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Fri Oct 04, 2019 11:37 am

I know it’s been covered, but looking through the forum it looks like some pics on other hosts are disabled. I just did the install with original vw brackets and documented it for others.

Original retractable assembly

Remove the bracket

Here is the humvee seatbelts purchased from
EBAY

Remove the tab on back. I just worked it back and forth till it broke

Once off drill out the two smaller wholes with 3/8 bit keep working it till the bracket holes line up for the bolts.

Just reuse bolts from original set up

You will need slightly longer bolts 7/16 x 20 and washers for tunnel release mechanism. I got 1 inch long ones. I used original covers on it.

All done and happy with it.

There are brackets that cip1 sell that’s can be used for this application also. Other post mention them.

Hope this helps.

Fri Oct 04, 2019 12:06 pm

I was surprised how easy these were to install in my convertible. I think I even used the bolts that came in the package. Great upgrade for little $$

Fri Oct 04, 2019 12:07 pm

Cool, this is helpful. I have these seat belts to install on my '73 so this is timely. The holes you're drilling is to enlarge them for the VW bracket?

Fri Oct 04, 2019 2:42 pm

Yes, Drilled out so the bracket bolt holes line up. I should have taken a pic of that.

Fri Oct 04, 2019 6:56 pm

What's a source for these Humvee belts?

Fri Oct 04, 2019 7:23 pm

bnam wrote: What's a source for these Humvee belts?
Ebay

Fri Oct 04, 2019 8:23 pm

I ordered some this afternoon. 31 bucks for the set.

Fri Oct 04, 2019 10:34 pm

Pruneman99 wrote: I ordered some this afternoon. 31 bucks for the set.

Did that include the mounting bracket for the bottom retractable receptacle?

Sun Oct 06, 2019 6:25 am

blinkwatt wrote: Pruneman99 wrote: I ordered some this afternoon. 31 bucks for the set.

Did that include the mounting bracket for the bottom retractable receptacle?

No you have to buy bracket separately. Cip1 sells them, but you only use them middle hole.

Sun Oct 06, 2019 7:32 am

Pruneman99 wrote: I ordered some this afternoon. 31 bucks for the set.
For both sides or just one? Can you post a link? I could only find link for $35 per side.

Sun Oct 06, 2019 9:09 am

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-X-NEW-Military-M998-HUM...Sw1zhaeFp4

Sun Oct 06, 2019 12:22 pm

Thanks for this post. I have a '78 Convertible Beetle, and because the drivers seatbelt doesn't have a lot of retract power anymore. As a result, if I don't pay attention, the buckle gets slammed in the door. It's really annoying. I just ordered a set of the Humvee belts from the posted link, and look forward to installing them.

Now I just need to remember what vehicle had the belt holder which attached to the headrest post.

Sun Oct 06, 2019 12:45 pm

I am curious if these based on the ebay link will work/function in a type 3 squareback.
Is the price listed for a quantity of 2 complete belts.

Sun Oct 06, 2019 2:18 pm

Yes, you get two. It’s the same person I bought from. Came real fast also.

Sun Oct 06, 2019 3:34 pm

gt1953 wrote: I am curious if these based on the ebay link will work/function in a type 3 squareback.

I think the Humvee belts will work, but you may need such brackets for the lower mount.

If you are coming to Phoenix soon, you can take a better look at my 1971 Super which has them.

Sun Oct 06, 2019 3:44 pm

I installed these a few years ago but didn't need to drill any holes. They bolted right in. :?:

Sun Oct 06, 2019 5:18 pm

Tom K. wrote: I installed these a few years ago but didn't need to drill any holes. They bolted right in. :?:

I didn't need to drill any holes to install in my 1971 convertible either. But I did have to buy a couple 7/16" x 16 bolts.

Wed Oct 16, 2019 10:52 pm

I used the eBay link ryohey posted and ordered a set. They shipped fast and I got them installed this week.

My bug is a '78 Super Beetle Convertible, and the retract mechanisms in my 41-year old factory belts were shot. My factory belts also mount a little different from the photos posted by other forum members.

On my car the belt retract mechanism mounts under the rear seat, with the belt itself coming straight up from between the seat and the rear trim panel. The only modification I had to do to mount the retract mechanism was bend a thin locating tab on the retract mechanisms from 90-degrees to 45-degrees using a pair of pliers. Other than that the it was a perfect fit, though access to the mounting bolt is an absolute pain in the @$$.

The next mounting point was the one on the "B" pillar, which holds the belt at shoulder height. The only issue with this is that the new bracket is thicker than the factory bracket. As a result, I had to eliminate the two factory plastic washers which were on each side of the factory bracket.

The lower belt mounting point, at the base of the rear seat was perfect and required no changes what-so-ever.

Finally, the most difficult part of the entire retrofit: installing the two new buckles. The mount loops on the new buckles are much thicker than the mount for the factory buckle bracket. As a result, the factory bolts are too short to even engage a thread in the nut welded to the inside of the tunnel.

I took the old factory bolt to my favorite, local, fastener store, Tacoma Screw. I told the guy I needed something about a half-inch longer, and let him know it was for a seat belt mount. He started checking the bolt diameter and thread pitch, and determined it was an M11 bolt, and they did not stock any of those in any size. He recommended going to a wrecking yard and removing various seat belt bolts until I found one the correct size.

Evidently, the automotive manufacturers have been using M11 sized bolts for sometime to mount seat belts. It seems the reason for this is to prevent shade tree mechanics from inadvertently swapping Grade 8 M11 bolts for common, hardware store, cheapo bolts when working on their vehicles. I went home thinking I could just order a couple M11 bolts in the proper length off the internet. Well, guess what, it isn't that easy. They might be out there somewhere, but you are going to have one heck of a time finding them. I gave up after about 20-minutes.

I remember at least one of the posts in this thread mentioned something about replacing a bolt with a 7/16" one. So I started doing a little research. What I discovered after reviewing posts in various motorcycle, boat and automotive forums was that replacement M11 bolts were almost impossible to find anywhere other than an OEM supplier, and then they were ridiculously expensive. Everyone recommended substituting a Grade 8, 7/16", fine thread (20 threads-per-inch), bolt of appropriate length. The bolt diameter is virtually identical, and the thread pitch is so close you will not notice a difference. I purchased two new 1" long bolts. They were long enough to mount the buckles, but I will probably replace them with 1 1/4" bolts because I think they may be just a little too short.

So how do I like the new belts? Well the look nice, they pull out and retract easily, and the buckles latch and unlatch just fine. The only problem I have found is that the belt itself is really a little too short for my application. I am 6' 3" tall, and 240-pounds (not fat, but I'm getting a little chubby in the mid-section). Because of my height, I have the driver's seat all the way to the rear. I have enough belt length to get buckled in, with a couple inches to spare. If I was shorter, and had to move the seat forward, I don't think the belt would be long enough. If you look on the internet you can find seat belt extenders, but because buckle designs vary from vehicle to vehicle, as well as year to year, it may be hard to find the correct one for the Humvee belts. I'm still very happy with this purchase though, and I hope my post helps anyone interested in this modification.

Thu Oct 17, 2019 2:57 am

Bought multiple sets of these over the past few years for Beetle sedans. They work great. A terrific replacement for rotten original belts and a much more economical option over VW-specific replacements.

Tue Apr 08, 2025 5:39 pm

I just ordered a new set of these for our 74 Super! Only $80 shipped for 2 new seat belts!
https://comtac.parts/products/2-ea-humvee-3-point-seat-belt-rear-lh-or-rh-12480530-2540-01-495-0817