Hi everyone. I'd like to put lap belts in my stock 1950 3100 and am seeking recommendations. Ideally they would look like they belong in there even when at rest when unused. I don't need anything fancy or colored (basic black is perfect). Also, I'm seeking easy to install as I cringe at drilling any holes in the truck (at least any more than I must). Thanks in advance for the insight.
Do a search with the magnifying glass to the left of this post. Somebody on here did a really good job on an AD truck that looks natural.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
HERE is a good thread on seat belt installation. Includes sources for buying seat belt kits.
You'll really need to drill some holes for a good installation. Don't take shortcuts on safety installs.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
Concur with the above -- to do seatbelts properly (so they do their jobs when the time comes), you *are* going to be drilling holes. So get over that and get to it. The first one is the hardest -- they get easier after that. I did my seatbelt upgrade not too long after my first grandchild was born. I figured it was going to be a requirement sooner or later ... (either from Mom or Nanna ... )
I went the lap and shoulder belt route. Got the kit from Juliano's. Their instructions and diagrams were outstanding and I did the install in about 2 hours. It was nearly easy (getting the backing plate in behind from the should mount was the challenging part but doable). The smaller hands you have, the easier it is.
I didn't need to remove the gas tank for the buckle end attachments -- they just went in the floor at the back of the seat riser.
I got the red belts and they look right at home in the truck.
~ John
A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult.
1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 1963 Kaiser M38A1 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
As an expert in this field (T-boned, rolled, bent the top of the steering wheel down almost to the dash, and totaled my '57 while wearing a 3 point belt - just had a small scrape on my left elbow), I'd advise 3 point belts. I was rolling less than 10 mph, turning into a driveway when it happened.
Last edited by Bill Hanlon; 03/29/20243:19 PM.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12 '52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
That was the reason I put belts in mine. SWMBO said I couldn't take the GrandGirls riding without strapping them down. I'm glad she insisted.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12 '52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
The first one is the hardest -- they get easier after that. I did my seatbelt upgrade not too long after my first grandchild was born. I figured it was going to be a requirement sooner or later ... (either from Mom or Nanna ... 
)