The 85' 300D I just purchased I want to get back to stock as close to possible without breaking the bank. The previous owner took out the ash tray assembley and added a boost gauge & volt gauge (see pic). Should I leave it as is or put it back the way it was. Thanks.

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Should be an easy to find at an auto recycler, but many of them have warped wood. Be sure you get the bracket behind the ash tray if yours is missing. Also the lighter isn't the best for plugging in cell phones and the like.

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1972 280SE 4.5

I would say its a nice setup but they didn't drill the holes parallel with the console A trip to the junkyard should be enough to find that piece. You could also jump to the parts section of the forum, there are always several folks parting out cars at any point in time.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Up to you, if the gauges work, that's good.

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83 SD

84 CD

Do you smoke?

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1981 300TD "The Green Lantern"
1980 300TD
1983 300D Euro "China Cat"

Gauges do work and I don't need the ash tray. I just want it back to factory but if the gauges are going to benefit me, I will keep it the way it is.

Most would consider that to be an upgrade. These aren't like 50s and 60s muscle cars where "Stock" increases the value by multiple tens of thousands. These are pretty much all "daily use" machines; as such, anything that adds functionality without giving up something valuable is probably worth more left "in situ". Knowing your charging voltage and boost pressure are good information to have available.

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~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL