Not how I usually do things but I'm inheriting this car and I sorta need to move it soon.
My friend was a professional mechanic and kept this car in great condition till he died, but it hasn't been used for a year. I need to drive it from New York to Rhode Island next weekend.
I'm taking a good battery and a half dozen fuel filters, A fuel can and a drain pan, my nasty old workin on car jacket....
Any advice on what to take or things I should tinker with before I set out?

New York to Rhode Island is more of a commute than a road trip. If it's only been in storage a year and well maintained prior, just drive it.

That being said, do a good inspection for things like fluids, belts, tires, leaks, etc. Drive it around town a bit to uncover any obvious issues, get some fresh fuel and then have fun.

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Current Stable

• 380SL (diesel)
• Corvette C5
• Manx
• Baja Bug
• F350 Powerstroke
• Auburn Boattail Speedster replica

X2 do a pre-check and get it on the road.

Dkr.

No concerns w/ a diesel, other than getting black slime in the tank if there was any water or condensation. That is one reason sailboats use diesel engines for back-up. The fuel can sit for years with little degradation. The battery is always a concern, but if you fully charge it, should be OK. If you don't circulate anti-freeze, the rust inhibitors can settle out, leaving regions that can corrode. That is one reason many collectors have switched to Evans Waterless coolant. New brake fluid should be flushed thru every few years, unless using silicone.

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1984 & 1985 CA 300D's
1964 & 65 Mopar's - Valiant, Dart, Newport
1996 & 2002 Chrysler minivans

Oh, does the injection pump on an '84 have it's own oil supply? I should check that.
Thanks for the antifreeze advice, Bill, I hadn't heard that before but it makes good sense. I've been monkeying with old cars all my life and I still learn something new. I guess that's why I still do this.

Fuel filters and tools to change with knowledge of how to bleed the system.

Check trans fluid warm and idling.

Should have no trouble if you drive it some to know that things are working.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

After a short drive feel each wheels temperature looking for a caliper that has partially seized.

Ideally drive say two to three miles and coast to a stop. In a comparison test all the wheels should be about the same temperature.

Lubrication for the injection pumps on all 1984 Mercedes diesels is provided from the engine.

assuming you have a sticking brake:
sometimes just putting new brake pads on the sticking caliper can be a quick fix, as it puts the brake piston in a different spot. Don't forget to clean and grease the slider pins and put blue locktite on the large caliper bolts on reassembly (or make sure it's done)

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1985 300TD 1981 Scirocco 1.6D conv 1986 Golf 1.6D 2003 Golf TDI

get some good fuel additive like powerservice or at least 2-stroke oil to add lubricity to the diesel fuel. Your injection pump will thank you.

here's your algae killer
FPPF Killem 00119 - Biocide Additive | O'Reilly Auto Parts
but BEWARE, it's stinks, probably will not want to take it with you on any trips

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1985 300TD 1981 Scirocco 1.6D conv 1986 Golf 1.6D 2003 Golf TDI

Ah, brakes and fuel additive. Good advice.
I'm a little mired in paperwork right now. Not hard, just different than the usual.

Ok, finally made it home with this beauty. Thanks for all the good advice! A buddy and I went down with a big box of tools and a bog box of filters and spare parts. I brought a new battery, installed it and the thing fired up like it had been parked 15 minutes ago, not two years ago. Seriously, I've never seen a car fire up so easily... It was a 170 mile trip and the car made it 169. Of course the fuel filters clogged up. it got slower and slower. I pulled over ten miles from home and changed the primary. That helped a little. A mile from my house, it just wouldn't go any further. I was expecting this and brought a box of new filters but forgot my filter wrench so I did the last mile on my Berkenstocks. Got my wrench only to discover that you can change this kind of filter with a crescent wrench.
Anyway, it's in the driveway now. Thank you all. Now to sort out this paperwork.