Rear Belts Installed

[flybynight]

I am finally done wrangling my pics.....so here goes.

My 60 does not have the threaded inserts in the rear door pillar so this covers that problem as well.I applied an idea a fellow mudder suggested a while back. I forget who it was to give credit to.

I purchased belts and hardware kit from:

BEAMS Retractable Lap & Shoulder w/12" Push Button Recieving end

In order to attach and reinforce the pillar nut I epoxied the nuts to a fender washer supplied in the kit.

The fender washer is too large to fit in the pillar so I trimmed it with a cut off wheel.

I dropped a line into the pillar thru the hole with a small bolt as weight. Be sure to fish it out the larger opening to the side. I found that the pocket directly below the pillar wouldn't pass the nut/washer assembly.

I applied two generous balls of epoxy putty and pulled it up. I used a washer on the end of the string so it would be less likely to get stuck. I did a couple test runs before applying the putty.

I cinched it down with a bolt supplied in the kit.

Clean out threads as best you can. I went ahead and attached the belt to the pillar while the putty was soft to be sure there was no issue later.

After a couple of attempts to mount the retractor end, I decided it was best to drill a hole and place it where I thought it was best. I chose the location by aligning the belt with the pillar.

You can access the back of the bolt thru the small opening. This way you can back it with a fender washer. It is slightly tricky to get a wrench in there but do-able.

Locate old retractor behind seat back, under carpet and remove. Use this point and original hardware to attach the fixed end of retractable belt. Feed it under the seat back from in front of the seat.

Remove old short/fixed belt and install new one with out plastic cover. (Be sure to order 12" version) Use original hardware.

Thats it. I will be fabricating a couple of clips to retain the belts so they dont catch on the seat lock when you lay it flat. But until then my kids are safe and the wife is happy.

I hope this helps. And by the way the charcoal color matches very well.

 

[Overlord]

Linky's no worky

 

[flybynight]

Ok figured out the pic issue.....mo'betta

 

[BillyGHusk]

Nice job! Is there an option mount the retracting part in the hole right above where you mounted yours?

I thought I had read something some where but can never find things again when I need them

Tim

 

[flybynight]

SOR has some bracket that places the retractor in the opening above where I mounted mine.(If I remember right.) It takes some sheet metal cutting on most if not all models. It flips the retractor over making it very low profile.
But I seem to remember the $ to be a bit off putting...surprise, suprise.
Some day I may investigate fabbing one, but there are better things on my list for now.
Thanks for the kudos.

 

[Butt Ugly Chuck]

Thanks for the great post flybynight! I gotta bump this one further up the to-do list, and this post helps.
Butt

 

[vipergrhd]

nice job

i have been considering that upgrade to my rig since i got 2 small kids of my own.what kind of putty were you using?and where did you get it?john

 

[flybynight]

It is a 2 part epoxy putty, I forget the brand, but very common. If you have a choice of flavors get one that takes 30 or so minutes to kick vs 5-10 min. More time to get set and the longer the cure time the stronger with epoxies.

I bought it at West Marine and probably paid double, but I was there for something else so I bought it. 15 or 17 bucks and I used less than a quarter of it.

If you are not familiar with the stuff you just knead till it is one color. Wear gloves, or you get an epoxy film on you and any thing you touch.

If you have an infant or toddler still I highly recommend a product called Mity Tight. It is basically a slip on ratchet turns your barely adequate shoulder or lap belt into a ratchet strap. Child seat WILL NOT move or even whip. I will take a pic tomorrow if you like.

 

[Max.Powerzz]

In regards to Mity Tight, you may want to read this review. I checked into them and have been wary since official child safety protection agencies recommend against them. Not trying to bash and this lady may just be overzealous, but here's a review for what it's worth. I've also read lots of positive reviews too, so I'm just throwing it out there:

Real life problems with Mighty-Tite... - Mighty-Tite Car Seat Belt Tightener - Epinions.com

In my own testing of Mighty-Tite, I was able to:

- Damage a seat belt before getting the Mighty-Tite "tight" according to the instructions.

