seat belts

Post by **Ray** » 30 Dec 2006, 21:16

anybody retrofitted rear seat belts in a syncro without removing petrol tank? I am considering a angle iron across the rear of seats with fittings?
wish I had it done recently when new engine was fitted but didn,t think.

Post by **Aidan** » 30 Dec 2006, 21:56

Ray
Jon from Bristol took a middle seat rail off me to use as a brace - I don't have his contact details, but I think he may be on BusGoofs too - smokeyjon I think his user id - I have the other rail if you want it
Regards
Aidan

Post by **SyncroSam** » 31 Dec 2006, 18:20

I have.

Just be very careful drilling the holes!

Sam.

Post by **garyd** » 02 Jan 2007, 18:05

I fitted seatbelts in a syncro van many years ago when doing a camper conversion.

I welded the nuts to the spreader plates and taped them to the end of a metal bar. Working from the wheel arch and after easing out the retaining mesh, I was able to get in between the sound insulation material and the floorpan and push the plate/nut across to align it with the hole already drilled. Definitely needs an assistant! The sharp corner in the floorpan and the radius of the tank means that there is actually quite a gap right at the top.

I put a tube over the drill, leaving only 12mm clear, to ensure that it couldn't shoot forward and into the tank when it broke through the sheet metal. A piece of hose or similar is sufficient.

Hope this helps
Garyd

Post by **Ray** » 03 Jan 2007, 22:08

Thanks for the suggestions folks, I shall look at options once the weather has warmed up a bit along with all the other jobs planned!

Post by **Ray** » 03 Jan 2007, 22:09

Thanks for the suggestions guys, Iwill look at the options as soon as the weather improves!

Post by **jen** » 05 Jan 2007, 00:16

I have - DH welded plates in for me cos I was too chicken - actually caravelle seat rails as they have the correct profile - welded nuts to the rail, then welded into position with a hosepipe stuffed in between the soundproofing and the rear bulkhead metal. Devil of a job, bloody scary saying 'woah, it's all steam, hold on a minute' but not half as brave as Sam and Garyd drilling!!!

Post by **SyncroSam** » 06 Jan 2007, 08:48

As Gary said, if your drilling, cut a bit of metal tube to length, then you can't possibly go wrong, there is actually quite a lot of room there. 10 min job