Seat belt upgrade

[d240zx2 2]

If any of you have the non-retractable seat belts in your older Z and want to upgrade to a non-intrusive retractable belt, here is some good news!

I found a roof-mount retractable that will not interfere with your seat. Works like a champ. Go to wescoperformance.com and take a look at their part number 800566 3-point retractable. $64.95 + tax and shipping. It works!

[SteveJ 1,193]

I think people will have better luck searching for WELR-N. That's what I installed in my 260Z. I also ordered the extra hardware which made it easier to install in the 11 inch sleeves in the center.

[jfa.series1 816 1 Vehicles]

+1 on the WELR-N Roadster belts with the 11" extension. Easy install and very comfortable to wear. Frank - no joy on looking up the p/n you supplied.

Jim

[d240zx2 2]

WELR-N is the right number. I was using the number off their packing list. Sorry.

[pbarcher 0]

Perfect timing on this post, because I've been considering upgrading the belts in my '73. MSA has a similar kit on sale now, but apparently theirs does not have the plastic extension that holds the buckle end.

I assume that the hardware is metric.

Peter

[SteveJ 1,193]

Perfect timing on this post, because I've been considering upgrading the belts in my '73. MSA has a similar kit on sale now, but apparently theirs does not have the plastic extension that holds the buckle end.

I put the WESCO model similar to the MSA product in my 73. I prefer the WELR-N.

I assume that the hardware is metric.

Peter

I believe there is standard hardware for seat belt mounting. I don't think it is metric. If you follow my suggestion and order the extra hardware, you'll have a better experience.

[d240zx2 2]

I used the original bolts. No hardware package. I did find it necessary to cut off about 2" of the inboard scabbard to allow for some belt twist, though. Other than that, it's a 10 minute install.

[grannyknot 1,787 2 Vehicles]

If any of you have the non-retractable seat belts in your older Z and want to upgrade to a non-intrusive retractable belt, here is some good news!

I found a roof-mount retractable that will not interfere with your seat. Works like a champ. Go to wescoperformance.com and take a look at their part number 800566 3-point retractable. $64.95 + tax and shipping. It works!

Thanks buddy, mine just arrived in the mail today, nicely put together and cheap.

[pbarcher 0]

d240zx2,

My belts have just arrived, but I haven't installed them yet. Can you elaborate on shortening the scabbard?

Peter

[SteveJ 1,193]

d240zx2,

My belts have just arrived, but I haven't installed them yet. Can you elaborate on shortening the scabbard?

Peter

There isn't a need if you ordered the extra hardware.

[d240zx2 2]

Cut about 2" off the end with the hole in it. Then slide the scabbard back over the belt and attach at the floor using the 16mm bolt. The section you'll have cut off allows the flex you'll need to point the receiver end in the right direction.

d240zx2,

My belts have just arrived, but I haven't installed them yet. Can you elaborate on shortening the scabbard?

Peter

[johnny haywire 0]

I'll take it you went with the 8" sleeve end?

I'd love to see a picture of these belts installed.

The belts in my '78 are pretty annoying, constantly cinching up and not very cooperative when putting them on. I'll assume this is corrected with these. Any increased safety aspect?

And, Frank, does this mean you have a new 240?

Cheers,

- Paul

[pbarcher 0]

Installation of the WELR 3 point belts in my 73 is driving me crazy, and I hope that someone can help. There are two problems:

1) The end that bolts to the sill has an angled mounting plate. If I bolt it to the sill with the flat part of the mount against the sill, the belt is twisted. Flipping the mount removes the twist, but it just looks wrong and isn't very secure. Anyone have a picture of how they did this?

2) I bought the mounting kit, which includes some angle brackets to mount the inboard (scabbard) receiver end. However, no matter how I install the angle brackets the receiver end is in the wrong position. I'm about to give up on this project and call it a loss. Too bad, because others have found a way to use these belts.

Thanks.

Peter

[SteveJ 1,193]

I'll see if I can take some pictures tomorrow.

[zKars 1,220]

Just because 'thread man' has to have something to say today, "official" seat belt bolts are 7/16-20 UNF grade 5. This is true of the ones in the Z.

