TheSamba.com :: View topic - 3-Point Rear Seat Belt Install

Thu Apr 07, 2016 6:57 am

Neptuno wrote: WestyKlaus wrote: The current Go Westy kit surface mounts to the D pillar behind the window. No bracket needed. There is a factory plastic bolt in the factory threaded insert that the Go Westy reel anchors to. I think the old version required the T-Bracket that is discussed prior in this thread.
I just did my driver's side through the Westfalia Cabinet last weekend. I had installed the passenger's side last summer. The kit reel has changed and now your stock receiver works.
If you have a westy and do the driver's side, be sure you have a vibrating multi-tool like this one from Harbor Freight: http://www.harborfreight.com/variable-speed-oscillating-multi-tool-61219.html
It makes cutting the cabinet easy after you drill 3/4" top and bottom holes for the belt to pass through.

Thanks again for the link, But I already have sourced the stock vw belts to place into my 7passenger vanagon. All I need is one more bracket to have everything I need.

So all I am looking for is the passenger side bracket or a solution for it. Either aftermarket or fabricated.

Thanks,
T.

Try contacting Sleepy Joe in the samba classifieds. He usually has a ton of used parts and may have what you need.

Wed Apr 13, 2016 3:11 pm

dobryan wrote: Try contacting Sleepy Joe in the samba classifieds. He usually has a ton of used parts and may have what you need.

I took your suggestion, but he doesn't have any... :cry:

Wed Jul 20, 2016 6:37 pm

I'm also interested in the possibility of doing this and I have a question. If using GW "exposed reel" type can the reel itself fit behind the AC side pillar covers. It might be a slick way to have the more sleek appearance, while keeping it simple in regards to the install. Just a thought from reading over this thread. If nobody knows, I'll probably just hit the junkyard with a tape measure and report back if I can find something.
Thanks

Wed Jul 20, 2016 8:57 pm

Last I checked, none of the usual vendors had any rear three point belt kits. I'd rather not give any of them my money anyway, so I'm looking for a DIY version using VAG belts. The problem is that most factory belt reels use inertial tensioners that don't like being installed in any position except perfectly vertical.

Wed Jul 20, 2016 9:15 pm

Zeitgeist 13 wrote: Last I checked, none of the usual vendors had any rear three point belt kits.

http://www.gowesty.com/product-details.php?v=&id=3218

Wed Jul 20, 2016 9:39 pm

GW was sold out last week, and Van Cafe sells their units as well

Wed Jul 20, 2016 9:46 pm

I used the rear belts from a 90ish Jetta, the ones without the child lockout feature. It was right at the edge of being within the correct angle, but it works. With the reels mounted down low, the belts ended up being a bit short. I first tried using the later model Jetta reels with the lockout feature, but once anchored the webbing did not have enough free length to retract and disengage the lockout.

The belts are long enough to get the kids in their booster seats, but my 200+lb FIL found the belts uncomfortably tight. He got it buckeled, but barely.

To add a bit more range to the belts, I made the vertical leg of the upside down "T" mount as long as possible. The placed the reel as high in the wall cavity and gave me another ~3" of belt to work with.

Thu Jul 21, 2016 2:24 am

Zeitgeist 13 wrote: GW was sold out last week, and Van Cafe sells their units as well

Casey I have a set of factory rear 3-PT belts. Only thing missing is the recievers. You existing should work. They are from a late pass van.
100$ plus 10$ shipping.

Thu Jul 21, 2016 7:06 am

PM sent

Thu Jul 21, 2016 11:52 am

I just checked the GoWesty website (to the link provided a couple of posts above) and it doent't say anything about being out of stock (was able to add them to the Cart with no problems, although I didn't buy them) - seems they were able to replenish their stock?

Fri Jun 02, 2017 10:04 am

Does anyone have a set of the 3point belts from a later model passenger van for sale, or know of available options? My kids have outgrown their car seats and I need 3 point to keep them safe in booster seats.

Fri Jun 02, 2017 1:29 pm

http://www.gowesty.com/product-details.php?id=3218

Memphalia wrote: Does anyone have a set of the 3point belts from a later model passenger van for sale, or know of available options? My kids have outgrown their car seats and I need 3 point to keep them safe in booster seats.

Wed Aug 01, 2018 7:33 am

atomatom wrote:
In the city I had been driving around with the two girls rear-facing, sitting above the engine. They loved that - but I guess that is probably illegal as well - and yes, fuel lines/etc (those are done now). It is a shame, because driving with them rear facing like that we could fit an extra row of people without the middle seat and they were quiet like kids are when parents aren't in the room.

The date on your post shows it's been more than 5 years since you used this set-up, but if you have any old photos to show the layout, I'd like to see them.

Wed Aug 01, 2018 7:42 am

dobryan wrote: Try contacting Sleepy Joe in the samba classifieds. He usually has a ton of used parts and may have what you need.

