71T Replacement seatbelts????

[irl]

I have a 71T that came with a non retractable setup. I have a shoulder belt but the car did not come with the lap belt section. Im looking to replace the entire belt but when I ordered one online I received a setup that also contains a rtractable component and I dont see how that can be installed without looking bad. I was also hoping to have something somewhat original looking rather than a simpson harness setup. What are my options????

[deathpunk dan]

Hi Ed

I bought a set of PEP (performance engineered products, not pep boys) retracting belts that use the stock mounting points. These seem to be pretty popular with other forum members as well.

I have only gotten halfway done installing them (no sense rushing when the car is not drivable, eh?) but will gladly take pictures if you like.

[daepp]

Call Trampas at PEP (GoWesty). He can tell you how they cut the rear inner panels to access the shoulder strap mounting point. I have a 72 Targa that came with retractables - he replaced them with new. But he told me that the earlier cars have the rear mounting spot available - just not used, and a simple cut to the rear panel is made to access it.

[Scott Clarke]

I have the PEP belts on my '70. they work well, and look right at home.

[irl]

Thanks foe the info. Does anyone have any photos of this, i do not have retractable now. I'm hesitant to cut into the side panel.

[Scott Clarke]

Ed-
It just requires a hole in each side panel. If you are interested, I replaced my side panels with an RS carpet kit, so they already have the holes. I'd be happy to sell you them so that you can preserve your original ones. I don't think I have pictures of the seat belts, but if no one else does, I'll take some.

[irl]

I dont know why Im not understanding this, but where exactly does the retracting housing unit hide??? or does it. Its the size of a baseball with a mounting bolt. I have attached a photo from a 72 on ebay, it this where the unit hides. Should I cut a hole in a similair location to the photo once I remove the side panel and mount the retracting unit.

[Scott Clarke]

The aftermarket belts have the reel exposed. It lives in the vicinity of the small speaker in the photo, but toward the back of the car (follow the path of the belt in the photo to a point near the bottom edge of the panel. There is a boss welded into the body at that location.

[irl]

Thank you for your help, I will check it out this evening. Ill also take a few photos of the process and post for others in the future.

Thanks again.

[RyanH]

I too am having difficulty in understanding the set up for this. I have a 1970 911T and my problem is fitting the panel back on once the inertia is in the recess. Does the cardboard in the panel need to be modified around the reel? Also, where are you mounting the fixing for the lap part? Would that go back onto the original fixing on the seat?

[mcaterino]

Ryan,

It's possible that my rear side panels were not original, so I'm not certain what worked for me will work for you, but it was possible with just very slight deformation to get them mounted over the reel. One thing that helped that you might consider is mounting a little extra sound deadening foam on all the panels surrounding the reel depression, so that the entire panel sits out 1/4-3/8 inch further. That may give enough clearance.

In the PET I see that there are two rear side covers listed, one specifically as 'cover for automatic seat belt'. But that's only given as '73-onward, and it's the same part number. So it's not clear how, if at all, different that would be.

Yes, the front side anchor point should still go to the seat itself.

Mike

[irl]

Here is a thread I put together years back. It doesnt have all the answers but some may help.

updating earlt seat belts cont.

[andyt11]

is this the performance engineered products site that is mentioned above?

http://www.peparts.com/StoreFront.bok

appears to be gone.

[daepp]

Try gowesty.com

[schumicat]

someone here reported about a year ago that they were no longer selling products.

Originally Posted by andyt11

is this the performance engineered products site that is mentioned above?

http://www.peparts.com/StoreFront.bok

appears to be gone.

[daepp]

My apologies.

[Fastdog911]

I went to Steve at SeatBelt Planet... Mine took 125" of material and is on a 70T. First thing I did was replace 43 year old belts. Retractor is hidden under panel ( kept OEM when I sell car). Sorry for bad photos.