Hello...not sure if this thread belongs here? but i will give it a shot.

i recently bought a 1984 300td wagon and the SLS is shot! not surprised it has been sitting for approximately 5 years.

i have checked out other peoples threads on this forum and other Mercedes forums, however, it seems that there is not really a consensus regarding which is the best route to take. for example, what springs are best suited? shocks or complete kits people have used etc? unfortunately i have replaced the SLS on numerous wagon($$$$), but never performed a conversion in removing the entire system altogether.

If any one has input or has completed a similar conversion, it would be great to read about and see some pictures. it would be interesting to hear what components worked the best in peoples conversions.
thanks for your time!!! looking forward to reading some interesting articles!!

NO, NO, NO, NO ,NO, NO, No. Do not convert an SLS. There's a reason why you're not finding that information.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I have a W123 wagon that is an absolute beatter, I found it much like you did after sitting for a number of years. Both hydra. shocks were leaking badly, rear accumulators were shot. I installed a set of heavy duty shocks from a W123 sedan that will bolt right up and you simply have to grind the top of the shock off once you have them mounted so your carpeted cover can be screwed back down inside the wagon. I also added a couple coil spring helpers that I picked up at NAPA on each side of the rear to give it added support and raise the rear end to near factory height. It works just fine for me you wouldn't know it by looking at the car, it doesn't sag at all, the ride is pretty good also. I know the SLS is nice to have when its working but when you have a wagon that isn't worth much more than a grand, it is hard to drop 350-400 bucks a piece on rear hyd shocks and another couple hundred on accumulators. When you can install normal shocks on it for a grand total of 90 bucks or so and a couple hours of your time. If all you need is accumulators, install them, very easy and keep stock setup.

If I were you, I would carefully examine all of the pros & cons of keeping the SLS vs. converting your wagon. The SLS adds a tremendous amount of functionality to your wagon (1000+ lbs. payload), in addition to providing a superbly smooth and comfortable ride. The system is relatively easy to troubleshoot and repair, and there are options besides shelling out big bucks for OEM parts.

Perhaps a good first step would be to describe the symptoms that your SLS currently exhibits. There is a lot of collective experience here, and I'm sure we will be able to help you pinpoint the failed components to your system. I think a thorough diagnosis is worth your time and money, especially if you plan to shell out $$$ for either a SLS repair or conversion. For example, your SLS problem can be as simple as a leaky valve ($10 repair kit, available from a forum member) or a failed accumulator ($100+ new, but good used ones are available for much, much less).

I'm sure you can find help here for any direction that you take. But try to diagnose the problem(s) first, so you can make a well informed decision.

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-1985 300TD - 324k mi on chassis. MB "Tauschaggregat" 617 motor + 4-speed conversion
Alaska Roadtrip 2009
-2002 E320 Wagon - 197k mi
-1998 E320 Wagon - 310k mi - retired

I agree with bamba, tell us what your SLS is doing or not doing and it may be a simple fix. Also read through this post about the SLS and troubleshooting the system.
Self-Leveling-System - How it works, and troubleshooting the system

There is a reason you don't see post here about conversions. The general consensus is that the conversions aren't any good. You loose a lot of carrying capacity of the wagon. But I understand the money issue. SLS parts aren't cheap.

Welcome to the forum by the way, I'm live in Albany and work in Corvallis.

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wow! thank you for the responses!

well, majority of the system was removed by the previous owner. for example, the accumulators have been removed including the two hydro. shocks. i guess the woman's step son removed it when she was on vacation....pretty shady! indeed. so, i have some missing parts and the lines are destroyed.
A colleague of mine at Oregon State University had his converted and it seems to drive nicely. i know there are added pros to having the SLS with payload weights etc. but that is why i own a truck with a OM617 in it! i am mostly fixing the rig to use as a camping car for the girlfriend, dog and I. i think this car will see quite a bit of off road driving through out Oregon and the southwest.

so, i guess to research it a bit more and figure out all pros and cons of SLS and a conversion. thanks guys!

In that case, when the options are to convert the SLS and revive a dying wagon, or dump a lot of money on sourcing all the parts for a car that isn't really worth it, I'd convert it. Especially if you have a truck already.

I like the sedan shock/spring setup for the uber-low budget. I recently found this which looks interesting, and little better of a solution: 300TD SLS Conversion

If you don't like the sedan shocks you can always sell them and buy the SLS parts.

There's nothing wrong with deleting SLS if there's a good reason. People here just oppose it like it's blasphemy. A friend of mine wants to put an American V8 in his wagon, and since he won't have the proper SLS pump, he wants to delete the SLS altogether. Mine has annoyed me many times with little problems. You just gotta realize you're reducing your maximum cargo weight.

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'82 300TD
'77 6.9
'75 280S
'74 280
'87 Porsche 944 turbo

alright, thank you for the great info! i have been sourcing some parts for this conversion. However, i did find that guy who sells a kit to remove the SLS system, but he was vague about where he sourced the parts. what year and model do most people use in this conversion? or is it from any 300sd from '79-'85? any info would help...thanks again!

I always thought it was from a w123 sedan. I guess any year of w123 would work.

I don't know that much about the conversion, but my understanding is, you use the w123 shock housings, but you need to replace the springs with something stiffer (the online kit). If you use sedan springs, the car will sag, and bottom out on bumps (or with cargo).

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'82 300TD
'77 6.9
'75 280S
'74 280
'87 Porsche 944 turbo

Okay, i figured the w123 springs would be to soft, do you know any one who has used the SLSConversion springs?

I'm guessing you have been in contact with a conversion supplier who has been discussed on this board before. My recollection is that the supplier claims that people on this forum have used his kit and have been happy with it. There's no evidence that has actually happened.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I see

Hi guys,
would rear coil springs from a 1985 w126 300sd fit in the 1984 wagon? any help would be great! thanks

C'mon people! I know you guys have experience with this subject....speak up! Trying to get this done as soon as possible, so, i can get this puppy on the road!!

I have two accumulators still on the parts wagon. I also have an SLS hydraulic fluid reservoir. I can sell these cheap to you if you decided to fix the SLS on your wagon. I'm trying to remember if I still have a pump.....don't remember.

I've already promised the struts to someone and the valve is spoken for. Please shoot me a PM if you want the accumulators and other stuff.

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daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
Cluster Needles Paint
New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more

Hi,

I am the maker of the w123 SLS conversion kits.

This kit is NOT a regular Mercedes Sedan spring as used by many people and another seller (i believe it was mercedes source) who stopped selling their product because it performed poorly.

The springs are custom heavy duty springs. They provide hauling capability of the SLS system, good handling and ride too. At far less cost than repairing a SLS system. I'm not here to argue this is better than the SLS as both are good systems, just depends on your wants and needs.

I sell the kit with a sls pump block off plate and shocks if you desire. Many customers buy the shocks I sell (basic sedan shocks) or they buy their own bilstein shocks.

My kit has been purchased by many 300tD owners over the past few years. Since then, I have NEVER had a single return or issue post install where a customer was unhappy. Several customers have even posted reviews on forums, benzforum, this site, superturbodiesel.

Heres a few link to what customers said,
feeler 1982 w123 300TDT white/blue interior

or see my website which I've posted comments and customers photos under "reviews"

Thanks,
Erik
propigskin@aol.com

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SLSConversion.com

Convert your SLS system!
Kits for the w123 and w124 vehicles