W115 seatbelt upgrade - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pdxwaker · #1 06-06-2006, 12:48 PM

I've got a 1969 220d with the old Kangol aviation style seatbelts along with lap only belts in the rear. I'd like to upgrade to retractable versions salvaged from either a later model W115 or W123. I'm looking for input from anyone who has done such an upgrade... any success with retrofitting later model W123 belts?

t walgamuth · #2 06-06-2006, 07:36 PM

i put one in my 64 studie cruiser.

it was a job. and i found that the post between the doors is about 1/4 as strong on the studie as on a benz. but i got it on there and figured it would keep the driver off the steering column in all but the most severe accident.

tom w

#3 06-13-2006, 06:33 AM

I have not done it yet but I just acquired the rear shoulder belts from a 1976 240D w115 for the rear of a 1972 220d. I am going to try to put the front belts in from the same car in the 220D. I intend to get serious about this install in about a month I am also upgrading the steering wheel to the w123 type I will let you know how it goes
Dave S

pdxwaker · #4 06-13-2006, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattdave

I am going to try to put the front belts in from the same car in the 220D. I intend to get serious about this install in about a month I am also upgrading the steering wheel to the w123 type I will let you know how it goes
Dave S

Yeah, that's exactly what I planned. I pulled some front shoulder belt from a W115 240d about a month ago and now I can't seem to figure out how to install them (er... remember how they were installed when I pulled them). It seems that they require 3-point attachment on the door pillar side (as opposed to 2-point for my current setup). I can't even remember if the black box with the retracting reel goes up on the door pillar or on the floor.

What do you remember about the 240d's front belt configuration? Also, do you think your 220d has the attachments for the rear shoulder belts?

Thanks for the help!

pdxwaker · #5 06-14-2006, 11:02 AM

Any members with W115 retracting shoulder belt setups out there?

I've got a set of W115 shoulder belts and can't figure out how to mount them... Black box on the pillar? Black box on the floor? Three mounting points on the door pillar side?

Pictures would certainly help but at this point I'll take any description I can get!

t walgamuth · #6 06-14-2006, 07:04 PM

iirc, the retractor mounts fairly low. there are three bolts on the post? iirc the top is a guide loop, the low middle is the retractor and the bottom on the floor is for an end. .

tom w

#7 06-15-2006, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

iirc, the retractor mounts fairly low. there are three bolts on the post? iirc the top is a guide loop, the low middle is the retractor and the bottom on the floor is for an end. .
tom w

That is pretty much how I remember them. however there is a newer W115 at the junkyard I am going to try and smuggle a camera in on Friday and take some pictures. of the front and rear hook up with a tape measure pictured to boot. I am finally learning that I won’t remember how to reinstall it especially in a different car. I would have photographed the donor car my belts came from but 3 of us pulled them and we had 5 minutes to get what we wanted including finishing taking the ring gear and pressure plate. the tow truck was hooked up and he was not going to wait 1 second longer. if my pictures turn out Friday I will post them if as often is the case with me and samaras they don’t come out however I draw pretty good diagrams and will try to get my son to scan and post it. I love the W115 but this one is my daughters first car and it is not going to happen with the stock seatbelts. so if it is not ready in time she will get a good paying job tire of the bus and buy a 1969 roadrunner with a 440 and a 6 pack ( Like dads first car) so for my hearts as well as hairs sake I need this done in a month. Dont let any one know but I took a 4 speed out of this 100K mile califoriana car and put in an automatic there is no such thing as too slow for my kid she will no doubt drive it down the side of a mountian fire trail cut by a bulldozer for kicks she is that kind of kid no sence making it esay for her
Dave S
Dave S

diametricalbenz · #8 06-15-2006, 03:34 AM

Here's a picture from my 76 300D. You'll have to excuse the awful seat covers that came with the car.

The 74 240D I believe is the same but I can't be certain cause it's not here with me now.

Hope that helps.

MBeige · #9 06-15-2006, 04:17 AM

If anybody's upgrading to W123 belts, there are two types if I remember. The 1983 and older (earlier) ones had the all metal plates while the 1984 and 1985 had plastic surrounds on the plates. The buckles were also different, make sure to get those too.

Curtis' 300D seems like it has the early style ones with large metal plates instead of the plastic surrounds (hard to describe).

#10 06-15-2006, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

If anybody's upgrading to W123 belts, there are two types if I remember. The 1983 and older (earlier) ones had the all metal plates while the 1984 and 1985 had plastic surrounds on the plates. The buckles were also different, make sure to get those too.

Curtis' 300D seems like it has the early style ones with large metal plates instead of the plastic surrounds (hard to describe).

Actually, the 82 and earlier ones had the all metal plates while the 1983-1985 had plastic surrounds on the plates. My 83 has the newer type.

mac2 · #11 06-15-2006, 10:34 AM

Interesting, my '76 300d only has two mount points and so it's doubled up so to speak. I think this is how you'll have to mount it with the third point doubled up on the spool.

I wonder why mine and Diametricalbenz's are different

pdxwaker · #12 06-15-2006, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac2

Interesting, my '76 300d only has two mount points and so it's doubled up so to speak. I think this is how you'll have to mount it with the third point doubled up on the spool.

I wonder why mine and Diametricalbenz's are different

Yes, interesting... my lower mounting point is actually on the floor. Probably in the same spot as the lowest mounting point in Diametricalbenz's picture. Guess I'll have to attempt doubling up (no lower mounting point on the door pillar). There's a bend in the bottom bracket... perhaps if I straighten this out...

Thanks to all for the pictures and help!

MBeige · #13 06-16-2006, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

Actually, the 82 and earlier ones had the all metal plates while the 1983-1985 had plastic surrounds on the plates. My 83 has the newer type.

My 83 has the metal type, as does my 81...

The 83 was manufactured Dec 27 1982...yours might have been manufactured in early 1983?

#14 06-16-2006, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

My 83 has the metal type, as does my 81...

The 83 was manufactured Dec 27 1982...yours might have been manufactured in early 1983?

Interesting, mine is dated 7/83 so I guess the changed sometime during the model year.

t walgamuth · #15 06-16-2006, 09:59 PM

i am wondering if the bolt hole in the floor is rusted out and gone and hence they are doubled up.

tom w