seat belts

[thefastestz]

i got t-boned by a 97 cavelier.....cavelier had small damage under 1500 (front bumper)....my 240z..totaled bent unibody. My lap belt did not lock up. However that worked to my advantage as i was thrown on top of my center console and the seat belt stopped me at full extension. This prevented me from being smashed in between the tranny tunnel and the door.

my car did not have shoulder belts.

[Montezuma]

I bought a set of retractable belts from Wesco for my 73. They are so much better than the originals. They bolted right in with a small "L" bracket. Check out there webpage: www.wescoperformance.com/ They have great customer service too, my belts arrived within a day from date or order. I would highly recommend this product to any 240Z owner.

[240ZMan]

I bought a set of retractable belts from Wesco for my 73. They are so much better than the originals. They bolted right in with a small "L" bracket. Check out there webpage: www.wescoperformance.com/ They have great customer service too, my belts arrived within a day from date or order. I would highly recommend this product to any 240Z owner.

Montezuma, which model did you choose? Did the retractor for the lap portion fit into the "pocket" that holds the factory's retractor? Or is it mounted outside?

Also, did you go with a retractable shoulder belt? I've been looking for a combination lap/shoulder that's retractable that will fit my '73 without successs so far. Perhaps you've found the solution

[Montezuma]

Montezuma, which model did you choose? Did the retractor for the lap portion fit into the "pocket" that holds the factory's retractor? Or is it mounted outside?

Also, did you go with a retractable shoulder belt? I've been looking for a combination lap/shoulder that's retractable that will fit my '73 without successs so far. Perhaps you've found the solution

I feel that I have found "the solution". I allowed the customer service rep that answered the phone help to get the right set for my car, I am believe I have the I3207 model along with the angle bracket. I did get the bracket pictured but when I ordered an additional one they sent me a thinner version that looked much better installed. The retractor fits nicely behind the seat but not in the pocket that held the factory unit. The other thing I had to do was cut the bottom the plastic holder for the recieptical which worked out great too. My wife used to hate to ride in the car because the old belts were a pain to work, she is very happy with the new belts as well.

[240ZMan]

This is great Montezuma, thanks for letting me ask 20 questions!

I was wondering how you mounted the retractor behind the seat? Looks like there are 2 bolts holding the stock retractor in. I'm guessing that the one farthest from the door was used for the retractor, and the one closest to the door for the other end of the belt? Is that correct? Or did you use the bracket to mount both the retractor and the belt end to the same outer bolt?

And which mounting point did you use up top? Here's a picture of my car. Did you use A or B? I'm guessing B because that's where the original factory was attached.

Any chance of a picture?

[Montezuma]

This is great Montezuma, thanks for letting me ask 20 questions!

I was wondering how you mounted the retractor behind the seat? Looks like there are 2 bolts holding the stock retractor in. I'm guessing that the one farthest from the door was used for the retractor, and the one closest to the door for the other end of the belt? Is that correct? Or did you use the bracket to mount both the retractor and the belt end to the same outer bolt?

And which mounting point did you use up top? Here's a picture of my car. Did you use A or B? I'm guessing B because that's where the original factory was attached.

Any chance of a picture?

I used the angle bracket on position B of your picture. This is a three point belt, so what you do is mount the retrator right where the factor one was located then the pulley at point B of your picture. The end goes right inside the door by by the sill or outer bolt. You will need one extra nut and bolt for the angle bracket. I will try to take pictures tonight after I get home if I can.

[240ZMan]

Ah, that clears things up some.

I just spoke to them and the woman also suggested the WELR-N belt which would have the retractor mounted directly at "B" in my previous picture. Did you consider that one? I figure it's an easier installation, no brackets are involved, but you do have the retractor out in the open where it's visible. Not the most attractive, but I'm thinking it might be a bit more robust in an accident since there's no bracket that could twist/break.

I hope I'm not over analyzing this, but given it's about our safety, I figure it's better to err this way...

[Arne]

I wonder which choice I'd want for my early car that came with no retractor pocket anyway? Mount a retractor down low, or up high? Hmm...

[Montezuma]

I wonder which choice I'd want for my early car that came with no retractor pocket anyway? Mount a retractor down low, or up high? Hmm...

I mounted mine behind the seat and it works great...not an eyesore. I don't think the picture that Daniel put up will work with the retrator high right behind the seat.

[Montezuma]

Ah, that clears things up some.

I just spoke to them and the woman also suggested the WELR-N belt which would have the retractor mounted directly at "B" in my previous picture. Did you consider that one? I figure it's an easier installation, no brackets are involved, but you do have the retractor out in the open where it's visible. Not the most attractive, but I'm thinking it might be a bit more robust in an accident since there's no bracket that could twist/break.

I hope I'm not over analyzing this, but given it's about our safety, I figure it's better to err this way...

I personally don't like the recommendation of the C/R. It might work....but I am not sure. I am not afraid that the brackets will not hold up in a wreck.

[240ZMan]

There's a guy here local with a '71 or '72 who has the retractors mounted up on "B" as shown in my picture. I had wanted to emulate his install, but he didn't know where the seatbelts had come from. Now I'm guessing it's WELR-N from Wesco.

Side note: his car looks a lot like Arne's, same color. Excellent condition!

[a7dz]

Arne

I was thinking it will go down low as we don't have the pocket to contend with was looking at mine this morning. The real question comes on where to put the pivot? There is no place above the quarter window to mount it with out welding in a doubler and anchor. I would guess just behind where the hook is now. I know the retractor Bean dip used was back by the hatch. I am at the point where I need to make a decision soon. I want to get the paint on this one soon.