Aftermarket Retractable 2pt & 3pt application

I've looked and found a couple of retractable seatbelts in the forum. What i'm interested in learning about are 1. Has anyone installed Wesco after market 2pt. seatbelts on their VS 2. Has any one installed 3pt. seatbelts, and what is needed to make sure it is safe and secure to the shoulder location (sans roll bar placement).

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

mel, research the shoulder attach point location. If you notice
the "stock" location on oem cars is shoulder level or above. Even in
a convertible they have an upper attach point. The reason (so I have read) is that if attached to the floor it will apply a downward
force breaking your shoulders in a particular situation. Personally
I think these cars offer the same protection as a motorcycle. Your
best protection is defensive driving.

Bruce, thanks for the quick reply!

I read thru some of those previous postings. I was hoping to get by with just a drill and a socket wrench if you know what I mean. I was hoping that somehow VS had pre-installed a metal support bracket for this particular purpose...Too bad for me.

I'm not being lazy, just don't have the time. I don't suppose that a metal plate inserted behind that shoulder location would do the trick? In any case, I will still consider a 2pt. retractable. I hate the belt flopping around and especially getting caught outside of the door when your passengers are not paying attention.

talk to Kirk at VS, he installed 3 points for me when he built mine, they do mount lower than the shoulder, so you may break it in an accident, but probably better than a face-full of steering wheel and VDO.
JD

Jeremy,

Can you do me a favor and take a peek up underneath that wheel well area. Can you see if they added additional support besides an oversized washer behind that fiberglass. I would consider a three point if I didn't have to remove the body to weld additional anchor points. It might actually be wiser for me to go with a four point set up and anchor it to the pan from behind.

I will take a look, but my impression is that he attached them to the frame. If you look at the pictures on the Vintage Speedster website, there is a steel post right about where the seat belts mount, so I assume that is what they are bolted into.
Ill check it out.
JD

Guys,

I don't know if this is a valid concern or not. I kind of go back and forth on the subject but here goes. I'm an avid autocrosser and run with the SCCA. If someone shows up in a convertible to run an event, they don't allow them to use the shoulder harness (3 pt) in the car. I believe the thought is that in the event of a roll over and with the lack of a real roll bar, the shoulder harness keeps you up right and your head becomes the roll bar.

My wife has said that I can be pretty hard headed sometimes, but I don't think she ment like a roll bar!

Ron: my biggest concern was doing a face plant on the steering column. I have been debating going with a 3 pt with a Y harness mounted behind the seat. I'm thinking to prevent that said face plant. I'm sure there are many opinions on this subject. I would love to hear what the other onwers feelings are on these type of restraints.

Thanks!

Any word from TC on the subject? He and several others have provided me advice on things like that for several months now.
I'm still welding mounting plates for five-pointers in my car, even though the only racing I'm likely to do will be in parking lots. It just makes me feel a little better. I've gotta do it now, even if they never get used, before I do the powdercoat thingie.

OK, I got under there and it looks like it is NOT attached to the frame, but rather attached to the body with a large washer (not very confidence inspiring)
JD

Large washer as a backing for a harness bolt will not with stand the force of a body being projected during impact. The momentum is unreal i.e well over 1500-2000 plus lbs.
A large washer will easily tear through fiberglass. Best senerio is to mount to the chassis at a strong solid location.

Don't do it. Take the money you'll save and buy some nice duds. This way if you "pass away"
during an accident at least you'll look good.

i actually spoke to kirk about this last week. he advised me to get a set of three point belts with a "y" harness and mount it to the floor (current location). i'm currently trying to find a setup that will clamp to the (2) existing steel hooks behind each seat. if anyone has any products in mind, please let me know.

george

George, I did find a set on Samba for a pretty good price. The seller bought the set at a VW swap meet and did not use them. They are non-retractable 3 pt. set with the Y yolk to mount on the floor. That way you drill right to the pan with a 3 inch washer beneath.

It's actually pretty comfortable. The seat belt is 3 inches wide with the harness being only 2. It's a latch type buckle with a thick leather backing. It could be worn w or w/t the harness. I'll try to post some pics tomorrow.

I feel much safer with it on. I don't plan on wearing the shoulder harness too tight just in case I need to take a dive, but still protect me from that face plant.

Mel,

pictures would be great!! also, if you can give me the model number of the belts, that would be even better. all of the photos on the internet that i am finding are identical, and i am having a tough time looking at mounting details on these things.

George; Believe it or not, but the only information tag on the harness said " Ass Vault TM AV143" yada yada yada racing something compliance. I've attached a couple of shots including the eye bolt and large washers underneath.

The racing harness that I have seen will give you the choice of what end buckle treatment you will prefer. It should also include the proper bolts and washers. If not, the local Ace hardware should have some Hardened (ask about the grade for the correct application). After drilling the holes, use some sort of sealant to protect the exposed metal from rusting.

Here's a link;

http://www.hunsakersports.com/shop/category.asp?catid=12

More Shots...including a windscreen that i've been working on. Off the subject, but i'm pretty stoked with how it turned out!

.25" Polycarbonate. Should have laminated with 1/16" plexi for scratch resistance.
Made a template from cardboard and then transfered the file to Adobe Illustrator.
Printed at full size and spray mounted to the plastic backing. Had to freehand cut with jigsaw using a 10T per inch metal blade/smooth cut. Limited tools, would have been better with a bandsaw probably???

You should be able to get a pretty good line if you don't try to over power the blade. You can sand down with 60 grit to get a nice surface. Unlike Plexi, you cannot heat the edges for that glass finish. It will bubble up. I sanded with 220, 300 and finished with 400 for a frosted look.

I just mounted the inside frame, and will finalize securing this thing once I take it out for a test drive...

Mel,

these pics are great! i'll be putting a set in real soon. thanks!!

george