seat belts

Post by **alfabob** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 7:06 pm

evening all, my god its hot!!!!

could someone advise me with regards to seat belts? With the full restoration a few weeks away, i am in planning for the rebuild. I am not sure if the car had belts? Do you have to have them on the front seats or must they be on the rear seats as well, any advice would be great. Its a 1963 convertible

Post by **MColes** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 7:28 pm

After the 1st January 1965 cars had to be fitted with front seatbelts. Not sure of the date for rear seatbelts.

But as your car is pre 1965 then you do not need to fit seatbelts. But it's your decision

Post by **PSL184** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 8:04 pm

Seat belts are a compulsory life saver - see here.....

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/index.php?name=P ... ic&t=26170

Post by **buellzebub** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 8:54 pm

PSL184 wrote:Seat belts are a compulsory life saver - see here.....

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/index.php?name=P ... ic&t=26170

Yep, I'm still here and able to second that!

Mick

Post by **PSL184** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:01 am

I have to admit, Mick, that my Traveller did not have belts in untill I saw your post..... Say no more except that now he does have them fitted....!!

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 8:12 pm

Front belts should be fairly easy to fit in a convertible. the same mounting points can be used as the saloon, and they may already be there.
The sill fixing point may have been plated over if the sill (inner step panel) has been remade - It's best to fit the captive nut to the panel before it's fitted but it's not hard to retrofit. The work won't be seen as it's under the sill carpet.

The top mount is on the rail under the rear side window - have a gander.

I've fitted belts to all the Minors I've owned if they didn't have them - the only exception was a SII traveller, but I really didn't enjoy driving it as much with no belts fitted!

Post by **Declan_Burns** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 8:55 pm

Alfabob,
Do fit the seat belts-it's easy to do and I'm glad I retro-fitted them. It just doesn't feel right driving a car nowadays without belts. I have uploaded a few photos showing the arrangement on my convertible. You will need extra backing plates to fix the lower part of the belt on the propshaft tunnel. These bits are not normally supplied with the belts.
http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop/pro ... 2b6a47052a
These can also be used on the base of the B post. It's a bit of a fiddle to fit and the hole in the bracket is so you can attach a piece of string. Otherwise the bracket drops and is a bugger to retrieve. With the string you can pull it back out. You have to remove the rear cladding to fit the belts and clean everything out (hosepipe on hoover) and spray with waxoil to finish off. I have also fitted these seat belt guides for test purposes only, mounted on the B post. It's a lot more confortable but I'm apprehensive in case of a crash.<br>

<br>

Post by **Peetee** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 10:10 pm

This is wha I did for the rear:

Post by **callyspoy** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 10:19 pm

on the theme, have people found any really good options for a 4 door that has trafficators for front seats. desperately need to fit belts, but i've never been sure where to fit them.
i too must admit that after reading the stories recently on here i am a little spooked!

Post by **alfabob** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 8:16 am

thanks one and all

i will certainly be fittting them as with todays roads etc you never know whats around the bend

advise much approved

Post by **Peetee** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:42 am

Callum. on my 4 door they were fitted way up high on the b post. Can't remember how tall you are but if you're 6 ft or near you may have problems with the diagonal belt being too far forward for your torso.
If you're free sometime nip over and I'll have a look and compare.
Got to see this twin cam either way!

Post by **ASL642** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:49 am

We have a '56 splitty with working trafficators. Welded a plate with a captive bolt into the inside of the trafficator opening - remove interior trim to see. This has worked well and the belt action isn't too high.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:47 pm

We have a '56 splitty with working trafficators. Welded a plate with a captive bolt into the inside of the trafficator opening

I did the same on my 54 4 door - just below the middle of the slot provides a good position for the belt, however it does restrict access to the trafficator. Roger Rust made a bolt-on piece for his, between top and bottom of the slot to give the same location but was removable in case of working on the trafficators.

Sun Jul 26, 2009 10:00 pm

has any body fitted belts using the picture provided..

the reason i ask is that i have rear belts fitted to my convertible, the belts are mounted in the centre and they do not allow the seat base to sit properly or if it does sit properly the back rest sits about 2 inch high.

Obviously i do not wish to go about fitting new seat belts and find that i end up with the same problems i.e. my seats do not fit properly.