Retractable front seat belts

gdub0717

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Based on reading some of the old threads the stock front seat belts on a 1974 CS are as shown in the attached pictures.
I wish to perform and install of these seat belts in my 1972 CS.

Question 1: Can someone confirm that the pictures are stock front seat belts from a 1974 CS?
Question 2: What is the most economical way to get two sets of these seatbelts?
Question3:I know they are expensive from BMW. Does anyone know of an aftermarket source for these?
Question4: Does anyone have any other ideas to install a retractable 3 point seatbelt?

I really do not want to have it run up to the roof of the car. I have seen a few quality installations using the roof as the connection point. I would like to do my best to keep the window section completely open, if possible.

Thanks in advance. The members of this forum have quickly proved to be an invaluable source as I get to know this car!
 

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Timely subject! I'm also on the case for exactly what you have pictured.

I checked with the guy at Duke and he does seem to do high quality work. However, he needed a lot of parts like the clasp and retractor which I don't have. He may be able to source them but agian, check with him first.

I also checked with La Jolla, they offered them for $667 each which is a little rich for me. I've got a driver, not a no-expense-too-great trailer queen. Which also means I'd like real, functioning seat belts

I'm going to stop by my local dealer tonight, the parts manager there is "young like us" and sold parts for these cars when they were new. He may know of a cross over.

The one on the picture is from a '74? Correct?
 
That mounting is correct for a 74 but the front buckle would have matched the rear as both would be Autoflugs, no big deal though. I second the recommendation on Al, he did my front belts with Autoflug retractors and new buckles.
 
That mounting is correct for a 74 but the front buckle would have matched the rear as both would be Autoflugs, no big deal though. I second the recommendation on Al, he did my front belts with Autoflug retractors and new buckles.

Did you have to provide all the hardware?
 
In the picture there is a black trim piece to allow the belt retract to be behind the rear side arm rest. I could not find this on realoem. Is this a stock part also?

I would like to do this to my car. I already have belts from a '80 635 that would work perfect with some pieces like this trim piece.
 
Yes, they came this way to keep the belt from rubbing on the arm rest. And old interior is your best source.
 
Without checking in this forums "database" I think the seat belt installation was according to export countries regulations.
I can't see to remember this front seat belt installation in late EU E9's.
 
In the picture there is a black trim piece to allow the belt retract to be behind the rear side arm rest. I could not find this on realoem. Is this a stock part also?

I would like to do this to my car. I already have belts from a '80 635 that would work perfect with some pieces like this trim piece.

I can't find a 1980 635 on RealOEM. Is this a Euro model?
 
Our belts that resemble the ones in the photo have not worked in a 2800CS and an early seventies 3.0. Our belts are from our 75 CSi Garage Find and mounting the retractors, etc on an early model is quite an expensive job. They would probably go in a 74 or 75 without too much trouble, but earlier models are apparently quite different.

Any comments?

Ours are still for sale if any one interested? PM me.
 
I can't find a 1980 635 on RealOEM. Is this a Euro model?

Yes, the 635 was a euro model, but most all were similar
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=5331&mospid=47199&btnr=72_0012&hg=72&fg=05

I need to make sure the webbing is long enough and the retract mechanism will work mounted sideways. In the 635 it is staight up.

The cool part of these belt are the spring loaded front mounting point. It rotates the bracket out of the way so getting in and out of the back seat the belt it out of the way.

Anyway, it looks really close to the alternative belts for the later cars... Just don't see that cool pass through plastic piece for the rear arm rest.
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=7031&mospid=47808&btnr=72_0313&hg=72&fg=05
The plastic pass through makes this look proper.

I was going to order some brackets from Bluedevil (the source Nicad mentioned) to mount these with the roof mounting point, but these belt assemblies have to be disassembled to use them and never got to it....

I like this option much better and I am really tired of the stock belts. I drive my coupe almost every day and would like to improve this.
 
May be able to have the armrest pass through fabricated.
If we can deteermine that the 635 belts will work I will get a set.
Then I can work on having the passthru piece fabricated.
 
Based on reading some of the old threads the stock front seat belts on a 1974 CS are as shown in the attached pictures.
I wish to perform and install of these seat belts in my 1972 CS.

Question 1: Can someone confirm that the pictures are stock front seat belts from a 1974 CS?
Question 2: What is the most economical way to get two sets of these seatbelts?
Question3:I know they are expensive from BMW. Does anyone know of an aftermarket source for these?
Question4: Does anyone have any other ideas to install a retractable 3 point seatbelt?

I really do not want to have it run up to the roof of the car. I have seen a few quality installations using the roof as the connection point. I would like to do my best to keep the window section completely open, if possible.

Thanks in advance. The members of this forum have quickly proved to be an invaluable source as I get to know this car!

Hey, that's my coupe and belts. :D Here is the original tread discussions on the 74> retractable seat belts installation.

This factory brochure showing the same front belt setup for the 74 and later coupes.

6390702781_c791bce4ba_b.jpg
 
Seat Belts

Put my belt retractor on the rear parcel shelf as far to the outside as possible, so the belt comes forward beside the window and just inside the headrest. Not original in appearance, but the best fitting belt I've ever used. Also, if it ever has to do its job, the force is directly back. Seatbelts which pull downwards behind the driver cause spine compression injuries.
 
After playing with my 635 belts, it looks like they only like to extend when the retract mechanism is straight upright...... they would need to be modified/changed or use something else. They are Autoflug, look and mount the same way Bert's do.

My coupe is a '73 US spec and i pulled the rear side arm rest. The body has the lower/middle attachment point, but not the upper one that Bert's car has. This lower mounting point will not work as the mechanism would stick out past the armrest.

If it did have the attachment point the arm rest would need to be modified for the mechanism. A notch in the arm rest would do it... But it would be another modification...

Also need to cut / drill / mount the hook on the rear door card and it goes through the wood.

Wow, I was hoping to just drop these belts in and try them out, but it is going to take more modifications than I expected. I am fine with doing most of these, welding, cutting, etc., but definitely not easier that other options.
 
Shoulder Harness

I had the sale problem, I found new retractable belts that were the correct length. I had a locale upholstery shop sew buckles from a 320i [not legal] onto the new belts. I had a friend make a harness holder. They were originally made for the stock seats, they were attached to the vertical bar that the headrest and post attach to. They were held in place via a couple of 5mm studs. The nuts were concealed by the chrome plate underneath.

I've since replaced the stock seats with Recaros, the same idea different method of mounting. Someone recommend Al in Durham NC, Al's a great guy he may have a solution. Al knows my car, tell him Doug with the Malaga coupe in Raleigh sent you
 

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I had the sale problem, I found new retractable belts that were the correct length.

The mystery is killing me! Where did you "find" them (JC Whitney? Autozone? Bob's seatbelts and lawn mower repair???) and what is the "correct length"? I thought it was around 100" or so. Is that what yours are?

I had a locale upholstery shop sew buckles from a 320i [not legal] onto the new belts.

Sounds like a good, and NEW, idea for belts! I'm assuming the fittings from the 320i are still available? Why is it not legal?
 
Doug E-Harness Holder

I had a friend make a harness holder.

Would your friend be able to make another one for some $$$?
It may not be worth while for him/her but that is exactly what I would want to mount on my seat.
Looks great! Regardless, thanks for the idea.
 
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