Seatbelt extension?

[Stot]

My seatbelt saga continues. I have some proper 7 style TRS belts now but with the seats I have the lap adjuster is nearly impossible to use.

Because the lower part of the seat belt is so short, the adjuster buckle that you need to peel back to allow adjustment is trapped between the seat side and the side of the car.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cQpInI2DyeU/UfFrEZ6B3bI/AAAAAAAAGe0/1k8WpY9pwwM/w800/seatbelt2.JPG

One option is to cut out the seat belt mounts and weld them in higher/further along. This option isn't great because I have bonded the trans tunnel sides on now and the chassis is painted.

Another option would be to make up some extenders with some 3-5mm plate and bolt these in between the seat belt anchor point and the seat belt mounting hole which would give me the extra length I need.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2V6Ee1GBG9k/UfFsVK3l1lI/AAAAAAAAGfg/NiRPSf-B52k/w800/seatbelt5.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xe-7DNmXMQo/UfFrEx-H2bI/AAAAAAAAGe8/4bbSWz13YJs/w800/seatbelt4.JPG

I think this would work fine and be as safe as bolting directly to the chassis but dont know how the IVA would look at it.

Final option is to get custom made seat belts, or have these ones professionally altered so I can specify this length.

Any opinions out there?

Cheers
Stot

[PorkChop]

The ones Johno got from Prima Motorsport look really nicely made and FIA approved too.

[Stot]

They are cool but twice the cost of these ones and its only going to be a road car so I didnt want to spend that much on harnesses. I will If I have to but... :o

They have these things on ebay,

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Volkswagen-Vintage-Classic-Universal-Fitting-Car-Seat-Belt-Extender-Extension-/00/s/NzIwWDk2MA==/$T2eC16VHJHYE9nzpeDMhBQGClnN4f!~~60_12.JPG

Those wont be e marked but they work on the principal of my metal straps so I hope it might be a good solution.

Cheers
Stot

[Davidbolam]

Can you not just make a taller mount? You will have to change you side panel but at least you should have no iva worries. I am going for the same straps as johnno as the trs ones were difficult to adjust. The lap belt kept riding up to my chest on both the saturn demo car and also a caterham I got for the day ( after I kicked off to ansar ali about his sales manager who didn't take me seriously although I wanted one - money well saved!)

[deezee]

Won't the buckle/adjuster end up in the same place? If you move it forward, the belt is looser and needs tightening up more, thus putting the buckle/adjuster in the same place?

[Stot]

Won't the buckle/adjuster end up in the same place? If you move it forward, the belt is looser and needs tightening up more, thus putting the buckle/adjuster in the same place?

The adjuster buckle is the fixed point, between the adjuster and the lap buckle gets shorter.

For the sake of making a couple of metal straps Ill probably try it to see how it goes but I feel I will end up selling these ones and get some of the Prima ones made to my spec in the end.

Cheers
Stot

[Stot]

If I go with Primas Ill see if I can get them to make them so I can adjust them like this.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1nuohG2On3o/UfGS3H7KniI/AAAAAAAAGgE/OJO2paosMFY/w800/custombelts.jpg

Cheers
Stot

[davidimurray]

Try having a look at sabelts range. The have some caterham/Westfield belts that have the adjuster right up against the buckles.

[Stot]

Thanks David, the Sabaelt ones do adjust how I would need but @ £170 each. :eek:

Prima have told me they do a 'Reverse' lap fitment which is what my picture is showing. They are £107 each which is more palatable but it still irks me to have to spend that much. :rolleyes:

Cheers
Stot

[rpjg1975]

It may be worth giving vosa a call directly. I spoke to someone a while back and a technical bod rang me back when I had a couple of iva queries. Can't cost much to ask about your extension plate idea if its gonna save you a wadge of cash that could be spend elsewhere on your build?

Russ

[davidimurray]

Stot

It is worth shopping around - I bought my sabelts for £45 from a seller on ebay who at the time had loads of sets for sale a few years ago, all new.

[Stot]

It may be worth giving vosa a call directly. I spoke to someone a while back and a technical bod rang me back when I had a couple of iva queries. Can't cost much to ask about your extension plate idea if its gonna save you a wadge of cash that could be spend elsewhere on your build?

Russ

You're right but getting down to it I think it would bother me that its not an elegant solution. I think I just need to return/sell these ones and get a pair of Primas or Sabelt Clubmans ( Davids ebay ones. ;) ).

Cheers
Stot

[davidimurray]

Not quite ebay specials, but what about these http://www.sportseats4u.co.uk/sabelt-caterham-clubman-4-harness/prod_1206.html

[Stot]

I gave the tabs a quick try tonight and the belts are still a chore to adjust. Doesn't IVA say they have to adjust with one hand?:confused:

As this is my second set of cheap belts I'm not happy with I decided not to be so tight and buy a set from Prima in the end. £214 but ill bet they wont piss me off in some way!

Good deal on those Sabelts though David but I think I've gone off the Clubman style now. :rolleyes:

Cheers
Stot