Seat belts and rock n roll beds

[Tazzidevil63]

Hello all,

Iv looked before posting and Iv also been to my local vw specialist.
When I went to see the vw guys (they look after my club vehicles etc) about 3 point seat belts and rock n roll beds I was informed that you shouldn't and they wouldn't fit 3 pointers to a panel van conversion as the inner skin isn't strong or secure enough to withstand an accident. It's made me question everything as I want my van to be safe and his argument was pretty persuasive on why not to. I dont feel confident enough to fit them and I'm willing to pay to have them fitted professionally. I was also informed my wooden bed frame with r&r hinges probably wouldn't hold either, I am already considering a new bed anyway as I struggle with mine due to my buggered back.

Can anyone guide me in some way about whether hes correct or on a bed? I don't have an engine box and it currently site on ply wood over the engine and I'm not sure I want an engine box as my rear cupboard sits slightly over the engine lid and I have to slide it out already.

Thanks in advance and I'm sorry if it's already been posted and Iv missed it. I just need a little help and guidance so I can get my van habitable

[CovKid]

People can and do. You just have to make sure spreader plates are fitted with any seat belt mounting point. I recently needed to move my drivers seat belt up by 8" to clear a cupboard. I just drilled a fresh hole, put a 2" x 2" plate behind and bolted through that. Job done.

[metulmick8y]

Hi , your guys are talking rubbish,ad cc says you fit a spreader plate on the vent side and puddle weld through from the inside , it requires next to zero skill , the bed/ seat is inconsequential as its not a fxing point nor should it be,the nature of the rr beds is i think that the sitting position height determines the bed height so to have it flat to the engine lid would require you to sit with your knees under the chin lol,we spoke in the phone about thus the other week I think, as fir seat safety , well its purely for sitting on,pm if you need more info
mm

[silverbullet]

FWIW, all T3's whether buses or vans are built the same. If you look at the inner skin of the D post of a panel van you will find two dimples about 60-70mm apart. These are the locators for the seat belt nut plate fitted to buses (the plate has a small notch each end)
All you need to do is make the hole for the bolt to pass through.

[metulmick8y]

Sorry were both wrong. . The vw specialist says no
mm

[nesty]

My rear seat belts are anchored firstly to the floor (the flappy click in bits) then the upper parts interia are bolted to 2 steel pole struts running from the floor to the ceiling in my hodsworth. Previous owner done them, but have no issue at all with MOT's etc. Seems a very secure system.