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Can I fit 3 point seat belts in a Mexican VW beetle?
I have been told that it is a fairly simple job to mount a 3 point seat belt in the rear of a VW Beetle.
But when I went to the garage to get this done I was told that because I am driving a 1985 mexican import, this can be done but it is a much bigger task involving taking out the headlining (and most likely ripping it!) and reinforcing the pillar or something to accommodate the brackets etc.
Is there actually a provision in the German built Beetles that allows rear 3 point seat belts to be fitted easier than in a Mexican built one? (This is what the garage leads me to believe)
Or is this garage trying to pull the wool over my eyes!?
2 Answers
- Jay SLv 61 decade agoFavorite Answer
US bugs did have a third rear seatbelt mounting hole behind the rear window, even though these belts were not safety requirements at the time. Just rare dealer options. I can't testify as to whether the Mex bugs still installed this bolt, but it's possible maybe even likely. The same mount is used for rear child seats.
Here is a link to a forum discussion on the subject and someone posted a picture of the belt installed in the backseat. Try to estimate where that bolt is from the picture and press around on your headliner in that area to see if you can locate a bolt hole. If you have it, it's simple to just poke a tiny hole and screw it right in. My 74 is covered up but does have the hole as I can feel it under there.
Good luck.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
I can't say for 100% certainty on your issue, but I do know that the mexican beatles were built to different safety standards than the german ones, so what you're encountering sounds perfectly plausible to me.
However, you can definitely find a better mechanic. Look for someone with more experience with older cars and upholstery. Your job can certainly be done without tearing it to hell. Also, someone with better experience in this stuff may even know of an alternative solution.
