Fitting seat belts

Post by **MilitantGraham** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 6:12 pm

We have bought a pair of seat belts to fit in the present Mrs Militants 1961 two door saloon.
I could work out, by holding the belts in place and seeing what looks and feels right, where to drill the holes, but it looks like one of those jobs where I will look at it afterwards and think "I wish I had drilled that hole two inches further back and an inch lower".
So is there anyone who has fitted seat belts in a two door who could give me some dimensions for drilling the holes for the best fit.

Post by **Multiphonikks** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 9:33 am

Graham,

Do you mean the back or front seatbelts???

With 2 doors at the front you have to mount the upper part of the belt under the passenger window. It should be clear from where the old ones were???

With rear ones... Hmmm...

I had the child seat straps hidden on Hebe just behind the seat back with holes drilled in the crossmember there.

I know some people have managed to get the belts to mount on the floor of the boot and cut holes in the parcel shelf through which the belts pass...

Nikki

P.S. They all your toys??? Pyoor_Kate and I have a friend who would like them

Post by **Gareth** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:03 am

It wasn't compulsory for cars to have front seatbelts until 1965, I think, and Morris only fitted the captive nuts as standard the year before, I believe.

There are a few 2-doors about on here, so someone will be able to give you measurements, I'm sure. IIRC, the Morris Workshop Manual gives details on how/where to fit seatbelts...

Post by **rayofleamington** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:17 am

yes - it's very unlikely that a 61 has mounting points fitted (my 61 didn't have any until I fitted some earlier this year). Unfortunately I can't help as neither of my present Minors have seat belts.
It certainly scares the wits out of me driving without having seat belts!
Mounting positions are completely differnet between a 2 door and 4 door so you really need dimensions from a later 2 door.

Post by **Multiphonikks** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:58 am

If I had my car back I'd help by taking a photo but...

Post by **MilitantGraham** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:11 pm

Sorry, I should of mentioned they are inertia reel belts to go in the front and it has never had belts fitted before.
Although, I think when I did some sill repairs a while ago, I remember seeing a captive nut on one side at least.
The door pillar looks too narrow so I suppose they will have to go on the narrow area of panel between the rear side window and the trim panel even though it looks a bit low. It would be nice to be able to learn from someone elses mistakes and know how far back from the door to drill the mounting hole.

Nikki, those are all mine. I'm in to big army trucks where drilling a hole in the wrong place just means putting a bolt through to plug it and trying again. The present Mrs Militant has got the Morris Minor and a Bedford CA Dormobile where it's a bit more important that I get it right first time.

Post by **Peetee** » Sat Sep 25, 2004 11:02 am

I fitted inertia reels into my 2 door. The reel end went on the transverse panel between the rear seat base and the floor. The shoulder bracket on the curved section directly below the rear side window - and slightly ahead of the reel. With this bracket any further forward you run the risk of the strap falling off your shoulder. The seatbelt end was fitted to the floor with a strong U-bracket from a chandlers and extra-large stainless washers.
I would recommend fitting a plate to the panel where the shoulder bracket fits too.

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 2:25 pm

We have bought a pair of seat belts to fit in the present Mrs Militants 1961 two door saloon.

You did specify inertias for the 2 door as the 4 door ones are different and wont work properly in the 2 door.

Post by **57traveller** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 4:15 pm

I have found this to be perfectly o.k. 140mm is from door edge to centre of fixing bolt at same level.

Centre of fixing bolt is directly below door edge.

Post by **MilitantGraham** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 11:56 pm

Thanks 57traveller. That's exactly the information and pictures I wanted.

Post by **57traveller** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 11:30 am

Glad the pictures helped Graham.
I know according to your 1st post that you've already got the belts and assume they're inertia reel. The inertia reel belts shown were already fitted to my saloon and as such have the convenience of being "self parking" when not in use. There is also the advantage of them being "self adjusting" depending on wearers stature.
However because of their position I think my personal preference would have been for static belts. I am 6ft tall and the seat is raised on blocks a little so the consequence is that the belt digs into the shoulder a bit. Not too bad and bearable but this wouldn't happen with statics.
My Traveller is much better with inertia belts because the top mounting is more "conventional" on the "B" post as will be 4 dr saloon.