Seat belt help

HestiaMea · 08-15-2019, 10:46 AM

Working on getting a short bus to convert but I was wondering if I'm the only adult in the home I can't drive the kids (5 and 3) in the car. I can't find alot of information on safely and legally installing 3 point seat belts 😐. Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks

PNW_Steve · 08-15-2019, 10:59 AM

I have seen some folks repurpose mini van seats that had built in three point seat belts.

They reinforced the floor and used grade 8 hardware for mounting.

Doktari · 08-15-2019, 06:32 PM

Good question.
School bus seats have a heavy frame and the two point seat belts are attached to this frame. I cannot think of any easy way to install three point seat belts.....A good welder with creativity and time on their hands can do wonders however.

musigenesis · 08-16-2019, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HestiaMea

Working on getting a short bus to convert but I was wondering if I'm the only adult in the home I can't drive the kids (5 and 3) in the car. I can't find alot of information on safely and legally installing 3 point seat belts ��. Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks

Probably your easiest and cheapest solution is to install a Ford transit van seat bench like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Transi...l/132883281468

These have integrated 3-point belts, can be easily installed (they're just bolted through the floor) and can be temporarily removed once the tracks are in place (giving you extra internal space when you're not driving). If you look for them on Craigslist you should find one a lot cheaper than the eBay offerings (I got mine for $200 and no shipping, although I had to drive two hours to get it).

Adding a shoulder belt to a standard bus bench is pretty difficult. The belt has to run from the person to a structure behind the seat and above shoulder level - in a school bus there's nothing there to attach it to.

farok · 08-16-2019, 06:31 AM

An alternative is a seat from a '99-'06 Chevy/GMC truck, with a built-in 3-point belt. They're much more comfortable than a Transit seat. Also, if you can get one from a "u-pull-it" junkyard, that's the cheapest way to go. One seat - $21, external Torx sockets required to remove - $23.

Chris

magnakansas · 08-16-2019, 06:33 AM

Look to the world of racing cars for information on seat belt placement. There is not one quick answer. You should spend some time learning do's and dont's.
The ford transit seats if you look, should have baby latch points. The triple seaters I have the outer seats both have baby seat latch points, the double seaters only have one set of baby seat latch points. I do not know about the single seats, but I would assume they have a set of latch points. To me, one of the neat things about the transit seats, you can move the seat from one position for moving down the road, then to another position when parked.

are you any where near Topeka kansas? I could show you.

william

musigenesis · 08-16-2019, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magnakansas

To me, one of the neat things about the transit seats, you can move the seat from one position for moving down the road, then to another position when parked.

That's an interesting idea. You could use it as, like, kitchen table seating - the fact that they're not very comfortable would prevent you from sitting and eating for too long.

musigenesis · 08-16-2019, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farok

An alternative is a seat from a '99-'06 Chevy/GMC truck, with a built-in 3-point belt. They're much more comfortable than a Transit seat. Also, if you can get one from a "u-pull-it" junkyard, that's the cheapest way to go. One seat - $21, external Torx sockets required to remove - $23.

Chris

Do you have a link to one of these seats? It's too late for me, but I'm curious about what these look like and how big they are. For me, the selling point of the transit van seat was that it takes up so little space (and is removable once installed). I'm mounting mine forward with a bulkhead wall behind it, so the bigger the seat the smaller my living space would be.

magnakansas · 08-16-2019, 08:21 AM

musigenesis, you keep repeating "not comfortable" I disagree. Mine are cloth, with armrest, and recline. The kids have been in them for hours at a go.

I dont know about nonreclining or vinyl seats, never bought any of them.

I can put in a single, a double, or a triple I have to have the correct rail placement, but I can. the last row on the bus. The non transit singles are using removeable seatbases from conversion vans. I can move those too.

william.....

musigenesis · 08-16-2019, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magnakansas

musigenesis, you keep repeating "not comfortable" I disagree. Mine are cloth, with armrest, and recline. The kids have been in them for hours at a go.

I dont know about nonreclining or vinyl seats, never bought any of them.

I can put in a single, a double, or a triple I have to have the correct rail placement, but I can. the last row on the bus. The non transit singles are using removeable seatbases from conversion vans. I can move those too.

william.....

Mine don't recline, and the double is 31" wide total, so you get 15" width per person. As a 6' 180# dude, I stand by my "uncomfortable". I only got them with the intent of occasionally giving people short rides - I really can't imagine sitting in them for a multi-day trip. For kids, though, they'd probably be fine.

farok · 08-16-2019, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musigenesis

Do you have a link to one of these seats? It's too late for me, but I'm curious about what these look like and how big they are. For me, the selling point of the transit van seat was that it takes up so little space (and is removable once installed). I'm mounting mine forward with a bulkhead wall behind it, so the bigger the seat the smaller my living space would be.

Here's a link to one on eBay. I needed a larger, permanent seat for the co-pilot, which would double as a working space when the wife wants to use the kitchen (and therefore the couch opposite the counter wouldn't be available with table up, given our short bus layout).
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1999-06-Che...R/112672474807

For temporary seating, it's not really such a good idea, I would agree.

Chris

TheArgobus · 08-17-2019, 10:34 PM

I purchased these bad boys right here. I'm building a dinette, framed with slotted angle and through bolted to the floor/walls, which will seat my passengers. Safety is at the top of my mind.

gs1949 · 08-18-2019, 01:14 AM

Interesting thread, with some interesting links. Thanks to everyone who has posted so far.

Danjo · 08-18-2019, 01:33 AM

I have an 07 Thomas Minotour that has a bench seat with built in seat belts that’s probably going to find a new home soon.

Mr4btTahoe · 08-20-2019, 12:44 PM

3rd row bench seat out of a large van or SUV with built in seat belts. Anchor the seat to the floor through the ribs under the floor or with a large washer/plate to spread the load across the floor area.

Otherwise, retain one of the bus bench seats and anchor belts to the seat frame as the seats are already properly anchored.

Meathead · 08-23-2019, 04:56 PM

Yeah, search “suburban or Tahoe 3rd row seat” on eBay. They will be selling all 3 in a 2/1 configuration. They have integrated seat belts. These are less expensive bc driver and passenger seats are in higher demand. Haha, most are in mint condition. You will have to build a stand or a box for them to sit on. My Tahoe passenger seat will sit on a box over the front wheelwell with a bolt welded between windows 1 and 2 for the seat belt. Oh...Thomas pusher. So that’s where pass seat goes😁

ScottDixon · 09-04-2019, 06:01 PM

Mine came with two seats with an insert that folds down to show two five point harnesses.

My number is 4052135030 if you still need one. I can text you a picture.

ScottDixon · 09-04-2019, 06:05 PM

Mine came with two of these seats. Each has two five point harnesses in them. You can have one if you still need it.

https://www.safeguardseat.com/produc...ed-child-seat/

I can send you pics if you text me at 4052135030

Scott

HestiaMea · 09-04-2019, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheArgobus

I purchased these bad boys right here. I'm building a dinette, framed with slotted angle and through bolted to the floor/walls, which will seat my passengers. Safety is at the top of my mind.

Thank you!! Those are glorious! Thanks everybody!

HestiaMea · 09-04-2019, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottDixon

Mine came with two of these seats. Each has two five point harnesses in them. You can have one if you still need it.

https://www.safeguardseat.com/produc...ed-child-seat/

I can send you pics if you text me at 4052135030

Scott

Thanks, those look amazing I think I'm going to try to stick with keeping the little ones car seat in a three point belt. The arm rests seem to stifle her inner mma fighter

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