Re: Patrician seat belts

Posted by Hans Ahlness On 2015/12/3 1:23:10

You can check my project blog or look for the bit I posted in the Postwar section where I described how I mounted my retractable front belts. Not saying it is the best solution but it's what I decided on, and I am happy with the fit and finish of the installation.

I have been pondering what to do about rear seat belts, the easiest would be to do simple lap belts. But if you wanted shoulder belts I think you could fit the retract unit to the rear shelf, with some structure added underneath (inside the trunk) for strength. I'm not sure if the geometry is correct but I think it wouldn't be too tough to do the installation. Look at these belts and picture the retract unit mounted on the rear shelf with the belt feeding over the shoulder.http://wescoperformance.stores.yahoo.net/noname.html

Again, if I did this setup I'd build some strength inside the trunk, like a square steel tube across and under the shelf to bolt the units to, maybe with some vertical steel members from that tube down to the trunk floor and welded or bolted to transfer the load to the floor. Just thinking so far.

As has been pointed out, the weakest link in the back is that the seat isn't really attached to the car, so the belts would be the strongest point and the seats would tear loose easily in a crash. Belts in this case would mainly serve to keep the occupants tethered to the car to prevent ejection, which is the main killer anyway. Some injury probably would occur from the seat going with you during the impact.