How fit lapbelts

[Sir Brixalot]

Had started this on general forum but thought it might be better here.
Need lapbelts fitted for baby seats but large water tank is in the way of the sloping side where mounts are fitted. I have had photo's of Autohomes conversion and whilst tank layout is similar the Autohome conversion has the mountings pre drilled on the flat part behind the tank. I was wondering how big the seatbelts mountings are because the prefitted holes are only about an inch below the top of the tank. Can water tanks be heated and manipulated to give more access
If not possible will take lloydys advice and get new holes drilled.
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab35 ... 070648.jpg
http://s879.photobucket.com/albums/ab35 ... 070656.jpg
http://s879.photobucket.com/albums/ab35 ... 070650.jpg

[simple]

Had exactly the same problem when I did mine, have fitted 3 pointers, only way was to remove tank. Only way I found to remove tank was to remove some of the units on the kitchen side .
To be honest as it is winter you may as well do what I did, remove the lot, get rid of the nasty 'loft insulation' in the cavities, clean out the seams from the inside, cure any rust you find, rustoleum, waxoil, & whatever else you want to throw at the inside, re insulate with foil backed bubble wrap & put it all back together again.

I know this sounds horrendous but you will not regret this approach if you intend keeping your van.

If you are unsure about the van & just want belts so you can take the family away and use the van a.s.a.p. then quickest & easiest, cut the tank out and shove the lot in recycling bin.

Good Luck

[1664]

I'd leave the tank and drill new holes with reinforcing plates behind as per Autohomes. Even if you could get at the existing points (are you sure they're for seatbelts?), they will probably be too far forward as the ideal point is the join where the rear seat bum bit and the rear seat back bit meet.

[simple]

Yes they are belt points, I have done exactly this on my van. With the autohomes rear bed my belt come up and around, works well. When I did mine I couldn't see the point in adding seat belt mounts when the originals were all there. I have since removed tank yet again and installed factory 3 pointers as my kids are older and no longer need kiddy seats.

If your vans a keeper I would still recommend going the long way round as I have previously suggested. It's a winter project and you can camp next year safe in the knowledge that the internal rot has been abated by treating internal panels and all the rockwool is removed reducing condensation adding to the rot.

If you have the original Autohomes buddy seat you could use that and the front seat for the kids if you're itching to get away.

[Sir Brixalot]

Yes they are belt points, I have done exactly this on my van. With the autohomes rear bed my belt come up and around, works well. When I did mine I couldn't see the point in adding seat belt mounts when the originals were all there. I have since removed tank yet again and installed factory 3 pointers as my kids are older and no longer need kiddy seats.

If your vans a keeper I would still recommend going the long way round as I have previously suggested. It's a winter project and you can camp next year safe in the knowledge that the internal rot has been abated by treating internal panels and all the rockwool is removed reducing condensation adding to the rot.

If you have the original Autohomes buddy seat you could use that and the front seat for the kids if you're itching to get away.

My elder kid is just under 14kilos and her car seat is ok with a lap belt until she reaches 18kilos, just researching whether any of the bigger seats are ok with lap belt only. Had a quote for £350 for fitting two 3 pointers which seems a bit steep will call around next week for others. I think I'll keep the van from getting worse and improve watertighting rather than full upgrade

[simple]

£350 is a bit steep. All the belt mountings are there if your's is an early Autohomes like mine, it's not really that hard a job. I fitted mine the way VW did with the retractors behind the rear panels but a mate fitted his with the retractors bolted to the rear top fixing.

I am in London SE8 if you need a bit of advice your welcome to pop round some time and I can point you in the right direction. I think I have some spare transit 3 pointers which are a bit longer than most car ones (to accommodate fat builders).

The kitchen side is a couple of cupboards out, the sink & kitchen can stay. Once thats out the water tank lifts clear, the rear seat needs removing to access other mounting points lower down.

It's only wood and screws and I have a good knowledge of where the belt anchors are located so can probably get to them with minimal messing of the side panels.

Let me know.

[Sir Brixalot]

£350 is a bit steep. All the belt mountings are there if your's is an early Autohomes like mine, it's not really that hard a job. I fitted mine the way VW did with the retractors behind the rear panels but a mate fitted his with the retractors bolted to the rear top fixing.

I am in London SE8 if you need a bit of advice your welcome to pop round some time and I can point you in the right direction. I think I have some spare transhite 3 pointers which are a bit longer than most car ones (to accommodate fat builders).

The kitchen side is a couple of cupboards out, the sink & kitchen can stay. Once thats out the water tank lifts clear, the rear seat needs removing to access other mounting points lower down.

It's only wood and screws and I have a good knowledge of where the belt anchors are located so can probably get to them with minimal messing of the side panels.

Let me know.

I saw this on another post. Is this how your mate got round it? Looks a bit weird and wondering how safe it would be. Bit unsure about losing tank and units unless no other way round it
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/download/file.php?id=477

[simple]

No that is deffinately not how it was done. If your van has the mounts (which I think it does looking at the mounts on the engine slope) then the rear ones are in the boot beneath the side panels.
The furniture & tank will come out, it's not too hard and once the belts are in it can all be put back as was.

My original reply was merely a suggestion that while it's out it may be a good idea to tackle the insulation & any rustly seams. I didn't mean to sound so negative