The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Seat belts in a '46 half ton Chevy

Did a search without finding the info needed.

I am wanting to install 3 point seat belts in my '46. Would someone that has done this in their Art Deco truck please offer advice on how they mounted the shoulder anchor reinforcements. This door frame looks to be considerably different than the info shown and described for these belts in the later model trucks.
Thanks in advance.

Lee, is it a double wall cab like the ADs? If so you may have to cut the area open to weld in the needed reinforcement and weld it back. I don't think there is an easy fix. Hope your having fun! Must be getting close to being done if your thinking seatbelts.

The body door frame (a complex bent ~14 or 16 ga C-channel sheet metal stamping) extends on the sides and top of the door opening. This C-channel is not sufficiently sound for a shoulder belt anchoring point. Some type of fabrication would be necessary.

Still lots to do and learn. The body shop was unwilling to do any seat belt related work. I think maybe it's a liability concern for them? They're doing really good work otherwise, except for speed. They will be painting the cab soon, so I was looking for ideas. I may have them just weld in some 1/4 inch steel pieces and then figure it out afterward. My idea would be to then determine the anchor point locations, then drill and tap holes for the bolts.

The other factor needing addressed will be seat anchors. I read in other related posts that is a weakness and potential added and best avoided experience in the event of a collision. These use thin metal rails with short tapered pins that fit into holes on the seat frame all of which rests on a pedestal welded to the cab.

Any ideas and thoughts on this will be appreciated.

I have the same problem in my 53 panel. I've been think of get seats out of any of the newer chevy trucks that have seat belt/ shoulder straps build into them. i have a friend with a chevy 1500 that has them but can't get to them yet with the snow. not sure how it's going to work out yet but that is my plan at the moment. i have some really nice seat in it at the moment from a conversion van but will give up the nice ride for safety.

Thanks guys. I figured early on some fabrication would be needed, just from reading the many posts found in Stovebolt search. The other problem is the seat lower cushion anchors. All this would be somewhat easier with more modern seats, but I decided to stay old school, near original on this project.

Send me your email & I will send you a detailed description of how the 3 point belt is installed.
Harold

Thanks, Harold. Sent you a PM.

You DO NOT attach seat belts to old truck seats or seat riser. You attach lap and shoulder using large thick plates. Under floor for lap. Near or on a structural member.
This is a VERY tricky issue. Because they were not designed in any way, shape or form for impact, you may actually be worse off with seat belts in an old truck. If you attach to the seat, the seat/seat bolts will break loose and seat will add to your inertia weight. If you attach to the floor and the seat breaks loose but belt holds, the belt will crush your guts. Modern seats and seat belts are designed to hold.
Then there is the shoulder belt portion. As you have been advised, the pillars are not designed for roll over, so the roof will crush you if you can't lean over because of seat belts....and the pillars won't hold a shoulder belt bolt. If the shoulder belt bolt breaks thru the pillar it will hit you in the head and kill you.
Have fun, drive slow, get good brakes and good brake lights.

^^^^^^^^^
Agree with paragraph one.

Getting is an accident in old truck is problematic and not getting killed or very seriously injured is the goal. Staying in the vehicle is Priority one. The seat belt is critical in this Priority. Priority two is staying off the steering column and dash area. Seat belt is critical in this stage as well.

Agree the belts need to attached to the vehicle with the proper fasteners to cab body with reinforcements to spend the load. Most seat belt kits come with the hardware.

I put lap belts in my 46. I bolted them to the floor through the holes behind the seat. I used all grade 8 bolts and 1.5 by 1.5 by 0.25 in. Angle iron. I think the goal is not to get ejected. I don't think there is enough structural strength for a shoulder strap even with steel plates added. If I wanted a shoulder strap I would weld in a 1/4 inch angle as long as possible inside the space in the upper cab wall and door frame. I have photos in photo bucket of my floor mounted system.the floor is reinforced as part of the OEM design in this location.

You are right guys, you won't get ejected. But if the seat comes loose you will get extruded.

The seat back weighs 30 pounds, in a 20g impact the seat back bolts and lower mounts and frame need to hold 600 pounds.

In that same accident the 200 pound driver seat belt needs to hold 2000 pounds spread over the three anchor points and the webbing stretch.

Both of the scenarios are not that hard to manage. Is a more serious accident say 50g or worse things get far more serious and often not survivable.

Thanks guys for all the info.
I had already figured on using GW's cab bottom anchor idea. It is what I used in my other truck too.

As for collisions and these trucks, I imagine much more than a relatively minor incident,regardless of how belts are mounted, is probably going to be bad for the health anyway.

I recall seeing a video of a 60's era vehicle ("those cars were made stout") compared to a current model. The passenger compartment of the older vehicle was basically compressed to nothing versus being completely intact on the modern vehicle. Both vehicles were totaled, but the driver of the new car would have survived, thanks to the energy absorbing features engineered in.
I plan on putting seat belts in my truck, but know it's mainly to comply with state laws about wearing seatbelts.

^^^^^^^^^Your not required to put seat belts in an old vehicle to comply to newer vehicle requirements. But it is good idea for the reasons we already discussed.

I just got thru installing the 3 point seat belt in my 46. On either side of the cab on top of the belt line is a gusset that goes to the door frame that I welded a piece of medal behind it with a nut for the seat belt. I make a template and cut a hole in the rear half shell for the seat belt bolt to go thru. I put the retractor in the corner and mounted the other end in the center of the cab behind the seat. It clears the lower side panels and other than being a little low for me it works great. I have removed my gas tank frame and have my seat attached to the floor. I do have a couple of pictures if you would like just PM me. Good luck Jerry