TheSamba.com :: View topic - Retractable seatbelts vs. Non-retractable

Sun Jan 22, 2012 6:15 pm

I am thinking about upgrading from my lapbelts. I seem to trust the non-retractable a little more. However the non retractable belts always get in the way. Now, Most people probably got the non-retractable because they are cheaper.
Did anyone out there buy them because they dont trust the retractable ones?

Sun Jan 22, 2012 7:21 pm

Retractable belts are the standard and have worked well for decades. i would just get a good brand and leave it at that. I have Mexican OEM belts in my car.

Sun Jan 22, 2012 8:10 pm

Mid America has retractable belts in alot of colors. I am nearing the time to purchase mine and that is what I am going to get I think its about $180 for a set for the front. They look like the same mechanism that was original to the late bug.
If anyone has had experience with this set of belts, please chime in
Sorry for hijacking

Sun Jan 22, 2012 9:46 pm

I got those same belts through Cip1 and they are great.
They do look like the originals too.

Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:01 pm

I opted for the less expensive non-retractable ones from Wolfsburg West.
They do get in the way at times, though you really feel like you're secure to the car. I rode in my buddies 68 bug the other day with original retractable ones and wondered if I suddenly found myself hurling toward the dash, would the lock and stop me from hitting it? At least the non-retractable ones aren't going to let you keep going.

They are more of a hassle for the passenger or anyone that's not used to non-retractable belts as they take a little finessing before you can get rolling.

Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:22 pm

Inertia reel belts saved my father from suffering any real harm when he was T-boned on the rear axle in his `77 just a couple years ago...just a little rug-rash on the shoulder/neck...The driver hitting him in a Buick with air-bags went to the hospital and the car went off on the wrecker...The Beetle was rope-towed back to the house and repaired that day :lol:

I've run 3" lap belts or 2" lap/Y-shoulder more often though. The sewn-in Y shoulder belts make finding the lap-belts much easier, and can be worn as lap-only..only time I've tested belts were the 5-point Simpson Cam-locks in my racecar thankfully.

Mon Jan 23, 2012 4:03 am

Inertia retractable belts were only fitted to the last 76s beetles here in Aus so all my bugs have had factory non retractables.

I lashed out and bought retractables for it a few years ago as I was sick of not being able to lean across and get shit out of the glovebox or the belt hanging out the door but I'm bit dissapointed with them.

Firstly the coil up part takes up alot of room and is often kicked by rear seat passengers getting in.
The belt does a few too many twists for the coil part to easily retract it so it still ends up hanging out the door unless you help it retract and I'm not overly impressed by the bracketry that holds the coil part in place.

Mon Jan 23, 2012 4:51 am

I went with non retractables, that windshield is just too close to my face to trust aftermarket inertia reels.

WW sells these little spring loaded deals to keep the belt out of the way when you're not using it. They work really well, makes it a lot cleaner install. Something like 8 bucks each.

Mon Jan 23, 2012 7:02 am

pb_foots wrote:
WW sells these little spring loaded deals to keep the belt out of the way when you're not using it. They work really well, makes it a lot cleaner install. Something like 8 bucks each.

Part number, please?

Mon Jan 23, 2012 7:36 am

I purchased these;

http://www.amazon.com/AutoLoc-SB3PRBK-3-Point-Retr...amp;sr=8-3 $47.85 each

They have all colors. They also have matching lap belts for the back;

http://www.amazon.com/AutoLoc-SB2PBK-Black-Point-S...amp;sr=8-4 $15 each

I then purchased;

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C26-857-024

this mount adapter allows the retractable reel to sit vertical which is required for it to function properly. Else, the reel locks 20 times while you are trying to pull the belt out to put it on. Very annoying. BTW the adapter is required for what ever belt you purchase, they all require that you mount then vertical.

Mon Jan 23, 2012 2:08 pm

Cusser wrote:
Part mumber, please?

Well shoot, since you asked so nice, ZVW21WH

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=ZVW21WH

They looked a little flimsy, but they work great to keep my wife from slamming the door on the belt when she flings it out of the way.

Mon Jan 23, 2012 5:22 pm

pb_foots wrote: Cusser wrote:
Part number, please?

Well shoot, since you asked so nice, ZVW21WH

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=ZVW21WH

They looked a little flimsy, but they work great to keep my wife from slamming the door on the belt when she flings it out of the way.

The seat belts originally had those on them, but mine broke years ago, hadn't found a source until now, thanks.

I'm trying out caribeeners (however they're spelled) on rope "belts" around the seat headrests on my Convertible to keep my non-retractible seat belts from getting stuck on the quarter window handles.

Mon Jan 23, 2012 6:31 pm

@ pb_foots - You have non retractable 3 point seat belts and used an 8 dollar part from WW to stop them from getting in the way?

Did you use this, http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C26-857-024 ?

Mon Jan 23, 2012 6:34 pm

mtdorajohn wrote:
I then purchased;

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C26-857-024

this mount adapter allows the retractable reel to sit vertical which is required for it to function properly. Else, the reel locks 20 times while you are trying to pull the belt out to put it on. Very annoying. BTW the adapter is required for what ever belt you purchase, they all require that you mount then vertical.

Those are the same pissy brackets mine use.
From a engineering and safety point of view they are terrible.
In a decent enough impact those are just gonna bend.

Tue Jan 24, 2012 4:52 am

JasonBaker wrote: @ pb_foots - You have non retractable 3 point seat belts and used an 8 dollar part from WW to stop them from getting in the way?

Did you use this, http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C26-857-024 ?

No, why? The attachment point of the non retracts is in the same place and the same orientation as the original belts, the 8 dollar part is only to take up the slack when they're not in use.

Not sure what your concern is? I'm all ears though, I don't want to risk my safety. If there's a problem I'd rather not find out the hard way.

Tue Jan 24, 2012 8:19 am

Joel wrote: mtdorajohn wrote:
I then purchased;

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C26-857-024

this mount adapter allows the retractable reel to sit vertical which is required for it to function properly. Else, the reel locks 20 times while you are trying to pull the belt out to put it on. Very annoying. BTW the adapter is required for what ever belt you purchase, they all require that you mount then vertical.

Those are the same pissy brackets mine use.
From a engineering and safety point of view they are terrible.
In a decent enough impact those are just gonna bend. Of course they will! In fact, they have to be bent to fit in the stock mounting location properly to install them!

I have retractables that use those and I'm happy with their function but, like you I agree the retractor/coil/housing is large and cumbersome. Not a big deal for me though as I don't have backseat passengers.

My set up is pictured in my gallery.

For the concern of no retractables getting in the way, it is an issue but that's what those stock little hooks are for where your coat hook and grab handles are mounted. Hang 'em up, people!

Wed Jan 25, 2012 7:56 pm

I decided to play with my seat belts today because they were functional but never mounted quite right. I also had the belts themselves twisted on one and facing the wrong way on the other. I hated it and the left male buckle smacked the metal of the door every time I took it off.

No more!!!

Funny though, they have a tag on each that lists the specs they meet, presumably for different countries' safety regs. The other side of that tag though says "ASS VAULT." A brand name or an eerie omen of the future...? :shock:

Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:15 pm

I'm pretty sure my 3-point dual shoulder belts are the same brand...aviation style latch too?

Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:19 pm

Non-Retractable for Safety.
My next set will be 3-Point or Racer's Safety Belt !

Wed Jan 25, 2012 9:56 pm

Chris Vellat wrote: I'm pretty sure my 3-point dual shoulder belts are the same brand...aviation style latch too? I'm not familiar with what tht would be. I believe I have pics in my gallery though that should tell you.