S13 Automatic to Manual Seat Belt Conversion

Overview:

We all know that the automatic seat belts in an S13 suck.So, let’s get rid of them safely and efficiently, saving hassle and weight in the process.

Difficulty: ***

Time: 2-4 hours

Cost: $50+

Tools:

– socket wrenches, ratchet and extensions
– screwdrivers

Materials:

– Manual seat belts from non-USDM s13

Procedure:
The B-Pillar cover has to be removed and discarded when installing manual seatbelts.

The A-Pillar has to be removed to remove the Sliding Mechanism.
In order to take out the Sliding Mechanism:

-Take out A-Pillar cover
-Take out A-Pillar Mounting Bracket (3-12mm bolts)
– Disconnect Chassis Harness Connector near DASH
– Remove the 2-3 (12mm) bolts attaching the Mechanism to the CHASSIS
– Remove the 1 (14mm)bolt attaching the very end of the Mechanism to the CHASSIS.

In order to take out the Automatic Seatbelt Motor

– Top and Rear Bolts (12mm) must be removed.Rearmost bolt is not shown, top is behind seatbelt.

– Bottom bolt (14mm) must be removed (see above pics).

– Bottom Wiring Harness must be removed (see above pics).

If all has been done, pull the motor away from chassis, lift up back (rear of car) of the sliding mechanism.It should come out pretty easily.

In order to access the other parts (Lap Belt, Belt for automatic seatbelt mechanism) you need to pull the carpet which means you have to pull out the seat. The seat is connected to the chassis by four mounting locations. Each bolt is 14mm. There is also a chassis harness connector under the seat, disconnect it.

You also have to take out the door sill, 5 screw in rivets. Once everything is out, start by lifting on the door sill plastic piece that is connected to the carpet. Now just lift the carpet away from the lap seatbelt and start removing the two (14mm) bolts. To take out the automatic belt, take off the bolt that is facing that side of the car (taking out driver side, bolt is facing driver side, VICE VERSA).Belt might be attached to the tar mat, so a little yank will disconnect it.

You will be using almost of the hardware used by the automatic seatbelt system.Bottom motor bolt, end of sliding mechanism bolt, lap belt bolt (1). All bolts are 14mm and should have some other accessories as well.

I may have trouble explaining this, but bear with me:
Now find out which each manual belt assembly belongs to. The driver side A-Pillar is Labeled L and the passenger side A-Pillar is Labeled R.Try to locate a L or R on the manual seatbelt to find out which side it belongs to.I found that the R one is meant for the passenger side of the s14 and vice versa. But in the S14, the actual mechanism faces towards the center of the cabin.If you want it facing that way in the s13, then mount the R with R.I like how the s13 has a hole for the seatbelt so the mechanism can face towards the outside of the car. So I did R with L and vice versa.

Once you have decided which way you want it to face, mount the bottom of the mechanism to the hole where the automatic motor sat (14mm w/accessories).After that has been done, mount the upper seatbelt hinge, where the end of sliding mechanism attaches to, (14mm bolt w/accessories).

Now take the bottom mounting bracket (other end of seatbelt mechanism) and put it through the carpet hole where the lap belt used to reside. You will be using the lap belt mounting bracket holes for the install. You can either use the front most or rear most bracket holes. I used the rear because the seatbelt would be straight out when buckled up. Once again, use the hardware that the was for the lap belt mounting bracket.
Once everything is mounted in place, do a final tightening check (don’t over-torque.

If you have an S14 or CAN/JDM seatbelt conversion, attach the seatbelt straightener loop.

Clean up your mess, put the carpet over the chassis like it was before.
Put the door sill back on, reinstall the A-Pillar mounting bracket on (3-12mm bolts).Attach A-pillar panel to the mounting brackets.Attach the seat to the chassis (4-14mm bolts).Best to install with seat at its closest position to the rear.Connect chassis harness for seatbelt.

Fix your seat how you like it and BUCKLE UP!!!!

ADDITIONAL INFO:

I REALLY think that other manual seatbelt mechanism would work for the s-chassis. You may have to find one that is long enough. You may have to drill the mounting bracket holes larger to fit the 14mm bolt.

The s14 and s13 buckle is interchangeable. If your going to try out a different make/model manual seatbelt, take out the buckle as well. Buckle mounting bolt might have to be enlarged and seatbelt chassis harness must be bridged.TWO panels must be removed to use manual seat belts. Arm rest for rear seats and upper B-pillar panel.

The seatbelt light stays on longer when you start your car. After about 3-5 minutes, the light turns off.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR M/T SEATBELT LOCKS CORRECTLY!!!!

With the seatbelt extended all the way out, yank really hard and see if it catches. If it does then GOOD. If not then return it or junk it.

If your manual seat belts locked after completely rolled up:
1. Pull on the belt and wait for it to catch.
2. Once it catches retract the belt very slowly and you’ll hear a click.
3. After the click smoothly pull in the up direction.
4. Repeat 1-3 until seatbelt is fully extended out.

Once it has been fully extended out and mounted correctly, it will not lock up like it used to when it was retracted all the way.