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Mick Ord Samba Member
Joined: April 26, 2008 Posts: 203 Location: Vancouver, BC
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Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 10:11 am Post subject: 3-point shoulder seatbelts for rear bench seat on westy ?? |
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Hi there,
Go westy is all out of there rear seat belt kits for rear bench seats.
As i need a pair asap...does anyone know of another supplier, or "generic" belts that can be made to fit ???
I have a 85 weekender (syncro), with full width rear bench, and need both left and right belts for the kids to be safe in there booster seats !!!
Thanks Mick |
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ak_runner Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2007 Posts: 231 Location: Anchorage, Alaska
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Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 11:25 am Post subject: |
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You should be able to find some out of a newer model Vanagon and they will bolt right in. The last few? years that Vanagons were imported to the US 7 passenger models came with rear shoulder belts. The retractor assembly mounts inside the rear quarter panel behind the seat. On the passenger side it is the opening to the rear of the washer reservoir and corresponding location for the drivers side. The upper attachment is on the rear pillar. The lap portion uses the same location your current belts do. I have also read that the rear belts from a 88-92 Jetta are the same as the GoWesty kits(see kayakwesty.com for details). I have installed rear shoulder belts in my `87 Sunroof Syncro and am currently finishing the installation of a passenger side rear shoulder belt in my `87 Westy Syncro. VW used to offer a a retrofit kit for each side part numbers 253 857 815D (LH) and 253 857 816D (RH) but they show to be NLA. I found one of my belts(new in the box) on Ebay so you may want to check there too. _________________ AK_Runner
`87 Westy Syncro |
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madspaniard Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 3795 Location: Alameda, CA
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Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 11:56 am Post subject: |
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ak_runner wrote: |
VW used to offer a a retrofit kit for each side part numbers 253 857 815D (LH) and 253 857 816D (RH) but they show to be NLA. I found one of my belts(new in the box) on Ebay so you may want to check there too. |
same here, new in the box VW 253 857 816D (RH) on ebay. The advantage of the VW version vs. the GoWesty version is that you will be installing the belt reel behind the side panel and cutting a slot for the belt to come out to the pivot bolt. So the reel is not in the way while camping/sleeping.
Also true old Jettas have the same belts/plastic trims, etc. |
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tschroeder0 Samba Member
Joined: April 14, 2008 Posts: 2096 Location: Boulder CO
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Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 1:31 pm Post subject: |
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Check sewfine.com |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16505 Location: Brookeville, MD
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Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:39 pm Post subject: |
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You can use the late model seat belts in the rear of the Westy. The Bentley will show you how on the passenger side but beware that the dimensions for cutting the panel are wrong. Measure for yourself before cutting. I used the stock driver's side rear shoulder belt on my '87 Westy by using the cutouts in the cabinets recommended by Go Westy. You'll need to pull the storage compartment with the water tank to get the side panel out of the way to mount the retract mechanism... it can be done... but it is a PITA. _________________ Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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70coupyel Samba Member
Joined: September 06, 2006 Posts: 1657 Location: So.Cal
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Mick Ord Samba Member
Joined: April 26, 2008 Posts: 203 Location: Vancouver, BC
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Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 2:35 pm Post subject: thank you |
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As usual this forum proves to be totally awesome !!!!!
Thanks a lot for all the help
Mick |
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 3:43 pm Post subject: |
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=188800
But, I can not find the post for the left in the back of a Westy.
Anybody find that one with the pictures? _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 3:44 pm Post subject: |
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That's just GoWesty.... _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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kevinbassplayer Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2006 Posts: 1041 Location: Nor-Cal
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Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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r39o wrote: |
That's just GoWesty.... |
I was going to say the same thing, P.E. Products is Go Westy |
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madspaniard Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 3795 Location: Alameda, CA
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greggearhead Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2004 Posts: 563 Location: Colorado Springs, CO
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Busdepot Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2004 Posts: 1314
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Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:36 pm Post subject: |
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The best ones are the genuine VW ones that were offered on late model Vanagons, which - for now - can still be purchased new. I put it that way because VW has been discontinuing genuine Vanagon parts at an alarming clip. Each part needed to install the factory 3-point seatbelts has its own part number, and as soon as just one of them sells out at Volkswagen it will no longer be possible to do the retrofit using new parts.
Your Westy already has the mounts for these hidden behind the side panel, welded right to the body. As "madspaniard" pointed out, unlike with the aftermarket ones, the reels go under the panels (out of the way) instead of being mounted externally. Perhaps the biggest advantage is that these are the only ones that are factory-engineered and tested by VW themselves specifically for the Vanagon. I put a set in my own Westy years ago for my little girl's car seat, and have been very happy with them.
We sell a kit that includes everything you need to do the retrofit (all genuine VW parts) including instructions. Installation is easy for the passenger side. The driver side is a bit more difficult, if you want to tackle it, as the wardrobe cabinet is in the way. You will need to measure out and cut the cabinet to allow the seatbelt to pass through.
