Hello everyone,
As you all know, I am about to depart in a long expedition from Kansas to the Southernmost tip of Argentina in Livingstone, my trusty 1981 300TD wagon. I estimate it will take about a year or so.

I am currently in the final planning process for the big trip, and I am gathering most of the supplies I need. Amongst these supplies, I have a bunch of consumables and spares that I may need along the way. Here's a few of the ones I plan on taking...

- TONS of fuel/oil filters
- TONS of fuses (all three kinds)
- A few spare bulbs
- Spare set of engine mounts
- Spare starter
- Spare set of sealed headlights
- Two reverse light lenses
- Extra set of brake pads
- Two caliper rebuild kits
- Three valve cover gaskets
- Spare vacuum lines/connectors
- Set of alternator brushes

For those with experience in heavy W123 use (hehe), what else would you recommend taking with me? Please be conscious that the space in a W123 wagon is limited and will be shared with my "life support" supplies!

Thanks to all!

__________________
[GONE] - 1995 Mercedes E300 Diesel - 130k miles - Smoke Silver (702) over Mushroom leather (265) - Bladder blasting, coast-to-coast work machine.

Get your shopping list from this blog - Drove from LA to the tip of South America 1980 300SD

I'll add:

Vacuum pump, gasket and repair kit
Downpipe with good flex section
Exhaust hangers
Air cleaner mounts
Brake pads
Brake hoses
Lower oil pan
Transmission pan
Fuel tank strainer and 46mm socket
Maybe fit a Racor filter with water separator

Sixto
87 300D

Here's more on the same trek - Driving to South America 1980 300SD Diesel

Sixto
87 300D

a spare radiator cap or two for sure.
gas cap x2 (one for the valve cover and one for the fuel filler in the unlikely event)
Can you buy wiper blades on the way?

I got an extra set of wiper blades from Orwell the rustrocket.
Thanks a lot for all the recommendations so far, keep 'em coming!

__________________
[GONE] - 1995 Mercedes E300 Diesel - 130k miles - Smoke Silver (702) over Mushroom leather (265) - Bladder blasting, coast-to-coast work machine.

Flat tire repair kit/patches, some sort of inflation device (even a bike pump will work), maybe some grease and spare wheel bearing or two since they're small enough. Silicone rtv tube or two, a small section of bypass hose (that 3 inch long section below water pump...it's small enough to throw it in the box). JB weld and duct tape!

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

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

No one has mentioned fan belts. 2 sets
flexible fuel hose & many good quality clamps.
Exhaust operated balloon type jack.
Tie wire.
Tire leavers & 2 spares.
Many items like radiator hoses should be replaced before you leave & new spares taken.

__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

I will add:
Solar battery charger.
Flares.
Fuel Additives.
Spare throttle bushing and various and sundry throttle pieces.
Drive train parts such as flex disks, spare axles, bearings.
Exhaust hangers.
Mercedes rated Anti-Freeze.
Comfort gear - sleeping bag, pillow, etc...
SSB/Amateur two-way radio. Compass, signaling mirror, gat.

__________________
Codifex
1981 240D ChinaBlue (Got her running with a donor engine.)
1983 300DTurbo w/sunroof.
1984 300TD manual sunroof. (Electrical Gremlins)

I am seeing the available space in your vehicle quickly diminishing.

By the time you depart you will have 1000lbs of spare parts loading it down.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Make sure you bring extra containers/jerry cans which can be dedicated to holding clean drinking water at all times. (You may find that good sources can be few and far between)

__________________
1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

You may want to contact Jurgen of 300TD.org, as he has done several expeditions in his 300TD. He is also a member here on the board.

Flickr: 300td.org's Photostream




But I think he's got a few escort vehicles to get him out of trouble

I'm a serious pack rat when it comes to parts and tools in my 300D. Oftentimes, it's dragging the muffler on bigger dips.

Oh well, I'm always prepared!

__________________
Codifex
1981 240D ChinaBlue (Got her running with a donor engine.)
1983 300DTurbo w/sunroof.
1984 300TD manual sunroof. (Electrical Gremlins)

I would pare away the heaviest stuff like a starter for example....starters rarely give trouble. Parts should be available along the way or within a day or so by fed ex or ups. I imagine there are quite a few old benzos down in south america.

Dragging along all that weight will really get tiresome after a while. I suggest reading Sideways to Sidney a book by Innes Ireland from the seventies in which they did a cross country race in Austrailia in a mid seventies mercedes. They were traveling at racing speeds and took loads of spares. They never used any of them and eventually started tossing them away to reduce weight.

I just looked again at your list and the starter is really the only heavy part on it.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Del,

Any additional prep to the underside of the car? I've ridden motorcycles quite a bit and follow blogs of folks who did SA by bike.

As you may already know, the road range from "sucky" to "really sucky" or non-existent. FWIW, preventing an underside repair due to a large rock or dip in the road might be advisable.....like bash plates(?)

Maybe members here can advise on where/what underneath may need to be protected (proactively)? Maybe it's already been done (via another thread)?

Good luck and god speed......sounds like a great adventure!!

Just my .02

Oil cooler lines.