Seat belt replacement

[spidernut]

I'm running into a problem finding affordable seat belts for my Spider. I read a thread about using seat belts from the rear of a minivan. I also read about someone using belts from Gotbelts.com which is now Seatbelt Pros.

Can anyone verify how your replacement belts mounted whether you bought wrecking yard belts or aftermarket. Correct fitment is my concern.

Here's the response I got from SeatbeltPlanet.com:

The seatbelts on our web site are very universal and will not fit you car. Your Spider retractors are very different oriented (reversed) and have different length of webbing. The floor anchors are also different size anchor holes. We have recently perform the research & developement on the 1979-85 Fiat Spider 124 (2000). We now produce a replacement seat belt for Dr/Pass. The cost is $229.95 for the pair.

[4uall]

This may be of interest

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=4314

[wikkid]

I would measure what you have standard in the car, and use those measurements to get aftermarket sets, such as seatbeltpros.com, or seatbelts4less.com.

Or,

you could pull out the original equipment, measure and cut off the old belts, and buy replacement webbing. An upholsterer, sail/awning maker, or cobbler would have the heavy duty sewing machine to sew the webbing back around the old mechanism parts. I would also take pix of the original sewing pattern, to see how it was done. You want whoever re-does it to do it right, and with safety in mind.

[narfire]

you could pull out the original equipment, measure and cut off the old belts, and buy replacement webbing. An upholsterer, sail/awning maker, or cobbler would have the heavy duty sewing machine to sew the webbing back around the old mechanism parts. I would also take pix of the original sewing pattern, to see how it was done. You want whoever re-does it to do it right, and with safety in mind.[/quote]

There is a fellow here in Summerland that does just that. You send the old retractors complete with belt and he takes it apart and replaces/refurbishes the belt and system. He supplies belts to race cars as well.
I'd be thinking there would be something similar in your part of the world...
Chris

[azruss]

look for a local truck strap maker. they might be able to replace your existing straps using old fiat ends.

[spidernut]

I was quoted $260 to re-web my belts.

[spidernut]

This may be of interest

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=4314

I'm looking for front belts, retractable style.

[whiterabbit]

FYI
Look at the seat belt kits on fleabay for HUMMV's. Just cut off the shoulder mount and modify slightly.

[spider2081]

Wow spidernut this is really interesting.

I purchased a pair of seat belts for my 1981 Spider 3/20/2012 from Seatbelt Planet. I am not sure if they are made to order for the car or off the shelf. I called to be sure they would work and have an email they are correct replacements for the Fiat Spider 2000. They supplied seat belt PN 331124010 W1413411014C010 3pt-030,NoDPF, 1981 FiatSpyder. When I went to install them I found they have only one mounting hole and the backing plate that Fiat uses between the belt roller and the mounting flange would not fit because the belt length is too long and the roll therefor too fat for the plate to fit. I called them and I was told to install the belts with out the extra plate that fits between the roller and to use only one bolt to hold the rollers in place.
I tried that and the belts do not pull smoothly and catch every few inches when you try and pull the belt across your chest to fasten into the receiver. I called again and was told this is the new National Safety standard and all new belts will work the same way. I told them I thought it was the angle the safety catch sits at rest is wrong but they said no way. So the belts look nice and the receiver is longer so that is easier to find and work with but the roller action is a real pain in the neck. Also I am concerned if I was in an accident is the belt all that it should be.

I think I will call them again. From your post it sounds like maybe I am not the only one who had a problem with the operation of their belts and they have changed something.

[lm48]

I finish my seat belt replacement 1 week ago. I install a set from seatbelt plus and cost me $140 more or less for the pair. I used the original bracket holding the mechanism to the car. I also had to eliminate one clip which came with the new belts. Work good for me

[spidernut]

Here's my seat belt scoop of the day: If you want to replace the worn and nasty webbing on your seat belts, you don't have to pay the $130 per side that I was quoted by a major seat belt distributor or have seat belts that aren't mounted correctly.

Here's how I just re-webbed the belts for about $30.

1. Remove seat belts
2. Extend the seat belt all the way so there is no webbing left on the retractor mechanism
3. Use a C clamp to hold the retractor extended (but don't clamp it so tight it will bend the sprocket gear)
4. Take a small screwdriver and work the loop end of the belt loose from the retractor. Work the belt loose so about 3 inches of fabric is exposed on the loop end. Pull the metal pin from the loop sewn into the seat belt then cut the seat belt loop off so you can pull the belt from the retractor.
5. Get the center seat belts from a 1996-1998 Dodge Caravan/Plymouth Voyager/Chrysler Town and Country. Keep the floor anchor side attached. Extend the belt all the way and cut it off as close to the retractor as possible.
6. Transfer Fiat belt hardware to the Dodge belt, thread the webbing through the Fiat seat belt retractor and heat singe the ends so they don't fray.
7. One through, create a new loop by folding over the material and sewing it on sewing machine using a strong thread and a zig-zag stitch. (I stitched in three places to ensure it is strong)
8 Slide the metal pin back into the newly created loop and pull the belt taught
9. Reinstall and admire your work!

I end up teaching myself to do things like this because I get so tired of the hassles of dealing with vendors who don't provide product that work right and then won't stand behind their products. It was actually a pretty easy process and the stop rivet on the Chrysler belt helps immensely by holding the belt buckle where it can easily be reached. I'm very pleased with the result.

[wikkid]

John,
that sounds about my speed. Just curious (because I am not looking at my car and can't visualize it): what is it about the make/model minivan belts that makes them better than other belts? Is it that the floor anchor end is good match for where you have to bolt it to the Fiat?

[spidernut]

The biggest problems are the length of the webbing and the anchor end of the belt. Both are perfect on those years (because they're all the same). The floor anchor is extremely similar to the stock anchor. I could not see how I could make any of the retractor mechanisms on any of the vehicles work properly and safely on the Fiat.

I'm sure there are others that will fit, but I sure couldn't find them in the wrecking yard on any other models. I was looking for black or tan and EVERY large vehicle I saw was grey inside excluding one Ford, one Oldsmobubble, and one Dodge.

I'm planning on taking pictures as I re-web my second seat belt. I'm sure there are others wanting to replace their webbing too without dropping hundreds of dollars.