Boyce

Has anyone ever replaced the rear lap belts with a 3-point shoulder belt? I understand Porche added the upper mount point after 82 models. I am generally a "stock" guy but I want to feel better about hitting the gas with my kids in the back! Any hints, suggestions, or places to buy?

PorKen

I noticed there was an unused threaded hole which looks the size for a seat belt bolt under the rear quarter cover on my 81. I'm guessing the 3-points were always an option, for different markets perhaps (Sweden?).

Ed Ruiz

That hole is for an anchor bolt for the optional child seat. YMMV.

jpitman2

I dont know about anywhere else, but Oz requires both lap-sash rear belts and child seat mountings from, IIRC, 1975 models up. If you look in the ledge immediately behind the rear seat back rest, you may find a threaded hole for child seat fixing. The officially imported 928s have such belts, with the upper rear fixing on the C pillar (? or is it D - the one beside the hatch door) about a foot from the end. To get mine past inspection on entering the country I will need to put lap-sashes in the rear, and they also need to meet Oz rules on UV resistance over time, so the genuine parts will probably be needed. IIRC, they (the belts) are listed in PET.
jp
83 at sea

Chris

Its easy to do, 928intl will sell you all the parts you need for a reasonable price.

The fixing you need to uncover is behing the rear quarter on the upper window pillar. There is a cutout in the panel also but it is covered over, if you feel along the panel you should be able to tell where the indent is.

Chris

Chuck Schreiber

Boycep

I'm doing the same thing. My interior is gutted in my 79 and there are provisions for the shoulder straps in the rear pillers. I have 2 kids and have alway been reluctant to just stick a lap belt over them. When I recover the rear quarters I'll also install later model seatbelt. As the post states above, you should be able to feel the indention in the piller, cut the trim out with a fine point exacto, reveal the bolt provision and insall the belt. You'll also need to pull the lower rear seat and outside leater
trim to get to the retracter portion as well. Not sure but the inboard female belt (portion with button release) may need to be replaced as well. Call one of the big 3. Good luck.

Ted928

I too would like 3 point belts in the back. Attaching to the upper point sounds straight forward. But do you have to replace the retractor mechanism? If so, is it difficult to do (I struggle with interiors since they don't simply "unbolt")?
If it is difficult to replace, could one leave it in place and plug the shoulder belt into it (pseudo-permanently) and attach a "male" that slides on the shoulder belt and plugs into the existing receiver???

BrianG

That should also be a great place to attach the far end of a "Y'd" shoulder-pair for a 4-point harness! <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

Chuck Schreiber

Ted

Looking at the newer (88 and up) cars with rear shoulder harnesses, its one piece. One bolt going to the piller and one to the retracter. The female portion of course being inboard w/the release button.
No, the interior does not simply unbolt, but it's not brain surgery either. Look at the manuals to get an idea of where screws and fasteners are, and check Greg Nichols tips sections. You should not have to take the whole quarter panel out. Looking back, the rear seat will have to come out (lower portion) this is a matter of slowly prying it up until its released all the way. 2 allen bolts to get the upper portion out, swing it up and outboard, and then two carpet screws that hold the very last part of the lower seat in place.(under the hatch carpet) The lower outboard section by the seatbelt retracter will then have to come out. Its held on by 2 screws. (one behind the rear seat with a snap on the end of it where the rear carpet snaps on to and one towards the front of the lower seat area attached to the quarter panel itself.) As for the inboard female portion of the belt, if that needs to be replaced, you'll have to remove the rear center console. If you have a storage area, lift the door, remove rubber bottom to package area, and remove ( I think its 2 or 4 screws , I can't remember) pull up and its out of there-(only after you've removed both seats) This will expose the seatbelt mounting points. Good luck. <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

Boyce

Thanks for all the details and discussions on this topic. Forgive my lack of knowledge but who are the "big 3"? I talked with PE Parts and they make a replacement belt for it. However, the retractor module is mounted on the window collar in full view. Was this the way Porsche did it? I would prefer one mounted under the lower rear seat. Any suggestions?

For those who are interested, I bought the shark from my brother in OR who bought it from a friend (the original owner) in 94. Both owners had the disposable income to properly maitain, used the same Porsche shop in Portland and I have all maintenance records. It has 59K on it. My kids rode it in it this past June and LOVED it. When the opportunity arose to become it's owner, I hopped on it- shipping struggles and all. Appropriate restraints for them are my first priortiy. I should have it in hand by January 15 and will post a follow up on what I learned and my seatbelt experience.

Ted928

Boyceb & Chuck,

Boyceb - Before you move too quickly, you may want to fully explore your options. The big-3 are Devek, 928 Specialist, and 928 International. All three support 928's solely. Some of them also frequent Rennlist providing excellent consultation.
Chuck - thanks for the insights. I plan to take it on in the spring.

Chuck Schreiber

Ted

Let me know what you find out on the inboard part of the belt. I'll more than likely change it out because its old and faded anyhow. Interior plans have been put on hold as the t-stat needs replacing and I'm doing all cooling hoses, vacuum lines etc underhood. It's always something!! <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Boyce

Her's another followup -

928 International only had them used and said there was "no upper mount point prior to 1990 otherwise Porsche would have put the shoulder belts in those models too". I would need to "fabricate something". This contradicts everything I have heard here and from the local Porsche shop. My car does not arrive for another 2 weeks and I can visually verify the existence or nonexistence of the mount points in my 85 then.

I called 928 Specialists and asked about the rear belts. I was told that David could answer my question in detail and would be back on Thursday. I'll post the information I get from him.

Boyce

No, the horse is not dead and I have become quite obsessed with getting this resolved and implemented. Does anyone have pictures of shoulder harnesses in the rear of their car? I received my car, felt along the edge and sure enough there is the indent. Some say this is the belt mount point, some say this indent is for the child restraint. I have ordered shop and part manuals to aid in general with my 928 but was hoping to get parts for this job ordered this week.

Big Dave

boyceb:

Now I'm curious about this too. I've got young kids that like to ride in the shark, but not having a shoulder belt makes me nervous.

Let me know what you find out with your '85.

Dave