Seat belts need to be secure - the seats themselves don't need to be so well secured.
My passenger one is just wood screwed to strips of 2x2 ( with a couple of penny washers )
Definately go the Gaz route or you'll be changing them after a few 100 miles.
A search on here should reveal the poundage / open and closed lengths.
The guys at DamperTech will probably tell you anyway ....
I used them - v easy to wire up and neat finish
You drill 6 holes in the dash ( plus 2 mounting holes ) mount the unit from back of dash then just stick the front on - job done.
I'll try and take a pic tomorrow.
( I made up a jig to drill the dash if anyone wants it !! )
Local college - join the 'Car Maintenance' evening class
Access to tyre changing / balancing equipment + ramps and all the tools and diagnotic equipment known to man
+ acces to welding / metal fabrication as well!
Most tyre balancing machines are capable of being set up to have the outer weights inside the spokes on alloys and balance them dynamicly if you know how.
I fitted awning rail to the front of the screen ( tapped 5 or 6 4mm threads )
and used 'lift the dot' instaead of turnbuckles
need one at each end at the front and 2 each side to hold the side flaps down