[alfa] RE: GTV Rear Seatbelts, Sources and Advice Sought

[Mark Battley <M.Battley@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Hutson,

For simple fixed belts or a retractor mounted on top of the rear shelf there
should be no modifications needed to the seats. All you need to do is to cut
a small hole through the rear shelf for the mounting bolt, and a similar
hole in the vinyl at the lower outer mount. This attachment point is hidden
by the seat base when it's in place.

Your idea for putting the reel inside the boot would be tidy, however it
would need reinforcement and some type of roller where the belt comes out of
the slot. Where I work used to test modified seat belt mounting points, I
saw some scary stuff when things failed. I'm a fan of using the factory
mounts if at all possible.

The retractor is slightly obtrusive visually when mounted at the upper front
mounting point, but works well.

Mark.


-----Original Message-----
From: J. Hutson Hart [mailto:hutsonhart@domain.elided] 
Sent: Monday, 15 November 2004 1:27 p.m.
To: Mark Battley; alfa@domain.elided
Subject: Re: GTV Rear Seatbelts, Sources and Advice Sought


Hello Mark,

This is really awesome assistance, thanks very much.  I've been poking
around and staring at what's behind/under the seats and your detailed
explanation sheds needed light on the subject.  My intent is to get
the design and components all set and clear in my mind, and then have
a local upholsterer do the work and make whatever mods are needed to
the seats themselves.

I'm thinking 3-point static belts for the kids would be fine, unless I
can find a clean way to hide the retractor units.  It occurs to me
that I could mimic what some modern Bimmers do, and mount dual
retractors back behind the trunk wall, at the _inside_ shoulder,
feeding the belt thorugh a slot at the top of the seat back, with just
a receptacle anchor at the outboard position.  That way, when
retracted, the belts would sit flush vertically up the seat back on
either side.  What do you think about that?

I also like what you say about the retractor position for the front
belts too, as I have been vexed by the wrong-ish angling of the
retractors mounted on the floor/sill.

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