Three Point Seatbelt to replace lap belt

[The Van]

Hi Bongo People,

I have had my Bongo for a year and am disinclined to use the middle seat of the back bench as it only has a lap belt which I understand can be unsafe if involved in an accident.

Can anyone point me in the direction of how to fit a three point seat belt to replace the lap belt?

Much appreciated.

[WebWiz]

Hi, funny you should ask as I was just looking into the same thing yesterday.

I've seen 3 point belts on eBay for about 30 and would assume you could just bolt the guide to the top of the backrest.

Anyone done this conversion that can offer advice?

[TheLongRoad]

I think in the MOT you’ll find they check the seat belts are securely mounted and if not will fail the vehicle. There is something about type approved mounting - not sure of details but similar to the rock and roll beds with 3 point belts that have been crash tested.

[Markas]

Hi, funny you should ask as I was just looking into the same thing yesterday.

I've seen 3 point belts on eBay for about 30 and would assume you could just bolt the guide to the top of the backrest.

Anyone done this conversion that can offer advice?

I fear that in the case of an impact, the weight of the seat's occupant would be likely to force the seat to fold forward causing further injuries to anyone sat on that seat. Don't think your insurance company would be too impressed. There's a reason it's fitted with a lap belt.
If you look at cars with a centre 3-point seat belt in the rear seat, it is mounted to a fixed part of the vehicle structure, either a reinforcing bar running the width of the parcel shelf, or, in the case of some Peugeots I've seen, it pulls down from the roof.

[WebWiz]

Good points. My meriva has rear centre which comes from the roof. Think I'll leave it alone.

[The Van]

Thank you everyone - comments much appreciated and noted. Think I will leave well alone.

[mikeonb4c]

I fitted a 3 point belt to the middle of mine. I was well aware of the pros and cons but made my own decision that it would probably be more useful than a lapbelt. MOT have never queried it and thankfully my decision never got tested. Kids now grown so it never gets used now and it was only ever used rarely anyway.

[Alkers]

How did you go about mounting it?

[mikeonb4c]

How did you go about mounting it?

Did it years ago so can't quite remember but think i just used the lapbelt mountings and fed the 'third' strap over the bench seat between the headrest poles to hold it in position. I do understand the objections to all this but decided on it regardless. I also made headrests for the fold up back seats, which seemed to work well also.