New Toy: 1972 Mercedes 0 309 Omnibus

[rbgerrish]

I am jealous.




As one eurotruck sycophant to another, I'd be willing to loan you my copy of said book if you'd like.

Good luck with project. I tried to revive an O-309-D bus like that and failed. I also failed on a 407-D doublecab pickup, and a 207 firetruck. I'll be watching you and rooting for your success

Thanks!

If I may ask, why did your restoration projects fail? Were they too rough to begin with? What happened to the trucks?

[Esmi]

Thanks!

If I may ask, why did your restoration projects fail? Were they too rough to begin with? What happened to the trucks?

They fail because my ideas are bigger than my attention span. I got bored and moved on three times.


The gas 408 fire truck was the coolest of the bunch.

It was in great condition off the boat from Germany, and a hoot to see and be seen in. I chose to spend my time camping with the kids, rather than working on a camper. At about the same time, I fell into ownership of an International minibus and a Vanagon Adventurewagen. So I sold Mercedes to a guy in Oregon. I believe the truck is for sale at this very moment outside Portland by a guy named "Uncle Zak." (This photo is from Zak's website, but the truck looks the same as when I had it.)


The double cab 407D was also imported by me from Germany, and really a cool thing to behold.

Ran great, little bit of rust. I just couldn't figure out what it was FOR. Top speed of about 50, not particularly comfortable. Good for being looked at in, but not for any of the things I was doing. I sold it to make room in my heart for the O309D bus.



The 309 was in far rougher shape than either of the others.

I bought it sight unseen from a now-deceased eBay misrepresenter*. I sent my friend to Colorado to limp it home, which he did. Then he rebuilt the motor (OM352), then I lost interest, then he bought it from me, then he blew up the motor. Now someone in Bakersfield area has it to keep the weeds down in their yard.
* I have absolutely nothing to do with his demise.


PM me if you'd like to borrow the book. It's not the "be all and end all," but it's pretty neat, with a decidedly continental manner.

[rbgerrish]

[QUOTE=Esmi;954511]They fail because my ideas are bigger than my attention span. I got bored and moved on three times.


The gas 408 fire truck was the coolest of the bunch.


Ha, I actually went and looked at that truck at Zaks! Pretty neat rig, but I think he might be asking a bit much. The Blue Doka looks similar to the one that came by Mogfest out in Sheridan, Oregon a few weeks ago.



Thanks for the info, it's great to hear more about the Buses that are already here in the states!

[Esmi]

Ha, I actually went and looked at that truck at Zaks! Pretty neat rig...

Small world, eh?

Shrinking it a little more: I think I bent the ear of the former owner of your bus for about 2 hours several years ago when it was based out of somewhere in the SF East Bay. Maybe it was a different one, but that roll-up door and the window deletes look pretty similar.

[rbgerrish]

Ryan,
If you recall my radiobox, I used Plas-tex PolyWall as liners inside the doors.
I managed to get it as construction scraps. Otherwise its about 22$ per 4'x8' sheet for the .06 thickness, Its available up to 5/8" if you really want to spend money!
So as the washers go, I expect they could be purchased through Freightliner or M-B spareparts dept.
H.A.

Thanks H!

[rbgerrish]

Small world, eh?

Shrinking it a little more: I think I bent the ear of the former owner of your bus for about 2 hours several years ago when it was based out of somewhere in the SF East Bay. Maybe it was a different one, but that roll-up door and the window deletes look pretty similar.

Yeah, the gent I bought it from, Gary I think his name is, bought it from a guy in the SF area who had 2 of them. It was in Klamath Falls...

The roll up door is trashed- we're going to put some swingers back on it eventually.

[Ray Hyland]

Are you going with covered walls or big windows? I think it would be awesome with big windows with a cool tint and some nice blinds. Kind of a merc/Euro/GMC Royale

[rbgerrish]

We're going to cut and install a couple camper windows where they are wanted once we plan the interior.

Right now I'm finishing up gutting the interior walls and insulation. We're also going to rip out the old wood roof, and then re-insulate everything and put some new wall in. I just added some diesel kleen additive to run through the engine to hopefully clean it out a bit, since it's been sitting for so long. I'm planning to change the oil tomorrow morning, and begin to fix the clutch. Gotta drain that old diesel too.

Ryan

[rbgerrish]

I did some work this morning! I drove it around the block to warm it up, and then drained the oil. Looked like tar! I'm changing the oil filter, and I added some diesel kleen to the fuel it's drinking to hopefully clean the injectors a bit. I've inspected the airbox and changed the oil in the oil bath air cleaner.

The truck has power steering, which is awesome. I've ripped out all the old wall panels now, and all the insulation:



I've purchased a bit or dense foam insulation from Home Depot in both 1.5" and 2" flavors, and I got some Plas-tex Ploywall on Hakans advice. (Looks nice!)

Here are pics of the oil bath, oil filters and engine:







The air intake piping removed:



More soon!

[rbgerrish]

Things I did this weekend:

- Removed 4 or 5 wires from the harness that didnt go anywhere.
- Got the horn to work, and found out how to actuate it! (push the turn signal wand)
- Removed grill, front bumper and rear bumper. Need to get new turn signals front and rear.
- Got 2 dash lights to work that didnt before. (Thanks to Eric for the help)
- Test fit the foam insulation. Works well!
- Began tearing out ceiling.

Pics:

Removing floor:


Rear bumper off:



Insulation:



Bumper off: