The cup I machined was actually a 1 in. thk slice of round steel bar, which was machined to fit inside the top rubber sandwich. I welded a new lip to this cup in order to fit the second rubber sandwich. A cutout needs to be machined in this spacer to allow the shock to go through. I learned this the hard way...I don't know if MB makes a spring long enough to bring the TD rear back high enough. How low does your TD sit? Those 3 in. of lift on mine was just about right.

Springs are not cheap and are a ***** to change (and potentially very dangerous if not done right). I remember seeing the shocks for 425$/pair on ebay last year, the guy had a whole bunch of them. Maybe someone here remembers who that was.

As far as installing an electric pump.... I think that you'll be giving yourself more trouble in the long run than just refitting yout TD head. Is your head still good?

One way or another you'll have to sink some $$$ into your project. My advice is try to stick to the original system. When I did mine I was poor and naive, and looking back I wish that I had stuck to the original setup. I had exactly the same situation as you: leaky shocks and a non TD replacement engine.

__________________
Denis

1979 300TD 189,000 Miles, now running WVO with a home-made 2 tank conversion
1974 230 Gasser 189,000 Miles, For Sale
1961 VW Microbus 162,000 Miles
1961 Ford Fairlane 500, 53,900 original miles
1951 Oliver Super 55 Tractor
2002 Chocolate Lab