofed, but it will NOT get stuck in any mud, the posi rear is awesome. pulled my suburban and trailer out of the mud once... at idle no less. those IH motors sure can pull. my interior is PERFECT except for one section of the headliner pegboard is sagging. really a great project if I ever get some time... maybe a 617 in her?
John

SwampYankee 12-29-2006 02:52 PM

Here's a crappy pic from my cellphone, before I clean it:

Biodiesel300TD 12-29-2006 04:48 PM

Nice color, it looks familiar. It looks just like mine, click on the link in my signature. Does your have blue or tan interior?


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