Date:         Sat, 27 Oct 2012 12:07:17 -0800
Reply-To:     Mark Tuovinen <aksyncronaut@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Tuovinen <aksyncronaut@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: 3 point seatbelts in rear seat of a 89 Carat/Wolfsberg
Comments: To: mcneely4@cox.net
In-Reply-To:  <20121025120114.3HRGL.2883118.imail@eastrmwml304>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

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
>