Fitting 240sx NISSAN retractable seat belts in the S30

[lumberjackj]

So after searching around for replacement seatbelts, I kept finding the same type of universal fit belts and they didnt make me too happy. My objective was to have functioning retracting seat belts from a newer NISSAN that looked like factory. I remembered I had a set of 1991 240sx fastback rear seat belts in my storage and what do you know, they looked to be the shape I was looking for.

 

For the last few days I have been messing around with them and got them to fit rather well with only a few modifications.

First i opened up the mounting hole for the retractor a few MM and drilled out a small spacer to lift the retractor off the roof mounting point...Then I cut off a small metal "finger" pointing up off the top of the retractor(assume this fits into the S13 chassis somewhere but was in the way of mounting) trimmed up the plastic cover and BAM worked great, and looks even better. Longer mounting bolts helped with mounting the retractors. Then I bolted the other side of the seat belt to the bottom side seat belt mounting bolt.

 

The only thing im not totally happy with is the buckle....since it was in the backseat they are a little short, BUT i found a place online selling seat belt extensions for about $20 a pair, so thatll bring it up to where I can easily reach it.

 

One note about this swap, the belts work great and lock like they are supposed to, but due to the fact they are for rear seats in a 240sx, the length on the belts isnt the longest, I can reach to the glove box fine, but theres only a foot or so of play in the belt. Im a big guy, 6'3'' 240lbs and these work GREAT for me.

Stock Retractor

 

Spacer

 

Retractor Mounted

 

Faded/Short Buckle

 

 

Any questions or feedback welcome!

[1 tuff z]

i was looking at the msa 'kit' for the 1/71 resto i'm doing and like this approach much better, thanks for posting! do u have a pic of the lap belt retractor mounted u could post?

[lumberjackj]

i was looking at the msa 'kit' for the 1/71 resto i'm doing and like this approach much better, thanks for posting! do u have a pic of the lap belt retractor mounted u could post?

 

Thats one of the tricks, no nasty lap retractor...I have been trying to put nice belts in my 240z for a few months now and one of the issues I kept seeing was floor mounted retractors not fitting right, so that prompted me to search for a hatch mounted retractor....in the first pic of the retractor assembly, mount the retractor in the hatch and feed the belt down to the lower mounting bolt and bolt in...I will add a few more pics later tonight to clarify.

 

Yep, I was looking at the MSA kit too, and its the same belts as the RetroUSA belt kit...I had them in my car, and did not like the fit....they were way to universal looking and didnt function all that well for an "upgrade"

 

Not to mention the fact that a lot of people pull these belts out of their 240sx's to "race"....they seem to be pretty available...for cheap if not FREE

 

Heres where I got my seat belt extensions for $20/pr *on order/currently waiting for them to show up*

http://www.protravelgear.com/products/Automotive-Seat-Belt-Extender.html

[Nelsonian]

lumberjackj,

You certainly have my attention here, as I have the Retro USA kit from MSA, but have yet to install or use. Would you elaborate on your experiences with the retro belt kit. I am only 5'8" and weigh a buck fifty so if I was to try your custom set up approach, I suppose there would be no issues for me, especially as I will be using a spal electric window kit. I'm liking this setup you have come up with.

[1 tuff z]

consider this, rear belts get very little use so they should be in excellent condition. yours came from a 91 240sx, do you know the year range so my search would be a bit easier?

 

does the retractor have the ability to 'rotate' slightly or is it fixed in place?

 

looking forward to more pics!

[lumberjackj]

lumberjackj,

You certainly have my attention here, as I have the Retro USA kit from MSA, but have yet to install or use. Would you elaborate on your experiences with the retro belt kit. I am only 5'8" and weigh a buck fifty so if I was to try your custom set up approach, I suppose there would be no issues for me, especially as I will be using a spal electric window kit. I'm liking this setup you have come up with.

A few things I dont like about the RetroBelt USA kit include the retractor location...it hits the seat slightly...plus the retractor does not look oem or close to fitting like OEM. Other things include the swivel piece that gets mounted in the hatch with the cheap plastic cover, and not to mention that the geometry isnt the best and tended to bind (at least in my car anyways... I didnt install them, they came with my car and I messed/adjusted with them and couldnt get them much better) Being 5'8'' you should have no issues with the RetroBelt kit....I just wanted something OEM Nissan/Tanaka

 

consider this, rear belts get very little use so they should be in excellent condition. yours came from a 91 240sx, do you know the year range so my search would be a bit easier?

 

does the retractor have the ability to 'rotate' slightly or is it fixed in place?

 

looking forward to more pics!

Yep, thats another thing I was considering that I totally forgot about....the back seat in the 240sx is so @&*$ small that the belts are rarely used....but they are usually beaten on by the sun (faded belts and dry/bridle plastic)

 

So if you want to get them, they come in 1989-1993 Nissan 240sx FASTBACKS. Doubt the coupes will work as easy as these...

 

The retractor does not swivel or move, it is solidly mounted. The small spacer was needed to clear the car/window edge.

 

One more note too....I swapped the retractor sides (passenger on driver side and driver on pass side since the brackets seem to kick out that way, making installation easier)

 

Couple more pics

Bottom mount for the belt

 

 

Short buckle (without extension)

 

Showing where the small "finger" tab was that got cut off.

[lumberjackj]

Received my seat belt extensions today and they came with a warm note stating I cant use them how I was planning....

