Retrofitting ski passthrough?
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Joined: Sep 2016
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W166
Retrofitting ski passthrough?
Has anyone attempted this on here? I did some searching and found a thread in a Russian forum: https://www.drive2.ru/l/9196037/
It involves cutting a hole in the backrest metal frame as well as the rear carpeting, but otherwise seems straightforward enough. Only 2 parts would be needed - the front and back parts of the passthrough itself:
166-920-70-00 Pass Through Cover - Front
166-920-51-01 Pass Through Cover - Back
About $110 USD in parts. Of course the proper way to do this would be to also order a new seatback frame ($800) and backrest carpet ($140) with the hole already cut out, but the passthrough has a lip all around that should cover up any evidence of amateur hour hacking.
It involves cutting a hole in the backrest metal frame as well as the rear carpeting, but otherwise seems straightforward enough. Only 2 parts would be needed - the front and back parts of the passthrough itself:
166-920-70-00 Pass Through Cover - Front
166-920-51-01 Pass Through Cover - Back
About $110 USD in parts. Of course the proper way to do this would be to also order a new seatback frame ($800) and backrest carpet ($140) with the hole already cut out, but the passthrough has a lip all around that should cover up any evidence of amateur hour hacking.
Member
Joined: Jul 2018
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2002 Ml320, 2012 ML350 & Slk55
Why not buy a used pass thru seat.
That way you can revert to original and you aren't risking making the seat unsafe or less protective than the factory intended.
Half a dozen bolts and it would be done in 30 minutes.
That way you can revert to original and you aren't risking making the seat unsafe or less protective than the factory intended.
Half a dozen bolts and it would be done in 30 minutes.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 49
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W166
Good point. I checked car-part.com and nothing in my area (lots of black but I have beige seats) and that's without knowing if they have the passthrough or not. I think it was a special order option at the time so may be quite rare.
Not too worried about structural impacts because of the way these backrests recline - there is no attachment to the body except at the bottom hinge.
I will give this a try and document the process. At least the standard seat frames are readily available used in case I really mess up.
Not too worried about structural impacts because of the way these backrests recline - there is no attachment to the body except at the bottom hinge.
I will give this a try and document the process. At least the standard seat frames are readily available used in case I really mess up.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 49
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W166
Yeah, that's the part I am worried about. There is a thread about doing the same thing on a W212 wagon and while they were able to source a new frame with the hole, it said it would be hard to determine where to cut without a reference guide. The Russian attempt did appear to be successful though. Normally I am not one to condone aftermarket mods or hacking but in this case I think it's worth a try.
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Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 99
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2002 Ml320, 2012 ML350 & Slk55
My concern on structural integrity isn't about the car, rather the integrity of the seat.
The seat contains the middle seat belt and not sure I would happily chop the seat as a life may depend on it.
I modify cars as a hobby and have no problem cutting a car up and welding it back together but seat belt anchorages are too important to fool with.
The seat contains the middle seat belt and not sure I would happily chop the seat as a life may depend on it.
I modify cars as a hobby and have no problem cutting a car up and welding it back together but seat belt anchorages are too important to fool with.
