1995 T1 208D+ rear chassis rails

[Chris Dempsey]

Hello Folks.

I am restoring my old T1 208D which I purchased new in 1995.

She still runs beautifully but has rusted in all the usual places!

My biggest problem at the moment is trying to source the rear chassis rails (both sides) that run from the back of the sliding door to the rear of the van.

The rear leaf suspension mounts to them.

I am sure that these will need to be fabricated as there are many different variants.

Can anyone point me in the right direction as to a reliable source, or if they are still available from Mercedes??

Thanks.
Chris.

 

[clarkmichigan55b]

Good morning,
I like you purchased my 208D SWB new in 1990. I have been fortunate enough not to have to go down that route.
Some parts may be still available from Mercedes but at a price. I would suggest you take your chassis number to your local Mercedes Commercial dealer to see what is available.
I have enclosed a link to chassis frame parts. Item 31 frame 3pages. This is page 1
Hope this is of help.

207 D/208 D Van / (WDB6013612P026311), 31 FRAME, 001 FRAME - Catcar.info

www.catcar.info

 

[Chris Dempsey]

Good morning to you.

Many thanks for this!

I'll have a go.

Regards.
Chris.

 

[clarkmichigan55b]

Just a thought the link i posted is based on my chassis number it may be different to yours.

 

[Chris Dempsey]

Hello again,

No problem, I went to the catcar.info site and with my Van's Vin number I appear to have found the relevant pictures and part numbers.

I think.

That's a great help.

Thanks.

 

[clarkmichigan55b]

Another thing about the parts site is that the 207D/208D is that all the part variations are all lumped together, and you have to pick out the correct one for your vehicle.

 

[Chris Dempsey]

Yeah, I saw that on the drawings, but already had made notes of the shapes I required.

Been in touch with Mercedes with the relevant part numbers (which were correct).

Unfortunately, no parts seem to be available here or in Germany either, so it's back to getting something fabricated to do the job I guess.

The diagrams are extremely helpful though, I appreciate your help.

Regards.
Chris.

 

[clarkmichigan55b]

Hello Chris,
Enclosed price lists of 208/308/410 from 1994.
You are correct as heath green as your colour.
Adrian.

 

[Chris Dempsey]

Hello again Adrian.
Thanks for sending the price lists, very interesting!
I’m still confused about my old van though.
Looking at the 208D prices, the last model in the list corresponds closest to to mine.

The model number/Baumuster 602.362.23 is close to the first eight digits on my van.
If I’m correct this is the first part of the VIN number?
Mine reads 6023622P?? My van is badged as a 208D plus which may account for the”P”.

The GVW is correct at 3080 kg.
She is 2299cc.
The VIN plate is stamped as a 308D.

However, the 308D prices start at £16490.
I paid around £14650 for mine, having added power steering, which sort of adds up with the price lists.

As I said previously, the original log book showed her as a 208D, but the DVLA sent me the current log book showing her as a 308D a few years later!!

She was registered on 05.05.1995.
When I picked her up she was the only green T1 in a long line of White Sprinters.
She stood out like a sore thumb!!

All very intriguing!
Regards.
Chris.

 

[clarkmichigan55b]

Good afternoon Chris,
After looking at the information on your van plus i had a look at a brochure from September 1990 the 3080 GVW was not available in 1990 The 3080Kg was introduced at a latter part of the production. Your van was a no frills model like mine which you paid extra for power steering double seat side loading door/s radio etc. hence it was badged as a 208 but had chassis numbered as a 308d due to the 3080 GVW.
As you would have noticed in the price lists i enclosed the 308d had the power steering double seat side loading door etc. as standard hence the extra price.
These items were fitted as standard on this model towards the end of production.

My chassis number reads WDB6013612P ****** 2600 GVW i think the P denotes its the later generation van the face lift rubber windscreen pillar model with the OM601/602 engine not the OM616/617.

I have enclosed pdfs of a September 1990 brochure.
hope this helps.
Adrian.

 

[W602]

Hello Folks.

I am restoring my old T1 208D which I purchased new in 1995.

She still runs beautifully but has rusted in all the usual places!

My biggest problem at the moment is trying to source the rear chassis rails (both sides) that run from the back of the sliding door to the rear of the van.

The rear leaf suspension mounts to them.

I am sure that these will need to be fabricated as there are many different variants.

Can anyone point me in the right direction as to a reliable source, or if they are still available from Mercedes??

Thanks.
Chris.

Possibly a bit late responding (i am a new member). Had, I believe, the same problem with my `95 308D. are we talking about the extra chassis rails that run parallel to the main chassis in order to fix the rear spring mounts beside (instead of under) the chassis?
If so I have been here. Mine is a slightly different design I think , it has two inverted U channels of different sizes (one tapered longitudinally ). Stripped one side (the worst one) down, left the other for reference then went to a trailer manufacturer. they made me short channel sections of differing thickness & profile until we were happy they were right. I then got them to fold me oversize lengths. All of this was cheap. I then had a professional cut and replace the rails and make good the rot in the floor that we found when I took the old minibus floor up to investigate.
He parked the vehicle (well, I did, as I did the dismantling & reassembling) off to one side & did it as a friday afternoons job to keep the price down. Including waiting for decent weather ( of course I found this problem in December) I lost the van for a year, but it was that or scrap it.

 

[clarkmichigan55b]

Done a good job there that kept you busy for many a hour. would have liked to had a chat with more on Sunday.
3 in a row.
Adrian.

 

[W602]

Yes, we did`nt get to chat properly. I was running around like a silly one. Next time I am going ( sadly won`t be anytime soon) I will give you a shout.
I have stuck a near identical shot on the Mercedes Benz Club forum, you don't see three together (motor homes & scrap yards excepted) very often!