Idea, question for 300TD owners... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Hatterasguy · #1 08-03-2008, 09:19 PM

I kind of need a pickup truck, but don't really like them or want one. Plus most $3k trucks are kind of shot. So say I found an OK 300TD, (I wouldn't do this to a good example!!) and used it as my work vehical.

Do the rear seats fold down? If so about how much can/have you gotten inside?

I'm thinking about using one pretty much as a truck. I don't really need to tow much, or 4wd. Just something I can get in when I am dirty and not care about getting mud on the floor, and if I need to pick up 300sf of flooring, or bags of concrete I can just throw them in the back. Maybe throw some shovels and some saws in the back. The passanger seat will be buried under a pile of half empty water bottles, maps, and blue prints.

I can probably find a decent one thats a good runner pretty cheap, don't care if its a little rusty. As long as it looks decent.

I'd like a 1994-96 I6 F150, but I'd prefer a cheap MB wagon.

The MB wagon would also get twice the mileage.

Chad300tdt · #2 08-03-2008, 09:55 PM

The back seats fold down flat after you flip up the seat bottoms. The passenger seat can also recline after you remove the headrest and the rear seat bottom giving you 10' of space front to back with the hatch closed.

Check out the load PaulH from the Junk Yard site fit into his 300TD.

Here's the link to more pics of the load:
http://junkyarding.freeforums.org/new-forum-i-ll-start-things-out-t84.html

Matt L · #3 08-03-2008, 10:02 PM

I thought those looked like SAAB parts back there, but figured that I was crazy and seeing SAAB parts everywhere.

daw_two · #4 08-03-2008, 10:17 PM

I've got a 1995 Dodge Dakota truck; 6 cylinder, 5 speed with almost 165,000 miles on it that you could buy a great deal cheaper than $3K. AC works, burns no oil, great little truck.

Hatterasguy · #5 08-03-2008, 10:18 PM

Sounds like a good deal, but its to far.

Brian Carlton · #6 08-03-2008, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Sounds like a good deal, but its to far.

I think you'd do well with an S-10 or a Ranger with a manual transmission. It's precisely what you need.

Hatterasguy · #7 08-03-2008, 11:59 PM

I don't like little trucks. I can't put my finger on it but its a mental thing. Its like how my dad has an irrational hatred of station wagons. Although we can trace my dads hatred back to my Grandmothers old Red Cross surpluss wagon.

I think my small truck hatred comes from a really bad Nissan he had when I was like 8, before the F150.

I know I can get by with a little truck, but if I were to buy one it would be an F150 or Chevy 1500. Most likely it will be a Chevy 1500, V6, auto, reg cab, no options. Because my unces trim guy hooks him up with cheap trucks and thats what he buys; so I would work out some sort of deal with the trim guy.

The MB option is cheaper and more tempting.

TylerH860 · #8 08-04-2008, 12:22 AM

As a new owner of a wagon

I can actually contribute.

There's a little sticker on the back door sill stating the maximum weight the car can handle in the rear: 1050 lbs. Some kind of permanent protection of the carpet would be necessary to keep things nice, but I think it would work well.

If I recall correctly, JimmyL uses his '85 300TD for work some of the time.

I found mine in pretty nice shape for $900.00, but that was pure luck.

#9 08-04-2008, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

Check out the load PaulH from the Junk Yard site fit into his 300TD.

Imagine if he got in an accident. I wonder if the front seats can stop 1000lbs of loose junk?

TylerH860 · #10 08-04-2008, 12:29 AM

I remembered seeing a guy at Lowes using is 300td to haul lumber. He removed the passenger seat to so 2x4s could fit.

jt20 · #11 08-04-2008, 02:15 AM

I originally bought the TD (Total Disaster) as a work vehicle. I also hate trucks.

Think It is a great idea.

don't know if it is 4 ft wide yet though.

Chad300tdt · #12 08-04-2008, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Imagine if he got in an accident. I wonder if the front seats can stop 1000lbs of loose junk?

I doubt it. I always drive more carefully with a load and give more stopping distance than usual to avoid having the load slide around. I've used my wagon to haul stuff but I haven't loaded more than 800lbs so far.

I just took a load of lumber to my in-laws by removing the rear seat bottoms and reclining the front passenger seat all the way to the floor before folding down the rear seat backs. I could see how removing the front passenger seat all together, like the guy Tyler saw, would give more room, but I didn't need it.

I should have taken a pic. I had a shop vac, compound miter saw, 3 gallon air compressor, nail gun, 48 tubes of painter's caulk, 22-8' pieces of crown molding, 20-8' pieces of chair rail molding, 10-8' pieces of 1x8, 1-30"x40" sheet of plywood, 2 boxes of drywall tools, and 2 buckets of joint compound.

It all fit with the hatch closed.

vstech · #13 08-04-2008, 08:24 AM

not only do all the seats fold down, but the rear seat bottoms pop right out to give you that extra 8" you always need. ALSO, if you get the 60/40, split rear seat back, you can fold down 1 side and leave the other up for passengers.
the front passenger's seat will fold down flat, but I would remove it if you plan on hauling a lot of long lumber.
behind the front seats is about 6' not enough for full length lumber, only with the front passenger's seat down can you fit them.
I gots a decent beater 79 starts well little blowby. rust in fenders, but not in the frame or underbody. really low priced.

Chad300tdt · #14 08-04-2008, 08:46 AM

Here's an awesome video that shows all the cargo area configurations if you have the split rear seat:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxt4YNetuKA

Bajaman · #15 08-04-2008, 09:01 AM

Get a small truck. Even though you can load a lot into a wagon, it is a pain to load. You are at the back trying to get stuff way up into the front. Very inconvenient. If you haul stuff on a daily or even semi-daily basis this will get old very fast. Nothing like being able to reach over the side of a pickup to grab what ever it is you need, or load and unload without crawling on your hands and knees.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode