The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Seatbelts

I'm planning on installing seatbelts in my 58 Chevy Apache. I would prefer to add lap and shoulder combo belts. Has anyone done this and can you recommend where I can find them? My current parts sources only carry lap belts that fall down in the door well when they are not fastened.

Go get you a copy of the latest Street Rodder magazine and check out the advertisements. You will find a lot of different types of belts. 3 point is the best if you can mount it safely. Joe

Hairbag-

Do a search for "seat belts" and you'll pull up some great threads on your options and install photos.

I concur with fellow stovebolters that argue this is one area where it is worth spending the $$ to get a new set, rather than salvaging rotten belts from a '72 Monaco in the boneyard. Safety for you and your loved ones is worth the investment.

I just bought a set from Gem Street Rods.com for my '54 GMC. Good quality, helpful folks, lower prices than Juliano's. Set of two shoulder 3 points and one lap belt in between cast me ~$150. Keep us posted on your progress and I will try to post when I get mine in place.

julianos or brotherstrucks.com is a good source. just purchased a number of parts from brothers this summer, very satisfied. hope this helps. ron

Thanks, yes this helps. I would like to install three points. I understand how to mount the seatbelts to the floor and bolt it securely. I'm not sure how to mount the upper end to the cab. Can this be done securely?

Do the search if it is still there there was an very indepth disscussion about this a few years ago.

Hairbag-

Here are some options. Rather than re-invent the wheel, I searched and pulled these up. Your third point above the shoulder will have to be welded to the pillar. The set-up depends on the source for your belts, but most are very similar. These threads are for AD cabs, but the principles apply to your Apache.

See:
3 pt Seatbelt Thread (with some good pics!)
3 pt Installation Thread (with some more links)

Hope this helps!

Thanks everybody for the information. Next time I will search a little further before I pose a question. I wasn't aware that there was a search capability on this site. Now I know.

I was hoping that installing 3 point seatbelts wouldn't involve welders and metal cutting, but before my son starts tooling around in the 58, my wife wants seat belts installed.

hairbag, i am sure if you would call brothers at 1 800-977-2767 they would advise you on all that has to be done to install 3 point belts. i plan to do they same next year, i busted the budget with power brakes and dual exhaust this year. classic truck magazine is a good source for catalogs, lots of them send them free if you e-mail them. harmon's.com is a good source here in indiana. only about 50 miles from me. hope this helps. ron

Hairbag-

I agree you want good seat belts in that truck before the youn'un starts peeling the tires. The steering column is too much of a hazard otherwise.

If you're looking for lap belts (which help a lot), you can do it under the seat, drilling holes in the cab floor and opening up some sheetmetal in the seat frame. Look at the threads I posted above. If you want the third point of attachment and the shoulder belt, I think you'll need to weld in an anchor on the door pillar. I welcome other suggestions, but that's how it looks for me as I try to get this done this fall.

I welded nut plates behind the sheetmetal before painting on mine, but have wondered abuot the new epoxy used to attach quarters & bedsides on new car/trucks these days. It is some kinda tough. Brian

I checked out the links and information everyone provided. I plan to call Brothers, as suggested, to see what they think. Last night I looked closely at the door pillar on the truck. It's hollow sheet metal. Welding seems to be the only resonable option that will provide the necessary strength. Now I need to visit my local welder buddy and see what he thinks. Thanks again for the suggestions and information. John

Hairbag
I have the 3 point seat belts installed in my 58. The guy who did it did a great job. He took a grade 8 case harden bolt (good size) to go through the retaining clip for the shoulder belt. Next he drilled the hole in the top of the back post(right in the corner where it starts to curve into the roof. Next he took a nice size plate, about 4" x 2" and drilled and tapped it for the bolt. He then tack welded it to a somewhat flexable metal bar long enough to reach the hole he drilled in the cab post. He spent some time sliding and manipulating until he got the plate slid up into just the right spot and screwed the set up together. Then he simply snapped of the rod. A very clean neat and SAFE job. They use these backing plates in factory installs on modern cars. The bottom of the seat belt (return) is mounted on the top right hand side of the inner step. Works perfect! Do not settle for a lap belt, I'm a firefighter and have seen the problems with just a lap belt first hand. GOOD LUCK!!

I installed 3 points in my 57 in a similar way. I used twine to pull the backing plate into position and used a couple of 1/4" stainless machine screws to hold the plate in place. Welding is not required to do this installation.

Thank you Traindriver and 58 Stepside for the information. Good to hear this can be done without cutting and welding. I still need to order the 3 point belts. Looks like it is going to be a winter project. I'll look this over tonight when I get home and escape to the garage.

This may also be an option for you. Look in the boneyards for a modern seat with the shoulder belts made into the seat. Measure your maximum width of your current seat or the distance between your door panels at the front of the seat. Take these measurements with you when looking for a seat.

Phil, That was my prefered method too, but I was dissapointed at the response I found at all the junkyards around here. No one wanted to sell me anything with a seat belt attached to it.

What was there reason for not selling it to you? I thought that they were in the business of selling parts.???

I copied this from the seat thread also in this forum.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...=7922315943&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...=7922254538&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Sorry, I just had to post something to keep the "Today's Active Topics" page from rolling past the monitor.

Peg

Without reading some of the links posted on this subject, I remember that some of the Buick seats have the seatbelts built into the seat and also fit in our trucks. I think some of the Park Avenues are made that way.
Ralph