Spyder inertia reel brackets

[robertverhey]

Hi, I am wanting to fit inertia reel belts to my s3 FHC fitted with spyder chassis and spyder roll cage

After an exhaustive search of the forum, it seems that using the 7/16 UNF rear tower body to chassis bolt for the belt reel is unsatisfactory because it's directly behind the driver/passenger head, so the belt cuts into your neck. The outrigger mounting bolt (the square section one) is also not an option as it's tucked into the corner. The roll cage does have a threaded socket on it for non-retractable belt upper mount, but the angle makes it unsuitable for a belt retractor.

I notice that spyder sell a bracket to facilitate the mounting of a belt retractor, which, presumably fits like a saddle on top of the tower. Pictured here (two lowest pics)

http://www.spydercars.co.uk/lotus-elan- ... rsion-kit/

I'm struggling a bit to see how these actually fit, and the spyder website isn't much help. They're not cheap!

Can anyone provide a pic of these brackets that shows them installed?

Alternatively has anyone come up with a novel solution to mounting a retractable belt reel?

Any assistance gratefully accepted.

[rgh0]

I have not done it but I would have thought a typical inertia reel could be bolted to the top outboard mounting OK as most inertial reels have the bolting tongue come out the bottom rear, you just need turn it from the normal horizontal to a vertical orientation. A short steel extension link could be made if it needed to be moved forward a little to bring it out of the tight corner.

cheers
Rohan

[HampshireMush]

Hi
First post from me a relative newcomer to the ranks of Elan ownership. I bought an 69 S4 DHC a few months ago and it had been fitted with inertia belts using the centre mounting bracket which I found extremely uncomfortable to use and felt were dangerous as well. One of my first tasks was to do the job 'right' and as the car had a Spyder chassis fitted I went for their kit.

Fitting was easy but did involve a fair bit of dismantling of the hood tray and rear carpets. Spyder provide a number of photos which show how to put it all together but no written instructions. Only issue I had was that I had a couple of bits left over which did not appear on the photos! Phoned them to check and found that they are extensions for the stalks as the ones they provide are quite short and if you have the seat forward you can not get the buckle in as it is hidden by the seats. I could post the photos if that helps if I can figure out how to!

Hope that helps

[William2]

I recently bought some from Spyder and politely complained that there were no fitting instructions. I spoke to a chap called Sean and he emailed me some photos which will help. Suggest you phone him.

[robertverhey]

Yes I will give Sean a call, but I find it useful to tap into the knowledge on this forum initially, in case there are pros and cons about these parts and better, perhaps simpler and cheaper ways to go about it. R

[terryp]

This is the picture I used. It's from peterexpat

lotus-elan-f19/elan-restoration-t27833.html#p186760

It's about mid way down. Before this I scratched my head so many times!,,,,

Terry

[robertverhey]

Hmm interesting. Not a particularly elegant solution, but I guess it's all hidden under trim. Still scratching my head a little, the furthest out bolt hole in peter's picture surely doesn't align with the outrigger bolt hole, which appears (from underneath anyway) to be tucked right into that corner. There must be a nut welded on the inside of the bracket or something. And the Spyder plate /bracket arrangement doesn't appear to go all the way to the corner. Maybe a home made bracket / plate connecting across between the two bolt holes would allow the reels to go even further across.....as long as it looks professional enough for the inspecting engineer.....

[HampshireMush]

Further to my previous note please find attached an image that should clarify some points.

The brackets do have their own mounting nuts which are welded on. The Belt reel housing fits tight to the side so can not go further across.

One thing you have to do as well is to cut new holes in the backboard and carpet - not a problem for me as I have fitted new carpets and I just asked Sue Miller to supply without cutting a hole in the 'usual' position.

As can be seen the hood tray fits tight under the hood tray and i needed to make some slight adjustments on one side before I could refit all the fasteners.

Hope this helps

John

[peterexpart]

Further to my previous note please find attached an image that should clarify some points.

The brackets do have their own mounting nuts which are welded on. The Belt reel housing fits tight to the side so can not go further across.

One thing you have to do as well is to cut new holes in the backboard and carpet - not a problem for me as I have fitted new carpets and I just asked Sue Miller to supply without cutting a hole in the 'usual' position.

As can be seen the hood tray fits tight under the hood tray and i needed to make some slight adjustments on one side before I could refit all the fasteners.

Hope this helps

John

John
As fitted on my S4 the Belt came through the existing slot in the Backboard and does not go anywhere near enough to my neck to cause any discomfort !!

[robertverhey]

Okay! The penny drops. Now I see how it all fits together. Didn't realise that the reel mounted down low, and the top hole was for a belt guide. I can see the outrigger bolt hole peeking from behind the spyder bracket in john's pic. Funny that they didn't extend the plate over a bit more to the corner, so that it could be secured by that bolt too.....now THAT would have been a solidly mounted bracket.

Thanks all for assistance, will have a good think about way forward. Still keen to see any home spun solutions if they're out there.....

Robert

[jk952]

Though not directly related to topic, did they ever use inertia reel belts on the S2 elans, I have a set (not installed) but could be from a plus 2 bunch of parts. One book pict. seems to show them but not sure if an owner addition. I know the S2 doesn't have chassis provision for three point belts ( though I added my own version for the illusion of safety in the Elan. )
Jack

[TroonSprint]

I can see the outrigger bolt hole peeking from behind the spyder bracket in john's pic. Funny that they didn't extend the plate over a bit more to the corner, so that it could be secured by that bolt too.....now THAT would have been a solidly mounted bracket.

On my Spyder chassis (which is a fairly early one) there are no outriggers so the bolt hole is of no use. Looking at the company's web site they don't seem to fit outriggers at all.

Mike

[robertverhey]

Interesting, as can be seen from my pic there's definitely an outrigger on mine and it's integral with the chassis, not bolted on. I think a lot of the bare chassis pics on spyder's website are of +2 chassis.....maybe they had different seat belt arrangements?

[Geoffers71]

No outriggers on my (early) Spyder chassis either !

[mbell]

Interesting, as can be seen from my pic there's definitely an outrigger on mine and it's integral with the chassis, not bolted on. I think a lot of the bare chassis pics on spyder's website are of +2 chassis.....maybe they had different seat belt arrangements?

On a +2 the inertia belts mount to a steel bracket/panel in the upper rear wheel well. Not to the chassis. The lower mount points are the sill reinforcements and chassis.