I'm curious as to the process that would be involved (if it's even possible) to apply the auto-seatbelts that were available on certain trims, to a car that did not come with them stock.

Why would you want to?

 

They suck, and most of them are broken by now. They only were around from 88-94

 

I've seen more interest from people who want to take them out, and put conventional belts in.

It is not possible, and from a safety standpoint is dangerous.

 

 

/\---- Former Seatbelt Engineer.

Hm, might involve cutting the roof off and welding in the roof from the donor vehicle, to get the motor, belts, cogs, fastening points, and assorted miscellany to get it to work?

 

Right, usually people want to go the other direction.....getting the belts from a Canadian vehicle such as yours to replace their broken 'auto' belts. Maybe you can work out a trade?

Good info! Thanks for the help:D Just out of curiosity, why are they so unsafe, and undesireable?

I don't think it's the auto seatbelt itself that is unsafe, the way it comes from the factory. I think it is the thought of trying to retrofit it into a different vehicle that could make it unsafe.

 

They're kind of undesireable because they seem to fail eventually, some part of the track comes loose sometimes and comes out, things like that. I think they were supposed to give you an automatic belting in if you didn't or forgot to fasten the belt. But you have to fasten the lap belt manually anyway so what's the point. I think that's part of why manufs got away from using them. Ford used those things too in cars of that era.

They are undesirable because at some point in your ownership of the car, you will have your head partway out the window when you open the door. The belt will then grab you by the neck and drag you down toward the dash. This may happen multiple times over the years, with the humiliation of "I should have known better" getting stronger each time.

 

They are unsafe because the shoulder belt is the only automated part, you still have to do the lap belt manually. It's harder to grab just a lap belt, and it's easier to forget to put it on since you already have the shoulder belt on. When you get in a wreck, the missing lap belt will let you submarine under the shoulder belt, leading to neck injuries and burying your knees in the dash.

 

The systems themselves are pretty reliable. The ones in my loyale would get flaky for a bit after a submersion, but go back to normal operation once the wiring dried out.

The ones in my XT6 still work flawlessly.

 

 

Wait, now that I said that I bet I jinxed myself:-\

I have always liked the automatic belts.

 

Last winter i was getting into the Legacy after coming out from the bank. Jumped in car, quick backed out, and was heading to gas station to fill up. Soon as i backed out cop turned a u turn and flipped his light on. I was already pulling in to the pump for gas. He thought he was going to give me a seatbelt violation, but by the time he got to me i was at the gas station getting out to pump gas, he saw me open my door and the seatbelt moved forward automatically, and then he verbally gave me window tint ticket for being too dark, didnt even write a warning. I told him i was not a problem.

 

silly cop thinking he got me for not having time to buckle up.

 

And I was then asking him to tell measure my tint to tell me how illegal it is. He didn't even have the measuring device to tell me. I still have yet to de tint it, cause they have to prove to you before writing the ticket on that one.

Edited January 27, 201214 yr by bheinen74

Wow this is a first, someone who actually wants them. Well step one is to find a donor car with one that has no ruct, then take all the good stuff from your car and put it in the donor car.

 

That is far easier then the other way around.

insurance discount on it due to passive restraint.

Unless they decide to break on you. And get stuck in the center console.

 

Also doesn't make them fun when you put WRX seats in and the bottom belt is lodge between the seat and door. Have to fiddle around to get the damn thing so you can buckle up fully.