retrofit shoulder belts - what about the panels?

[torchard]

Another oft discussed topic...

Please confirm that if I want to convert to shoulder belts I would have to replace the panels also in order to accomodate the spool. Has anyone done this yet? Thanks.

--Todd

[MardyDelica]

hi, you just have to take it out & find the righthole on it,
mostly it has a spare hole in there inside when you take out the cover.
it will be a direct fit.
you can make it, just take a little bit of your time & your be o.k.
cheers:

[torchard]

Thanks. I understand that the mounts are behind the trim, so that should be pretty straightforward, but aren't the interior panels different i.e. vans fitted for shoulder belts from the factory have different panels than those without because the spool fits behind?

--T

[Green1]

while the panels do appear to be different, it's not the shape, only the holes to let the belt through, a bit of carefull work with a drill and hack-saw should be enough I would think (of course I can't guarantee it as I only have the "old" model to check right now, so I'm just going on memory of how the shoulder belts are done)

[delicat]

There's quite a few people right now parting out Delica. Noel at Enviroimports comes to mind (from recent post) and Glen at CCAutos usually has a few as well. They might be able to get you the actual panels... don't know for sure but worth a try!

Good luck.

[torchard]

It appears the spool is behind the smaller carpeted panel located at the floor behind the wheel wells, and as you say Green1, there is essentially a slot in the panel. Much nicer prospects than dealing with the full panel. I sent a note to Glen to get some specifics. Thanks.

[ccautos]

I have stripped out two vans , one with three point harnesses and one without . Although the hole is in the panels on the older van there is some substantial reinforcing panels missing from behind the outer panels . The single thin panel in the earlier vans is NOT safe to mount seat belts into without installing additional support panels inside the upright window pillars . I have cot open a van and will post pictures later of the panelling . I have heard of many people trying to retrofit seatbelts to earlier vans but have not seen any complete . In the event of a hard frontal impact these retrofitted seat belts will very likely pull through the panel leaving the seat belt useless . For any additional information on this topic please call me at the shop on (250)954-2157 .

[loki]

I have stripped out two vans , one with three point harnesses and one without . Although the hole is in the panels on the older van there is some substantial reinforcing panels missing from behind the outer panels . The single thin panel in the earlier vans is NOT safe to mount seat belts into without installing additional support panels inside the upright window pillars . I have cot open a van and will post pictures later of the panelling . I have heard of many people trying to retrofit seatbelts to earlier vans but have not seen any complete . In the event of a hard frontal impact these retrofitted seat belts will very likely pull through the panel leaving the seat belt useless . For any additional information on this topic please call me at the shop on (250)954-2157 .

thanks for the important safety bulletin, I'm just glad mine came with the 3 point belts.

[Delicanadabc]

Hey

I am going to the welding shop today to fit a bolt on the window colum as there was only a whole and no factory bolt like later models. How ever there is a bolt hole for the actuall belt spool at the bottom. Once I am done I'll post some Images.

[torchard]

FYI See ccautos comments (above) about the lack of reinforcing in the non-shoulderbelt equipped vans. The issue is with the upper mounting point I believe.

[glenn]

There is an after market solution to the rear seatbelts. This has been posted here somewhere before, but here is the link.

http://wescoperformance.stores.yahoo.net/am4point.html

I haven't used these, but I like them because they look relatively easy to install - just one anchor tether on the floor like on a kids car seat. I also like the 4 point harness. I was interested in it for my kids, I don't know if it would suit your needs, if it does there's no need to cut any panels etc.

Glenn

[torchard]

I've seen those and they look good. I bought a set of lap belts from them.

Part of my motivation was to get the belts out of the way i.e. mounted on the walls and retracting behind the panels. Oh well... I guess the next van will need to be a little newer.

My wife has been suggesting we import ourselves next time and convert to veg. Who is this woman? A few months ago she couldn't see beyond a domestic mini van. Go figure. ;)

[Erebus]

One thing to consider with the obviously aftermarket belts is that cops can hassle you. If they aren't Transport Canada approved belts they aren't acceptable. US approval probably isn't enough if a cop really wants to be a pain.

Many years ago a friend of mine installed a 4-point racing harness in his Celica -- you know, the 3- or 4-inch wide belts. One day a cop threatened to give him a ticket for not wearing his seatbelt. He was wearing the 4-point harness, not the factory belts (which were still in and functional). The cop was actually decent, acknowledged that the 4-point would be way safer, just didn't meet the legal requirements.

Something to think about.

[Gyaku]

Just wondering if anyone has considered these....

http://www.wescoperformance.com/3-point ... -door.html

I have pulled the panels off and my 91 Deli has the necessary anchor points. I agree with ccauto that they look thin. These mounting plates might work.

The only other option would be to get something like the Britax Frontier for the kids. The only problem is that they only seem to be available in the US.

David

[Mystery Machine]

Just wondering if anyone has considered these....

http://www.wescoperformance.com/3-point ... -door.html

Nice find!

I reckon with a bit of careful placement and trimming you could surface mount those and still put the panels back over the top without too much trouble.

It would save you having to drill 1.5" holes in the bodywork which I can't see as a particularly good thing when you want all the strength you can get around anchor points?

I know it's not exactly the same, but here are some photos of a mounting/anchor plate I fitted behind the rear pillar trim a few years back - it gives some idea of how 'invisible' you can make anchor plates:









Obviously this panel wouldn't support a seatbelt mounting, but the principal is the same and could be done very effectively and very easily for seatbelts. Personally I'd probably weld the plates in place, but this depends on how far you want to go to make the anchor points as safe as possible (if you're thinking of fitting 3 point belts then I reckon you know the answer to that one )

My suggestion - go for it.....it'll cost you very little and you have so much to gain!