AUTOMATIC REAR 3-POINT SEAT BELTS, RETROFIT INSTALLATION
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* CAUTION                                                            *
* Part numbers are for reference only.  Always check with your Parts *
* Department for latest information.                                 *
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PARTS REQUIRED
Part Number          Description                      Quantity
------------    -----------------------------------   --------
253 857 815D    Rear 3-point seat belt (left side)       1
253 857 816D    Rear 3-point seat belt (right side)      1

NOTE
Check with your Parts Department for additional installation parts.
Not all parts listed may be applicable to all vehicles.
*  remove rear seat bottom
*  remove existing 2-point left/right side lap belt
*  remove rear floor carpet
*  remove right rear luggage area trim panel
*  mark and cut rear luggage area trim panel using dimensions as shown
   on Page 3
*  locate, by feel, threaded hole under D-pillar trim (arrow)
   <arrow seems to indicate a point on the D-pillar about six inches
   above the lower trim panels, and about 1-2 inches from the forward
   (front) edge of the D-pillar>
*  cut hole in trim to expose threaded bolt hole
*  using bolts (2), mount retractor assembly (1), to side panel (3)
   -> 40 Nm (30 ft lb)
   <behind the luggage area trim panel, it shows three bolt holes along
   the bottom edge of the metal of the body.  the retractor assembly
   fits BEHIND the metal, and the bolts pass THROUGH the metal into the
   retractor assembly>
*  install belt through cut hole in trim panel
*  mount upper belt guide onto D-pillar
   -> 40 NM (30 ft lb)
   <the bolt for the upper belt guide goes into the hole you felt for
   behind the trim of the D-pillar>
*  install belt anchor (arrow) to original lap belt anchor point
   -> 40 Nm (30 ft lb)
*  reinstall right rear luggage area trim panel
*  repeat procedure for left side belt assembly, noting to reverse
   dimensions accordingly
*  reinstall all other components in reverse order
*  check rear 3-point belts for proper function
---------------------------------------------------
Automatic rear 3-point |       |         |         |
seat belts, retrofit   |       |         |         |
installation           | Diag. |         | Quality |
(one side only)        | Check | Repair  | Check   |
---------------------------------------------------
Labor Op. 6876312      |  --   | 120 T.U.| --      |
---------------------------------------------------
<which seems to say that the vw dealer will charge you two hours labor
plus parts>

DIAGRAM
<-Front of vehicle                           Top

           Luggage area trim panel
              /-------------------------------------------------�
             /                 203mm             210mm           �
            /                  (8in)     <71mm>  (8-1/4in)        �
           /                     ______ ________<-------- 403mm --> �
          /                     38mm    | hole |      (15-7/8in)     �
         /                       ______ |______|                      �
        /                                                              �
       /                             |<-149mm-->|                      �
      /                              | (5-7/8in)|                      �
     /                               |----------|--                    �
    /                                |          | 32mm (1-1/4in) ______�
   /---------------------------------|          |---------------|
   |<------- 569mm (22-3/8in)------->|

........................................ end ...........................
 that is, the dimensions of the hole are 71mm x 38mm (2-13/16in x
 1-1/2in). but the front edge of the hole is 203mm (8in) below the top
 edge of of the luggage area trim panel, while the rear edge of the hole
 is 210 mm (8-1/4in) from that same edge. the hole is slightly tilted.

 the notch is cut in the bottom to accomodate those three bolts that
 hold the retractor assembly to the metal of the body.

also notice that this does NOT say anything about those 1986-1989
vanagons with air conditioning. the upper belt guide attachment point
will be behind the air conditioning housing that runs vertically over
the D-pillar. so you would have to cut a hold in the plastic a/c
housing to pass the belt through. (it helps to look at a 1990 or 1991
model, to see how the factory installation looks). in order to prevent
damage to the belt, the little plastic edging (that covers the edges
of the hole in the a/c housing) will have to be installed.