TheSamba.com :: View topic - 71 standard- rear seat 3 point belt?

Tue Oct 21, 2008 2:07 pm

Does a 71 standard have the bolt thread behind the 1/4 window to install 3 point seatbelts in the rear? Saw a post a while ago mentioning years that this became standard, but can't locate it now. I just put in a new headiner 6 months ago, with padding under it, and can't feel the hole underneath. Don't want to do any cutting if it is not there.

Tue Oct 21, 2008 2:20 pm

Tue Oct 21, 2008 5:16 pm

It is located on the edge almost perpendicular to the window and about the same elevation as the one for the front seats.
If you still can't find it from Glenn's picture, I can take a picture of mine tomorrow and post it. I don't have my headliner installed yet.
Dennis

Tue Oct 21, 2008 6:03 pm

So.... the bolt mounts were standard in 71???

Tue Oct 21, 2008 6:43 pm

Yes, it was federally required to offer 3-point seat belts in the back, at least as a dealer option. All Beetles had tapped holes in the C-pillar to accommodate them, though few customers purchased them.

edit: Pic from the gallery...
another edit: this pic doesn't show the seat belt hole, ignore it!!!!!!!!!!!

Tue Oct 21, 2008 9:53 pm

Thank you- I order the belts tonight

Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:33 am

Bob McSmith wrote: Thank you- I order the belts tonight

If you don't mind, can you provide a link to what you ordered? Or, if anyone knows what would be the best for the backseat. I'd prefer retractable, but can't find any that have the extension for the rollup mechanism (the extension is needed to mount below the bottom seat cushion).

Wed Oct 22, 2008 7:53 am

So you can't have both 3-point belts in the back AND pop-outs then?

Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:46 pm

Lewis- I saw a post where the guy mounted the retracts at the 1/4 window- not under the cushion. Can't find it but search for 3 point rear seat belts in late model/super.

You can have both retracts and pop-outs, its just that every time you open the window, it automatically closes :lol:

Sun Oct 26, 2008 5:44 pm

There are separate holes for the shoulder belt and the pop outs. If I get the chance I will take some pics of my 74 with the headliner out so you can see. The seat belt bolts in a little higher than the window.
I don't see any hole for the belt in the pic with the pop outs.

Mon Oct 27, 2008 6:26 pm

Here's a good post, I knew I had seen a good photo of this...
BTW, I'm not sure I like the way the retractables are mounted in that post, the top points seem too far "inward". Non-retractables might be safer in the rear.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=284424&highlight=rear+seat+belt

Mon Oct 27, 2008 7:42 pm

I think the straps are too far inward to strap in kids. I've got nonretracts coming, from CIP1. Well have to fighure out a way to store them when not in use.

Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:11 am

Bob McSmith wrote: I think the straps are too far inward to strap in kids.

That's my rear seat :-)

You may be right. My sister did mention once when she was shorter that the shoulder belt rubbed her neck a little. The adults I've carried in the back have all been fine.

Now that you all mention it, the reels do look a little too far inward - I'd never noticed before. Let me go and strap myself in to check...

...Done. The reel is about shoulder height (I'm 5'9" FWIW) and the innermost part of the reel is slightly further out than the outermost part of my shoulder. The belt passes over my shoulder at the same point as the front shoulder-belt does.

I think the lens I took the picture with made them look much further in than they actually are.

Michael

Tue Oct 28, 2008 5:22 pm

I kinda thought that it might be OK for adults- then again, if adults were in the back seat, the shoulder strap would be the least of their discomforts. A bug would be one of the few cars where I wouldn't worry about being thrown through the windshield- you're so packed in back there, there's nowhere to go. Who are we kidding anyways? You get in a serious enough collision to warrant 3 point rear belts for adults, and I'd be more worried about the ensuing fire from the ruptured gas tank.

Our kid seats on the other hand, have the high backs with the "C" to thread the belt through by their shoulder. I was thinking that the belt would have a straighter path with the non retracts.

Tue Oct 28, 2008 5:23 pm

Maybe you could humor us and take a photo with an adult and a kid in the back? :wink:

Wed Oct 29, 2008 4:16 am

The bugs that didn't have the belts from the dealers have big screw-shaped plastic plugs in the holes, which my STD 70's bug has. Mine also came with swing-axle trans and a 1300SP, so you should be good.

Wed Oct 29, 2008 6:33 am

A little off topic... I have 3 kids, ages 8,9,10 - how can a third seat belt be added to the rear seat?

Wed Oct 29, 2008 7:25 am

Bolts under the seat if 2-point, two more bolts in the luggage tray if 4 point.

Wed Oct 29, 2008 2:34 pm

Share the bolts from the existing bolts with a lap only seatbelt from the rear of a bug.