D O'b: please give a link or address for Sleepy Joe- I poked at classifieds and didn't get anywhere.

Sat Sep 08, 2018 7:26 pm

I think I may have a solution to attaching a rear 3-pt seat belt. I wished I have a welder and a shop, I don't have access to the proper tools, so I fab this to see if it will work. My goal was to install a "Retractable seat belt" for the rear seat. See pics, its self explanatory. This is just a mock up to see if it works, NOT PERFECT, I MISSED ONE HOLE while miss measuring the angle steel piece. I can always fix later.

Overall, it worked and the seat belt do retract.

I'll be delighted to read your comments and safety concerns. There are something that I may not consider, so please chime in.

found this seat belt in U-pick n pull. I think it was from a MKIII Jetta

here is the pic of the seat belt cover

Here are the parts I used, got the T plate from HomeDepot, in the lumber section. Got the angle steel piece for the hardware section

Sat Sep 08, 2018 7:35 pm

I cut a piece of the angle steel and measured up the holes the attached to the body of the rear panel

made a template out of paper before I started bending the steel angle piece

then attached to the body of rear panel where seat belt would go

attached the seat belt to the T plate

attached the T plate with the attached seat belt retractor to steel angle piece that is attached to the rear panel

attached the D ring to the existing threaded hole on the upper rear panel...D pillar...I think is the correct term

attached the anchor seat belt where the original lap belt use to be

Thu Sep 13, 2018 10:42 am

Opinion, but that angle metal looks to be too thin to do the work it will need to do in a collision. Saw you mentioned some of it was a mock up, so maybe that's all it is. I would not trust it.

Thu Sep 13, 2018 10:48 am

brotherdave wrote: Opinion, but that angle metal looks to be too thin to do the work it will need to do in a collision. Saw you mentioned some of it was a mock up, so maybe that's all it is. I would not trust it.

Way to thin, and it will take torsional stress under a collision load, so it needs to be solid.

Rough loading in a collision will be 3000 pounds, rough SWAG

Thu Sep 13, 2018 1:48 pm

https://www.vw-t3-bus-shop.de/gurte-fur-vw-bus-t3

This looks to be the original part. I found a pair on in the classifieds that needed a webbing redo ($70). This puts the reel behind the panel. I've installed the passenger side without issue, the holes were already there in the body so it was a simple bolt in. Hardest part was cutting the hole in the panel just right.

Fri Mar 22, 2019 8:28 am

Great information and options here. Having read this several times through, to safely secure my 3.5yo and 1yo (20.5# in infant car seat) and satisfy these desires:
-no welds;
-no belt installation through the cabinet;
-ideally matching belts;
-not interfere with lower bed/camping;
-ideally invest in something that will grow with the children;

I believe my following options, or rather steps are:
1) Using only existing lap belts, rear facing:
purchase/install rear facing car seat and infant insert base; Brittax Boulevard (couldn’t find rear facing weight for Brittax Frontier) or Diono Radian for toddler and I'll have to check the specifications for the Brittax infant base, check the manual to see if base can use only lap belt. Will eventually require new seat for baby in all vehicles. Ouch. Are there any other extended weight, rear-facing seats to consider?
@ $300 ea https://www.amazon.com/Britax-Boulevard-ClickTight...s&th=1
@$200 ea https://www.amazon.com/Diono-Radian-Convertible-Ch...s&th=1

2) Add Tether Anchor (TA) for forward facing car seats/detachable harness: I recall Tam suggesting the GoWesty TA received some poor reviews and identified the EZ TA ITEM #100H http://ezonpro.com/e-z-on-accessories/
@tam_shops had some great info on TA installation here:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=309271&start=80

3) Harness to tether?:
EZ 86Y: https://www.ezonpro.com/our-products/conversion-vests/item-86y-car-cam/
Corbeau 3 or 5pt: https://corbeau.com/other/harness-belts/3-point-double-release-harness-belt.html
https://corbeau.com/3-inch-5-point-camlock-harness-belts.html
Wesco Performance: https://www.wescoperformance.com/2x2-crow-utv-4pt-y.html

4) Add 3pt shoulder belt retracting seat belt, although I’m still unclear where the retracting coil lives when camping?* Just to be clear there’s no way to avoid driver side through the cabinet I’m not interested in that option).
GoWesty, 3pt retracting: https://www.gowesty.com/product/seat-belts/24717/3...t-side-?v=
Pull off 2001 Jetta; are other years also compatible
*watch out for Bently measurements and belt angle

5) Eventually add head rest and head rest anchor:
Anchor: https://www.vwbusshop.de/epages/GuenzlClassicParts...255070211A
Headrests: ideally pulled

Sorry for this, I’m just trying to get it all in one place… so given how old/tall/weight the kids are now, I believe my best options are #1, graduate to #2 and #3 and eventually #5?
Guidance wanted.
Thanks.