Mercedes 300TD Wagon Overlander

[300td_overland]

Hello new to the forum! I work for an off-road shop here in Lubbock Texas and I’m a frequent project/hobby hopper when it comes to automotive builds. However this is one I’ve finally fallen in love with.

This is my 1980 Mercedes 300TD with the legendary million mile motor, the om617. This one has been swapped to the turbo version which wasn’t available in 1980.

Plans for the build include 3-4” of lift 31” tires diy beadlocks, roof rack, roof top tent, tons of led lighting. Snorkel, hood stack, lots and lots of fender trimming, new interior, slide out camp kitchen etc.

This is a very budget build sponsored by alibaba and second hand EBT cards. Parts are already rolling in for it and I can’t wait to get this build going!

 

[Exploder_M]

Awesome! 617.952 is a great engine. Keep those valves adjusted

 

[300td_overland]

We just welcomed another member to our family this last week so I’ve actually been away from the shop. But me and my 18 month old snuck away and got the front amber driving lights thrown on this last weekend.

I think it’s time I order a replacement emblem for the hood

 

[the bodj]

Heck yeah! My grandpa gave me a 1987 300td and I freaking loved that car. I cut the springs and straight piped it. It ripped through the canyons when the turbo was spooled and handled AWESOME. I was keeping up with c63s in the twisties. I loved that car!

 

[300td_overland]

Got the roof top light bar mounted! Happy with how it came out!

 

[300td_overland]

Also the build rendering came back this week! Super excited to find the time to throw all these parts on.

 

[theycallmeWALLY]

I'm excited for you... I'm excited for the car.

Make it happen!

 

[300td_overland]

Knocked out the hoodstack today. People either love them or they hate them. I think when they aren’t gigantic and done clean they don’t look bad!

 

[Brandon_Charley]

If you know someone with a MotorTrend+ subscription you might want to check out Holden Bros Restos. They did a 2 door version of one of these era diesel Benzs on their second episode.

 

[300td_overland]

Mounted up the lights on the hood today. Also removed the factory AC control cluster since the original vacuum harness was cut in half by the previous owner. Mounted up the 12 panel. Going to be adding another 8 panel soon for the window switches. Then hopefully bringing her home from the shop so I can make up all my wiring harness in my garage over this winter.

 

[philofab]

I have a 84 300SD I've done some similar engine mods to. Curious why you didn't remove all the vibration / expansion joints from the down pipe and just v band to the turbo?

Attached is an intake I built trying to get into the 3 digit hp world.

I also upgraded to a GM alt as the factory unit was only 55 amps.

 

[300td_overland]

I have a 84 300SD I've done some similar engine mods to. Curious why you didn't remove all the vibration / expansion joints from the down pipe and just v band to the turbo?

Attached is an intake I built trying to get into the 3 digit hp world.

I also upgraded to a GM alt as the factory unit was only 55 amps.

I feel like my hood dump is already pretty far forward, I wanted it more towards the back of the hood. so I left it there to keep the position while using the factory exhaust scraps to make the exhaust.

Got a part number or link for the alternator mine is due for replacing and id like to go bigger.

 

[philofab]

It's a late model GM alt, 105amp I think? I don't remember exactly as I just busted this out quick on the cheap without much thought. 96+ trucks should be same / similar. I tend to use the 145 amp alts for LS swaps so I had this on the shelf. New brackets were required and I swapped the double v belt pulled from the original Bosch alt. Pretty simple bracket, not sure if yours is in the same spot but I can send you a dxf if it would work for you. I had the connector in my bins and built a new 6 ga charge cable to the factory junction block.

 

[philofab]

Photo attached

 

[the bodj]

I might have an alt that can work for you. I have one from a non vortec 4.3 and one from a vortec 6.0

 

[300td_overland]

Roof top tent showed up from China

Basically a roofnest copy, comfortably fits 2 setups and and down in seconds. Super nice quality shoutout alibaba

 

[the bodj]

Dude nice! What did that set you back if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[300td_overland]

Dude nice! What did that set you back if you don’t mind me asking?

After port fees shipping and all that is associated with importing direct from China I spent $1,048 all said and done. Tent itself was like $670 with the options I fitted it out with. It has the thicker mattress pad, insulated and also the led lighting inside

 

[300td_overland]

Picked up some 31x10.50r15’s for the Benz this week. Waiting on wheel adapters to show up in the mail then we can start working on the lift install

Been down for a while with a back injury and haven’t had much time to work on the Benz but starting to get better and get back to it.

 

[theycallmeWALLY]

Dang! Totally forgot about this beast.

Stoked you are feeling better. I hope to see this beast in the dirt sooner then later.

I was actually just talking about your Tent Yesterday but had forgotten who posted it. Have you used it yet?