Hi all,

I'm curious if it's possible to retrofit a passenger's side airbag to an '86 300SDL. My interest in this is so my wife can be afforded equal protection in an accident, as what I have.

I preface this by saying that I'm aware this is not something to be taken lightly, and I suspect the better part of valor is to leave well enough alone. I'm aware that the presence of the passenger airbag means that I lose the glove box, and that it means certain trim modifications.

Right now, I have the driver's side airbag, so that means I have the network of sensors in, as well as the rest of the supporting network. Everything I've seen points to there being no (obvious?) difference in the components of the SRS system in the '86 compared to the '89 - '91 W126s (which had the passenger airbag as an option). It stands to reason the passenger airbag was a modular addition to the existing system, so adding it after the fact would be feasible. For example, th '86 and '90+ drivers' side airbags are identical, save for the addition of the emobossed horn logo (both are "type 3" wheels). Of course, there is a lot I don't know I don't know.

Has anyone thought of doing this? If so, is it feasible, or just a pipe dream? I would like to have this, but I'm also very cognizant that there are hazards that may outweigh any benefits. Plus the, "In 1986, they didn't have the passenger side airbag available anywhere, so how could you add it?" Any thoughts? I appreciate any help.

Casey

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Casey Cooper
"From a long line of Mercedes ownership"

'86 300SDL 250K miles (Gone, but not forgotten); best diesel I have ever driven, too bad about the Achilles heel.

'81 240D 370K miles (Sold to my brother after 9 years and 150K miles of reliable driving!)

[Five other Mercedes in family clipped for less length.]