3 Point Seat Retractable Seat Belts, for '78 Westy.

[Jivermo]

I would like some recommendations from someone who is happy with their purchase of this item, as well as installation using original mounting and good functionality. What supplier offers the best product and pricing? I'm not looking for cheap here, I'd like to get the best available product. GoWesty's is 139.00 a seat. But is it good?

[vdubzen]

I used seat belts from a 95 vw eurovan in my 68. They were plug and play. I did use the mounting bracket from a local vw shop, General Parts, here in Albuquerque.

[Jivermo]

I'm working with Steve at Seatbeltplanet.com at the moment. He's a helpful sort of guy, and we'll see what we can come up with. I sent him some pics. I'll keep you posted if he comes up with a solution.

[Amskeptic]

I'm working with Steve at Seatbeltplanet.com at the moment. He's a helpful sort of guy, and we'll see what we can come up with. I sent him some pics. I'll keep you posted if he comes up with a solution.

Notice how these expensive retractable seatbelts were installed incorrectly:






It was corrected:



The retractors are to be *parallel to the shoulder anchor.
Colin

[Jivermo]

Thank you. I note that.

[dtrumbo]

I bought the Beams (aka Seatbeltplanet) belts and was very unhappy with how sensitive the retractors are to locking. It was to the point I couldn't even put the belt on unless I did it in super-slow motion. I spoke to Steve, yes, a great guy, and he told me they have to make the retractor locking mechanisms uber-sensitive for legal reasons. They have no control over how folks will install them so they have to lock at a gnats flatulence. I ended up using 80's Vanagon belts and am very happy with them. You can actually put them on.

[airkooledchris]

I bought the Beams (aka Seatbeltplanet) belts and was very unhappy with how sensitive the retractors are to locking. It was to the point I couldn't even put the belt on unless I did it in super-slow motion. I spoke to Steve, yes, a great guy, and he told me they have to make the retractor locking mechanisms uber-sensitive for legal reasons. They have no control over how folks will install them so they have to lock at a gnats flatulence. I ended up using 80's Vanagon belts and am very happy with them. You can actually put them on.

aren't the receivers on the 80's Vanagon's really short, making it where you have to change the mounting point for them so it's higher up on the pedestal or just have very little wiggle room once their on?

[Amskeptic]

I bought the Beams (aka Seatbeltplanet) belts and was very unhappy with how sensitive the retractors are to locking. It was to the point I couldn't even put the belt on unless I did it in super-slow motion. I spoke to Steve, yes, a great guy, and he told me they have to make the retractor locking mechanisms uber-sensitive for legal reasons. They have no control over how folks will install them so they have to lock at a gnats flatulence. I ended up using 80's Vanagon belts and am very happy with them. You can actually put them on.

aren't the receivers on the 80's Vanagon's really short, making it where you have to change the mounting point for them so it's higher up on the pedestal or just have very little wiggle room once their on?

Not short so much as annoyingly bent so as to steal your aisle room. I re-used the bus receivers on the BobD. The Vanagon belts are a little crunchy when they clasp, and a little sticky when releasing, but I live with that. If I ever have to use the belts for their intended purpose, I best not be able to leave the seat too quickly anyway.
"Why YOU . . . I'm gonna pop you one as soon as I get out of this seat, as soon . . . . as I . . . get out of this SEAT, why didn't you LOOK where you were going, I'm gonna knock you to the GROUND, as soon as I . . . GET out of this . . . would you at least help me out of my seat so I can paste you one?"
Colin

[drober23]

Reading with interest...
This is on the "medium term" list for me

[vdubzen]

Here are some pictures of the 94 eurovan seatbelts in my 68 bay.

[Amskeptic]

Here are some pictures of the 94 eurovan seatbelts in my 68 bay.

What is going on here? I see the receiver for the driver, but do not get the deal branching to the left.

[vdubzen]

it is a belt for the rear facing seat. I turned the deluxe into a tintop camper.

[cheesehead]

I have had the gowesty seat belts for years, I think they are great. Fit right, easy to install they catch you quick but not annoyingly so. I guess make sure there is no rust where you are going to put them like the current anchor bolts but that is obvious.

[jmiller]

I installed front seat retractable belts from a '83 Vanagon, and they work great. I had to make an 'L' bracket for the floor mount, whereas the Vanagon has 'em mounted on the wall. Do a seatch on that other VW site..look for 'Retractable seatbelt bracket'
I also had to put a spacer on the wall, between where the belt attaches to the wall and the belt holder, so it would move freely and not hang up.
The passenger side reciever is a little lower than the stock one, but it hasn't been a problem. Drivers side reciever seems to bee the same length.
All and all a very easy and extremely worthwhile upgrade.

[dtrumbo]

Here's a write-up I did when I installed the Vanagon belts lo these many years ago.

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