Looking at buying a ute with a bench seat and wifey doesn't like the lap belt for our young daughter (she has worked in ED and has seen the results of these belts in accidents), is it possible to get it replaced with a 3 point belt? Thanks.
franc123,
Jan 24, 5:24am
Highly unlikely without making it a major engineering exercise, no.
tweake,
Jan 24, 5:27am
buy a king cab or double cab ute instead or if more than 4 people, then get a suv.
budgel,
Jan 24, 5:36am
Where could you attach the top of a three point belt?
androth2,
Jan 24, 5:43am
My friends Maza car has a three point seat belt in the centre of the back seat as standard.The strap goes to a point right neat the back of the car
kazbanz,
Jan 24, 6:13am
Anything is possible if you inject enough money. The problem you have is that you are looking at replacement of the bench seat with something structurally sound enough to take forces the L and D would put on it . The supporting structure for it AND certification. so you are looking at a MINIMUM of couple of thousand dollars. There is a company in Onehunga that specialises in seat conversions. They may be worth talking to. A bit of lateral thinking for you. Most late model vehicles out of japan have lap/diagonal belts for all passengers. With the 7 seat /8 seat vehicles and a number of the 5 seat the seat itself IS the supporting structure for the centre seatbelt. it might be worth looking into a seat conversion using one of those seat setups.
rectech,
Jan 24, 6:17am
Thats a huge ask. anchoring points need to be certified
v0rtrex,
Jan 24, 7:14am
Thanks for the detailed response, I might just have to give the idea away of owning a classic american ute and go for something a bit more modern.
kazbanz,
Jan 24, 7:37am
Not a major. Its $350 plus gst for certification
kazbanz,
Jan 24, 7:44am
Before you give up on the idea I would ask the question of a Certifier. There may be a way to mount a 2 piece belt (the type with two buckles) Onto the back wall of the ute with some hidden structural reinforcing.
Seat belts retrofits are readily available, especially for motorhomes, and cargo to passenger van conversions, but it is really a matter of cost. Cost will depend on if suitable mounting points can be found, or if they need to be fabricated.
As a counterpoint, if safety is a priority, you are likely better served by a modern vehicle than a classic.
mrfxit,
Jan 25, 8:43am
As above, anything that needs cutting/ welding/ drilling or adding extra reinforcing can be a nightmare. How ever, if you can fine a suitable van seat that has the seat belt anchors built in to the frame, then you would only need to worry about the seat base mountings & not have to cert the seat/ seatbelts as a combo
elect70,
Sep 22, 9:55pm
Thats for the engineers cert still have to get it passed at VTNZ too $$$
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