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Retractable Seat Belts

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MeppW Learner Dubber

15 posts · joined Jul 2016 ·

#1039303
Hey guys, just thought I would tap you knowledge here before I post in the to buy section. Wanting to see if it is possible to put retractable belts in a 72 type 3 Squareback( thanks Peter, car was in great body condition , rebuilt engine and just about to get it on the road)
Would prefer both front and rear if possible but at a stretch just the front would be great . Spoke to the guys at vintage see dub and they seemed to think that you need a set of 76 beetle brackets for the front and they weren't sure about the rears .
just wondering if anyone had any experience with this . thanks ,Will

beetleboyjeff Custom Title Time!

1,790 posts · joined Feb 2009 ·

#1039307
If you have a good Autobarn store (many others can probably do it too), get them to look up the Klippan brand seat belts - they had them for my 75 beetle, and I think they would be similar for your type 3. The only thing they may not have is the bottom bracket, but I could post a photo if you need to get it made, it is fairly simple.
From your ole' mate Jeff

pv370 Officially Full-On Dubber

272 posts · joined Apr 2014 ·

#1039308
Hey Will, looking forward to seeing some pics of the car.................

Cheers Peter

MeppW Learner Dubber

15 posts · joined Jul 2016 ·

#1039312
Pete, Got a lot of the resto, Will put some up soon .
Windscreen and tiny bit under battery were the only rust to deal with . She's looking good!

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MeppW Learner Dubber

15 posts · joined Jul 2016 ·

#1039313
Jeff, thanks for the info . I can get the belts , looking to get with webbing that matches seat upholstery . Its the bottom brackets I need . If you have some pics of yours that would be great , thanks , Will

binner Fahrvergnugen

981 posts · joined Jan 2010 ·

#1039314
vwheritage has it all, all colors too I think...
71 SQ

beetleboyjeff Custom Title Time!

1,790 posts · joined Feb 2009 ·

#1039317
MeppW wrote:Jeff, thanks for the info . I can get the belts , looking to get with webbing that matches seat upholstery . Its the bottom brackets I need . If you have some pics of yours that would be great , thanks , Will
The bottom brackets for a later beetle look like this. They basically turn the mount 90 degrees so the inertia reel is running the correct direction

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From your ole' mate Jeff

beetleboyjeff Custom Title Time!

1,790 posts · joined Feb 2009 ·

#1039318
beetleboyjeff wrote:
MeppW wrote:Jeff, thanks for the info . I can get the belts , looking to get with webbing that matches seat upholstery . Its the bottom brackets I need . If you have some pics of yours that would be great , thanks , Will
The bottom brackets for a later beetle look like this. They basically turn the mount 90 degrees so the inertia reel is running the correct direction
..... and this is what the reel looks like mounted in a late beetle

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From your ole' mate Jeff

wombatventures Wolfsburg Wizard

680 posts · joined Feb 2013 ·

#1039321
Now the $64 question Jeff... Where do we find them?
I'd like some for the Notch and the Square as well.
DUBS BY THE RIVER 2021 Morgan SA - Sept 18-19 2021

Currently suffering from delusions of sanity!

beetleboyjeff Custom Title Time!

1,790 posts · joined Feb 2009 ·

#1039324
They wouldn't be that hard to have made out of a piece of angle. If you need, I could take mine off and make a template of them for you.
From your ole' mate Jeff

MeppW Learner Dubber

15 posts · joined Jul 2016 ·

#1039331
Jeff , If that would not be too much trouble , that would be great , Thanks , Will

pv370 Officially Full-On Dubber

272 posts · joined Apr 2014 ·

#1039333
looking great Will..............
give me a call if you need any bits as i still have the graveyard.........
cheers Peter

beetleboyjeff Custom Title Time!

1,790 posts · joined Feb 2009 ·

#1039338
MeppW wrote:Jeff , If that would not be too much trouble , that would be great , Thanks , Will
I will try and do it tomorrow evening
From your ole' mate Jeff

wombatventures Wolfsburg Wizard

680 posts · joined Feb 2013 ·

#1039341
Legend as always.
Got tonnes of heavy duty angle here... well maybe just a few bits but still.
Dimensioned plan would work great and can then make a template.
👍👍
DUBS BY THE RIVER 2021 Morgan SA - Sept 18-19 2021

Currently suffering from delusions of sanity!

beetleboyjeff Custom Title Time!

1,790 posts · joined Feb 2009 ·

#1039348
beetleboyjeff wrote:
MeppW wrote:Jeff , If that would not be too much trouble , that would be great , Thanks , Will
I will try and do it tomorrow evening
Sorry about the extra day - I forgot I had a sailing club meeting last night.

Here is a PDF file I have scanned of the drawing I made when I traced the brackets and put measurements on it. The bracket is 3mm thick, and is out of 60 x 45 angle, although I doubt this is critical.

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From your ole' mate Jeff

beetleboyjeff Custom Title Time!

1,790 posts · joined Feb 2009 ·

#1039349
beetleboyjeff wrote:
beetleboyjeff wrote:
MeppW wrote:Jeff , If that would not be too much trouble , that would be great , Thanks , Will
I will try and do it tomorrow evening
Sorry about the extra day - I forgot I had a sailing club meeting last night.

Here is a PDF file I have scanned of the drawing I made when I traced the brackets and put measurements on it. The bracket is 3mm thick, and is out of 60 x 45 angle, although I doubt this is critical.
I also have 2 photos of the drawing with the bracket sitting on it to help orientate it, as well as the brand and part number that is stamped into it, if that is any help. There is also a spike that goes into a small hole above the seat belt bolt hole in the bottom of the B pillar, which I assume is to keep the reel level with the car - I am not sure how necessary this would be. Don't forget that this is the left hand side - the right hand side is mirror reversed as in the original photos I posted.

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From your ole' mate Jeff

Calcool Fahrvergnugen

965 posts · joined May 2005 ·

#1040609
I put retractable seat belts in my Karmann Ghia years ago I used the front seat belt brackets from a 70s Kombi and mounted them thru the floor. There are local seat belt suppliers who will make them to colour side and length as well as Australian compliant

MeppW Learner Dubber

15 posts · joined Jul 2016 ·

#1040897
Thanks guys for the responses . Got the brackets from CIP and Boris at Vintage Veedub had the belts made . Small thing but a lot more convenient!