Author Topic: Seat rails - is there a fix for extra legroom?  (Read 1736 times)

Alsie

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Seat rails - is there a fix for extra legroom?
« on: July 17, 2024, 11:31:56 »
Hi, new to me 250SL, I could do with an extra few cm of legroom. Is this at all possible?
1967 250 SL

Raymond

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Re: Seat rails - is there a fix for extra legroom?
« Reply #1 on: July 17, 2024, 12:28:33 »
Probably 10 years ago, I tried relocating the seat bottom frame forward a bit to set the seat farther back but was not successful.  Can't recall exactly why but I came to the conclusion it would involve moving the support frame of the body by welding new bits into the floor pan and drilling new holes to move the mounting position.  In the end, I just got used to having my knees bent slightly more than in my other cars. 
Ray
'68 280SL 5-spd "California" Coupe

kampala

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Re: Seat rails - is there a fix for extra legroom?
« Reply #2 on: July 17, 2024, 15:46:07 »
Alsie,

Do you happen to have retractable seat belt spool installed (after market) behind the seat? Some have installed spools directly behind (instead of under the parcel shelf) and these will reduce travel by about 4cm. 
250sl - later - manual
280sl - 1971 - Auto - LSD

stickandrudderman

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Re: Seat rails - is there a fix for extra legroom?
« Reply #3 on: July 17, 2024, 16:50:36 »
Kampala is correct except it's a lot more than 4cm you lose; more like 10cm.

Alsie

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Re: Seat rails - is there a fix for extra legroom?
« Reply #4 on: July 18, 2024, 04:58:21 »
YES !  That’s it, it is the seatbelt return.
Thank you.
Are there any potential solutions?  not sure that the floor mounting can be relocated to allow full movement of the west?
1967 250 SL

kampala

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Re: Seat rails - is there a fix for extra legroom?
« Reply #5 on: July 18, 2024, 07:53:02 »
Lots written about this

This thread is a good one. 

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=23486.0

« Last Edit: July 18, 2024, 08:07:22 by kampala »
250sl - later - manual
280sl - 1971 - Auto - LSD

Alsie

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Re: Seat rails - is there a fix for extra legroom?
« Reply #6 on: July 18, 2024, 12:41:29 »
Thank you Kampala, exactly what I need.
Greatly appreciated.

This forum is a very special group.
1967 250 SL

kampala

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Re: Seat rails - is there a fix for extra legroom?
« Reply #7 on: July 18, 2024, 15:45:28 »
I followed the method of installing within the parcel shelves as Hans described. Here is a photo after installing the spool with the wooden parcel shelf removed. 

When you reinstall the shelf, you may need to trim the wood a few mm to allow the belt to slide - pull carpet off wood in that area, trim wood and stretch and glue carpet back. 
250sl - later - manual
280sl - 1971 - Auto - LSD