Retractable seat belts, please, educate me |
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Retractable seat belts, please, educate me |
thieuster |
Jun 3 2015, 03:54 AM
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#1
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Member Group: Members Posts: 447 Joined: 31-January 15 From: 275 mls NW from Stuttgart. Member No.: 18,384 Region Association: Europe |
My car came with three fixed seat belts. But I don't trust 42 y/old seat belts with unknown history. So I want to change over to retractable seat belts. My MY 73 model already has the bolt holes behind the rear padding where the reel should be placed.
I think it's not wise searching for NOS & period correct seat belts. More modern aftermarkets items are my first port of call. But before I hand over the cash, what are the do's and don'ts. As said: please educate me! Menno |
barefoot |
Jun 3 2015, 06:08 AM
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#2
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,318 Joined: 19-March 13 From: Charleston SC Member No.: 15,673 Region Association: South East States |
The later year shoulder reels incorporate little pendulums that lock the shoulder belt with sudden stops, so any non-OEM replacement should be so configured.
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GeorgeRud |
Jun 3 2015, 06:49 AM
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#3
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,725 Joined: 27-July 05 From: Chicagoland Member No.: 4,482 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
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Larmo63 |
Jun 3 2015, 07:05 AM
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#4
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 4,267 Joined: 3-March 14 From: San Clemente, Ca Member No.: 17,068 Region Association: Southern California |
If you can find NOS or good used, the period Repa retracting belts are fine. There is a company that makes modern replacements for our cars too. The next step past that is racing harnesses.
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cary |
Jun 3 2015, 08:16 AM
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#5
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,900 Joined: 26-January 04 From: Sherwood Oregon Member No.: 1,608 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
Here is the one most folks have been going with.
https://www.seatbeltplanet.com/seatbelts-an...ts/232/view/125 I think I'm going to spring for a set here shortly. My only hang up is that there isn't a cover on the reel. But we've bee using 4pt harnesses for about 10 years. They're a PIA. |
BeatNavy |
Jun 3 2015, 08:22 AM
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#6
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Certified Professional Scapegoat Group: Members Posts: 2,933 Joined: 26-February 14 From: Easton, MD Member No.: 17,042 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
If you install an aftermarket seatbelt keep in mind that the mounting bolts may differ in length from stock (even if the belt is marketed as a 914 seat belt). Specifically, when mounting at the tunnel on driver's side it's common that the longer bolt will interfere with movement of the shift rod in the tunnel and you'll wonder why you can't find 1st, reverse, or another gear. It is easily fixed, but it can frustrate you if you're not smart enough to immediately realize what caused the shifting issue.
And yes, ask me how I know. That's all I got. |
thieuster |
Jun 3 2015, 08:34 AM
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#7
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Member Group: Members Posts: 447 Joined: 31-January 15 From: 275 mls NW from Stuttgart. Member No.: 18,384 Region Association: Europe |
If you install an aftermarket seatbelt keep in mind that the mounting bolts may differ in length from stock (even if the belt is marketed as a 914 seat belt). Specifically, when mounting at the tunnel on driver's side it's common that the longer bolt will interfere with movement of the shift rod in the tunnel and you'll wonder why you can't find 1st, reverse, or another gear. It is easily fixed, but it can frustrate you if you're not smart enough to immediately realize what caused the shifting issue. And yes, ask me how I know. That's all I got. Oh that's a good one! @GeorgeRud: that was the way I had in mind as well. Then I looked and found that the padding behind the seat is 'stepped' and offers space for a reel to be mounted on the rear bulkhead. In fact, the holes are already there. So from there, it goes up to the spot where you've mounted the reel and then downwards, towards the side of the seat. @cary. Thanks! I am searching for the European equivalent of Seatbeltplanet.com. You've pointed me to a nice way of comparing the ones they have on offer. Menno |
McMark |
Jun 3 2015, 08:49 AM
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#8
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914 Freak! Group: Retired Admin Posts: 20,179 Joined: 13-March 03 From: Grand Rapids, MI Member No.: 419 Region Association: None |
944 front seat belts install really easily, and Boxster seat belts will work with a little tweaking.
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Kansas 914 |
Jun 3 2015, 08:59 AM
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#9
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,999 Joined: 1-March 03 From: Durango, Colorado Member No.: 373 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
944 front seat belts install really easily, and Boxster seat belts will work with a little tweaking. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) |
7TPorsh |
Jun 3 2015, 11:14 AM
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#10
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7T Porsh Group: Members Posts: 2,691 Joined: 27-March 06 From: Glendale Ca Member No.: 5,782 Region Association: Southern California |
944 front seat belts install really easily, and Boxster seat belts will work with a little tweaking. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Will they fit an early 1970, 1971 without metal work? |
Dave_Darling |
Jun 3 2015, 11:51 AM
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#11
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914 Idiot Group: Members Posts: 15,048 Joined: 9-January 03 From: Silicon Valley / Kailua-Kona Member No.: 121 Region Association: Northern California |
Nope. The firewall has to be massaged to make room for the retractors, plus the back pad needs to be changed. That's why some have been using the belts that GeorgeRud posted--they fit an early chassis.
--DD |
screenguy914 |
Jun 3 2015, 01:06 PM
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#12
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Member Group: Members Posts: 249 Joined: 6-July 09 From: So. Cal Member No.: 10,540 Region Association: Southern California |
Here is the one most folks have been going with. https://www.seatbeltplanet.com/seatbelts-an...ts/232/view/125 I think I'm going to spring for a set here shortly. My only hang up is that there isn't a cover on the reel. But we've bee using 4pt harnesses for about 10 years. They're a PIA. I called and asked about the difference between their 914-specific and their generic 3pt harnesses. They told me their 914 belt has approx. 90" of webbing. Their generic retractor contains 110", so I don't see much difference there. Then they say the retractor assembly is of higher quality. The difference is about +$30 per harness. Next, their 911-specific harness sets are $40 more than for the 914. From all info I've read, 911, 924 and 944 harnesses will work on a 914. The only difference might be the length and format of the receiver (cable, flat metal, buckle, end release, sleeved or not). There's a case to be made between OEM Porsche harnesses that appear in good condition, but are possibly 10-30 years old with unknown history and new harnesses. There's also a case to be made between vehicle-specific and generic harnesses. Save for the receiver type (buckle, end release), do 911s, 912s and 914s require special belts? Vehcle-specific is a nod toward OEM authenticity, and/or it could be simply another example of the Porsche tax. Many seat belt sources claim their generic harnesses meet US safety specs (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 209 and 302). Some also cite SAE J386 specs. BTW, J386 - paragraph 5.4 states, "The color black is preferred since it is least affected by exposure to ultraviolet light." There are generic harness sets available on the internet for $20/seat. At some price point, there could be some compromises in design, materials, manufacture and whose safety specs. There's also something to be said for US-made/assembled products. This website seems to have a lot of b.g. information on terminology and installation tips (no affiliation) http://wescoperformance.stores.yahoo.net/seatbelts.html Sherwood |
Valy |
Jun 3 2015, 01:13 PM
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#13
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,677 Joined: 6-April 10 From: Sunnyvale, CA Member No.: 11,573 Region Association: Northern California |
The newer 914's with the retractable seatbelts have a recession in the firewall for the retractable mechanism. If you don't have that newer firewall, than you have to opt for the ones with the mechanism holding off the top bolt like GeorgeRud mentioned.
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thieuster |
Jun 3 2015, 01:25 PM
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#14
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Member Group: Members Posts: 447 Joined: 31-January 15 From: 275 mls NW from Stuttgart. Member No.: 18,384 Region Association: Europe |
Mine has the recession.
Menno |
SirAndy |
Jun 3 2015, 01:25 PM
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#15
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Resident German Group: Admin Posts: 41,815 Joined: 21-January 03 From: Oakland, Kalifornia Member No.: 179 Region Association: Northern California |
I'm probably in the minority here but i much prefer the early style non retractable belts.
You set them once for your gut size and that's it. They hold you in nice and tight, especially if you like to do some "spirited" driving every once in a while. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) |
mepstein |
Jun 3 2015, 01:28 PM
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#16
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914-6 GT in waiting Group: Members Posts: 19,518 Joined: 19-September 09 From: Landenberg, PA/Wilmington, DE Member No.: 10,825 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
I'm probably in the minority here but i much prefer the early style non retractable belts. You set them once for your gut size and that's it. They hold you in nice and tight, especially if you like to do some "spirited" driving every once in a while. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I'm part of the minority. |
Kansas 914 |
Jun 3 2015, 01:36 PM
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#17
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,999 Joined: 1-March 03 From: Durango, Colorado Member No.: 373 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
I'm probably in the minority here but i much prefer the early style non retractable belts. You set them once for your gut size and that's it. They hold you in nice and tight, especially if you like to do some "spirited" driving every once in a while. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I'm part of the minority. I had early belts in my '72 and there is that advantage of set it and forget it. I spend 15 seconds or more pulling/loosening the slack in my newer retractable belts to get them right. Granted they should work better than they do but that is another maintenance story. |
rjames |
Jun 3 2015, 02:32 PM
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#18
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I'm made of metal Group: Members Posts: 4,111 Joined: 24-July 05 From: Shoreline, WA Member No.: 4,467 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
QUOTE 944 front seat belts install really easily, and Boxster seat belts will work with a little tweaking. I don't think you can find the 944 belts new anymore. Best I could come up with was a NOS passenger side when I was looking several years ago. Seatbelt planet is a good option. Do a search for threads containing the words seatbelt planet as their options have been covered pretty extensively here. |
Harpo |
Jun 3 2015, 03:27 PM
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#19
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,304 Joined: 21-August 11 From: Motor City aka Detroit Member No.: 13,469 Region Association: None |
Here is the one most folks have been going with. https://www.seatbeltplanet.com/seatbelts-an...ts/232/view/125 I think I'm going to spring for a set here shortly. My only hang up is that there isn't a cover on the reel. But we've bee using 4pt harnesses for about 10 years. They're a PIA. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Seatbelt planet is where I got mine |
Chris914n6 |
Jun 3 2015, 03:59 PM
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#20
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Jackstands are my life. Group: Members Posts: 3,393 Joined: 14-March 03 From: Las Vegas, NV Member No.: 431 Region Association: Southwest Region |
I took my retractables apart, cleaned and lubed, and put them back together with new belts. Now they color match my interior (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)
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