Hi, has anyone fitted inertia reel seat belts to the front seats on their bug? My bug got knocked back for it's licence for frayed belts and have to fit new ones but would like to fit inertia reel if possible. Maybe there has been a thread on this before but I couldn't find any on the "search" button, the rear seat appears to interfere with belt and reel so would need a mod somehow.
annosL ·
Tried search again and success, got the info I needed, seems can be done with mounting plates or '75 or later mounts and belts.
Bizarre ·
74 onwards came with inertia reel
You can buy new ones
There is a repco model number listed here some where
This is an engineer required modification if that concerns you
annosL ·
Thanks Bizarre, I guessed it would need engineer approval, mine's 73, if the new belts/adaptor plates are ADR approved would that be OK do you think?
colonel mustard ·
cip1 have them. 🙂 i noticed them the other day whilst browsing 🙂
annosL ·
Tanks🙂
RodPenrose ·
I have the replacement retractable seat belts to suit front only as well as the mounting plates to suit priced @ $ 236 pr , ROD , 02-42729920
squizy ·
Because of the year of your bug, you can only legally install static belts. You will need engineering requirements and stengthening to run inertia reel. If anything, check with your local seatbelt installer / engineer, and they will ensure that they fit you a belt that is legal. Don't buy an inertia reel from the US until you know what it is that you can legally have.
annosL ·
Geez, I just ordered belts and mounting plates from "seat belt solutions" , Welshpool, Perth, but they are dearer than yours Rod at $290.00 pr.😠, wished I'd seen your post first, thought local would be better, sometimes ya can't win
Thanks anyway, these ones are ADR approved so I hope I have no hassles engineering wise Squizy
VWCOOL ·
squizy wrote:Because of the year of your bug, you can only legally install static belts. You will need engineering requirements and stengthening to run inertia reel. If anything, check with your local seatbelt installer / engineer, and they will ensure that they fit you a belt that is legal. Don't buy an inertia reel from the US until you know what it is that you can legally have.
Technically, that is correct as it is a 'change' to a vehicle's safety system. However, as inertias are an upgrade - and if they can be fitted to the standard unmodified anchorages - they are acceptable without engineers report
But USA may not meet ADRs so buy local
grumble ·
VWCOOL wrote:
squizy wrote:Because of the year of your bug, you can only legally install static belts. You will need engineering requirements and stengthening to run inertia reel. If anything, check with your local seatbelt installer / engineer, and they will ensure that they fit you a belt that is legal. Don't buy an inertia reel from the US until you know what it is that you can legally have.
Technically, that is correct as it is a 'change' to a vehicle's safety system. However, as inertias are an upgrade - and if they can be fitted to the standard unmodified anchorages - they are acceptable without engineers report
Sorry to differ but that is not quite what the RTA rules say in regard to modifications as by changing from a static belt to an inertia belt the amount of load is multiplied at the upper mounting point .There was a formula in the Auvis training manual when I did my training.
This has been discussed in depth previous posts,but the final decision is yours.Cheers Les
But USA may not meet ADRs so buy local
squizy ·
grumble wrote:Sorry to differ but that is not quite what the RTA rules say in regard to modifications as by changing from a static belt to an inertia belt the amount of load is multiplied at the upper mounting point .There was a formula in the Auvis training manual when I did my training.
This has been discussed in depth previous posts,but the final decision is yours.Cheers Les
Correct. This was the point I was making. If you have an early bug, and you put inertia reels in it, and you have an accident, they may give way because of the extra load placed on the mounting point.
Later model B pillars are built to withstand the extra strain of inertia reels.
I've gone through this twice now with my 59 Beetle and my HR - on both occasions they would only fit static belts to them because of this very reason.
annosL ·
Geez not easy, thanks for your advice on this, not sure which way to go now, as I have got the reels. I will fit them and see how the licence inspection goes. I understand the point about extra load on the mounting, the mounting on modern cars don't appear any beefier to my eyes but I bow to knowledge and experience.
Joel ·
this is for your Lbug?
the later 75s came with factory inertia belts and the mounts for them are identical to the old 3 point lapsash
Lbug body shells never changed start to finish other than valance and rack mounts
i would be highly surprised if you got pulled up on this one by engineers
Flintstones ·
Speak to an engineer, as they will advise what you need.
Cheers
D
zayus ·
I am always amazed when people start to talk about the seatbelts breaking away from the B pillars etc.
I imagine it would have to be a substantial accident for the the belt point to tear through the the pillar.
In such substantial accident, I would be more concerned about the entire front end of my Beetle ending up in my lap, than the seat belt point breaking!
annosL ·
Got it licensed yesterday, accepted the mod ok, just needed ADR compliance.
annosL ·
Just realised this let's my 16 year old daughter on the road in Albany with L plates in an L bug, lucky there's only 30,000 people here😂
rusty69911 ·
another Albany ite, keep a look out for our white 70 with full polished fuchs, motors is in an should be drivable in the next few weeks, Ive been saying that for 3 months...
annosL ·
I be lookin🙂
rusty69911 ·
out for a test run on sunday
needs lowering by a foot but
jjwebb123 ·
thats a nice car man.i got my seat belts from mick motors im sure they were cheaper than any prices above and work well,just had a bit of trouble getting the right bracket.love the wheels where did you pick them up?