Date: Tue, 21 Apr 2009 23:27:44 -0400
Reply-To: Chris S <szpejankowski@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Chris S <szpejankowski@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Adding a baby seat to my Westfalia
In-Reply-To: <1CB4F185-E47C-42FB-BE6A-B6D256925EB6@mts.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Jeff,
Double-check me, but I don't think using automatic seatbelts with a
baby seat is recommended. I specifically remember that Graco said
only static manual belts were ok. Automatic belts do not hold enough
tension.
On 4/21/09, Jeff Palmer <jpalmer@mts.net> wrote:
> Thanks Ron. I think you have the same part number twice. The 3 point
> belt for the drivers side should be
> http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=253857815D
>
> So at best I can only have a 3 seater Westfalia with 3 point belts?
> How did the factory do it?
>
> I don't suppose any single or double 'middle' seats can be adapted
> with 3 point belts in a Westfalia?
>
> Thanks
> Jeff
>
> On 21-Apr-09, at 8:04 AM, The Bus Depot wrote:
>
>>> My 85 Westfalia only has lap belts, not 3 point belts
>>> although i would like to add those at some point.
>>
>> VW offered 3-point rear seatbelts for the Vanagon, and made the
>> passenger
>> side available as a retrofit for the VW Camper. (You can do the
>> driver side
>> too if you want to put a hole in your wardrobe cabinet.) Years ago I
>> installed a passenger side one for my daughter's front-facing car
>> seat. Now
>> she's 10 and I still feel much better having a 3-point belt for her
>> instead
>> of just a lap belt.
>>
>> The VW kit uses the stock mounting points that are already welded to
>> your
>> van under the panel. Because it is factory engineered for this
>> specific
>> mounting point in this specific vehicle, , I feel safer with it than
>> with an
>> aftermarket kit that has not actually been crash tested. Factory
>> instructions are included, and the installation is easy since the
>> factory
>> mounts for it are already there. If you plan to add 3 point belts in
>> the
>> future my advice would be to do it soon. VW is discontinuing Vanagon
>> parts
>> at a fast clip, and all it would take would be for a single piece in
>> the
>> mounting kit to go obsolete and then you could no longer do the
>> factory
>> retrofit. Here is what you will need:
>>
>> http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=253857816D (3 point belt
>> only -
>> passenger side)
>>
>> http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=253857816D (3 point belt
>> only -
>> drivers side)
>>
>> http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=253857749D (buckle
>> section - only
>> needed if installing in 1980-84)
>>
>> http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=253857816KIT (parts kit &
>> instructions, does 1 side)
>>
>> - Ron Salmon
>> The Bus Depot, Inc.
>> www.busdepot.com
>> (215) 234-VWVW
>>
>> _____________________________________________
>> Toll-Free for Orders by PART # : 1-866-BUS-DEPOT
>
--
Sent from my mobile device
Chris S.
Disclaimer: "Death and serious injury may occur"
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