- Damage a car seat before getting the Mighty-Tite "tight" according to the instructions.

- Install an incompatible seat into a vehicle using the Mighty-Tite and have it seem snugly installed...then knock it loose with minimal effort.

- Remove all the elasticity of a belt using the Mighty-Tite, requiring replacement of the entire belt.

If you are having trouble getting a correct installation with your car seat, you should contact your nearest child passenger safety technician for assistance. You can look for a CPS technician here: Home | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) | U.S. Department of Transportation

Jennifer Matlock
Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician
Director, CPSafety
CPSafety - Your online child passenger safety resource

Recommended:
No

 

[Max.Powerzz]

Great write-up by the way, I've got a 62 with rear shoulder belts but they're pretty useless. The shoulder belt locks onto the belt buckle but it's always coming undone, not very safe. I may be replacing mine for these.

 

[flybynight]

I can see where you could damage a belt or seat if not used properly or searching for problems. To do this you would have to over crank the ratchet a lot.
I have been using this for 4 yrs (2 of them) and still stand by my recommendation.
I hear what she is saying but disagree with a couple of her points.

Thank you for your input and compliments!

 

[Dirtgypsy]

I can see where you could damage a belt or seat if not used properly or searching for problems. To do this you would have to over crank the ratchet a lot.
I have been using this for 4 yrs (2 of them) and still stand by my recommendation.
I hear what she is saying but disagree with a couple of her points.

Thank you for your input and compliments!

I agree 2 kids 2 mity tights over last 3 years and really like them in the 60. that said I had my other car seats in my wifes outback installed without them by a certified car seat installer and am happy with that as well.

I really like the clean install and no body work.

clint

 

[flybynight]

We originally decided to use them because we were traveling and installing the seats in unfamiliar rental cars was not fun.

 

[bergerob]

Which length?

For those people that have done the BEAMS install, which length should I get?
140"?

How close is the Dark Brown?

Does this order look right?

 

[hank14]

For those people that have done the BEAMS install, which length should I get?
140"?

How close is the Dark Brown?

Does this order look right?

I have a set of 62 seat belts I'm waiting to install in my 60.

I've been meaning to measure them for you, and finally did today. With the belt extending all the way out, the belt measures about 98 inches. The entire assembly measures about 104 inches. The 100 inch belts they sell should be long enough. I'm not sure why they offer 140 inch belts as standard. HTH.

 

[chrchr]

BEAMS rear should belt length

This is my first post, thanks for all the info above its been a huge help!

I asked the "seat belt pros" for assistance with estimating the length of belt for my 84 FJ-60
this is their reply:

"Keep in mind that when not in use the retractor stores about 75” of webbing leaving about 65” out. You want to measure from where you mount the retractor up to the mounting point and down to where you will mount the end fitting. If this is about 65” the 140” will work for you. Otherwise add 75 to your measurement and order slightly less to avoid slack but still getting the max amount of webbing.

Replacement seat belts for Cars, Trucks, Vans, Jeeps, Classic Cars, Vintage, Street Rods & RV's

I measured 60" from retractor to upper mounting point to end fitting
60+75=135 so the 140" standard length seems like the one to go with

 

[Aravind Dileepan]

Is there a reason nutserts or rivnuts would not work instead of fishing a fender washer and nut and using epoxy? Is it because the nutsert isn't rated strong enough to withstand the forces involved in a collision?

Thanks,

Ara D.

 

[hank14]

I'm no engineer, but...That's what I would assume. I wanted it especially stout. A big washer to distribute the force.

 

[IslandJ]

Thread revival. Looking to instal some shoulder belts in the back of my 85' FJ60.
Looks like Seatbeltplanet has made a specific setup for the 60's.
Toyota Replacement Seat Belts - SeatbeltPlanet | Replacement Seat Belts
Curious what color people have used for the brown interiors and how it matched.
Theres a dark brown, brown and medium beige.