These are the only SAE hardware in the car that I am aware of. Those 16mm heads are actually for a 5/8 wrench....

Reference from http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=571.209

They do mention that 1/2-13 and "equivalent metric" are okey dokey as well.

[SteveJ 1,193]

Installation of the WELR 3 point belts in my 73 is driving me crazy, and I hope that someone can help. There are two problems:

1) The end that bolts to the sill has an angled mounting plate. If I bolt it to the sill with the flat part of the mount against the sill, the belt is twisted. Flipping the mount removes the twist, but it just looks wrong and isn't very secure. Anyone have a picture of how they did this?

2) I bought the mounting kit, which includes some angle brackets to mount the inboard (scabbard) receiver end. However, no matter how I install the angle brackets the receiver end is in the wrong position. I'm about to give up on this project and call it a loss. Too bad, because others have found a way to use these belts.

Thanks.

Peter

Peter,

I hope these pictures help you. IIRC I mounted the bracket loosely to the floor so that the bracket could still turn. Then I ran the bolt through the receiver end and through the bracket. I tightened up the bolt through the receiver, swiveled the bracket back into place, and finished tightening the bracket to the floor.

Steve

[pbarcher 0]

Steve,

Thanks so much for those photos. I realize that my problem is that I have two layers of Dynamat on my transmission tunnel, which interferes with mounting the receiver the way that you did. I guess that I can either remove some of the insulation or cut the the scabbard and mount the receiver without the L bracket. That would be easier.

My other question concerns the mount on the sill. If I install the mount with the flat part against the sill, the belt is twisted. What did you do?

Peter

[SteveJ 1,193]

I left it with the half twist.

[Reverend 15]

I wonder is there ANY source for oem style retractors for 72? I hate these MSA belts.

[pbarcher 0]

Thanks Steve. Following your photos made the job easy and I finally got the interior finished today. The belts work very smoothly and look almost stock. I may raise the driver's seat a bit to re-position the shoulder belt, but otherwise this is a great addition and I recommend it.

Peter

[SteveJ 1,193]

You're quite welcome, Peter.

[bpilati 50 1 Vehicles]

If you have a 70 or 71 Z, you will not have the pocket in your floor well to install a retractor. This will interfere with sliding the seat back. It may be possible to mount the retractor on the retractor on the vertical part of the bulkhead behind the seat. Many retractors or inertia reels need to be mounted in a vertical orientation to lock properly.

[SteveJ 1,193]

Bryan,

The inertia reels in the WESCO belts seem to function fine when mounted on the ceiling of the vehicle. They will grab if you try to extend them too fast when putting them on, and I haven't felt like I'm going too far forward under very firm braking.

[bpilati 50 1 Vehicles]

Bryan,

The inertia reels in the WESCO belts seem to function fine when mounted on the ceiling of the vehicle. They will grab if you try to extend them too fast when putting them on, and I haven't felt like I'm going too far forward under very firm braking.

I'm not familiar with that inertia reel. If I were buying aftermarket belts, I would most certainly buy them with dual-sensing reels, that both lock up based on webbing payout speed and inertia/G loading. All new cars use this type of reel. Even with low elongation webbing, you would be amazed at how close you will get to the steering wheel in a real crash. Hopefully what you have it designed for the mounting location it is in.

On a separate note, the early 240Z belts without reels are actually better than with reels. The only purpose for reels is freedom of movement and convenience. Inertia reels do not make you safer in a crash as compared to belts that are hard mounted to the vehicle structure, as the 70 and 71 Z belts are. This is akin to race cars which do not use inertia reels.

But there is nothing wrong with adding them to your car as long as they are installed properly.

Edited June 4, 2012 by bpilati

[SteveJ 1,193]

From the Wesco Performance website:

Important Note: With all of our retractable seatbelts (* Including our Semi Truck Seat Belt), the retractor can be installed at any angle, but should be installed in a way so that the webbing (seatbelt strap) is able to exit straight out of the retractor so that it will NOT bind up. If the webbing binds, then it can cause the retractor to NOT perform as designed.