The Trigger Thread: 1982 300TD - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TylerH860 · #1 04-10-2009, 04:43 PM

I finally went to the local dealer to get Trigger's service records. What a pleasant surprise:

Unfortunately, a computer upgrade seemed to wipe all the totals, so I only have the dollar figures from 1995-2006. Its not Rotchester ridiculous, but some big things have been done as you can see. In the most recent 3 years off the records, he replace the glow plugs again, and valve adjustment, along with a new grill and headlight doors.

My goal is to have the car painted around a month from now, and have confirmed things with the same body shop that painted Ol' Turbo.

This thread will detail the before, tear down, prep, and painting process with Trigger to get him up to par cosmetically comparable to his excellent mechanical condition.

My first question: Has anyone removed the roof rails and what is involved? That is the only obstacle for tear down that is intimidating me.

sd300td · #2 04-10-2009, 04:56 PM

My understanding is that you need to remove the headliner in order to get at the roof rails...good luck.

Also, didn't I see your blue third row seat for sale in the parts section? why are you getting rid of it?

UriahT · #3 04-10-2009, 05:02 PM

Yeah, the headliner has to come out to get the roof rail out.

Since you probably won't be doing a full on 8-10K restore due to the rust, I'd just mask them off. I'm going to do the same when I paint my wagon. It is much quicker, however, to remove the sunroof, and it prevents your seals from being painted.

Looking forward to the photos, since I'll be going through the same process (sans rust repair).

TylerH860 · #4 04-10-2009, 05:23 PM

I thnk young two are getting wagons confused. Trigger didn't have a third row, and not much rust. Rotchester had a third row and a bunch of the brown stuff. I sold the rusty one to a friend needing basic transportation.

tbomachines · #5 04-10-2009, 07:35 PM

You basically have a brand new car after seeing those records! The valve job on there alone cost more than I paid and repaired my car for...new turbo, water pump, CCU, yeesh!!

Edit: Also, good luck with the paint job, looking forward to see pictures! Planning on the same for my Boxy somewhere in the far future.

JimmyL · #6 04-11-2009, 12:46 AM

Staggering amount of work done to that car. You can also read through it and notice the spots where the dealer took advantage of the owner. And not by a little bit!!!!

When you get that wagon painted you'll be saying "Ol' Who?????"

TylerH860 · #7 04-13-2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

Staggering amount of work done to that car. You can also read through it and notice the spots where the dealer took advantage of the owner. And not by a little bit!!!!

When you get that wagon painted you'll be saying "Ol' Who?????"

The two may fight for garage space, that's for sure. Then again, Trigger did come with a custom fit weather resistant cover.

Too bad Trigger is a lawn ornament right now. Soooo embarrassing.

JimmyL · #8 04-14-2009, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

The two may fight for garage space, that's for sure. Then again, Trigger did come with a custom fit weather resistant cover.

Too bad Trigger is a lawn ornament right now. Soooo embarrassing.

Be thankful Trigger hasn't hit the level of Smash!!! I've got to get some kind of cheap paint job for this poor wagon.......
He doesn't look like a lawn ornament though. More like a weed.......

TylerH860 · #9 05-16-2009, 10:35 PM

Well, my dreams or Trigger were not fulfilled, but he is off to his happy new owners in Greensburg, KS, a town leveled by a F5 Tornado a few years ago. The town is trying to rebuild green akin to its name, and the new owner plans to make home brew biodiesel.

Happy Trails Trigger:

I had a great day with my new flame, a 1976 Mercedes 450SEL 6.9 Euro. I followed Bob about 20 miles to deliver a loaner car to a customer who was promised his car yesterday, but on first start of the replacement motor, a massive coolant leek foiled the plans.

The loaner car may look familiar to some of you. Good Ol' Macgyver... The dirtiest W123 I've ever seen that is still road worthy.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=244722

They sure weren't kidding about the 10MPG part on the 6.9.

After its first bath in a year. I'm going to start polishing and buffing tomorrow.

cmbdiesel · #10 05-16-2009, 10:54 PM

Good looking car, even without the hood star.

sd300td · #11 05-16-2009, 11:08 PM

wait...you just bought a 6.9? nice. get 'er cleaned up and get rid of those bling bling fender brows. dang. good work!

Whiskeydan · #12 05-16-2009, 11:15 PM

I want one.

Plan on a new set of rear tires.

I hope it's not too ugly under the chrome. They got to go.

jt20 · #13 05-16-2009, 11:20 PM

suhhweet..

what does that thing look like with Pentas??

guess you won't be posting nonsense in Diesel Discus anymore..

edit... are those headlight wipers??? showoff

daw_two · #14 05-16-2009, 11:39 PM

Does this put you over in the Vintage forum now?

derburger · #15 05-17-2009, 12:09 AM

My question is, what poor sap was going to be loaned Macgruber, with an interior looking like a Big Gulp and cheetos explosion?

Is that a green dodge dart in one of the pics?

Good luck with your new 6.9, I wanted a european Green/Green one I've been seeing for a while that was for sale, only thing that dissuaded me was the parts cost, like the water pump that cost as much as my Subaru to buy.