Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) seat belts

Chaps, I crave your collective knowledge. Does anyone have the definitive current ruling on the fitment of 3 point static seat belts. My inertia belts are far from ideal and I would like to fit static ones. Thank you.

My old 79 +8 had static belts but it also had a roll bar enableing the shoulder mounting to be bolted to the bar.

Seems to be as here Reg. see 46 & 47. Road vehicles construction and use regs

Seems 3 point belts are minimum requirement, depending on vehicle age with suitable anchoring points. I guess it depends on why you want to change from the inertia belts and what the vehicle is? I recall static belts of old were always hanging around and getting slammed in doors, if not careful.

If more support needed when driving, what about 3 or 4 point harnesses? Great once one is in and strapped up tight, but depending on the buckle can be a bit of a phaff to get sorted.

Thank you David. That was a great help. The reason I don't like inertia reel belts ( in my current car ) is that they are positioned such as to restrict the belt from pulling out or going back and given that once I am in my driving position I have no need, nor option, of moving anywhere so on the basis that what isn't there can't go wrong I am seriously think of changing to simple static belts.
Once again, than you.

It is quite some time since I had a retracting seat belt mechanism apart, though seem to remember part of the mechanism was a pendulous device that locked the drum from rotating, having sensed a degree of deceleration. I suspect an issue can arise if the whole mechanism is mounted a bit off plumb or the car parked on an incline which can cause frustration when trying to buckle up and the belt tends to lock up...?

I well remember one Morganeer resorting to lap belts similar to the old Irwin design with a quick release midriff positioned buckle as the result of having been involved in an accident and struggling to release the belt via the push button mechanism in a situation where extricating himself and his good lady as quickly as possible was the priority... It seems lap belts were frowned upon by those involved in the discussion.

As David suggests my memories of pre retracting seat belts was tripping over them and them generally getting in a state.

Good luck in your choices.

Before you buy your new ones, just check out how to remove the existing reels. Depending on model, it can be an extremely difficult task to access them.

I find pulling the belt upwards rather than forwards works when the tonneau is tucked behind the seats.

Also check for the fitting requirements. The anchor points usually need to be specifically positioned for height, angle etc to control how they fit the wearer. There may be variables to suit different cars or a fixing bar fitted to conform. As per Ray’s variant with a roll bar.
Kit cars were specifically checked for this in the SVA/IVA inspection.
Just remembered, my Librands roll bar came with a bolt on bar to allow multi point harnesses to be fitted as an option. I haven’t used it.

Whenever you see film of folk driving cars with static belts they never have them adjusted properly. Nearly always too slack & if you really need them slack belts will likely cause extra damage to your chest above an inertia belt.

Joining with another thread thread running at the moment ,it is very difficult to reach the handbrake on a Morgan if it's on the far side from the driver.