The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Adding Lapbelts to '55 2nd Series

Hello Everyone!! I finally gave up my oon ld project and bought a nearly complete/restored 1955 2nd series pickup. The problem is it has no seatbelts. What is the best way to add three lapbelts to a stock truck with the factory bench seat? I could just drill holes and bolt them in, but I want to make sure they will be able to perform their intended function in the event of a crash (heaven forbid!).

Lapbelts, huh? Okay.

You may be able to use the rear seat frame bolts for the outside harness mounting points, both the inside mount points will likely have to be fresh holes in the floor. I used 4" diameter steel washers as floor reinforcement at each hole. The idea is to spread the load as much as possible, so no matter what happens the floor, seat, and yourself all remain in the same relative positions.

On my 49 I drilled holes thru the floor and then added a 1/8x2"x however long piece of flat stock under the cab floor. Drilled holes thru the flat stock too. Make sure before you install your belts that they will be long enough. Mine are just barely long enough.

Why not use lap and shoulder belts ? Lap belts are pretty much useless in the event of a crash...

My thoughts exactly.

The reason for lapbelts... I just bought the truck and it has been totally redone. It is my understanding that to add lapbelts sheetmetal must be cut from the cab and then anchors welded in. This would destroy my pretty new interior. The truck is a "seldom driver" as opposed to a daily driver, and I do not see it going much further than the local Home Depot or the softball fields. I am sure it will never see the open highway. The reason for really needing seatbelts now is that I have a 2 year old and 3 1/2 year old who always make the trip to Home Depot with me. Lapbelts are extremely effective at securing child safety restraint seats into any vehicle; although, the preferred method would be a tether system (which is not really appropriate for a non-extended cab pickup). I agree, a lap-shoulder belt would be the preferred method, but so would crash zones, reinforced door panels, front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes, etc. I appreciate everyone's input.

This is what I am trying to protect:
[img]http://members.cox.net/depewtee/Yellow%20Truck%20009.jpg[/img]

looks like you need those seatbelts in the back of the pickup, not the front

Brian K

Can anyone share their experience installing a lap/shoulder belt system in an AD truck? I plan to highway drive my 55 1st series and the thought of hitting that steering column...Are there parts donor cars better than others? What about the shoulder strap mount point? Thanks in advance.

A page from Chevytrucks.org

I put JC Whitney 3-point retractables in my panel. I do not recommend used seatbelts. Worn webbing is not to be trusted!

I thought the reason GM put gas tank behind seat was to blow you clear of accident! seat belts would seem to fly in the face of the original "safty equipment"...I sure hope everyone realizes I am only kidding.