Just wondering anyone has successfully converted their series 1 static seat belts to modern retractables.

I fitted up my car with a pair from my Mini Spare Parts Department (back shed), but the inertia reels are too large & now the front seats won't move back to their full distance.

Thanks for any guidance.

 

unless you can find a reel that can be fitted inside the B post as in Series 2 and 3 XJ, you will have interference with the seat movement.

I would try the seat belts from the rear seat of a Series 3 XJ, the reels are somewhat smaller than the front retractable reels and see if they can be inserted and bolted into the B post cavity, (the B post is the one between the front and rear doors). If you observe the front retractable reels in a Series 3 XJ, you will see they are bolted inside the B post.

 

I bought aftermarket seat belts and installed them in the B pillars. I bought the trim pieces from a wrecking yard to match the S3. This was done in my current '71 and the
prior '72 XJ. The S3 rear seat belts on the top shelf just bolt in.

 

Roger,
I remember when you were doing this... At the time we were talking off forum about the anchor points on the Series 3, and whether they were needed for your conversion. Since then I've always cut these out of cars that I've parted.
For the record, the B post on the Series 1 can use the Series 3 seat belts and reels, just like Roger mentioned. You have to provide an anchor for the seat belt reels in the B post. but after that it's a bolt in part. One advantage is being able to get rid of the cumbersome external reels on the Series 1....
Cheers,
David
shop.EverydayXJ.com

 

Thank you gentlemen for that useful information.

Peter