Fitting new seat belts

[sallygzj]

I am hoping to replace the middle lap belt with a three point diagonal belt, in the sliding row of seats not the rear folding seats. I find having a lap belt inconvenient with kids and booster seats to deal with, I like to keep the rear seats folded away so I have plenty of space for the double buggy, shopping and general junk. This works ok during the week but is a pain at weekends when Dad gets in the Bongo too. I often sit in the middle seat, and the oldest daughter has the passenger seat. To add to the general inconvenience of the lap belt we are off to France soon and have discovered it is illegal for kids under 10 to sit in the front, with buggys, travel cot, luggage etc I would like to avoid having to use the back row of seats and have the 3 kids in the middle row, all with 3 point belts. When I asked my local mechanic he thinks it is a tricky thing to do because the seat is adjustable/moveable, not like fixed mini-bus seats where the seatbelts need not be mounted on anything but the seat. So has anyone ever done this ? Or have any advice ?

[winchman]

It is possible to do.
Unless you are very handy I would talk to this copany who should be able to steer you in the right direction
http://www.securon.co.uk/
If you are handy then take the seat apart and weld in a substantial structure to fit this
http://www.securon.co.uk/other/otherpics/mini2.jpg
You would also need to have the calcs done to prove its safe, far easier than it sounds
Just look at how the seat belts are on this seat
http://www.cogentseating.co.uk/mk_1.html
Thats what you need to aim for its not difficult.
Whats your location?

[winchman]

Just re read your post
Securicon are the best to advise you, I have spoken to the in the past ask for the technical department as they are very helpful, but I feel the moving seat isnt a problem as the middle belt can be fastened to this as its clearly up to the loadings as the belts are currently fastened to it, but not too sure how the tipping bit of the seat would be affected?

[sallygzj]

Thanks, that all seems really helpful. My local garage bloke has said he will fit a belt for me as long as I can provide it and that it is safe, so I think I will get in touch with the site you recommended. I am based south of Bristol. Thank-you

[madmile]

I would be very surprised if the folding seat was anywhere near up to the task of having a 3 point belt attached to it. When testing seats to M1 standards, a seatbelt is subjected to 3 tons of pull - I cant see the mechanism on a bongo seat being able to withstand anywhere near that.

[sallygzj]

So if it is unlikely that a 3 point belt would be fixable to be either safe or legal, I was trying to re-think it through. The lap belt is legal and does fit in with the car seat booster seat situation. It is a personal thing that makes me want to have more shoulder support for my daughter (She is only 4 and still nods off on long journeys). How about keeping the lap belt, but is there any way of using an additional harness of any description ? I Looked on ebay and there appears to be variety available, 3 & 4 point ones, though many are rally driving ones !