The W124 Binz modifications - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Amuso · #1 12-11-2007, 01:22 PM

Going on two weeks owning the car I am slowly working my way through all the stuff that needs to be done.

Here is a few photos of my progress. First an image of all the interior ambulance stuff still in place. Then a couple of pictures after the shelves and walls have been taken down. Finally a picture of all the fun buttons to play with

In the second picture you can see the rear heating unit. There is also wall on the left side on the wall. Each one can be individually turned on/off and the rear most even has its own thermostat you can adjust the heat with.

Amuso · #2 12-11-2007, 01:29 PM

The second part of the progress...

Pre-installed the new headunit which has a 7" touch screen, DVD-player and USB-connection. I used to hook up a 60GB external harddrive to it to play MP3s or videofiles. The screen doesnt fit very well with the dash though, but it can be operated with the screen closed as well.

Also an image of my 3 Bosch Big Knick lamps. Finished that installation today and it is quite a big difference driving at night. I will try and take some pictures with the highbeams on and the highbeams + the Bosch lamps on for comparison. 2 of the lamps are pencil beams and one is a wide angle spread beam. Good combination, all with 100W bulbs. Each lamp has a separate relay and 6mm cable (do not know what that translates into in gauges).

Finally the wall separating the front seats and the rear compartment has been torn down. It was not a structural thing, but just thin sheet metal.

The plan is to get a regular back seat, and then perhaps convert the rest to work as sleeping area when the seat is folded down. It will also be able to transport a bit cargo. A kind of caravan, cargo, stationwagon+. Maybe in time a flat screen and some speakers in the ceiling above the front seats, along with a subwoofer... Plenty of plans, just need to see what gets done.

Amuso · #3 12-11-2007, 01:32 PM

Some more pictures after the dividing wall was taken down.

In the first picture you can see the auxillary fuse/relay box for all the extra stuff. It is just behind the drivers seat up there on the pilar.

Where the shelves were there was a bit of rust which I have painted with special rust inhibitor and then will coat with some primer. I plan to put in quite a bit more of sound deadning in the rear compartment. There is a big difference in noise level with the wall gone.

The cavities will be covered up, maybe with some nice wood work to make it a cozy place to stay.

Should I move the front seat further forward so you can get more rear legroom?

Ignore all the clutter in the last picture.

Hatterasguy · #4 12-11-2007, 01:53 PM

Thats so cool! The ultimate party wagon! That would be awsome at a Buffet concert!

Amuso · #5 12-12-2007, 03:29 PM

Yepp, some of these end up as party wagons for the graduates from school here. I am going to check and see if I can re-register it for more passengers. Would be nice to have a 6 or 7 seater.

Did some fine tuning and adjusting of the extra high beams today. Took a drive and took some pictures to compare. First one is with regular beams, second is with standard high beams and third and final is with everything on...

Of course it is hard to reproduce the effect with a digital camera, but there is a noticable difference.

Dee8go · #6 12-12-2007, 03:33 PM

I remember talking to a Dodge salesman once when I was about 16. I wanted to buy a van from him. He took one look at me and said, "Oh, you want a rolling whore house!" Geez, am I THAT transparent?!

Hatterasguy · #7 12-12-2007, 03:36 PM

And the problem with that is...

TheDon · #8 12-12-2007, 11:44 PM

Die Shagen Wagen!!

Amuso · #9 02-12-2008, 08:45 AM

Okay things are moving slowly along...

Beginning of january saw the car being reclassified as a passenger car for 3 people. I intend to get a proper rear seat and the get it classified for 5 people later.

The sagging SLS turned into a stiff bouncy SLS and _much_ higher rear ride height for no reason. Actually had to realign the headlights. This makes me believe the dampers are ok, but that the valveunit might have seized up? There's so much info to find and it's hard to determine where to begin troubleshooting. But from my previous BMW experience this problem is due to bad hydraulic fluid accumulators (or bombs).

Fixed the ASD error and fault. Was broken wires near the central locking pump. Corroded away so some soldering fixed that.

Fixed the central locking also since I finally figured out where they had hidden the unit in the Binz. The pump was tested outside the car and worked fine. Was missing power to the pump and all door locks. So I rewired power to the pump and left door lock. I figured that would have to do for now. At least I can finally lock the car. I had no key for the rear luggage door so that was always unlocked before.

Wired up some new power from the battery to the stereo and central locking since when I hit the main power switch everything in the car goes dead. But I wanted radio memory and central locking to work.

The 3 Bosch Ralley lights were mounted and got fresh 100W bulbs. Figured out a nice way to attach the whole thing to the grille and use the quick-release to detach the lights at summer. Also wired into the extra buttons console on the dash so I can disable the extra high beams if needed.

Found lots of moisture and stuff under the carpets. Will have to tear out the whole rear floor stuff to avoid it all rusting away. New carpets in the front of the car wouldn't hurt either, so I will have a go at that sometime too.

Fixed the missing spring for the gas lever on the intake. So now it idles lower though it still seems to idle a bit high when warm. Located the vacuum switch on the engine block so I will test that as a possible fault.

Probably leaks transmission oil since it gets more slippery and shuddery when cold over time. Shifts fine when warm though. Wish I had a lift to get under and pull the trans for a rebuild. Hope this hangs in there until a diesel conversion is possible. Looking for a 250 or 300D engine/donor car with good transmission to swap in. Will make the car more fun to use since the fuel economy will be much better.

Exhaust was almost breaking in two mid under the car. Had a friend weld it, but he couldn't get to all of it so it has partially broken up again. Will reweld a new piece of tube in instead. Should fix it. Much more pleasant to drive when the exhaust is working properly!

A lot of the plans for the car rest on the future MOT test in March/April. If it passes I will tear off the whole roofing and flooring in the rear and make new.

Should get some wheel alignment done since it pulls to the right.

SwampYankee · #10 02-12-2008, 08:50 AM

OJ, that is (and will be) one of the coolest rides I've seen! Then again, I am a little bit "off" and don't get out much. But it is cool nonetheless!

Amuso · #11 02-13-2008, 05:52 AM

SwampYankee, thanks, I find it very cool even though not everyone would like this car. It's super practical as well because of the wast space to utilize back there too.