http://jalopnik.com/5513303/your-gm-pickup-could-explode-and-kill-you

When I graduated high school my a friend of mine died in his Mitsubishi Eclipse. After that I was unsure with driving my dad told me to drive the Mercedes. (at that time it was his car) after a few months I got back behind the wheel of my Toyota. The engine in the Toyota died, so I started driving my dads 1980 Scottsdale. after a month of that my dad offered me the Mercedes because he was tired to taking it to the mechanic, and I was willing to work on it.

After reading that article. I'm so glad I'm behind the wheel of my SD and not that Scottsdale!

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It the Scottsdale is a Suburban, then the 40 gallon tank sits under the rear floor between the frame rails. And if you have a heavy duty tow package installed, it's practically armored.

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1984 300TD

the old Scottsdale we had was the 1/2 ton truck with the 40gal dual tanks.

honestly it was kind of a nice truck on paper. 350 4bolt main, quadrajet, heavy duty radiator. my dad bought it from his work, and they ordered if for inspecting oil fields in Texas, so it wasn't a bad truck in its day. by the time i got to it it had seen used in my uncles orchards and was beat to hell. I hated that truck.

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Wouldn't be a problem if you got it with the diesel.

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1983 240D 3.0T 4-speed manual, now sold

1989 Subaru GL Wagon 5-speed Touring Edition

WTF were they smoking in the R&D department. Oh ya. Great idea to put the gas tanks on the side of the car. WOW.

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http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-RESIZED-1.jpg
1991 300E - 212K and rising fast...

Thats how they did it back than, when you buy a 30 year old truck don't expect the latest safety equipment. The original Mustang was a death trap that would turn into an oven if it got rear ended.

My Silverado has the tank between the frame rails where it belongs, they learned a lot from 1980-2005.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I would be willing to bet that in the same collision, the Chevy truck would protect the passengers better than an import. At least in the C/K line, you will be alive long enough to possibly get burnt... Most likely dead on impact in the others.

I've owned a handful of Chevy/GM trucks between the years '72 and '80, and I loved 'em all. Best pick up ever made.
BTW, if you are afraid of the side mounted gas tank, move it in between the frame rails. AND...even on the side, it beat hell oughtta the pickups with the freakin' gas tank behind the seat!!!

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

I have to say, I liked the 73 to 79 Ford trucks the best.

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1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

Oh please, this is old news. I seem to remember a major news network getting in serious trouble for "rigging" a GM pickup to burn when hit to sensationalize the story. These trucks have been tested over and over and shown to have no or marginal statistical risk over any other. I have owned two old pickups with the damned gas tank in the cab with me, behind the seat! You cannot possibly expect todays safety standards to apply to older vehicles. Anyone remember the Pinto? The Corvair? How about the Explorer? All guilty of having a "fatal flaw" or so the media would have you believe. How about a NEW Toyota? Most every vehicle has some flaw inherent to the design. Yo pays yo money and takes yo chances. RT

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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

See my signature: The 66 rambler fuel tank seam sticks out further than the rear bumper but it sort of equals out with the drum brakes , solid steering column , chunk of steel for a dashboard and lap belts.

The Lap belts keep the majority of the body parts in the car in case of an accident makes the EMT's job easier. (no other purpose I can see makes the cops happy though )

If a safe older car is what your looking for then these Mercedes are top choice.

The Rambler propelling itself forward with the windows down and floor vents open is a different kind of fun though. Stopping and steering is a whole different ball game !! Kind of like a huge go cart ! Forget about cell phones. When your going 55 you feel like your actually going 55

We just finished a convertible 68' firebird 400 hp manual everything. Now thats fun but scary fun I dont like living that close to the edge on a daily basis (but every once in a while ....... )

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Experience : what you receive 3 seconds after you really needed it !!



86 300SDL 387,000? Motor committed suicide
81 300SD 214,000 "new" 132,000 motor
83 300SD 212,000 parts car
83 300SD 147,000

91 F700 5.9 cummins 5spd eaton 298,000
66 AMC rambler American 2dr auto 108,000
95 Chevy 3/4 ton auto 160,000
03 Toyota 4runner 180,000 wifes

was thinking the exact same thing. I wish America would catch on to diesel quicker. Everyone I meet is so misinformed about diesel

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1984 W123 300CD silver/blue *230k*
http://www.fuelly.com/sig-us/45166.png