Middle Seatbelts

[redmond]

Anyone replace the middle seat belts (for the two captain's chairs)? I have 3 boys in car seats and the seat belts in the middle do not lock (ratchet-style). A friend who also has a deli had his daughter call to him from the floor... still in her car seat - the car seat just slid right off the captain chair!

[lost1]

I tried to replace them, but in the end I just went and bought those ratchet type tie-downs and hooked them to the most solid part under the seat. The are rated for several hundred pounds and can be unclicked with some hassle. They cost almost nothing

[Mystery Machine]

Are you captians seats the 'lap belt' type??

If so, I'll see if I can get you some ratchet ones (full 3 point) next time I come across an L300 being broken for spares....

Regards,

Bruce.

[redmond]

Thanks guys, I'm heading out to look for options today - let me know what you find Bruce - really appreciate this site!

[redmond]

Thanks guys, I'm heading out to look for options today - let me know what you find Bruce - really appreciate this site!

[Kuan]

Any luck finding a solution to the seatbelts??

I just bought a Delica and noticed the same thing with the belts. Pretty useless, even for an adult. I am talking about the lap belts here. There doesn't seem to be any stopping mechanism on any of them.

I have one son in a car seat and we have a baby due in March. Need to sort it out quick.

Anyone suggestions welcom.

Kuan

[Jungle Jon]

Hi Kuan, and welcome to the site.
Here's what I did for my car seat install, once I discovered that the captain's chairs weren't suitable.
Note: this is what worked for me, and not to be construed as advice. If in doubt, consult a qualified engineer. [/end_disclaimer] :)
For daily use, I put the car seat in the middle of the rear bench, and used the locking clip that comes with the car seat to hold the belt from slipping. I found that reclining the seat back made clipping the seatbelt in easier, and when the seat was straightened up, the car seat was quite held in place very snug. For the over-the-seat anchor I took a length of 3/8" Spectra core rope (higher tensile strength than steel, used for climbing anchors/accessories, etc.) and looped it over the internal frame of the rear bench, on the bar that runs front to back. MAKE SURE YOU DON'T LOOP IT AROUND THE SEAT RELEASE BAR! The internal frame is not visible when looking at the back, and the rope would need to be fished through the spot where the upholstery meets the material on the underside of the bench seat to go over the frame. I used a double-fisherman's knot to join the ends, then clipped the anchor to the rope and tightened.
Another time, we were going on a camping trip and needed to fold up the rear bench to get extra space for gear. I ended up putting the car seat in the front passenger seat, using the locking clip to hold the belt from slipping. I drilled a hole in the back wall of the engine compartment (behind the battery) and installed the anchor kit that came with the car seat. I cut a small slit cut in the carpet let the anchor peek through so there is enough to clip to, but so it's not sticking out and catching on things.
Cheers,
Jon

[Kuan]

Jungle Jon!

Many thanks for the detailed description and I totally understand the disclaimer!

I have my son up front now and he's loving it. Its going to be hard to get him to move to the back!

Kuan

[Jungle Jon]

No worries Kuan,

I know what you mean, my boy loved being up front with me too. Got a few double takes from other drivers when they see a 2 year old where they would expect the driver to be. :lol:

Forgot to mention, I had read on MDOCUK about someone getting a cinch-up type seatbelt from the wreckers to replace the inertial locking types in the captains chairs. I had bought a replacement belt from AutoValue but never got around to putting it in yet.

Jon

PS. Checked out your site, amazing photos!

[biozach]

When the captain's chairs are in the forward facing position, are the 3-point belts on the sidewalls not suitable for a car seat? Mine are ratcheting and seem to work fine. My lapbelts are another story.

[redmond]

I took the covers off the belt clips and the mechanism will work (with inertia) - slight change in motion and it locks. So if you're testing the belt by yanking with a jerk, that won't lock it - the vehicle needs to change motion and it will lock up. Still... for the kids I use the rear bench and the front passenger. BTW great tip for the anchors - thanks!

[39Ronin]

My wife emailed Mitsubishi Japan about the seatbelts not locking up and they replied that they only lock up under heavy breaking situations. I would post the original email from them but unless you guys all read Japanese then I guess there is no point.

[Mystery Machine]

Do you guys wanna check out HERE for initial details of a COMPLETE 'newer model' seat belt system that I have got for sale....

I'll get some photos up as soon as the kit is all out of the vehicle....

Regards,

Bruce.

[Gyaku]

This thread may be dead.....

But,

Has anyone managed to retrofit Shoulder/Lap belts? I have two lil'ens in boosters and none of my middle or back seats have shoulder belts. Does the 90 Delica Super Exceed even have the upper anchors or will I have to drill them (ugh)?

What solution have people been using?

Thanks

David

[torchard]

I think someone mentions that the holes are in the posts behind the panels.

I recently replaced the stock interia type lap belts with ratchet type retractable units. See them here http://wescoperformance.stores.yahoo.net/resebe.html

See my post here viewtopic.php?f=10&t=722&hilit=

BTW Westcoperformance also sells a six point seatbelt for kids which is intended to mount in the centre position of a bench seat. It has dual shoulder straps much like the belt set up on a childseat. See it at http://wescoperformance.stores.yahoo.net/am4point.html.

I may get this when the younger ankle-biter is out of his child seat.

--T