Question about a '79 2200TD I might buy! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

abracadabra · #1 12-31-2008, 01:52 PM

So I've always wanted a 300TD and I found one locally thats right up my alley: a well maintained mechanically sound beater for $1000. I'll probably get it for less if I buy it, I hit it off with the seller, they're very open and informative about the car's history.

I feel good about checking out a Benz for the basic things, this car is great as far as the engine/tranny/tires/brakes/electrical etc. go, no real issues. Its cheap because it looks like hell, but hell, I don't care about that!

My question is the one issue the car may have in the future: the seller bought the car many years ago and the rear end was super low, the SelfLeveling System was crapped out. She was in LA and ended up in New Orleans where she took it to a local mechanic who specialized in big rig suspension/mechanic work. They took the SelfLeveling System out and replaced this with a custom made spring system, pretty heavy duty and she hasn't had any problems with it. That was a few years back.

Now, she mentioned this to me and I thought: what happens when the custom work needs work on? I'm gonna call my mechanic and ask him his opinion on this too, but I figured there's a wealth of opinion/information out there on this so what the heck.

How much would it cost/how much of a pain in the ass would it be to get the car back the original Self Leveling system? Maybe I wouldn't have to worry about it too much but I will be doing a bit of road tripping with musical equipment in the back so.....

any thoughts would be greatly apprecitated, I told her I would let her know in a day!

mark in Portland

dieseldiehard · #2 12-31-2008, 02:13 PM

First time I replied I missed the fact that the car had been modified. Too bad!
The SLS system would have been better off left in the car. I hope the springs are the properly for ride height and quality and you don't ever haul lots of weight in the rear because the springs can't possibly compensate like a SLS would and the headlights will be up in the air if you put a load in the rear.

I've been cross country on several trips in my Turbo converted '79 and my turbo '85 wagons
They are hard to beat for loading lots of stuff easily. The '79 is an NA (non turbo) engine and not the fastest thing on the highway, you might want to find a later wagon with a turbo in it if you plan on lots of driving at much over 60 - 65 MPH because the gearing in the differential in the '79 is pretty low and the engine will be wound up pretty fast at those speeds.
You asked how much to convert back to SLS, well, the shocks are about 700 set of two, about $110 for two accumulators, a used SLS valve might be $25 or it might be $200 depending on where you look. Hopefully the pump is still on the car but if it had no oil in it the impeller is probably bad and a new one is $1100 (or more if you buy from the dealer). Fluid reservoir (better find a used one) New springs $200. bits and pieces another $$$$
I think you better find another wagon if you want a working SLS.

DDH

kerry · #3 12-31-2008, 02:27 PM

Is it a 220TD or a 300TD? There's going to be a substantial difference in power. I'm not aware of anyone who has been happy with the removal of the SLS. I'd look long and hard at the conversion before purchasing it. The SLS is one of the best features of the wagon.

abracadabra · #4 12-31-2008, 04:12 PM

Well I just talked to my mechanics, who I've been using for all my MB diesel work for years, and who have been working on nothing but MB for 30 years, and they seem to think that the SLS system is really a major pain in the ass and that as long as the mod-job was done well, why go back?

And they also mentioned an aftermarket kit that they installed once on a customer's car that removed the SLS and added shocks/springs.

Now maybe if I drove in one of these that had a fully fuctional SLS I might agree that it is a nice thing to have, but given this situation, if the shocks and springs are good and sturdy, what would the problem be?

mark in Portland

dieseldiehard · #5 12-31-2008, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abracadabra

Well I just talked to my mechanics, who I've been using for all my MB diesel work for years, and who have been working on nothing but MB for 30 years, and they seem to think that the SLS system is really a major pain in the ass and that as long as the mod-job was done well, why go back?

And they also mentioned an aftermarket kit that they installed once on a customer's car that removed the SLS and added shocks/springs.