 

 

I *think* they dont want you to use these things on the buckle side because it will modify the location of the buckle and essentially how the seat belt functions. I am pretty sure that itll work fine for this application, but im not to be held liable if you die after installing these belts

 

Heres the extensions too, I will be installing them tonight and get some more pictures.

 

After rocking these for about a week, they are a huge improvement over the manual belts, and since they are in such good condition, they retract quick and smooth.

 

Note, if your shorter, the extensions are necessary...I have my seat almost all the way back and can barley reach the buckle to click the belt in oh well, bottom line is that i love them, and wouldn't go back to stock belts or manuals at all!

[ModernS30]

Such win man. I love the write up, I will be doing this on my z. Now, I am only 5' 10" but I have 76 280z belts fitting in my 72. They are a PITA, do not fit right, and they don't really work with my seat. With this setup I will be able to get the belt in the seat where it will hold me in better. Make me feel a million times more safe, more easy to operate, and it looks more clean!

 

Thank you for a great write up!

 

EDIT: Clean it up a bit and I, remember opinion, I think it is worthy of a sticky.

Edited December 25, 2010 by ModernS30

[Nelsonian]

Yeah, sticky it indeed. I will end up going this route myself thanks to lumberjackj...

[revlis240]

I bought lumberjacks RetrobeltUSA seat belts for my S30 and just installed the passanger side last week. Its funny how what one person hates is what another person likes. I think the floor mounted retractor makes the seat belt kind of cool. Im 5'7" AND I have a 71 chassis so I mounted my retractor where it doesnt come near my seat (on a 71 you have to drill a hole).

 

Anyhoo, with all the MSA/Retro non-love I thought I would chime in and say theyre not that bad! Me likey

[lumberjackj]

Such win man. I love the write up, I will be doing this on my z. Now, I am only 5' 10" but I have 76 280z belts fitting in my 72. They are a PITA, do not fit right, and they don't really work with my seat. With this setup I will be able to get the belt in the seat where it will hold me in better. Make me feel a million times more safe, more easy to operate, and it looks more clean!

 

Thank you for a great write up!

 

EDIT: Clean it up a bit and I, remember opinion, I think it is worthy of a sticky.

 

Thanks for the kind words! I will definitely make this more "how-to/step by step" friendly once im 100% satisfied.

 

Yeah, sticky it indeed. I will end up going this route myself thanks to lumberjackj...

 

Thanks buddy!

 

I bought lumberjacks RetrobeltUSA seat belts for my S30 and just installed the passanger side last week. Its funny how what one person hates is what another person likes. I think the floor mounted retractor makes the seat belt kind of cool. Im 5'7" AND I have a 71 chassis so I mounted my retractor where it doesnt come near my seat (on a 71 you have to drill a hole).

 

Anyhoo, with all the MSA/Retro non-love I thought I would chime in and say theyre not that bad! Me likey

 

I didnt "hate" the retrobelts ...I just wanted something that was OEM nissan that was a little newer then the old faded 1970's belts I had....They work well, but I didnt feel the "fit" was clean enough for me, but they did work fine.

 

 

 

**NEW UPDATE**

 

 

 

On another note, I found out the 12" seat belt extensions I used in fact actually DID put the buckle too far up and messed up the geometry of the belts. So after searching google for 6" extensions, I found out the Jeep CJ7 uses belt extensions that are steel "L" brackets and whats even better is they are only $5.95 each. So i ordered a pair of those and will go ahead and remove the 12" extensions from the buckle portion and maybe move them to the lower mount that bolts to the car to get a little more belt slack since the retractor maxes out if i try to reach to the passenger window crank.

 

Heres the linkie to the new brackets i purchased and will hopefully work great!

 

http://www.seatbeltsplus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=sbp&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=FAB-1001-3&cvsfa=2825&cvsfe=2&cvsfhu=4641422d313030312d33

 

Full pics and write up to follow!

[lumberjackj]

New update, The metal extension brackets I was using did not give the belts proper geometry and after talking to a few of my Z friends, decided to find a replacement for the OEM belt buckle that was a little short. After pondering what could also share similar belts from a similar era, I found a couple buckles on ebay that looked promising. The buckles I found that work are from the REAR of an early Q45...not sure EXACTLY the year, but I believe it to be pre 1994. They are actually the correct length and bolt in to the factory position. I have included some pics that show my old setup with the OEM rear 240sx buckles with metal extension VS the Q45 (Tan) buckle thats longer from factory.

 

I will be making a complete how-to and parts list soon for my blog/webpage. As well as other Z upgrade information compiled in one source that will be found here

http://datsunS30.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

[Nelsonian]

It's good to see you sourced a pair of buckles that work for you. After you first introduced this option to us here, I went and found a nice black set. Unfortunately the mounting spool that resides above and behind you did not fit with my rollbar setup. I will end up putting these up for sale and just use my retro belts, hopefully with a little hybridization of it's own. This has been nice and informative though.

[lumberjackj]

thanks buddy! you must have a custom cage right? I have an auto power bar and have no issues. Loving the new belts!!!!!!!! Few months with them installed and a million times better then the old manual belts i had

[1 tuff z]

Finally got around to installing our 240sx belts with a couple of mods. Also thankful Nelsonian had been kind to sell us his [after they would not work in his z] for our z at a nice price!

• removed the stock cover from the retractors [may install later...]
• enlarged the retractor mount holes to allow a shoulder bolt
• made extenders for the receiver belt

They work fantastically and I believe are safer than the oem 71 belts this z came with. Very happy with the install thus far. Pics

 

 

 

Edited July 14, 2012 by 1 tuff z