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Post by Allen Gasper on Apr 16, 2011 17:12:04 GMT -8
I would like to install some lap seat belts in the T34. Can someone tell me how they did it, what was best, what looked stock?
I have two huge holes with a 1/2" bolt going through the back foot floor board, undoubtedly this is what it was intended for. But the seat belts have since been removed and I question the position. If you were in the back seat, your feet would be resting on the seat belt anchors.
I would like to know how you did it.
Thanks.
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Post by Remco de Bruijn on Apr 18, 2011 10:41:38 GMT -8
Hi Allen,
I have lap seat belts myself, and these attach to the lower part of the b-pillar. There is a pre-drilled hole there. I don't have any holes in the floor. On the other side, the seatbelts attach to the tunnel.
But I must admit that my Type 34 is a bit of a frankenstein (66 pan, older, probably 64 body), so I don't know if this is original...
Regards,
Remco
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Post by Franck Boutier on Apr 18, 2011 11:36:19 GMT -8
Hi Allen , you could see here how the seat belts were fitted in my T34. Franck. Attachments:
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Post by Franck Boutier on Apr 18, 2011 11:38:45 GMT -8
It's like this on the tunel. Attachments:
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Post by Lee Hedges on Apr 18, 2011 11:41:14 GMT -8
Some owners have shoulder seat belts fitted (as Franck shows in his two photos above in his 1965). This mounts at the hole in the base of the quarter window, goes across the shoulder and down to the tunnel mounting hole. I'm not so confident in the seat belt safety with the shoulder style but it was the standard format from 1962-65. Some owners have lap seat belts fitted (more common). This mounts at the outside of the front seat base into a hole drilled into the floorpan (as I've done with my 1962). I use very large diameter steel washers to give better support to the floorpan metal. Then the other side is mounted to the tunnel hole. Mounting the seat belts to the outer edge holes does cause problems with the floor mats, but that's the choice you make with safety. If you're using carpeted mats back there then it's easy to drill a hole through. if you're using the original rubber floor mats then a hole through a rare part is not such an easy decision to make. With my 1962 I chose to drill the hole in the pan but not in the rubber mat. I survived a double roll-over crash in my Sea Blue 1965 in 2000 at 70mph that landed on the roof and slide 100 feet down the freeway upside-down ... and I was still strapped-in with my lap belts using this method. It's proven to be safe for me, so that's the method I've used. As for whether it interferes with the rear seat passengers ... I never have passengers in the rear since there are no seat belts back there AND there's no space for their legs anyway with my front seat pushed all the way back to get the most comfortable driving position. But you can see that the rubber mat sits very flat on top of the bolt head and it can't be seen. Some other owners use a three-point seat belt. This style uses a combination of the shoulder & lap mounting systems. It's likely the safest method but difficult to find vintage-style 3-point harness seat belts. In 1966-67 they added a chrome metal ring that bolted down to the tunnel area and the seat belt crossed in front of you and snapped into the ring.
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Post by Franck Boutier on Apr 18, 2011 11:57:14 GMT -8
Ok Lee, I understand better now what Allen is looking for !
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Post by Jürgen Klein on Apr 18, 2011 12:38:09 GMT -8
Just today I`m working on my 65 , installing safety belts . I`ve collected some different versions of belts in grey and black over the years . Static and Automatic . 2-point and 3-point . With the automatic roll mounted at the aera of the B-pillar base or with the roll "flying" within the strap . With different holder at the tunnel . I will use grey static belts with beige handles and a chromed bow in the middle . And with black caps at the upper B-pillar to cover the screw and "park" the belt if not in use . I will complete it tomorrow and take some pics for you . But there is no seat in the car . If it does not fit later on or I don`t like it I will try another version of my belts . The best version will be grey belts with a flying roll and chromed bow . But I don`t have this combination ... Jürgen
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Post by Lee Hedges on Apr 18, 2011 16:59:26 GMT -8
For my 1962 I used the lap style belts to match the brighest color (brick red) as they did not have a good color match to the Silver-Beige (but I would have preferred the lighter color belts). To keep the inside belt piece (mounted to tunnel) from getting in the way I used an accessory ivory plastic seat belt retractor from GHE. It's spring-loaded and the belt winds-up around the center of it. These can be found on ebay or theSamba. There's an ad for 5 now for $15.
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Post by Carsten Klein on Apr 19, 2011 2:02:42 GMT -8
i will have seat belts mounted in my 64 coupe soon and also one in the rear ! ( for my daughter :_) ... )
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Post by Allen Gasper on Apr 19, 2011 6:44:49 GMT -8
A lot of good information. Thank you all. Question; since I already have two large holds on the floor pan in the rear do you see any issues with me using these holes as opposed to making a new one in the tunnel? I do not see the advantage for making a hole in the tunnel. Maybe I am missing something?
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Post by Lee Hedges on Apr 19, 2011 8:57:58 GMT -8
Use the original holes. There are already two mounting holes in the tunnel. No reason to drill additional holes on the outside edges. You can test-fit the seat belts now and see how it fits.
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Post by Jürgen Klein on Apr 19, 2011 11:36:31 GMT -8
Here are some pics from my "new" old belts in my car . Just fixed today . I take the pics without flash , so they are not very good in focus because I have to hold the camera calm for a "long time" . The part in the middle : Passenger side : Driver side : Driver side bottom : So it will work when I`m sitting in my seat : Hope you like it . Greetings Jürgen
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Post by Lee Hedges on Apr 19, 2011 11:41:40 GMT -8
Great 3-point seat belt photos, Jurgen! How did you mount the bolt to the outer edge of the body, at the base of the floorpan area? How did you get access to tighten the bolt?
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Post by Remco de Bruijn on Apr 19, 2011 12:12:10 GMT -8
I have a set of similar three point seat belts. I bought these, but I found these not very comfortable. If any one's interested, let me know. I have some more pics. They're grey with a black 'lock'. Complete with all the necessary hardware to mount them in the car, including the bracket on the tunnel. Regards, Remco Attachments:
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Post by Jürgen Klein on Apr 20, 2011 12:34:15 GMT -8
Hello Remco , I also have these belts . They are from Sweden . Maybe for Volvo or Saab . If I don`t like my actual belts in use I will try a different set . Maybe with the flying roll . Later models have had welded in threads in the door sills . My car has had an accident at the left side 40 years ago . And they repaired the car with the new door sill and so there is a thread . At the right side is still the original thread . So I constructed a holder and screwed it to the metal . Forgotten to weld it in as the door sill was open for the other welding jobs . Greetings Jürgen
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