Now maybe if I drove in one of these that had a fully fuctional SLS I might agree that it is a nice thing to have, but given this situation, if the shocks and springs are good and sturdy, what would the problem be?

mark in Portland

the headlights will be up in the air if you put a load in the rear.

mobetta · #6 12-31-2008, 04:53 PM

if your roll loaded down(sagging), you will wear out your rear tires more quickly on the inside. if you add a WVO system, that is going to add weight.

the sls is really a great system, provides a great ride, but a lot of techs dont understand it and condemn it. as long as you can find used parts if you need- like the struts are about $600/EA., but rarely fail. pumps are $1200, but should last a long time unless run dry. the valve can be rebuilt for $20, and the spheres($110/EA) are wear items. all hose, lines can be re-fabbed at a big savings over dealer prices.

I have put over 1K lbs in my car and it drove great. pulls trailers like a dream. I would never disembowel the SLS.

a 220 is gonna be slow. but unique.

JimmyL · #7 12-31-2008, 05:35 PM

I still just will never understand how folks remove this one system that makes these wagons something special. And it isn't a complicated system in the least!!!! It is very akin to a brake system if you think about it.
I imagine the only work you will need to do with this modified wagon is replace shocks if they wear out. Question is, when everything with that system is OK, how is the ride and handling? How does it handle weight in back?
If this is a 220TD or 240TD, there isn't enough power to carry too much back there.....

We will, as always, require pics!

daw_two · #8 12-31-2008, 07:53 PM

*daw looks UP*

Well, if you decide to buy it....and want to go back to SLS, I've got an SLS pump for sale. I might also have an SLS valve, but I think I've promised that to Chad......if I ever find it.

OH....I have another SLS valve that will work

that Chad didn't want.

MTUpower · #9 12-31-2008, 08:39 PM

A tech that does not understand/and/or dislikes MB self leveling on any of the chassis is not worth sending business to. 200T/TE maybe, 230TE, 240TD, 250TE/250T perhaps, 280TE, 300TD but not sure if there was a 220TD. Anyone have the full list of w123 wagon engine options? The NA 300TD is fine around town and on four lane highways, but passing on two lanes requires lots of skill and timing. My first wagon was a 1980 and I loved it.

abracadabra · #10 12-31-2008, 09:25 PM

Well I have to say that the folks at MBI here in Portland have always been good to me, they only work on MB and have been doing so for several decades. The work they've done for me has been impeccable.

Now, after talking to them, I don't think they its a case of not understanding the SLS, I know for a fact they work on that system all the time. BUT...in my case, with a car that has been modified, I think they just were relaying that it might not make sense to get the SLS back in there, WAY too much money.....and that if done right, a beefy spring/shock setup can be fine.

I actually don't know anyone in Portland who owns a MB who doesn't take their rigs to MBI (unless of course they do their own work). Can't say I don't value their opinion, or the opinion of the folks here. I'm just trying to make an informed decision here.

mark

bgkast · #11 12-31-2008, 07:27 PM

Is this it? http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/972767922.html

It looks kinda rough, and it's been for sale for quite a while. I would see how bad the rust is and offer $500 tops if it's not too bad.

abracadabra · #12 12-31-2008, 07:41 PM

Yes that is the one! The rust is so-so, both the '72 220D and the '76 240D have more rust, I really don't care about it too much to be honest.

I surely would like to have the SLS system in this car, but it isn't there, and it runs and drives real nice!!

Actually when I test drove the car it had a 300 pound espresso machine right in the back and the car drove fine. I mean I never drove one of the wagons before but it felt like a MB to me, I've driven lots of them. And the headlights weren't up in the air either! So, I can't imagine I would ever have that much weight in the back so I'm probably okay for now............if I buy it.........

mark

H-townbenzoboy · #13 01-01-2009, 12:30 AM

2200TD? Must have the rare 22.0L diesel engine in it.

redassag00 · #14 01-01-2009, 12:34 AM

2200D?
Dingle balls AHAHAHAHAHA

JimmyL · #15 01-01-2009, 02:39 AM

One thing you need that is uber important is the hard hydraulic lines that run from the front of the car to the back, and then up front again.
Hydraulic pump, high pressure line to hard line, struts, hoses from struts to accumulators to valve, valve, linkage, rear sway bar with arm for linkage, reservoir up front and low pressure return hose. [gas line works fine for this]
Quite an undertaking. Would be soooo much better to find a wagon with the SLS already installed. Who knows, the setup on this one might be somewhat less functional yet acceptable....