Increase Ride Height on a W123? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

PaulC · #1 08-03-2010, 10:03 PM

A relatively new member is over on Open Discussion inquiring if there is any way to increase ride height on a W123 240D, as he apparently is bottoming out on country roads. Did DB offer any variability on the ride height of the W123 outside of any air or hydro mechanisms on wagons? Were models sold in less developed countries offered with an increased ride height, and if so, how was the increase accomplished?

79Mercy · #2 08-03-2010, 10:15 PM

He could install thicker spring pads, but that will not help by much.

Junkman · #3 08-03-2010, 10:22 PM

I'd say his shocks are shot. I drive on country roads with no problem. His roads can't be worse that the gravel in rural TN unless he's driving through a field.

Start with looking up the stock ride height & comparing with what he has.

fruitcakesa · #4 08-04-2010, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkman

I'd say his shocks are shot. I drive on country roads with no problem. His roads can't be worse that the gravel in rural TN unless he's driving through a field.

Start with looking up the stock ride height & comparing with what he has.

x2 on Vermont gravel roads.
I live on one and with 4 new Bilsteins and new stock Yoko treads, the body does sit about 1 inch higher and it rolls over washboard quite smoothly. I try to avoid the holes.

spamman450 · #5 08-06-2010, 02:03 AM

I also would like to get my car to ride higher. Only the front needs it though as the back is fine. After swapping in the 617 it REALLY sat low. I have added the biggest spring shims and it helped but is still below spec. I am going to swap some 300D springs in as i heard they are rated for more weight than the 240 springs.

wayne929 · #6 08-11-2010, 09:38 PM

i would like to thank eryone for all he info on this. didnt realize i was one of a ton of people wanting to ift there 240d. im going to put on 300d springs and switch to 205/70-14. if this gives me the clearance i want ill measure it and post it up along with a few pictures.

charmalu · #7 08-11-2010, 10:20 PM

I put 240D springs under the frontend of my 85 300D after installing the 240D 4-spd. after the swap the front end had the nose stucking up in the air. made handling a litle squirley, front end wanted to wander.
the 4-spd manual weighs much less than the automatic. might throw off the geometry of the steering/suspention.

After the 240 springs were installed, nose came down, and handles pretty good. just a little soft going around sharp turn on mountain roads. I have a 300TD front sway bar to stiffen it up.

I think putting the 300D springs under your 240 will make the front sit too high. I have been wrong before, but this was my experience.
with your 4 cylinder eng and 4-spd box, they weigh less than a 5 cyl turbo with 4-spd. (assuming you don`t have an auto)

Charlie

H-townbenzoboy · #8 08-03-2010, 10:43 PM

Someone actually wants to increase their W123's ride height? That's different.

10fords · #9 08-03-2010, 11:28 PM

I would also like to raise my 240d a little as I use it a lot on dirt roads, and I have had to replace a couple of oil pans from bottoming out. I put on a little taller tire, but another inch or two would be awesome. In the fsm it lists different spring combinations for countries with underdeveloped roads, but no actual lengths and how much lift you would get. Would wagon springs raise a 240d???

tbomachines · #10 08-03-2010, 11:55 PM

I've toyed with the idea of getting a junker w123 for rallycross racing, seeing as I'm familiar with them...I'd be interested if anyone has any more info.

MBeige · #11 08-04-2010, 01:10 AM

Contact "Blurg" - he is the one who owns and drives the 300TD in 300TD.org which is an expedition vehicle driven across all kinds of terrain.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/300tdorg/

Joseph_Conrad · #12 08-04-2010, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

Contact "Blurg" - he is the one who owns and drives the 300TD in 300TD.org which is an expedition vehicle driven across all kinds of terrain.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/300tdorg/

Holy moly! Those are some great photos, thanks for the link! These cars are awesome.

charmalu · #13 08-04-2010, 02:05 AM

Dang you beat me to it, I was just looking this up.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/4wd-overland-tech/another-kind-rtw-vehicle-83-a-51436

you can get to his flicker and other links here.

this is amazing, look at all the 123 taxis
Charlie

MBeige · #14 08-04-2010, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joseph_Conrad

Holy moly! Those are some great photos, thanks for the link! These cars are awesome.

Wasn't able to get the specifics, but Jurgen did modify his 300TD suspension (changed coils F/R and shocks too perhaps) to lift it up some more with the belly pan sump guard for extra protection.

You can see his TD is slightly higher

There are cases where ground clearance presents itself naturally

Zacharias · #15 03-27-2013, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

Contact "Blurg" - he is the one who owns and drives the 300TD in 300TD.org which is an expedition vehicle driven across all kinds of terrain.

Flickr: 300td.org's Photostream

I believe it was posted on his original blog that he got the increased ride height by installing springs that were optional for the South African market. Someone elase already tried to contact him for part numbers but got no reply. (My memory is dim but I think that exchange was either on Benzworld or the European Mercedes forum.)

My local dealer parts manager is a great guy and he tried several ways to get me info and part numbers, all to no avail. The only way MB Canada will release the part numbers or prices (or order) will be if I supply a VIN from an African-market car. I tried finding one by scanning used car ads from South Africa with no luck.