The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Julianos vs SeatBeltPlus: Opinions?

As I am inching toward getting the 58 on the road, I am looking at seatbelt options.

My initial intention had been to go with Retrobelts retractable 3-point belts ($80/seat), but the last 9 months or so have seen a *lot* of negative reviews for the stength of the retractor and complaints that they don't pull back properly when you take them off.

The Brother's kit is $200/seat and appears to have the same reviews in the same timeframe, so I suspect that Retrobelts is their supplier.

I have seen good reviews for both Julianos and Seat Belts Plus, including some installations from people here.

Their systems appear equivalent and are close enough in price ($10/seat difference) to be a wash. Anyone have experience/opinions on which one is better?

I have lap belts only in just about every car I own and they're just fine. Simple airplane style lap belts in the Mustang, Galaxie and Cadillac. Ol' Roy came with a set of lap belts but I haven't installed them yet.

The only vehicle I own with shoulder belts is the '79 F-100.

In vehicles like these, the primary benefit of seat belts is to keep you from sliding around on the seat and to keep you in place during evasive maneuvers or accident.

I got the 3 point belts for my '52 and '57 from these guys.. Very helpful and lots to choose from. And they work.

I fully recognize that if I am in an accident at speed in the truck, I am 95% likely dead no matter what kind of seatbelt it does or does not have.

That said, I feel more comfortable wearing one because it is what I am used to. Other people in my family are much more hard-over on their necessity and it is easier to install them than argue over it.

If the front end does not completely cave in, a shoulder belt will help with not putting the steering column through my sternum. Which is a bonus.

Bill: I have seen that pic before. Do you mind sharing what kind of accident it was? The damage kind of looks like a rollover?

This seems like a decent 3rd option.
https://www.seatbeltplanet.com/i-30...nd-release-cable-or-bracket-buckle.html?

Bill: The Julianos and Seat Belts Plus retractors are both 135" web. Looks like the SeatBeltPlanet one is available in several sizes. Any chance you remember what length you had in the 57? That should be the same as my 58 (assuming you also had a bench seat).

I'm very pleased with my Juliano's kit -- easy to install and comfy.

Have not put it through Bill's test ...

Jeez! I hope nobody does.

I installed the ones from Seat Belt Plus and are very happy with them. My install here.

Sorry, I don't remember. And I had bucket, not bench seating.

I was turning right into a county recycle center at 5-10 mph with my turn signal on. The 90's Taurus came up behind me at about 45 mph and said he didn't see me until he was right behind me. For some reason he tried to duck around me on the right (which was where I was going) and the "wedge" front end ended up going under my truck between the right rear tire and the front of my cab. Flipped me over onto the driver's door and then I came to a stop roof down.

It was hard to get the belt latch to release with my almost 300 pound body hanging in the 3 point belt. Keys fell out of the still on ignition switch but engine died (upside down carb doesn't work well). Top of the steering wheel was bent about 1/2 way down to the dash.

Picture below was after the Fire Department had finished foaming the truck because the gas tank was leaking badly. Luckily, I had moved the tank to behind the rear axle.

Phak,

I’m glad that your install pictures show that it is not connected to the seat riser, but anchored to the floor.


That picture makes my body hurt when I see it!

Chris