This has been known by many for years. The gears in the transmission are the same across all years/models. The speedometer/odometer is based on the differential ratio.

That, or painting all the needles the same like what was suggested before.

Visibility is not as bad as I think you think (if that makes sense). Try driving a newer car with a higher trunk line. Even with the headrest, it is still 100 times better visibility then those cars.

Actually they are useful. My passengers, including most importantly my wife, have mentioned how it gets tiring on long drives back there. She is now stoked!

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

'79 w123 300D


Did you get yours from a donor or are they new MB stuff?

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

The mounting bits were brand new from MB, but the headrest cushions were from my car and I got two more for the front, then I got the headrest posts (bent ones) from a W126 and just swapped them prior to checking out, kinda like what you did with the new headrest cushions.

Cool to know that an older W123 would still have rear headrests. Were they original?

edit: I hate to burst your bubble but it seems you installed them slightly too far back. Hard to describe how but the front lower portion of the headrest should be in line with the front top portion of the backrest, and they both fold in symmetrically.

Then again I realized you got them with the pointed headrests, which fold forward exactly as you've shown. On mine I got them from a W126 and they fold a bit more forward than yours.

Just another difference in both I guess!

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...144c3fc1dc.jpg

I have a set of rear head rests, but can't work up the guts to cut holes in my perfect rear seat.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

No bubble bursting here. I know they are off as you stated the post are for the bunny eared headrest and has a different frame to support the cushion. The internal brackets in the seat back are positioned correctly. I kind of like it this way because they actually sit lower when bent down forward without protruding too much cushion on one's head then the other setup. Of course I can easily get a set of w126 posts.

[EDIT: Looking at thedon's pic his is almost the same position as mine. ]


And yes they are original to the donor car.

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

I was thinking the same thing too. But I said what the H-E-double hockey sticks
!

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

I had to go through the same ordeal, but I mustered up enough courage to lay the blade on the perfect rear seats. One thing you need to make sure of, is to get the eyelets on there really good. And make sure you cut them smoothly, otherwise any unplanned cuts might run and ruin the upholstery.

How did you remove the eyelets by the way? Those are such a PITA to remove once they're on!

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...144c3fc1dc.jpg

I got it started by prying a little on the cup shaped plastic retainer. I got it further down a little in a position to where I was able to "reverse the cup shape" with my fingers and it will come the rest of the way out easily. But yes it is a PITA.

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

I'll whip the camera out and get some better pics of my rear headrests.

The interior came out of a Euro 230E sedan

You're welcome

Looks great BTW

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1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

Is there a reason you can't swap the needle and face to the replacement speedo?

Which reminds me I didn't pay attention when I put the needle back on my 240D, speed seems correct but I should verify.

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Sadly Benz-less

No real good reason, just being anal. The odometer numbers on the 2.88 speedo are all dingy grey, but I'll just have to work with it.

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

Here is another shot with the headrest in its full upright position. It gets closer to the seat edge, opposed to the downward forward position.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

if the tenths place on the trip odometer is dirty then just take a q-tip and use a drill to turn the odometer to clean each number.

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1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg