Write-Up: How to install seatbelt guides onto MRC/Arizen/Recaro seats...
04-29-2007, 11:23 PM
#1
Write-Up: How to install seatbelt guides onto MRC/Arizen/Recaro seats... EDIT: Go here for updates/questions... http://6litereaterdesigns.com/forum/...php?topic=35.0
Yup, I finally got bored enough to mess with it
For awhile I just taped them on there (through the harness holes) and then I used a velcro strap...
Well, after MUCH procrastination I took a trip to the hardware store to brainstorm. My first, COMPLICATED, idea turned out to be overkill so I scratched it and went with the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) method...
It turns out it is VERY EASY to mount seatbelt guides to these seats... There is a bar underneath the cloth you can screw into but it is 1/2" under the surface so you have to add spacers so that it looks right and so the guide has something to tighten on to... Here's how:
First you need supplies... ALL YOU NEED are screws and a couple of spacers
!!!
Here's what I bought (I bought new screws because I have no clue where my originals might be):
You will also need a drill with a metal drill bit, slightly smaller than the screws you use, and a razor blade.
The spacer was the shortest I could find in a diameter only slightly larger than the screw so I just bought it and cut it in half with my Dremel (you need it to be between 1/4" and 1/2"):
The first step is to mark the holes in the leather. I put the seatbelt guide up and pushed it hard into the leather so I could feel the metal bar underneath. Once I knew it was in place and over the bar I drilled a couple of small holes in the leather (easier than marking it and you're going to drill it anyways):
The next step involves drilling holes into a VERY ROUND bar... MAJOR PITA! I stuck a screw up against the bar and hammered it hard (trying to make a dimple)...
...and then followed it with a file that I hammered into it (I don't have a punch/awl)...
...and then I SLOWLY (so it wouldn't slip off) drilled my holes:
Next I checked to see the screws (metal screws I bought) tightened into the holes and they did:
Next you have to make the holes in the leather SLIGHTLY larger so that you can put the spacers in. I used a razor blade to cut a small slit on the top of the bottom hole and the bottom of the top hole (this way all cuts/holes in the leather are covered by the seatbelt guide, just like factory):
Then you push your spaceres in (not all the way, don't want to loose them):
Put the guide up, put the screws through and screw it in:
Here's the finished products:
Mine's actually NOT finished... My screws are about 1/2"-1/4" TOO LONG and it tightens but it doesn't tighten the guide against the spacers and push them back under the leather yet:
Nothing a trip to the hardware store tommorrow won't fix
Anyways, just figured I would post this up so I would stop getting PM's EVERY day saying, "Did you mount your guides yet?"
I guess I was the only one with ***** enough to be the first to cut their own leather
Alright you kids, now go out there, install yours and post some pics
Yup, I finally got bored enough to mess with it
For awhile I just taped them on there (through the harness holes) and then I used a velcro strap...
Well, after MUCH procrastination I took a trip to the hardware store to brainstorm. My first, COMPLICATED, idea turned out to be overkill so I scratched it and went with the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) method...
It turns out it is VERY EASY to mount seatbelt guides to these seats... There is a bar underneath the cloth you can screw into but it is 1/2" under the surface so you have to add spacers so that it looks right and so the guide has something to tighten on to... Here's how:
First you need supplies... ALL YOU NEED are screws and a couple of spacers
!!!Here's what I bought (I bought new screws because I have no clue where my originals might be):
You will also need a drill with a metal drill bit, slightly smaller than the screws you use, and a razor blade.
The spacer was the shortest I could find in a diameter only slightly larger than the screw so I just bought it and cut it in half with my Dremel (you need it to be between 1/4" and 1/2"):
The first step is to mark the holes in the leather. I put the seatbelt guide up and pushed it hard into the leather so I could feel the metal bar underneath. Once I knew it was in place and over the bar I drilled a couple of small holes in the leather (easier than marking it and you're going to drill it anyways):
The next step involves drilling holes into a VERY ROUND bar... MAJOR PITA! I stuck a screw up against the bar and hammered it hard (trying to make a dimple)...
...and then followed it with a file that I hammered into it (I don't have a punch/awl)...
...and then I SLOWLY (so it wouldn't slip off) drilled my holes:
Next I checked to see the screws (metal screws I bought) tightened into the holes and they did:
Next you have to make the holes in the leather SLIGHTLY larger so that you can put the spacers in. I used a razor blade to cut a small slit on the top of the bottom hole and the bottom of the top hole (this way all cuts/holes in the leather are covered by the seatbelt guide, just like factory):
Then you push your spaceres in (not all the way, don't want to loose them):
Put the guide up, put the screws through and screw it in:
Here's the finished products:
Mine's actually NOT finished... My screws are about 1/2"-1/4" TOO LONG and it tightens but it doesn't tighten the guide against the spacers and push them back under the leather yet:
Nothing a trip to the hardware store tommorrow won't fix
Anyways, just figured I would post this up so I would stop getting PM's EVERY day saying, "Did you mount your guides yet?"
I guess I was the only one with ***** enough to be the first to cut their own leather
Alright you kids, now go out there, install yours and post some pics
Last edited by 6LITEREATER; 10-11-2008 at 01:30 PM.
04-30-2007, 02:44 AM
#6
Originally Posted by hawk232
good job on being the first to do something!! always feels good doesnt it?
Still haven't topped that "oh ****" feeling as when I first cut the roof off of my hardtop 1994 Z in the parking lot of my college apartment complex with a skill saw in 1999...
I was the first (on camaroz28 at least which was the only really major board at the time) and did it only after seeing the underside of a hardtop in a junkyard...
Little harder to get up the nerve to do something like that blind as opposed to nowadays where there are countless online web pages to walk you through it
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04-30-2007, 12:45 PM
#8
Originally Posted by 02EBZO6
Great write up! I had rigged mine up with tape like your original plan...once the car is back from the shop bein tuned I'll give this method a try. Do you think Corbeau's have a metal bar around that area also?
04-30-2007, 02:59 PM
#9
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Originally Posted by DEMONBIRD
I'm sure they would have to... Try to find a website that shows a pic of their frame. Arizen used to have a pic of ours and that's what I had remembered.
04-30-2007, 07:08 PM
#11
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Not trying to be a smart a$$, but if you have a roll bar, and those excellent seats made for harness setup - why oh why use the factory seat belts - why not go with harness setup?
I still have the factory seats, but a Wolfe 6-pt I couldn't wait to get rid of the stock belts and put the harnesses in - even with the stock seats.
I like the harness setup because during 'normal' driving I can wear only the lap belt and technically still be legal as far as to wearing seatbelt - but don't have to put up with the annoying stock shoulder harness.
During 'abnormal' driving - I use the entire harness setup for more security.
I still have the factory seats, but a Wolfe 6-pt I couldn't wait to get rid of the stock belts and put the harnesses in - even with the stock seats.
I like the harness setup because during 'normal' driving I can wear only the lap belt and technically still be legal as far as to wearing seatbelt - but don't have to put up with the annoying stock shoulder harness.
During 'abnormal'
driving - I use the entire harness setup for more security.
04-30-2007, 07:20 PM
#12
Originally Posted by 1QUIKWS6
Not trying to be a smart a$$, but if you have a roll bar, and those excellent seats made for harness setup - why oh why use the factory seat belts - why not go with harness setup?
I still have the factory seats, but a Wolfe 6-pt I couldn't wait to get rid of the stock belts and put the harnesses in - even with the stock seats.
I like the harness setup because during 'normal' driving I can wear only the lap belt and technically still be legal as far as to wearing seatbelt - but don't have to put up with the annoying stock shoulder harness.
During 'abnormal' driving - I use the entire harness setup for more security.
I still have the factory seats, but a Wolfe 6-pt I couldn't wait to get rid of the stock belts and put the harnesses in - even with the stock seats.
I like the harness setup because during 'normal' driving I can wear only the lap belt and technically still be legal as far as to wearing seatbelt - but don't have to put up with the annoying stock shoulder harness.
During 'abnormal'
driving - I use the entire harness setup for more security.I get pulled over enough in this tree-hugging hippie state I didn't want to give them another reason
.
04-30-2007, 07:39 PM
#13
Originally Posted by DEMONBIRD
I bought the seats and bar with intentions of harnesses... ALTHOUGH, it's a daily driver and apparently it's illegal to use harnesses on the street. I know, it makes no sense...
I get pulled over enough in this tree-hugging hippie state I didn't want to give them another reason.
I get pulled over enough in this tree-hugging hippie state I didn't want to give them another reason
.
05-04-2007, 04:37 AM
#17
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Get a set of Schroth ASM harnesses. They have the reel action like stock belts, but are 3 or 4 pnt harness? plus they have a switch you can mount to lock out the retraction of the belts for racing. Plus, They are DOT approved. I had to show the cop the stupid little tag while i was in Cali visiting a few years back. Saw it, and said Cool...
05-04-2007, 04:44 AM
#18
Originally Posted by Nite_Hawk
Get a set of Schroth ASM harnesses. They have the reel action like stock belts, but are 3 or 4 pnt harness? plus they have a switch you can mount to lock out the retraction of the belts for racing. Plus, They are DOT approved. I had to show the cop the stupid little tag while i was in Cali visiting a few years back. Saw it, and said Cool...
05-04-2007, 04:48 AM
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Yeah...Sorry bout that...If buy chance you get some. Look for the black magic ones. All black w/black lettering. Regular is Black/yellow lettering Red/Black lettering Blue/Black lettering.
05-04-2007, 04:49 AM
#20
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Originally Posted by Nite_Hawk
Yeah...Sorry bout that...If buy chance you get some. Look for the black magic ones. All black w/black lettering. Regular is Black/yellow lettering Red/Black lettering Blue/Black lettering.