Seat Belt change on a 72

[spyerx]

Buddy has a 72. Wants new seat belts. They're original and one doesn't retracts. Checked with Porsche, they are NLA. Can supposedly use later belts.

SO, what is the collective advice of the crew here?

Go with a later belt? Assume we need to change the receptacle too right? Does it bolt right on? Which year is best?

Or have them rebuilt with new belts/springs? By who?

or??

Thanks

[coldstart]

I bought a set of front seat belts for my 1972 911T from PE Parts a few years ago:

Porsche Front Seat Belts | Professionally Engineered Products peparts.com

The new belts are retractable and do a great job. They took less than an hour to install. Highly recommended.

The only issue is that the receptors do not appear the same as the original belts. The safety element is worth the non-stock look in my opinion. I sold my original retractable belts for half what they are worth today. I recommend that you keep yours in a box or at least sell them for today's market value.

[RD911T]

European Auto Salvage Yard in San Fran. Jim is the owner and very active on Early S. Great folks. I upgraded my 71 to later model used belts from them at a very reasonable price. Bolted in pretty easily with a few minor adjustments get them attached to the seat brackets.

[spyerx]

Ok great. Will checkout both options. The car is in NorCal / Bay Area so may the EASY option could work!

So did you need the belts + the receptacles? And bolting the new receives to the seats wasn't too big of a deal?

Thanks again

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by coldstart

I bought a set of front seat belts for my 1972 911T from PE Parts a few years ago:

Porsche Front Seat Belts | Professionally Engineered Products peparts.com

The new belts are retractable and do a great job. They took less than an hour to install. Highly recommended.

The only issue is that the receptors do not appear the same as the original belts. The safety element is worth the non-stock look in my opinion. I sold my original retractable belts for half what they are worth today. I recommend that you keep yours in a box or at least sell them for today's market value.

+1
These work great and for me the appearance of the receptacle is not a big deal. They provide a bracket to fit to seat rail if you have aftermarket seats.

[spyerx]

Ok question, buddy is trading notes with PE, and is having a hard time picturing this from the install instructions.

He has the interior trim around the reel, it looks similar to the trim in my 89 Carrera.

So, is the bolt actually accessed from outside the car?
What is the purpose for drilling here?

Any pictures would be fantastic, my searching skills haven't turned up anything.

Thank you all


INERTIA REELS
1) Remove factory installed inertia reel mounting hole cap bolts. These bolts are located about 12 inches forward and above the center line of the rear wheels on the inner wheel well panels. Using a 19 mm wrench or a Phillips screw driver (which ever is applicable), reach up between the rear tires and the fender arches to loosen and remove the bolts. It is not necessary to raise the car.
2) Manually push a sharp a awl through the center of the inertia reel mounting holes, through to the interior.
3) Make a 1/2-3/4 inch diameter hole through the upholstered panel on center with the hole created by the awl.
4) Install the inertia reels using the bolts, lock washers, and spacers provided. Torque bolts to 40-45 ft-lbs. Note: Make sure the inertia reels end-up at an angle such that the belt enters the reel straight. This will require leaning the reels forward about 5 degrees. If the belt does not pull out freely, orient inertia reel closer to vertical. Inertia reels are very position and motion sensitive.
SHOULDER ANCHORS
1) Remove existing seat belt shoulder anchor hardware.
2) Using the old shoulder anchor bolts, install the new shoulder anchor "D-rings". Torque
bolts to 40-45 ft-lbs.
3) Snap plastic D-ring covers in place.

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

If your buddy decides to document this process we'd love to add it to your tech article library. We even give 10% off if we use the article. More info here if he's interested: Enthusiast Tech Article Submissions - Pelican Parts. Also, if he needs any other misc seatbelt parts we have some options here: Porsche 911 (1965-1973) - Seats, Belts & Upholstery. Good luck with the install.

[RD911T]

Originally Posted by spyerx

Ok question, buddy is trading notes with PE, and is having a hard time picturing this from the install instructions.

He has the interior trim around the reel, it looks similar to the trim in my 89 Carrera.

So, is the bolt actually accessed from outside the car?
What is the purpose for drilling here?

Any pictures would be fantastic, my searching skills haven't turned up anything.

Thank you all


INERTIA REELS
1) Remove factory installed inertia reel mounting hole cap bolts. These bolts are located about 12 inches forward and above the center line of the rear wheels on the inner wheel well panels. Using a 19 mm wrench or a Phillips screw driver (which ever is applicable), reach up between the rear tires and the fender arches to loosen and remove the bolts. It is not necessary to raise the car.
2) Manually push a sharp a awl through the center of the inertia reel mounting holes, through to the interior.
3) Make a 1/2-3/4 inch diameter hole through the upholstered panel on center with the hole created by the awl.
4) Install the inertia reels using the bolts, lock washers, and spacers provided. Torque bolts to 40-45 ft-lbs. Note: Make sure the inertia reels end-up at an angle such that the belt enters the reel straight. This will require leaning the reels forward about 5 degrees. If the belt does not pull out freely, orient inertia reel closer to vertical. Inertia reels are very position and motion sensitive.
SHOULDER ANCHORS
1) Remove existing seat belt shoulder anchor hardware.
2) Using the old shoulder anchor bolts, install the new shoulder anchor "D-rings". Torque
bolts to 40-45 ft-lbs.
3) Snap plastic D-ring covers in place.

Not sure what you mean by drilling? These instructions are pretty much what I did. There is a threaded hole that has the 19mm bolt in it that acts as a plug. It is accessed from the outside. The inside is covered by the upholstery. My 71 had it. I'm pretty sure I turned around and used those bolts on the inside.

[spyerx]

"Push an awl through center of real through to the interior"
"Make a 1/2 - 3/4" hole through upholstered panel"

I think based on your description I understand the issue. This is my buddy who, well, is better not touching tools asking :-) If I was at the car I'd rip the panel off and see it live for myself.

[gptom]

On a 72, the oil tank is in the way on the passenger side, so I had to remove interior panel

[RD911T]

Except perhaps on the 72. Mine is a 71. Once you see the hole after removing the bolt from the inner fender well on the drivers side, and poke an awl through it it all becomes clear.

[matthewb0051]

I went through the interior to access the bolts. Mine is a late '68 build for a '69 model year so it may be slightly different.

Rocket science this ain't. Once you see the bolt it will be painfully obvious what to do from there.

[RSTarga]

All the bolts for seat belts are accused from inside the car. Remove interior trim to access. They are not metric bolts SAE.
Make sure and keep your original belts and retractors, they are worth some money.
I'm not sure why you have to drill or put a hole in anything, just reuse your original anchor points.

[spyerx]

thanks guys, appreciate the guidance on this. He will keep the original parts.

Thanks!

[Tremelune]

Mm. As a motorcyclist, I recognize that safety is relative, but if it were my car, I'd put the original belts in a box and put on a fresh set that isn't decades old:

https://www.seatbeltplanet.com/seatbelts-and-accessories/porsche-belts/m.products/332/view/116

[spyerx]

He is putting new belts in the car (but keeping old ones in a box, not selling them).