Date:         Fri, 20 Mar 1998 11:19:54 EST
Reply-To:     GMBulley <GMBulley@AOL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         GMBulley <GMBulley@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Rear seat belts
Comments: To: bill@NS.ESC.STATE.NC.US, Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

In a message dated 98-03-20 09:27:38 EST, bill@NS.ESC.STATE.NC.US writes:

<< If you find any sources for belts, please post because I think the shoulder
belts would be a good idea too.

 Bill >>

Bill--

I think you could use the seatbelts & hardware from a Jetta. The bolts, etc.
would fit. HOWEVER...

The top hole is only where the belt turns from verticle to diagonal to go
across the intended accident victim. There should also be a bottom hole, which
mounts the recoil unit. This may be your current lapbelt mount on the outboard
bulkhead or bottom deck of the van. Westy wanna-be here, can't check location,
: (

VW shoulder seatbelt recoil units are typically designed to mount ONE certain
way, relative to gravity. If you use verticle units in a horizontal position
the little units think the vehicle has rolled, and won't release the belt.
(Please, don't ask why I know this).

Depending on the location/direction of the recoil unit, the Jetta units would
have long enough belts, and the correct orientation for the recoil unit. The
front units in the Jetta are verticle, the rear units are horizontal, (I
think, Sue is driving our Jetta today, I can't check). Get whichever you need.
If you get the  front ones, make sure the seatbelt "tab" fits into your
existing Van lapbelt "receiver". The receiver on the jetta is welded into the
seat frame.

Finally, if you buy your belts out of a wreck, keep in mind that seatbelts are
designed to be used once, and thrown away. They stretch in collisions, and the
small fibers break. For junkyard seatbelts, a no-occupant collision, like a-
tree-fell-on-the-car wreck is the best.

Hope this helps,

gmbulley
cary, nc