Front retractable seat belt length.

[islandtime]

I recently ordered the Empi 3851 retractable seatbelt kit for my 73 bay. Once I got it all installed I found that the belt is a bit tight. I am not a huge guy by any means but I'm not scrawny either.

Have any of you used this same kit? I don't see how it would work for a skinny guy in a bug as tight as it is in the bus.

[aeromech]

I've seen short belts before. All I can offer is next time be sure to check the length in the item description.
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[islandtime]

That's the problem. None of the sites list the lengths. I would have bought the longest just to be on the safe side.

[aeromech]

I've seen some with lengths listed before but it's been a few years since I looked. Have you checked EBay or done a lot of research?
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[islandtime]

Yes, I've researched. I researched before I bought the ones I have. No one with ones that fit seems to know where they got theirs and the companies don't seem to know the length of what they sell when you call them.

I'm posting here as a last hope to find some that fit. I have used the sites advanced search and I have used google to search the site as well.

[aeromech]

Search EBay for "extra long retractable belt". $26 each
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[wcfvw69]

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/search.php?search..._chars=200

Here's some previous threads about seat belts for bays.
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[islandtime]

[vwwestyman]

I don't recommend the belts for a Hummer that some have used. I have a set in the '78 and they are a little too short. They fit me, but I can't easily reach the passenger window winder or glove box, and they don't fit others.

I have some in the '73 that I bought a few years back but I can't figure out what they are to get a second set!

I have seen lengths listed on some ebay auctions for belts. Sometime I need to get around to getting a better set for the '78!
_________________
Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing

[islandtime]

Thanks, sounds like your in the same boat as I am. The belts I have measure 108" once pulled all the way out. When buckled in I can't reach the driver door, the glovebox, or lean over on the steering wheel.

[OB Bus]

[wcfvw69]

[islandtime]

[OB Bus]

[aeromech]

I can sort of see his point Larry. Many times I've seen people start threads asking for help only to be told to go read the manual. I assume these people just want someone to guide them through the fix without them having to try and decipher what the words in the manual mean. Their bus is broken and they want to get it running again as quickly and cheaply as they can. Sometimes that doesn't include ordering a Bentley from Amazon and waiting for the book. In this case I tried to point the OP to what to search for on eBay. He also should now be aware that there is already a ton of threads here on this subject and just needs to do the research to find what he needs.
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[wcfvw69]

[aeromech]

I see that. I can read frustration in the OP's comments. Sounds like he did try and search but still couldn't find what he needed. I wish I had a solution but I'm typing here on my iPhone which makes searching harder to do. Seems like Bus Depot or maybe it was Van Cafe had some good belts but they were expensive
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[aeromech]

Might be GoWesty

http://www.gowesty.com/product-details.php?v=&id=3218
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[VWSunny72]

http://www.gowesty.com/product-details.php?id=2738

These are the ones that Ratwell refers to in his "must do upgrades". I'm not sure of the difference between the ones referenced above. I've been eyeing them for a while as my wife keeps complaining about the non-retractable ones. I'm seeing how long I can outlast her whining .
_________________
------------------------
I am owned by a 1972 Westy named Sunny. She has a 1979 2.0L engine w/ dual Weber IDF 40s.

[islandtime]

Sorry to piss you all off but being to to search or given links to a search aren't what I was asking for. I searched topics here and elsewhere before laying down the money to order.

Bill's Licoln quote in his signature is spot on. A good bit of research will save a lot of time when approaching any subject. Even GI joe said "knowing is half the battle".

I have the manuals, I do my own work and I don't usually come here to ask may questions unless I have been stumped. I know how to use the search function and I know how to use google to search a site since the search on these forums isn't as good.

So if you don't have one of the following you're not helping.

1. Seat belts that measure longer than 108" fully extended.
2. Know what brand or where purchased.

I have searched the following on this site and Google. While there are lots of topics on how to install retractable belts there are no topics that list length other that one that had a picture and explanation of how to determine what length you need.

I have searched:
Seat belt, belt length, seat belt length, retractable belt, retractable seat belts, seat belts, bus belts, bus seat belts, seatbelts, and so on.

I don't know how much more searching I could have done without asking for firsthand experience. In my line of work I am required to figure things out myself on a daily basis. I can say that most things can be found in a book or a web search but sometimes only real experience will give you the correct answer.

Once again thanks to you who helped. I'll call gowesty tomorrow and see if they know their lengths.