Seat belts for a Series MM

[oliver-morrisminor]

I just wanted to open up a bit of a discussion regarding the Pro's and Con's
of fitting seatbelts to a Series MM. I have been wrestling with myself for
some time whether I should fit seat belts to the front seats on my Tourer.

If I do it would be fixed ones not inertia reel type. And also I am lead to believe
that later UK Morris Minors had special bracketry for fitting them.If I do decide
I would like to get a hold of a set of these brackets, but the jury is still out on
the subject.

I would appreciate any comments form other owners please.

[mike.perry]

You can be driving along the road doing all the right things and some pratt can drive out of a side road into you. Then you will be glad of seat belts. Morris Minor steering columns are unforgiving things.
Having fitted both static and inertia belts to my Series MM I would recommend inertia belts. The reel and end of the belt bolt to the bottom of the B post and the middle bracket bolts under the rear side window (or sidescreen). The buckle bolts to the prop shaft tunnel. These points can be re enforced if necessary. I will post some photos later.
Static belts require somewhere to hang the buckle, on the top of the B post on a 2 door, difficult on a tourer. They require constant adjustment, particularly the passenger belt and loose ends are a hazzard and get in the way of back seat entry

[oliver-morrisminor]

Thanks Mike you are so helpful.

I look forward to the photo's. Oli

[mike.perry]

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[oliver-morrisminor]

Thanks very much Mike.
Those are the brakets I want to use.
Does anybody have any for sale?

I always thought that with inertia reel you had to keep the reel horizontal
or they would lock up.

Also I was told that if the shoulder strap was down low like yours the web would "creep" back
and keep getting tighter, so it needed to be mounted higer on the B pillar?

Does that happen to yours?

[mike.perry]

The reel must be in a straight line to the top mounting and it does lock up occasionally, you have to pull it out gently. If it locks you have to feed it back onto the reel until it releases. In a Traveller or 4 door it would be mounted higher up the B post but in a 2 door, tourer that is the only place. You could mount it farther back under the window if there is enough webbing. It is more secure over the shoulder than a static belt.

[oliver-morrisminor]

Yes I think I will fit the seat belts due to the idiot "OTHER DRIVER"
therory that has been put forward.

BUT I do need a set of those brakets to attach the belt to the metal underneath the
fixed rear window of a two door. (thanks for the photo Mike)



PLEASE HAS ANYBODY GOT A SET THEY WOULD LIKE TO SELL
& SEND DOWN UNDER TO OZ?

[mike.perry]

It should not be too difficult to make a pair of brackets and paint them. The other method is to drill and mount the seat belt bolt straight into the rail as I have seen done.

[Scott]

Oli,

It might pay to fit belts after you get the car on the road, otherwise you might need to get the mounts passed by an engineer. I can't see anyone in Australia passing the UK top mounts, especially with inertia reel belts.

In an accident with inertia reel belts, the top mount takes 2-3 times the force of a static belt. The reason being is that there's some give in the inertia reel before it locks solid.

Also, the factory seat belt mounts are rather low. Better than nothing but ideally they should be above shoulder height otherwise they can compress the spine in an accident.

[oliver-morrisminor]

Yes, Scott I was thinking of doing it after rego, but thankds for the feed back.

I did prefer static belts rather than inertia reel,
and a friend has given me some quite nice Lap only belts,
but I dont really see the advantage in putting those in.


Thanks Oli

[mike.perry]

Lap belts will not stop you smacking your head on the steering wheel

[oliver-morrisminor]

Yes, I agree!