Here's what you need:
Passenger Side - order one each of...
http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=253857816KIT
http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=253857816D
http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=253857749D (only if you have an '80-84; on 85-91 you can use your existing buckle)
Driver Side - order one each of...
http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=253857816KIT
http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=253857815D
http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=253857749D (only if you have an '80-84; on 85-91 you can use your existing buckle) _________________ - Ron Salmon
The Bus Depot
www.busdepot.com
Last edited by Busdepot on Mon Jun 22, 2009 5:25 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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theoutlaw Samba Member
Joined: November 04, 2008 Posts: 75
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Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:47 pm Post subject: |
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GW was out of stock on them for ages. They've changed their system (according to Taylor), and now they're back online. I haven't seen the BD ones, but Taylor was pretty fired up about their new kits:
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_search_results.php?search_phrase=kt122
Mine are on order. Should arrive tomorrow or Wednesday. _________________ '85 Westy (Isabella) |
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Guy Smilie Samba Member
Joined: May 12, 2006 Posts: 25 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:11 pm Post subject: |
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I order mine from these guys when gowesty was sold out a few years ago.
They've worked well.
www.seatbeltpros.com/ |
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wbx Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2005 Posts: 1254 Location: Monterey, CA
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Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:21 pm Post subject: |
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Question for all of you with rear belts installed:
Does the shoulder belt dig into your neck? It looks like the belt wants to make a straight line between the buckle and the reel. In normal use, this seems like it might be uncomfortable, and in a crash when the belt is pulled taut, what happens to the passenger?
Something about this setup has never seemed 100% to me, but i think i'm just missing something (well, i just don't like the gowesty camper kit on the drivers side...)
-Damon _________________ '84 Westy (first owner).......but my daily driver has pedals
My "perspective" mantra:
A Volkswagen Vanagon is just a material thing,
As such, it is of the earth,
And if i need to, I can let my Van go. |
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ak_runner Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2007 Posts: 231 Location: Anchorage, Alaska
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Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 10:59 am Post subject: |
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Any shoulder belt front or rear can do this. It depends upon the size of the person using the belt, placement of the attaching points, seat design, etc. This is one reason why small children need booster seats, so they sit high enough for the belt to fit properly. If the belt is on your neck it will injure or kill you in a crash. The lap portion needs to be across the hips and shoulder strap on the clavicle between your neck and shoulder. _________________ AK_Runner
`87 Westy Syncro |
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wbx Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2005 Posts: 1254 Location: Monterey, CA
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Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 11:13 am Post subject: |
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ak_runner wrote: |
Any shoulder belt front or rear can do this. |
Thank you, and i appreciate you articulating my safety concern for a improperly designed seatbelt. My question is specifically about the vanagon rear shoulder belt, though. Does it sit properly on a typical grown-ups clavicle? Is it positioned properly for a child seat? _________________ '84 Westy (first owner).......but my daily driver has pedals
My "perspective" mantra:
A Volkswagen Vanagon is just a material thing,
As such, it is of the earth,
And if i need to, I can let my Van go. |
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ak_runner Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2007 Posts: 231 Location: Anchorage, Alaska
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Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:34 pm Post subject: |
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It depends upon the size of the person sitting there. Ours fits properly on my 6yr old in his booster seat. As for an adult it would vary based upon size. I am 6'2" my wife is 4'10" we are both adults but differ greatly in size and seatbelts do not fit us the same. Manufacturers try to make their belts fit the widest range of sizes possible but those at either end of the extreme ranges are not always going to fit correctly. I did just walk out to my Westy and try the rear shoulder belt(passenger side), it fit me well. I do not have a drivers side rear shoulder belt in the Westy so I can not speak for how well they fit. The 7 passenger models fit well, as they should. Another issue with adults and taller children using Westy rear seats is the lack of headrests. Some people have made their own mounting brackets to deal with this. I have not yet but probably will be working on it over the next year. If it is the passenger side you are most concerned about maybe you could keep your eye out for someome with a later model van that came with shoulder belts and ask to try them out for fit. The 7 passenger and Westy use the same anchoring points for the shoulder. _________________ AK_Runner
`87 Westy Syncro |
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wbx Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2005 Posts: 1254 Location: Monterey, CA
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Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:51 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks ak_runner, I appreciate you taking some time to check it out. Realistically, the seatbelt would be for the kids (4 and/or 1), so i'm sure it would work just fine. I was curious about an
alternate installation method, but would be hesitant to deviate from VW's design. The belt arrangement could be something like this, but just wrapping over the seat back. I would be concerned about the stress on the seat itself and it failing during a crash.
It seems like a less intrusive installation, but also probably a hack, which is not cool - especially for seat belts. _________________ '84 Westy (first owner).......but my daily driver has pedals
My "perspective" mantra:
A Volkswagen Vanagon is just a material thing,
As such, it is of the earth,
And if i need to, I can let my Van go. |
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