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tjbayless
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2007
Posts: 30
Location: Kechi Ks
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 Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2025 7:43 am Post subject: Seatbelt latch thumb Knob |
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I’m in the process of cleaning up the seatbelts form my 71 Bus. Is there anywhere to source the white release knobs like the ones in the picture. I believe these are Beetle rear but the same.
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SGKent 
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 42403
Location: at the beach
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| Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2025 8:48 am Post subject: Re: Seatbelt latch thumb Knob |
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clean with WD40, if that fails lacquer thinner, is that fails acetone. Most seat belts are a unit because they are crash tested and certified as a unit. You can look here to see if a separate part is listed https://www.jerseylooker.com/FicheDump/EarlyBaywindow/EarlyBay-Main.html
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tjbayless
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2007
Posts: 30
Location: Kechi Ks
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2025 3:54 am Post subject: Re: Seatbelt latch thumb Knob |
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| Thank you for the response. Unfortunately I don’t have any to clean. The picture was just for reference on what I need. |
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SGKent
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 42403
Location: at the beach
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2025 9:58 am Post subject: Re: Seatbelt latch thumb Knob |
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| tjbayless wrote: |
| Thank you for the response. Unfortunately I don’t have any to clean. The picture was just for reference on what I need. |
contact Ken Madson at TheBusCo and see if he has a good pair of latches for a 1971 like that. Send him the photo as a sample.
The 1971 belts just lie loose, and the aftermarket style winders they could use are not very easy to find anymore. You could consider modern belts that have a winder in them, which makes it a lot easier to get in and out without having the belts get in the way. These are about $320 for left and right front but they are made by the same people who make belts for modern cars. Unless you are 6' and 280 or so, these will give lots of room to move around in. https://gowesty.com/products/3-point-retracting-se...6690375845
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"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it." - George Carlin |
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tjbayless
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2007
Posts: 30
Location: Kechi Ks
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2025 6:14 pm Post subject: Re: Seatbelt latch thumb Knob |
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| I’m working on an upgrade to the original. My plan is to use the original latched with a modern retractable 3 point setup. Will require adding the original bus hardware to the new seatbelt webbing. |
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jtauxe
Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2004
Posts: 5966
Location: Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2025 8:42 pm Post subject: Re: Seatbelt latch thumb Knob |
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| tjbayless wrote: |
| I’m working on an upgrade to the original. My plan is to use the original latched with a modern retractable 3 point setup. Will require adding the original bus hardware to the new seatbelt webbing. |
While that may seems like a good idea, it is not. You would have to separate and then resew the webbing in a way that meets seat belt standards. Don't mess with them. Having the stock look is not worth a trip through the windshield in the event of a crash.
But do upgrade to a better three-point system. Make sure that your anchor points are solid and not rusted underneath in the wheel well.
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John
"Travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie..." - Colin Hay and Ron Strykert
http://vw.tauxe.net
1969 Transporter, 1971 Westfalia, 1976, 1977, 1976, 1977, 1971, 1973, 1977 Westfalias,
1979 Champagne Sunroof, 1974 Westfalia Automatic, 1979 Transporter, 1972 Sportsmobile, 1973 Transporter Wild Westerner, 1974 Westfalia parts bus, 1975 Mexican single cab *FOR SALE*, 1978 Irish 4-door double cab RHD
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SGKent
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 42403
Location: at the beach
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2025 10:34 pm Post subject: Re: Seatbelt latch thumb Knob |
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^^^^ what John said.
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"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it." - George Carlin |
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W1K1
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Joined: March 04, 2004
Posts: 5287
Location: Southern AB
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