Seat Belts

[Brett Proctor]

I still need to install seat belts
Looking for ideas on how others have done this.

Did you go with just a lap belt or did you go with a shoulder restraint also, and if you went with a shoulder restraint what did it come out of, or was it custom made and how was it all anchored in.

Been thinking of maybe going to the pick a part yard and look for systems out of Miata's or Z4's and see if those could be used.

 

[nbb350]

I just use an old-fashioned (but New) manual-adjustment lap belt. Short half of the belt mounts to the factory M14 (?) threaded holes in the center tunnel. Other half of the belt (with adjustment & buckle) mounts to a 7/16" bolt thru the "back seat floor pan".

I bought mine from Seatbelt Planet ( https://www.seatbeltplanet.com/i-30498119-2-point-lap-seat-belt-lift-latch-buckle.html?q= ) with a custom short length for the inside mount. Also used their Hardware kit ( https://www.seatbeltplanet.com/i-30498147-hardware-kit-2.html ) where it mounts to the back seat pan and sleeves ( https://www.seatbeltplanet.com/i-30498149-6-anchor-sleeve.html ) and each mounting point (so 4 pcs).

 

[farfegnubbin]

As for lap vs shoulder, maybe double check your state laws. Here in Pennsylvania we are required to have a combo lap-and-shoulder belt in at least the front seats of a car. We also aren’t allowed to use “used” seatbelts. The salvage yards aren’t allowed/aren’t supposed to sell them. All that said, one of my cars has just a lap belt. Neither car has retractable ones. I suspect you’ll find something better.

 

[Brett Proctor]

I like nbb350's install, no major engineering, just nice and simple

As for laws requiring the shoulder strap, since this is registered as a 70's vehicle, I don't recall to many if any vehicles in the early 70's having the shoulder strap. I could be wrong though.

I may look into what is required to install the combination of lap and shoulder strap setup but just the lap belt is clearly the easiest way to go.

I looked at the inventory in the pick a part yards here. They have 1 Miata and no Z3's or Z4's The Miata has been in the yard for 2 months. Seat belts aren't a highly wanted item so they may still be there.

Right now I have plenty of work to do putting the car back together. so I'm in no hurry to getting this done.

​

 

[Brett Proctor]

Did some research on seat belts and figured that the 3 point belt with retractable mechanism would be to much trouble finding a spot to mount the retractable mechanism.

But found 3 point belts without the retractable mechanism.

3 Point Lap & Shoulder Seat Belts: Replacement Seat Belts

SeatBeltsPlus offers the best quality seat belts in over 30 colors! Our 3-Point Lap & Shoulder Seat Belts offer added security. Sewn and assembled in the USA.

www.seatbeltsplus.com

Also cost for these belts is very reasonable so going to the pick a part yard to find one would be a waste of time

 

[farfegnubbin]

Those look like a really good solution.

 

[Brett Proctor]

I was looking at how I would install the 3 point seat belt today and because of how the body lines of the car taper inward behind the seat I don't think the 3 point harness will work.
Mounting it high enough to clear your shoulder would put the mounting point close to the back of your head and the web material would be rubbing against your head not going over your shoulder.

So I ordered a 2 point seat belt from the place that nbb350 mentioned. They had the option of a 8" or a 12" sleeve. I went with the 8" sleeve.

 

[nbb350]

Plus, in an accident, there is already a physical stop to prevent your body from pitching forward: THE ROOF!

All kidding aside, based on the reclined seating position, odds are in a sudden stop that the occupant of a Sterling will most likely "slide" forward rather than "pitch" forward.

 

[letterman7]

I always had 3 point retractables. The tensioner I'd mount behind the seat on the pan rail with a bracket so it was pointing in the right direction, the upper mount was behind the seat on the body, through-bolted to a 3" square piece of 1/4" aluminum and the latch portion was bolted to the factory bolt hole on the tunnel. I think the neck-rub issue might be a supposition from what seats you use and your overall height. I personally never had an issue.