Need a quick pic or two of manual seat belt!

alia176 · #1 11-26-2005, 08:03 AM

Hey dudes,

I'm in the process of converting my auto seat belt to a manual belt (from a '94) system. I can't seem to remember what the manual seat belt arrangement looked like in the car that this came out of; should've taken a digital pic D'oh! Does anyone have a pic or two of the manual seat belt in their car? Is it in this site somwhere and I just can't find it? My search didn't reveal anything. Heck, even a diagram from the shop manual probably would help! My shop manual only covers the automatic seat belt stuff

Specifically, I'm trying to figure out where does the manual belt retractor locate in the place of the auto seat belt motor. I'm looking for a 14mm captive nut somewhere in the vicinity to attach the retractor to but unable to find it.

Thanks a lot.

Ali

intelisevil · #2 11-26-2005, 08:55 AM

I highly doubt that the earlier years would have the nut in place.

I'm sure they didn't start planning to put manual belts into the cars in 1991.

Good Luck,

alia176 · #3 11-26-2005, 09:15 AM

Oh yes, they have the captive nut in place, I just found it

Everything is installed. The trick was to remove the vapor barrier and then step back and look at the area. Then it became apparent where the holes are. The vapor barrier don't have these holes but are marked with an X! I simply cut the holes where the X is and life is good

I'm taking a few pics of this install and will stick it somewhere on this site as appropriate. Please note the circles marked with the green pen where I cut the holes open. The socket is pointing to the two holes that are behind the vapor barrier. Also, there's a pic of the manual retractor installed.

Now, for my second request...can I get a pic of how the seat belt guide thing up top from someone (manual belt). Since this is all new to me, I simply want to make sure that I'm installing this piece in the right orientation.

As a second bonus to this project, since I had to remove the front seats, rear seat cushion and some carpeting, I found LOADS of change

Talk about debris buried in all the nooks and crannies. It was great to be able to vacuum her like a mad man!

Thanks.

Ali
'92

ensteele · #4 11-26-2005, 01:57 PM

If you write up something and post all the pictures, I will write it up and put it into the How-To Docs.

alia176 · #5 11-27-2005, 08:39 AM

Sunday morning, all done. I'd say to plan for a long day on this project. Because, you'll soon realize that there're other things you can do that you couldn't do as easily before.

Here's what I worked during this project:

-removed both seats and rear seat cushion, clean and Zymol treatment.
-Installed sheep skin seat covers. This is much easier to do when the seats are out of the car. You can guide the elastic straps securely under the seat w/o fumbling around.
-cleaned remaining part of the car, shampooed the carpets. Again, much easier to do when you can move around inside!
-replaced the Trans shifter console illum bulb. Wasn't burned out, but since I had the center console out anyway...!
-removed and replaced the rear bottom seat cusion plastic release clips. These by far the most PITA to remove intact. So I got a pair of used ones just in case I was going to go Rambo on these things. Sure enough, I did

You need to remove these clips in order to be able to pull the carpet up. Mine were broken anyway from before.

As part of the elimination of any traces of the auto seat belts, the following items were removed:
-both seat belt tracks. Incidentally, everything is functional
-lap belt along with retractors
-shoulder belts along with retractors (located under the center cubby, rear)
-upper trims on both sides (where the tracks are hidden under)

I did not re-install the pass side grab handle. The holes in the manual belt upper trim is at a diff location than the auto belt. I'll need a different grab handle back plate. Rather than cut new holes on the manual trim, I'll just find a grab handle back plate from a manual belt car.

I'll submit a complte to doc to Ensteele for a How To in the near future. Here're couple of pics for your amusement. I'm thinking of sticking the auto belt system on Ebay unless there's some interests here. Let me know.

Ali
'92

alia176 · #6 11-27-2005, 08:42 AM

More pics....

-Cleaned and lubed the driver seat threaded rods. Installed seat covers.
-all seat bolts received anti seize compound on the threads

Here's a question for y'all: can I remove the seat belt ECU now? It's not doing anything for me now, is it? If I don't remove it, the seat belt light will continue to haunt me forever, right?

alia176 · #7 11-27-2005, 08:51 AM

More pics...

Here's a shot of the two pass side trim. Notice the location of the grab handle holes.

A pic of the seat belt guide on the buttom cushion. I wanted to toss these but as you can see, that's not gonna happen. They leave huge holes. Can someone tell me what is in this location on the manual seat vehicles? Better yet, how about a picture?

Thanks.

ensteele · #8 11-27-2005, 09:50 AM

Good job. That looks great and you don't have to worry about the auto ones not working.

alia176 · #9 11-27-2005, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ensteele

Good job. That looks great and you don't have to worry about the auto ones not working.

Thanks dude. People may wonder why I replaced a functional system. I am not a big fan of auto belts - they're more like semi auto. If you have to slap on a lap belt manually then the system is more of a pain than anything else. If I have to reach for a belt, then it might as well be the real deal

have a good day.

Ali

Earthworm · #10 11-28-2005, 12:36 PM

Could you also submit a writeup for the SVXipedia?

alia176 · #11 12-01-2005, 06:53 AM

Ensteele/Earthworm,

I've compiled the word document with pics. How do I send these to you?

Ali

Earthworm · #12 12-01-2005, 12:06 PM

Go to the SVXipedia and use the submit option.

#13 12-03-2005, 12:34 PM

I was just wondering since I was planning to do the same thing, was does the seat beat mech have to be from a SVX or something like a ealier Legacy work? Im thinking of going to the junk yard and pulling a bolt from another Subie and trying it out.

ensteele · #14 12-03-2005, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alia176

Ensteele/Earthworm,

I've compiled the word document with pics. How do I send these to you?

Ali

Email it to me at ensteele@wavecable.com

coco-puff · #15 12-14-2008, 01:19 PM

bump!

Anyone have a DIY for this? I located a parts car and I am thinking about doing this conversion and wondering how things mount up on the B-pillar and whats parts I would need.

ensteele and alia>
you have PM!