non-retractable 3-point seat belts

356 Porsche-related discussions and questions.
Message
Author
Mark Dinsdale
356 Fan
Posts: 178
Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2020 12:33 am
Location: Reno, NV

Re: non-retractable 3-point seat belts

#31 Post by Mark Dinsdale »

Thanks Mike

User avatar
Mike Wilson
Classifieds Monitor
Posts: 11492
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:37 pm
Location: SW Los Angeles

Re: non-retractable 3-point seat belts

#32 Post by Mike Wilson »

Glad to be of help, Mark.

Mike
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

User avatar
Martin Benade
356 Fan
Posts: 12194
Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:52 am
Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Re: non-retractable 3-point seat belts

#33 Post by Martin Benade »

If you are putting retractable belts in, substitute the U bolt for a regular bolt and a large washer.
Cleveland Ohio
62 Cabriolet
56 VW
02 IS 300
04 Sienna

Mark Dinsdale
356 Fan
Posts: 178
Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2020 12:33 am
Location: Reno, NV

Re: non-retractable 3-point seat belts

#34 Post by Mark Dinsdale »

I want to fit retractable belts, I know it’s not original and they will not offer new car safety but I just don’t feel comfortable fitting lap belts.

It’s important to feel comfortable about driving the car.

User avatar
Mike Wilson
Classifieds Monitor
Posts: 11492
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:37 pm
Location: SW Los Angeles

Re: non-retractable 3-point seat belts

#35 Post by Mike Wilson »

Good point, Mark. The 3-point does give an extra margin of safety. I received my new 3-point retractable seat belts from Seat Belt Planet yesterday but it has been too dang hot to work on the car. Hopefully tomorrow and I'll post pics.

Mike
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

Mark Dinsdale
356 Fan
Posts: 178
Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2020 12:33 am
Location: Reno, NV

Re: non-retractable 3-point seat belts

#36 Post by Mark Dinsdale »

Great, thanks. I have just ordered mine from Seat Belt planet.

Steve Douglas
356 Fan
Posts: 1109
Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:49 pm
Location: Gilroy, CA

Re: non-retractable 3-point seat belts

#37 Post by Steve Douglas »

IMG_1839.jpeg
On my 59 A I drilled a hole thru the inner fender well, used a ginormous washer on the outside. the bolt center is 24" from the front edge of the garnish top molding. I had installed a set of non-retractable belts from Diest which worked well, but I couldn't reach the parking brake without loosening the top belt. I got the retractable from Seat Belt Planet and the work well

User avatar
Mike Wilson
Classifieds Monitor
Posts: 11492
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:37 pm
Location: SW Los Angeles

Re: non-retractable 3-point seat belts

#38 Post by Mike Wilson »

I received my retractable belts from Seat Belt Planet on Saturday. It finally cooled down a bit today so I could look into installing them. I've hit a minor snag. The female buckle is on a cable and to attach it in the factory location, an additional L bracket is needed to orient it correctly which SBP provided. The problem is the L bracket is too long and hits the tunnel preventing attachment. So I think I can shorten the bracket to fit or try to find another one keeping in mind that this a vital component of the seat belt system. I'll keep you posted.

Mike
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

User avatar
Martin Benade
356 Fan
Posts: 12194
Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:52 am
Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Re: non-retractable 3-point seat belts

#39 Post by Martin Benade »

You can’t curve the cable to go directly onto the floor mount? You could verify with the seller that this would be strong, I think it would.
Cleveland Ohio
62 Cabriolet
56 VW
02 IS 300
04 Sienna

User avatar
Mike Wilson
Classifieds Monitor
Posts: 11492
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:37 pm
Location: SW Los Angeles

Re: non-retractable 3-point seat belts

#40 Post by Mike Wilson »

The cable appears to have "memory" and the hardware is flat so the mounting angle is off. I'll take a pic of the seat belt cabled bracket and L bracket.

Mike
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

User avatar
Martin Benade
356 Fan
Posts: 12194
Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:52 am
Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Re: non-retractable 3-point seat belts

#41 Post by Martin Benade »

I think it you put the cable in a vice it could be somewhat bent.
Cleveland Ohio
62 Cabriolet
56 VW
02 IS 300
04 Sienna

User avatar
Mike Wilson
Classifieds Monitor
Posts: 11492
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:37 pm
Location: SW Los Angeles

Re: non-retractable 3-point seat belts

#42 Post by Mike Wilson »

Good thought, Martin. I'll explore that option as well. Thanks!

Mike
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

User avatar
Mike Wilson
Classifieds Monitor
Posts: 11492
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:37 pm
Location: SW Los Angeles

Re: non-retractable 3-point seat belts

#43 Post by Mike Wilson »

The cable as you can see is very thick and probably braided. When flexed, it returns to straight. The other pics show how it should be installed with the correct orientation with the related parts. I was thinking about reducing the size of the angle bracket so it will fit against the tunnel. I don't think I can bend the flat end of the cable to 90*. If I could, the angle bracket is unnecessary.

The best solution would be to mount the cabled buckle either on the tunnel or underneath the rear seats with reinforcing behind them. Either location would still require the angle brackets, but I don't want to drill any extra holes.

Mike

Update: the angle bracket provided is too wide to fit between the factory anchor point and the side of the tunnel so I'll fabricate a high strength angle to fit. I also need longer anchor bolts so they can be nutted on the underside.
Attachments
C9DD16F1-2696-4EE5-81EF-95821DE8B01E.jpeg
100EFA48-160D-407E-8360-E7C287C34280.jpeg
55EABFB9-6535-406F-88E9-C3C0D5024C92.jpeg
Last edited by Mike Wilson on Wed Sep 07, 2022 1:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

Michael C Baldwin
356 Fan
Posts: 20
Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2020 4:04 pm
Location: AZ

Re: non-retractable 3-point seat belts

#44 Post by Michael C Baldwin »

We pulled back the upholstery and there was no mount in the place indicated in Porsche documentation on both R&L sides. Literature stated that early '64's may not have the fitting. The metal appeared heavy enough to support the sholder strap, so we installed the 3-point harness. It's just fine, no problems.

User avatar
Martin Benade
356 Fan
Posts: 12194
Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:52 am
Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Re: non-retractable 3-point seat belts

#45 Post by Martin Benade »

I thought that was well past the start date for the mounts.
Cleveland Ohio
62 Cabriolet
56 VW
02 IS 300
04 Sienna

Post Reply