Robin Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 Just bought a Vitesse Mk2 convertible - can anyone advise how to fit rear lap belts? Is there a company in the Herts area who could do this? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 I had an inertia reel belt made for my Vitesse Saloon rear seats by a company called Quickfitsbs in a colour to match the original blue front lap belts. They were very nicely made but didn't work properly as due to the belt reel being mounted on the parcel shelf the mechanism would snag as its supposed to as the belt ran over the top of the seat. I removed it today and am now going to order their harness variety as they can be adjusted as my 6 and 9 year olds grow. Their products are very smart though and the ability to choose webbing colour can lessen the visual impact. I imagine it may be the same in a convertible and at least each user can simply adjust to ensure a snug fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinR Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 The convertible is much more difficult to sort out compared to the saloon as the hood well gets in the way and destroys access to many of the strong points to mount the belts. I seem to recall that the Club Shop was looking at various solutions for the Herald and Vitesse convertibles, so its probably worth calling Garth at the Club HQ (01858 434424) and asking his advice - you never know, he may have an off the shelf solution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Posted August 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 Thanks Mike and Kevin - will let you know how I get on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juppy Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 Robin, I did spend some time looking into this problem, and it is a major problem in the Vitesse and Herald convertibles. If you mount the reel on the top of the diff (suitable strong mounting point in the boot) then in an accident there is no strength in the framework that the rear seat back is attached to, and the leverage and momentum of a person using the belt would flatten the seat frame which would then render the belts useless. The only way we could do it, is to put in a low level roll bar that follows the top of the seat ( to allow the hood bag and hood frame to fit as normal) and provides a strong mounting point for the reels. As there are safety implications the only way we could do this and sell them was to have a proper roll/safety cage company make them. The costs were coming out in excess of £250 not including fitting. Consequently the idea has been shelved. There is one member in N.I. who has made his own version of this solution and I am afraid his name escapes me. I am sure the engineering was well done but for liability reasons we could not offer his plans through the shop. So you are unfortunately on your own unless enough people want the safety cages solution that the cost comes down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Posted August 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 Hi Juppy Thanks for the info - I was planning to fit static rear belts, not inertia ones - do your comments still apply? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolallan Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 Hi Garth, how many people are needed to bring the cost down? It's something I've looked at in the past and I even bought some lap belts before deciding they weren't really what I wanted. I would be interested in a properly engineered solution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickmasters Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 Robin I have static lap belts in my Mk2 Convertible - I will take some photos to show how I did it 2 holes (1 each side of transmission tunnel and 1 each side in the side corners through into the wheelarch Each hole is "reinforced" with a strengthening plate - easily obtainable online - and simply bolted through Seems to do the trick Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Posted August 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 Robin I have static lap belts in my Mk2 Convertible - I will take some photos to show how I did it 2 holes (1 each side of transmission tunnel and 1 each side in the side corners through into the wheelarch Each hole is "reinforced" with a strengthening plate - easily obtainable online - and simply bolted through Seems to do the trick Mick Hi Mick Some photos would be really helpful Many thanks Robin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickmasters Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 Robin Struggling to upload photos into this message But check out Gallery in the Header Section of the forum above and you will find an album there Will need to remove a wheel to show exact location of the corner fixings which actually go through the panel above the lower rear wishbone rather than the wheelarch as I mentioned earlier - I will post an additional photo in a day or two Main point to remember is to use strengthening plates at all 4 points to avoid the bolt pulling though the panels Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Posted August 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 Robin Struggling to upload photos into this message But check out Gallery in the Header Section of the forum above and you will find an album there Will need to remove a wheel to show exact location of the corner fixings which actually go through the panel above the lower rear wishbone rather than the wheelarch as I mentioned earlier - I will post an additional photo in a day or two Main point to remember is to use strengthening plates at all 4 points to avoid the bolt pulling though the panels Mick Hi Mick Thanks for the photos Robin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickmasters Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 No problems Robin - have now added a couple more photos to the album showing fixing with wheel removed Seem to recall that its a bit fiddly with the tunnel fixings - there's not a lot of room around the propshaft but I did manage it without removing the propshaft - just be a bit careful that the bolts don't foul it Best of luck Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mishmosh Posted August 22, 2014 Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 I have Laps in both the Herald dhc and The Bond. No problems fitting them at all , just use good spreader plates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Posted August 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2014 I have Laps in both the Herald dhc and The Bond. No problems fitting them at all , just use good spreader plates. Thanks mishmosh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mishmosh Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 if you want pics, I will try and upload some ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Posted August 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Thanks mishmosh - that would be great 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Einar Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 Rear lap seat belts - see here, scroll a bit down on the site: http://vitesse.no/Garage%202005-2006.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mishmosh Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 Struggling to load pics sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Posted August 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 Rear lap seat belts - see here, scroll a bit down on the site: http://vitesse.no/Garage%202005-2006.html Thanks Einar - really helpful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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