The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop 3pt Seatbelts in a 5 Window Chevy

Bolters,
Now that I've got my '53 1/2 Ton Chevy running and on the road again the wife has brought up the subject of safety and adding seatbelts. Have any of you guys got 3 point belts in your 47-55 1st series Chevy trucks with the 5 window (corner window) Cab? I know a lot of guys who just have lap belts and that would be a good start but I figured I'd go 3pt to start if I could figure out a way to mount them. One of my buddies has them in his 53 but it's not a 5 window so he didn't have any trouble mounting the upper bolt in the corner of his cab.
Thanks in Advance,
MONGO

There is an article on installing seatbelts in the tech section at chevytrucks.org

I believe that one of the guys on the board (I can't remember which one) has done this. A long time ago there was a post about it. YOu might try a search to see what you get. I installed lap belts in mine to start. Good luck.

Yup I'd done the search and read the article over at chevytrucks.org. Was hoping someone might have pictures of their installation as I'm really antsy about cutting that B-Pillar. Another question has anyone seen a 3pt kit that uses a sliding upper mount point like some newer cars have? So the height will be adjustable to compensate for dif drivers and potential seat changes. I might have to go hit the boneyard and see what I can find for that one.
Mongo

KC, I put the Juliano's seat belts in my 5 window.. www.julianos.com

I took some pictures of the finished product but I don't have them handy at the moment. I am taking off for the ATHS Show in Syracuse first thing in the morning and will be back on Sunday. If no one has helped you by then I will be glad to find the pics and E mail them to you...

Bill I wish you would post them (again) for all to see. I hate to admit it but I to am running around with out belts. I do have belts in the truck but I just stuffed them down the seat so I could pass inspection. The big problem here is mounting points the belt should pull straight and not be mounted to the seat frame. if you mount them to the floor pan it needs to make a big zig zag and I'm not talking rolling papers. When I did the floors last winter I fixed the doors so they dont fly open at random or the slightest aplication of the brakes, turns, backing up ond so on. I feel this is a big safety plus. Seat belts that were some how bolted down would realy be great. Thanks Ray

As usual the Bolters come through. A kind soul Emailed me a link to these so I snagged them.
53 4 me I'd still like to see yours too when you get a chance.
[img]http://www.adchevy.org/3ptbelts/seatbelt.jpeg[/img]
[img]http://www.adchevy.org/3ptbelts/belt3.jpeg[/img]
[img]http://www.adchevy.org/3ptbelts/belt2.jpeg[/img]
[img]http://www.adchevy.org/3ptbelts/belt1.jpeg[/img]
Still nervous about hackin' my cab, but this helps.
MONGO

Wow, that is a great looking install - and certainly a huge improvement over no belts at all.

One thing that raises concern however is the belt being passed through the seat frame sheet metal. Under crash deceleration of 3-5 G's or higher . . . those sheet metal slots might act like a knife and cut right through the belts.

No easy fix for that with a stock seat frame in the way. A rolled smooth surface would provide an adequate pass through for the belt.

Ken makes a good point. Could those slots be cut on three sides and bent back to creat a rolled surface?

I've been pondering this subject too because I'm a big fan of any thing that provides safety having survived a roll over without a seatbelt. I don't have a seat yet for my 54 and have been considering a newer GM seat with the 3 point harness as part of the seat. Our area GM rep. has a 69 pickup with '03 Cadillac seats with shoulder belts. They sure look nice in there even though they are not original. Just an idea, but some seats power accesorries can be easily hooked up with just a power and ground.

Made the trip over to Chevy Duty over lunch and picked up the belts ($89 minus my club discount.)Look like they are about the same belts as Julianos one's. I agree that those edges need something, I was thinking I'd Cut a tall X and roll all 4 corners back under, then cut down one side of a piece of rubber tubing and slip it on there. Not sure when I'm gonna have time to get them installed but I'll take lots of pictures and write it up for you guys when I do.

On another note, I gotta say it's cool being in this hobby and living in the Kansas City Metro Area. It's handy, I stopped at Jim Carters on my way in to work this morning and picked up a Carb rebuild kit, Went to Chevy Duty over lunch and picked up those belts and my wife went by LMC Truck and got me a Chrome Water Neck for my 235 over her lunch.
Lot's of stuff to work on this weekend.
MONGO

KCMongo-

I was reading the first section of your post thinking how lucky you were to "swing by Chevy Duty"during your lunch hour. The rest of the country/continent is jealous, as we twiddle our thumbs waiting for the UPS carrier or fill out return forms for items we couldn't take a look at in advance...

You're lucky indeed!