Top Removal and Seatbelts

[Contractor]

The top removal thread below made me think about this as I'm considering pulling the top for the summer. What do you guys do about seatbelts when the top is off?

Mine seam to be mounted to the side of the top to allow for shoulder straps.

Suggestions or pictures would be a huge help.

[jdesigns2001]

I bolt mine to a roll bar that I install when the top is off. This would be a good excuse to get a roll bar for your Rover! I got mine from a gentleman in Tennessee who is no longer in business, but I think you can still find them elsewhere. As another option, I want to say that I have seen the third point bolted to hoops screwed into a reinforcing steel plate under the capping directly behind the front seats, but after all seat belts don't help much if you turn it over without a roll bar.

[stomper]

There are a few ways about going about this. many people either remove the seatbelts while the top is off, some install lap belts, others use a static shoulder belt. they are all available through our hosts. The best option would probably to use one of these. http://landroverparts.roversnorth.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=LR029312&type=0

Still, as jdesigns says, in a roll over, there is no protection without a roll bar with any of the options I just mentioned.

[Kiloengineer]

I have static belts that just mount to the seat bulkhead, simple. Works with full top, cab top and soft top.

[LaneRover]

I also have a truck that the seatbelts mount to the bulkhead. One other issue is compression of the spine as (unless you are quite short) your shoulder is above the mounting point for top of the seatbelt. I would argue that dealing with compression of the spine might be the less bad alternative to trying to extricate you from the steering wheel/windshield/car you hit etc . . .

[crankin]

I too have a truck that you can mount the seatbelt to the bulk head (picture).

Its a pain to lean forward on and you can really feel it pull you down when you are heavy on the brakes. I move mine to the top when not running topless.

[VTRover]

North of $400 is a TON of $$$ for OEM welded tubes. Exmoor has one for around $250.00. It's easy to fit and will offer much better protection than a belt mounted to the bulkhead.

[busboy]

I removed my roll cage last year I figured after 30 odd years and never having used it once why bother ;), the roll cage just added to the upper body weight and to be honest the rover doesn't have as much body roll in corners. My belts have always been mounted to the bulkhead, I found after lowering the seats so I can see the stop lights the belts work much better.

[Myron]

I just took my top off again for the summer after not having done this for at least ten years. I had to remember how it all came apart, and the seatbelt change is important to get right. With the top on, I use the rotors that mount to the top rail of the tub at an angle. The swivel mounts to the top and closer to the door.

With the top off, I use the rotors that mount in the vertical plane to the middle bulkhead just behind the seats. The swivel/slide mounts to the military seatbelt bar. I'm not sure these are still made, but it works very well, and eliminates the spine compression issue. Kind of looks like a mini roll bar, but of course offers no protection in a roll over. It's just a mounting point for the swivels.

OP, if you'd like a more close up picture, PM me your contact details.

Myron

http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/zz282/Roverhaven/Land%20Rover/Image1_zps236b6723.jpg (http://s836.photobucket.com/user/Roverhaven/media/Land%20Rover/Image1_zps236b6723.jpg.html)

http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/zz282/Roverhaven/Land%20Rover/Image_zpsbbda8e26.jpg (http://s836.photobucket.com/user/Roverhaven/media/Land%20Rover/Image_zpsbbda8e26.jpg.html)

[Jim-ME]

I run static lap belts year round. Something is better than nothing at all.
Jim

[Contractor]

Thanks for all of the replies.

Myron, sending you a PM.

[o2batsea]

Food for thought; scott's 88 crash from Sunday:

http://siteground237.com/~gunsandr/attachment.php?attachmentid=4486&d=1369682144

http://siteground237.com/~gunsandr/attachment.php?attachmentid=4488&d=1369682311

http://siteground237.com/~gunsandr/attachment.php?attachmentid=4489&d=1369682359

Creamed by a Benz at 50mph.

[amcordo]

Is everyone OK?

[o2batsea]

Battered but OK, yes.

[cedryck]

What a mess, hope no one was hurt. I had a horrifying experience crossing a main way in town, nearly creamed by some pocket rocket doing 80 in a 35 zone, scary,, where seat belts,

[Contractor]

I saw that on GNR this weekend.

Really makes you think about a roll bar.