Fitting recoil seatbelts to 62 Bug

blair62 · 11 May 2010, 8:48 pm

I'm wanting to fit recoil seatbelts to the front of the bug.
Is there any problem mounting the top bracket that the belt runs through mid way up on the B pillar ?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
At the moment the shoulder attachment point is below the rear window.

grumble · 11 May 2010, 9:26 pm

No there are tube bolts made specifically for this purpose,they are available from authorised seat belt fitting stations,they fit from the outside and butt on the inside of the panel so it doesn't crush when the bolt is tightened.The lower mounts should also be plated underneath. If you are not sure take it to the station and have the belts fitted correctly as your life may depend on it and when the job is finished get an engineers certificate to cover the modification.

squizy · 11 May 2010, 9:37 pm

What year is your bug? As there are regulations pertaining to inertia reel belts in early beetle's and B pillar strength. Only static belts can be used in early beetle's.

zayus · 13 May 2010, 11:53 am

What year is your bug? As there are regulations pertaining to inertia reel belts in early beetle's and B pillar strength. Only static belts can be used in early beetle's.

Why only static belts?

Thanks

squizy · 13 May 2010, 12:22 pm

Because the B pillars of early Beetles are not strong enough for inertia reel strain. There's a couple of thread on this, also check with your local seat belt installer. They will also mention the same thing, as they will only install something that meets engineering guidelines (again - only if you've got an early Beetle.

blair62 · 14 May 2010, 7:48 pm

Thanks for your input.
Will check out with an installer what will be ok for my 1962 bug
Regards Blair

psimitar · 15 May 2010, 4:24 pm

squizy wrote:What year is your bug? As there are regulations pertaining to inertia reel belts in early beetle's and B pillar strength. Only static belts can be used in early beetle's.

You can fit inertia belts so long as you use a spreader plate of >= to 3750mm2. Thind with the Beetle is getting the plate into the B pillar without cutting the metal where the mount needs to be too much.

Best way is to cut a slot where the seat belt bolt goes and slide the plate up and then back down and spot weld in position or goes from the ouytside and then have to dress the area you cut out 😉