Retractable seat belts in my 73!

DurocShark · Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 2:01 pm Post subject: Retractable seat belts in my 73!

Ok, seat BELT. Only one in so far... Wink

Because the stock belts suck and are really inconvenient and uncomfortable I've been wanting retractables. But to make matters more urgent, here's what my original driver's belt looks like:
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

And a closeup:
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

So, needless to say, I needed to do this NOW.

A few weeks ago I picked up a set of belts from an early 80's BMW off eBay for next to nothing. Because mounting them would require drilling I'd been putting it off. But today I'm home from work sick (really... and what's more healthy than some relaxing time with your bus?), so decided to dive in.

I had to drill two holes in the seat panel since the unit requires a vertical mounting. One hole for the bolt and one for the set pin doohickey that keeps it from twisting.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

The hanger went in the same location as the existing top hanger. The anchor also just replaced the existing one, as did the receiver.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

As you can see, the only thing left to do is make a holder or something to keep the receiver up so I don't have to use two hands to put my seatbelt on.

It is much more comfortable and convenient than stock. I can lean forward to open the glovebox without unbuckling! Very Happy

The steel used where I drilled the holes is very thick and heavy (possibly doubled?). I doubt I'll be able to damage the mount in even the worst crash, especially since the tension will be vertical coming from the hanger. That was my only safety concern, and I'm satisfied that it will be sufficient.
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velokid1 · Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 2:11 pm Post subject:

Great! Thanks for sharing. Going to be very helpful, as that project is in my future.

Greg

VDubTech · Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 2:39 pm Post subject:

I'll be doing the same thing in my '79 this spring, only I'll be using a set of belts I scored out of a vanagon. I do plan to use a small steel plate on the back side of where the retractor goes though, I don't want to chance that bolt ripping through the metal in an accident, thereby making my seatbelt worthless. Nice install though!! I'm really not looking forward to taking out my sink/stove cabinet to put that in, but the convenience is definitely worth it to have a seatbelt that will actually work!!

regalasr · Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 4:49 pm Post subject:

Hey that looks fine. I betcha you can find solid receivers from a German car that you can use instead of the limp ones. Trace the end of the buckle on a pece of cardboard and go to the Pick A Part on Harbor Blvd and find a buckle that matches yours and cop a suitable receiver from that vehicle.

tristessa · Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 7:06 pm Post subject:

Those are Bimmer? That inertia reel looks a *lot* like the Vanagon reel I've got in my Bus. Very Happy

I'd definately put a plate or a big-assed washer on the backside of the bulkhead .. otherwise looks pretty good.

DurocShark · Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 8:13 pm Post subject:

regalasr · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 9:55 am Post subject:

Ooops, the address is actually: Pick Your Part, 1235 South Beach Boulevard, ANAHEIM, CA 92804

DurocShark · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 10:43 am Post subject:

krisw · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 10:47 am Post subject:

LostWater · Samba Member Joined: October 11, 2004 Posts: 13

These BMW seat belts look like they would function if they were mounted to the floor with a bracket to keep them vertical. A bracket similar to the one that is on the GOWESTY seat belt sets that Ratwell posted pictures of.

What do you think? Is there enough belt to make or get a bracket made out of angle to mount the belts in the vertical position but in the stock reinforced position? I believe that if there was enough belt, then this situation would be better.

I just scored a set off ebarf, both passenger and driver side. I plan on using some of my metalworking skills to try such a bracket. The set I scored appears to have rigid cables/poles attached to the click-in portion.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...AMEWA%3AIT

if not, then I will have to figure something out here as well.

Mark
78 Auto AC Transporter, very little rust, no engine FS: $500 w/delivery 200 miles
74 Westfalia
Christiansburg, VA
[email protected]

DurocShark · Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 9:45 am Post subject:

Those look just like mine except for the stiff receivers. Nice!

I'm pretty close to the end of the belt with the retractor mounted where it is. I had initially considered using a bracket made from 1/4" steel until I saw that. Sad

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The Guacamole Bus
Woodscrub's Blog
Buy My Crap

LostWater · Samba Member Joined: October 11, 2004 Posts: 13

Would there be a possibility of lengethening the belts so that they can mounted in the stock location?

Maybe a piece of selt belt material can sewn at the top mounting location? I am cetain that good uphostelery shop would have the correct thread so that they can be kept strong. A piece of seat belt material can just be cut from a junk car.

Any Ideas?

Thanks,

Mark

DurocShark · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 5:59 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't start messing with cutting and such...

Just get seat belts from a van. They will be long enough no problem.
_________________
No boom today. Boom tomorrow. There's always a boom tomorrow.
-
The Guacamole Bus
Woodscrub's Blog
Buy My Crap

chabanais · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 3:24 pm Post subject:

There's a reason VW didn't attach their belts to that seperation panel between the front and the rear seats - it's not strong enough. In an accident it'll bend right out.

I bought my belts at gowesty.com and they go in the stock - correct and safe - location.
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LostWater · Samba Member Joined: October 11, 2004 Posts: 13

If someone could trace me the bracket that is attached to the GoWesty belts, it would be greatly appreciated. In this way, I would have an idea of where the two holes on the bottom are drilled (there are two to my understanding, one to mount the belts if one had regular seats, the other to mount if they had the rotating passenger seat).

Thanks!

Mark
Christiansburg, VA
78 Auto AC transporter no engine, very little rust, FS:$500 w/ 200 mile del.
74 Westy

chabanais · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 6:57 pm Post subject:

http://thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=92839&start=0

This is the last discussion.

Honestly, tracing it is too much work for me but maybe someone else can help you.
_________________
"I spud therefore I yam."

Bajatacoma · Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 4:05 am Post subject:

Do not buy used seatbelts out of a wrecked vehicle! The nylon stretches and they are no longer servicable. Similarly, do not buy them if they are discolored (UV light breaks down nylon) or damaged in any way.

That said, I've got Vanagon seatbelts in my bus too. I used fender washers on the back to reduce the chance of them pulling out. Do a test fit before you start drilling holes; you want to make sure that you will be able to close the doors or rotate the passenger seat in late bay Westys and that they will be long enough.
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'78 Westy

Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed?
Hunter S Thompson

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