Hi guys
Does anyone knowe if it's possible to retro-fit 3-point rear seat belts into the 1990-91 Townace instead of the outside position's lap belts please? And, if so, how much do they cost - I guess for 4 of them.
I know the new shape has them already
Robbo - (#150) Robert Hussey, 19 May 01
I have a 94 Townace and it is fitted with 3 point seatbelts but at the same time it also has lap belts due to the swivel seating arrangement. I can't see why you can't but how it would been done is another matter. Just don't remove all your lap belts when fitting these otherwise you can end up with a seat without a seatbelt. - (#154) Russ, 19 May 01
Dealer fitted ours with Transit belts when we bought it. They seem quite tight on a large adult or child in a seat, but tilting the seat back a bit helps. - (#167) Steve F E, 20 May 01
We had the dealer fit 2 in the very back of the vehicle. We needed these as we have child seats to secure. They cost us £100 each ! - (#210) Ian Gamlin, 25 May 01
I have fitted four lap and diagonal inertia reel belts in the back of my '91 Royal Lounge. I got varied advice and ended up sitting on the floor of Halfords opening loads of boxes taking notes and measurements. I now know that what you need costs about £150 from a good car parts shop (nearer £200 from Halfords).
One problem is that you need quite long belts. I was persuaded to buy one Britax/IMMI belt but then discovered they don't make any that are long enough. The other main make is Securon which is widely available. Buy four SEC 150/15 auto front belts at £27 each and two SEC 210 static rear belts at £13 each. Both types have the same buckle. The buckle side of the static belt is on a long strap which is needed for the two seats on the back row and as a bonus the other side of the static belt can be fitted on the middle row for use facing backwards. The 150/15 has the buckle on rigid strip 15cm long which fits well on the middle row - I bent mine outwards near the top about 10 degrees for comfort.
The next problem is getting the trims off and on again. I did the sliding door side first and was pleased to find I could do the other side without removing the large panel with the rear AC controls - just lift up the carpet flap at the bottom and reach down through the ashtray hole for access. Be prepared to spend a lot of time cleaning up or you'll get dirty handprints everywhere. Tip
replacing the rear trim panels requires slackening the screws into the upper trim holding the bracket for hooking the seat up on to, and holding the back end of the curtain track, - then wedging that upper panel out a bit so that you can interlock the lower panel into it.
My car already had 4 holes in door pillars - perfectly positioned with respect to the catches on the sideways opening side windows on the righthand side. At the rear you can re-use the floor level fixings. In the middle I had to drill 11.5mm holes in the door pillars near floor level but there's nothing around that gets in the way. Remember you need to cut holes in the trim too, about 25-30mm diam.
The real challenge is that you've then got 6 holes that need nuts behind them (and you have to put the bolts in AFTER you've re-fitted the trim). The standard thread for seat belts is 7/16 UNF. You can buy small plates with threaded holes for the purpose but you need additional holes to fit self-tap screws to hold these in place. I made my own by tack welding nuts on to some steel offcuts. For the door pillars drop a weighted string down through the hole to hoist the nut plate into place. - (#494) Dave Mason, 9 Jul 01
I need to replace back seat belts in my town ace dose any body know where i can cet some. - (#2724) Lyn parsey, 20 Apr 02
Has anyone had any experinces with fitting or had fitted diagonal seat belts for the rear? My wife and I are expecting twins in a couple of months and only have lap belts in our '91 masterace, these are fine for the car seat we have but not sufficient for baby seats which need the diagonal type belt. I have been quoted around £350 by Brittania in Bristol to have four static 3 point belts fitted or around £300 for two! is this a good quote? Brittania claim that they cannot get inertia belts long enough for the very rear seats hence the need for static belts.
- (#7122) paul owen, 12 Feb 03
Paul,
You can get belts long enough from Securon.
See AceAnswers seatbelts for more info.
You will be able to buy them cheaper from Euro Car Parts Filton, the Bristol MPV Center can let you have the name of a cheap installer in Fishponds somewhere.
- (#7123) clive, 13 Feb 03
I've fitted four Securon 3-point inertia belts in the back and written it up in Ace Answers. The bits cost about £150 2 years ago. I guess I spent 10 hours so. £350 sounds good to me. I wouldn't do it for that.
Belt length is an issue but the ones I used are fine even for a baby seat on the middle row of my '91 Royal Lounge.
- (#7124) Dave Mason, 14 Feb 03
thanks for the replies for seatbelts, can you also tell me where the belts are achored, as when talking to various gararges this appeared to cause some confusion.
thanks.
- (#7239) paul owen, 14 Feb 03
Hi
I have been going through the past messages about seat belts for rear seats, but could not find any ref for the lightace, can any one give me the name and number of the three point belts to fit a lightace 1991 GXL 2ct auto 2 lift up rear seats I should be able to do the rest (will take pictures.)
regards
john
- (#9104) john, 15 Jun 03 3:36
have a look at
www.securon.com
replacements, under spacecruiser.
they also sell brackets etc..
hth
- (#9180) Clive, 18 Jun 03 7:30
i have noticed a worm area on a seat belt its a lapand diagonal in the middle row offside, question what is the easiest way to remove old one and refit a new one, that is if i can get one
- (#10009) RON COE, 28 Jul 03 16:31
Ron, not sure how the trim is in your bus but, on the Spacecruiser the reel is located behind the lower trim. This has to be removed to get to it. Once out of the way just undo the bolts. If you have had them put in be aware that the hidden nuts may not stay in place.
Securon do a replacement that is long enough but will have a different buckle.
- (#10010) Clive, 29 Jul 03 2:02