Reprowesty seatbelt bracket

[RednWhite]

Hi,

I'm looking for feedback on Reprowesty's three point seatbelt bracket fitted to a US spec (LHD) Westy with wardrobe.

Does it need fixing points welded to the floor or is drilling for bolt points sufficient?

Thanks in advance

 

[slowmo]

Hi,

I assume your referring to this?
https://reprowesty.com/product/vw-t2a-montagesteun-3-punts-gordel/

I had been looking into this also but from what I have been told they will not ship to the UK.

With regards to mounting it doesn't specify mounting method. Being as the mounting surface is profiled putting a secondary plate above the fuel tank and bolting though would require spacers to prevent the profile from crushing when tightened. Plus its a ball ache to drop get to the tank area. I suspect that it is mounted using rivnuts, but cannot confirm.

Let me know if you manage to convince them to ship to the UK as I also want one.

 

[orpheusvw]

Hi, I’m considering these mounts as a solution for rear 3 point belts as well, especially the side next to my westy wardrobe, I know that the other extenders that places like hertitage sell can be made to fit the window side, but these look a neat solution and the reel looks above the cushions.

Has anyone managed to order them from reprowesty??

 

[naskeet]

Hi,

I assume your referring to this?
https://reprowesty.com/product/vw-t2a-montagesteun-3-punts-gordel/

I had been looking into this also but from what I have been told they will not ship to the UK.

With regards to mounting it doesn't specify mounting method. Being as the mounting surface is profiled putting a secondary plate above the fuel tank and bolting though would require spacers to prevent the profile from crushing when tightened. Plus its a ball ache to drop get to the tank area. I suspect that it is mounted using rivnuts, but cannot confirm.

Let me know if you manage to convince them to ship to the UK as I also want one.

From that picture posted on the website, it's not clear how & where the brackets are mounted (especially near the top shoulder mount), and how robust it would be in a collision!?!

 

[orpheusvw]

The nearside version on their website has more pictures than the offside version in the link above, seems to show a bit more how it would fit, would need a robust spreader plate in the fuel tank area i think, not sure if its crash tested but looks fairly thick steel?

https://reprowesty.com/product/vw-t...-punts-gordel-bijrijderskant-naast-hoge-kast/

 

[Matt84]

Watching this with interest, seems a great solution.
If we can sort a group buy maybe they would ship to the UK?

 

[sparkywig]

If this bracket is attached to the fuel tank platform only, I wouldn't use it.
There's no way you could make it secure enough in the unfortunate event of an accident. Those bolts would just rip out of that panel.

 

[orpheusvw]

If a spreader plate was made to be at least as big as the base and bolted underneath I’d be fairly happy the bolts wouldn’t pull through, not sure about how much the panel would deform in a crash situation, although from memory there are ribs welded underneath front to back which in theory should reinforce the panel.
The issue I’ve found is that there always seems to be a compromise with going for 3 point belts in our vans, even the factory point under the window isn’t that big a reinforcement plate in a fairly flimsy area. The extenders that heritage sell are designed for late bays from what I’ve read, so requires something welding into the side panel as you cant access the rear of that area.
I could go with just lap belts in the factory points low down but in a crash situation they aren’t ideal either.
These seem the best solution I’ve seen so far…

 

[ozziedog]

If a spreader plate was made to be at least as big as the base and bolted underneath I’d be fairly happy the bolts wouldn’t pull through, not sure about how much the panel would deform in a crash situation, although from memory there are ribs welded underneath front to back which in theory should reinforce the panel.
The issue I’ve found is that there always seems to be a compromise with going for 3 point belts in our vans, even the factory point under the window isn’t that big a reinforcement plate in a fairly flimsy area. The extenders that heritage sell are designed for late bays from what I’ve read, so requires something welding into the side panel as you cant access the rear of that area.
I could go with just lap belts in the factory points low down but in a crash situation they aren’t ideal either.
These seem the best solution I’ve seen so far…

Totally agree. Lap belts are only marginally better than no belts. Davidoft makes these belt extenders and they are on my to do list but way way down as it’s mostly just me in the van and I could go for several years with no rear passengers. I didn’t have the upper seat belt mounts or the bulkhead ones as I have an ex panel van. My lower ones I made from solid quarter plate which is way way more than the stock efforts. When I replaced the sides of the van with windows from a scrapper, I thought then that these belt points were minimal at best, so I beefed it up a bit. But surely logic will help out here as in that three points of resistance has to be an improvement over two. You can also instead of just using plate, you could use U channel and spread it over as far as you want up behind the bulkhead.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,but how far do you go ?

 

[slowmo]

I have spoken with Ruud at reprowesty and he has advised me that he will ship to the UK.

The bracket attaches via riv-nut into the steel above the fuel tank as I suspected. There is additional mounting to the wardrobe which offers additional strength in the even of an accident. I will be ordering one and if I am concerned about the strength I will put a spreader plate in above the fuel tank. My only other option is a lap belt but I would prefer a three point for my daughter.

 

[ozziedog]

I have spoken with Ruud at reprowesty and he has advised me that he will ship to the UK.

The bracket attaches via riv-nut into the steel above the fuel tank as I suspected. There is additional mounting to the wardrobe which offers additional strength in the even of an accident. I will be ordering one and if I am concerned about the strength I will put a spreader plate in above the fuel tank. My only other option is a lap belt but I would prefer a three point for my daughter.

Go steady with that drilling by the tank, maybe use your biro for a stopper.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,looks fab

 

[roobug67]

I have spoken with Ruud at reprowesty and he has advised me that he will ship to the UK.

The bracket attaches via riv-nut into the steel above the fuel tank as I suspected. There is additional mounting to the wardrobe which offers additional strength in the even of an accident. I will be ordering one and if I am concerned about the strength I will put a spreader plate in above the fuel tank. My only other option is a lap belt but I would prefer a three point for my daughter.

I would fit a spreader plate and bolt through it. Rivnuts pull out very easily.

 

[roobug67]

If a spreader plate was made to be at least as big as the base and bolted underneath I’d be fairly happy the bolts wouldn’t pull through, not sure about how much the panel would deform in a crash situation, although from memory there are ribs welded underneath front to back which in theory should reinforce the panel.
The issue I’ve found is that there always seems to be a compromise with going for 3 point belts in our vans, even the factory point under the window isn’t that big a reinforcement plate in a fairly flimsy area. The extenders that heritage sell are designed for late bays from what I’ve read, so requires something welding into the side panel as you cant access the rear of that area.
I could go with just lap belts in the factory points low down but in a crash situation they aren’t ideal either.
These seem the best solution I’ve seen so far…

The extenders fit an EB fine, but you fit them opposite way.

Fitted them to my 68 and 69 now.

 

[slowmo]

Mine just arrived, good service by Ruud, delivered quicker than many uk suppliers.
I will be installing with the steel rivnuts supplied for now, Ruud informed me that you can also bolt though the wardrobe which I will be doing as my wardrobe has already been drilled and it will reduce the moment acting on the top shoulder seatbelt mount to the base plate in the event of an accident.
Will post up some photos of it once installed.