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New seatbelts for 68 bug?

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pfillery Insano Dub Head

734 posts · joined Dec 2011 ·

#970829
I want some new belts as my latching button is a pain (need to push it in as you clip it) and the webbing type buckles fall down and I'm always fishing them out from beside the seats.

I have looked into retractables, a lot of VW sites say you can only fit retractables to later bugs (70's) as they get in the way. Is this correct? Where is a good place to get some nice period belts for a decent price? A couple of shops online in the USA have the nice chrome buckle and wolfsburg crest and are about $30 each for a lap sash type. I'd really prefer rigid stalks though, and my rears are relatively unused so would likely only do the fronts.

Any tips?

Danno66 Learner Dubber

12 posts · joined Jun 2013 ·

#970931
I am in a similar position - are the US ones legal over here??
Also for retractables, I have seen the bulky bit mounted under the seat next to the battery and the strap comes up beside the seat - that way your passengers don't do a face plant when exiting ...... d'oh!

pfillery Insano Dub Head

734 posts · joined Dec 2011 ·

#970948
Danno66 wrote:Also for retractables, I have seen the bulky bit mounted under the seat next to the battery and the strap comes up beside the seat
Sadly this solution would require re-engineering of the mounts because you would have to relocate the fixing point. Far too costly an option.

As far as US ones go, from what I'm told as long as they are approved in a country where we have some sort of car importation history with, ie USA, UK, Europe, Japan etc, and bear a standards mark from the manufacturer, they are fine. After all, if you buy a foreign car they don't expect you to rip out the belts and fit Aus made ones do they? The trap for the unwary is the unmarked unlabeled chinese made ones selling for $10 with free postage, technically they are for off road use only.

My main beef is the buckle part - I want rigid with a short enough stalk and not a floppy buckle. Or I'd settle for a good oem set but they aren't easy to find. Can probably pull all the belts out and drive without as the age is alright to get away with that but who would in this day and age!