Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2012 18:32:53 -0500
Reply-To: mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject: Re: 3 point seatbelts in rear seat of a 89 Carat/Wolfsberg
In-Reply-To: <CAHtJhYOniqMmbhLbpjFeidpfjkj4o8e0a1kJXaTPB19xKaq7gA@mail.gmail.com>
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Thanks Mark. I have not removed the 3 point belts, and after you reminded me of the problems with lap belts being problematic because of adjustment problems, I realized why i put them in in the first place. The problem with the left hand side belt is not really serious. One just has to make sure that it moves freely without closet contents interfering. If that happens, it is bothersome to the person strapped in place. It can interfere with dropping the seat back to make the bed down, too, for the same reason.
I would advise anyone removing the lap belts (or any belts) and reinstalling to take great care so as not to damage threads that have had a bolt in them for a couple of decades or more. They are quite stubborn. I damaged the threads in one tap, and had to obtain a new hardened bolt and a hardened washer and nut to install instead. Someone at the time advised me to retap the hole and use a slightly larger bolt, but I was concerned about weakening the anchor point by removing material. David Beirl and Lucas at GoWesty were both very helpful in providing advice and encouragement at getting this job done properly and for a safe installment.
Seat belts are not a thing to have fail when needed!!
---- Mark Tuovinen <aksyncronaut@gmail.com> wrote:
> David you are correct that running the LH belt through the wardrobe cabinet
> is not without issues but even though there is nothing in front of the rear
> seat for a passenger to hit a lap belt alone is as if not more dangerous
> than no belt at all. If the lap belt does not catch the hips it can easily
> cause more damage by crushing internal organs than might occur without a
> belt. I installed a factory three point on the passenger side of our van
> so that we at least have three seats with shoulder belts. I have not put
> one on the drivers side yet due to the issues you mention but may yet as
> safety comes first.
>
> Mark in AK
> `87 Westy Syncro
>
> On Thu, Oct 25, 2012 at 8:01 AM, Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:
>
> > I put them in my 1991 Volkswagen Vanagon GL Campmobile. There are anchor
> > points in the bulkhead on each side of the area behind the seat. On the
> > right side one only has to remove a bolt from the bulkhead, and anchor the
> > reel for the shoulder belt at that point. On the left, if you have a
> > camper, you have to do some modifications to the cabinet, and run the
> > shoulder belt through openings created there, then anchor the reel
> > similarly.
> >
> > GoWesty provides excellent instructions with the belts. In retrospect, I
> > am not sure I improved safety by putting them in. There is nothing in
> > front of the rear bench seat for a passenger to hit if properly anchored
> > with a lap belt. And, the anchor bolts for the lap belt are in the body
> > behind the underseat storage compartment. They have been there for many
> > years, and it is easy to damage the threads in an attempt to remove them
> > and replace them. Finally, the left side belt, that runs through the
> > cabinet, hangs easily, especially if one is not very careful with what he
> > puts in the "closet" to make sure it does not interfere with the belt.
> >
> > I personally would not put the 3 point belts in again.
> >
> > mcneely
> >
> > ---- Harry Hoffman <hhoffman@IP-SOLUTIONS.NET> wrote:
> > > Hi All,
> > >
> > > I'm looking at the 3 point retractable seatbelts that GoWesty sells for
> > > the rear seats of a vanagon.
> > >
> > > In their pictures, they show the seat belt bolted behind the seat into
> > > the frame.
> > >
> > > However, on my vanagon I've got the A/C ductwork and shroud that
> > > surround that area. Has anyone put these in place on a similar setup?
> > >
> > > Cheers,
> > > Harry
> >
> > --
> > David McNeely
> >
--
David McNeely
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