

| Subject: | Re: Rear seat belts |
| From: | GMBulley |
| Date: | Fri, 20 Mar 1998 11:19:54 EST |
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
Have something to add on this topic today? Revive this thread in the forum »