Retrofitting Safety Features

Hi,

I currently have a science assignment that I am doing about retrofitting safety features on older cars. Seeing as i own a kombi i thought i would do this topic!!

I would just like to send a call out to anyone who has perviously fitted airbags, safer seat belts....any thing to improve a kombis safety.

Cheers,

Zac

 

Zac
I have fitted Inertia reel seat belts and lap sash for the rear ......no air bags ....have never read any articles on doing it and as they have to coincide with crumple zones and impact velocities don't think there will ever be a bolt on do it your self variety. Could make the sexist comment that a passenger of a certain demeanour could be called an airbag ....but only if I know she is not on this forum.

 

aren't inertia seat belts standard in the front seats though?? or did i get free seat belts with my kombi?

 

Depends on the year

 

its a 75 model?

 

My Daughters 1974 didn't have them originally.

 

hey mate..just had a look at ur blog..very nice

 

thanx, join the site, it would mean the world to me (well maybe not the world...)

 

I've had 2x 75 models both have had Factory inertia reels up front

 

I fitted lap sash belts for the driver and passenger and a centre lap belt for the second passenger in my '63 SC. I have also changed the suspension to IRS to give far better handling. I suppose that could be a safety issue.

Ian

 

Rear disc brakes?

 

Front discs with dual circuit. (from single circuit drums)
Front and rear lap/sash inertia seat belts outside. Lap centres (from none at all)
Radial Tyres (from cross ply)
12v (from 6v. Yes it does help to be able to run both the wipers and headlights at full power at night in the rain)
Front laminated windscreens.

Cheers

Bobby

 

Zac,
A lot of people have fitted front disk brakes instead of the older style Drum brakes as from memory the front brakes are more powerful than the rear at about 3:1/2 ratio. (Talking Hilux brakes here, please correct if I am wrong for Kombi's (or Hiluxs for that matter)).
Pre 72 Kombis have drums and you can pull out the front end from a post 72 and fit in without a huge amount of problems.
Some people even go up to vented dixk brakes if they are putting more than 100hp in the bus.

Other things are better suspension, possibly lower ride height.

Split owners have a solid back axle and change to independent suspension????(I don't know from anything but guesses, Please correct me splitty owners)

Maight be worth while contacting some of the VW Conversion professionals and telling they you are doing an assignment. I have found honesty in these things generally gets you a fair bit of help without stuffing anybody around.

Good luck.

I personally plan to fit doors to mine, Mind you that is less upgrade and more repair!

 

While writing I got beaten by '2Slow' - Ironic!

 

I've just fitted inertia seatbelts in my 74 because it didn't have them previously.

 

I've had to fit inertia seat belts to my ’74 & it’s a Deluxe as I understand it ’75 & after they came as standard.

 

I intend to fit a "If you can read this, you are following too close" sticker to the back of my kombi.

 

Could always make 'If this is getting bigger my handbrake may have failed'

 

I've fitted inertia reel belts, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, halogen headlights, a set of spottys and gas shocks. I have the car regularly serviced including a full safety check, and I allways run good tyres.
Oh, and the other safety measure is the Kombi driving attitude..... you are always dealing with impatient dick head drivers, who need to pass or pull out in front of you!!