Seat belt options for defender hard top

Summerdrive · May 22, 2021

Hello folks,

I recently bought an ex military defender 90, and I'm trying to get it a little summer ready without spending too much money. Does anyone know of a seat belt bar that I can fit, that is still compatible with the hard top? Going full soft top is too expensive at the moment, but I'd like to be able to take the roof of and on, without having to relocate the seat belt each time. Is this possible?

Thanks in advance

Litch · May 22, 2021

Two point* belts as fitted to S111 soft-top plus many soft-top sports cars (and our old MGB GT) of the era.
I used Securon units and they were perfect. The reel mounts to a hardpoint behind (or on) the centre bulkhead and the belt runs over your shoulder and then does up in the normal way. The only difference is that the belt is resting on your shoulder rather than having a third mounting higher up.

*Note.
2-Point meaning reel & lower mount, doesn't include stalk and most definitely NOT lap or static belt.

Summerdrive · May 24, 2021

Litch said:
Two point* belts as fitted to S111 soft-top plus many soft-top sports cars (and our old MGB GT) of the era.
I used Securon units and they were perfect. The reel mounts to a hardpoint behind (or on) the centre bulkhead and the belt runs over your shoulder and then does up in the normal way. The only difference is that the belt is resting on your shoulder rather than having a third mounting higher up.

*Note.
2-Point meaning reel & lower mount, doesn't include stalk and most definitely NOT lap or static belt.

View attachment 238856

Hi Litch,

Thanks very much for your help! Much appreciated. I rearranged the existing seatbelt configuration based on what you suggested, and it has worked an absolute treat. Now all we need is some sunny weather!

the_wolf · May 25, 2021

I have thought about looking at fitting a seat belt bar for the same reason as you but doesn't fit with the hard top on. I would however be very cautious about bolting your seatbelt onto an aluminium bulkhead that's not designed for it

Litch · May 26, 2021

"I would however be very cautious about bolting your seatbelt onto an aluminium bulkhead that's not designed for it"

This was the standard fitting point for the reel on earlier soft-tops and there was a steel stiffener that fitted under the capping across the top of the centre bulkhead, it spread the load across the capping (sides & centre section) and also to the bulkhead itself (in much the same way the bar does). Is this sleeve fitted to all vehicles, I don't know?
Our military S111 soft-tops had the belts mounted this way (early 80's before hoops were required) and of course the RECCE vehicles ran stripped to the waist, all however had inertia reel belts over your shoulder. When I bought my first LR in the mid 80's (ex-SEB S111) the reels were mounted exactly the same way.

V8bob · May 26, 2021

As a wild guess, the insurance company would say this is a modification.
If you don’t tell them you have switched then invalid insurance.
If you do tell them I doubt they would insure you?

wattfield · May 26, 2021

Sounds like the arrangement on my old S2a, now I'm trying to remember exactly where they were mounted!

Muppetdaze · May 29, 2021

I've been chasing this situation for two years,
The centre front seatbelt from exmoor is no longer available, got mine from craddocks, thei will fit outer seats too, originally was a centre lap belt only until the over shoulder floor mounted three point inertia belt appeared. The only three point that land rover allowed that I can find. It is possible to fit a modified standard roll bar inside the hard top but it involves a lot of faff my local garage tells me, or buy a wolf type hardtop and faff that around.
A post mounted and braced behind the bulkhead properly would accept a shoulder height belt fitting, thank gods for cars around before type approval
Or a racing harness four point

All this to avoid gearlever rhinoplasty

Or a broken collarbone

Seat belt options for defender hard top

Summerdrive

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Litch

Well-Known Member

Summerdrive

New Member

the_wolf

Well-Known Member

Litch

Well-Known Member

V8bob

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wattfield

AKA Dirk Diggler

Muppetdaze

Active Member

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