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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.
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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15 '06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod) |
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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.
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RRGrassi 70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car 13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete. 91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K 90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K |
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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
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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread "as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do! My drivers: 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!! 1987 300TD 1987 300TD 1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere! |
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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.......
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Jimmy L. '05 Acura TL 6MT 2001 ML430 My Spare Gone: '95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black '85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White '80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed '81 300TD 240K "Smash" '80 240D 230K "The Squash" '81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John |
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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.
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-justin 1987 300TD, 1987 300TD 2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon |
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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!! 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.
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Mark 1983 300TD Wagon Even a broken watch is right twice a day |
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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. 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.
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Andrew '04 Jetta TDI Wagon '82 300TD ~ Winnie ~ Sold '77 300D ~ Sold
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Quote:
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-justin 1987 300TD, 1987 300TD 2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon |
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I seem to recall that my 83 has harness in the rear seat... not lap. I will check when I get home.
John
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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread "as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do! My drivers: 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!! 1987 300TD 1987 300TD 1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere! |
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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
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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15 '06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod) Last edited by SwampYankee; 12-28-2006 at 01:03 PM. |
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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!
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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15 '06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod) |
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Quote:
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.
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85' 300D No inspection, No registration fees, Cheap insurance "If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 88 miles per hour, you're going to see some serious %$&^." |
#13
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Quote:
John
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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread "as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do! My drivers: 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!! 1987 300TD 1987 300TD 1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere! |
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Here's a crappy pic from my cellphone, before I clean it:
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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15 '06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod) Last edited by SwampYankee; 12-29-2006 at 03:17 PM. |
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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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Andrew '04 Jetta TDI Wagon '82 300TD ~ Winnie ~ Sold '77 300D ~ Sold
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