The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Three-point seatbelts, anyone?

I know there are several vendors out there with universal three-point retractable seatbelt kits (all I've seen look identical regardless of vendor -- Juliano's, Wesco, etc.) and I'm wondering if any of you guys have experience installing a three-point belt setup in your older truck. I'm looking for info on good/bad vendors, isntallation photos or tips, etc. As much as I want this truck to go fast and look good, my ultimate #1 priority is safety first. My kids are all going to be passengers (or even drivers in a decade or so) in the truck at some point, and even if they weren't, they still need their dad around. :-)

Thanks in advance for any advice, info, etc.!

Brent

I'm also in the same boat. I picked up a set of 3-pointers from Chevy Duty. I forget who the manufacturer is. Anyway, I've spent a while standing next to the truck with the door open, scratching my head and trying to figure out where the best spots are for the anchors. I'll decide eventually, but guidance from someone who's BTDT would be nice!

You guys might be in luck. I don't know if this will help you with your '64, Brent and I don't know what kinda truck you have, M, but Deve Krehbiel has recently posted a very fine installation how-to on his website for an Advance Design cab.

Advance Design 3-Point Seat Belt Installation

Thanks for that link. My only concern with this particular installation has to do with ignorance of how these particular belts work. Are they the old-style retractables where once you stop pulling them out they lock and you have to let them go all the way back before you can pull them out again? Or are they the newer style with the inertia-lock mechanism where they only lock up when there's sufficient braking to trigger it?

If it's the former, then there should be no problem. But if it's the latter, I'm concerned about the side-to-side positioning of the retractor assembly instead of the standard front-to-back alignment, specifically that it won't lock up properly in the event of sudden braking or a collision.

I guess it all comes down to how the retractors work. Anyone with specific knowledge in this area who can answer? For me, the seatbelts (along with the brakes) are going to get the most attention from me of anything on the truck. Doesn't matter how fast I can go or how cool I look doing it if I can't stop and be safe.

I emailed Juliano's about this question and if/when I hear back I'll post here.

Just got this from Juliano's:

Makes perfect sense! I don't know much about seatbelts (obviously) but I am sure I've seen factory retractables that would lock because of a piece that moved forward during sudden braking. A bad system, now that I think about it, because it wouldn't help in a side collision. Don't know what kind of vehicle I saw this in, but it was a long time ago and almost certainly from one of the earlier OEM attempts at retractables.

Anyway, thought someone might like to know this information. Makes me feel better about my own options for installation as well as for the owner of the truck in question here.

Brent

And that lock-up does not take much. I have installed Juliano's in my 57, and if you lean forward quickly, it will lock.

I wish I had seen that installation article before I did my belts. I got my 3 pt. belts from Gotbelts.com The installation was pretty staight forward. Took a couple of hours.

Every vehicle that I have driven uses inertia locks not locks reacting to a sudden jerk. However, if they are selling them to us hobby types, the latches are much better off reacting to the sudden jerk.

I dunno -- my '03 S-10 seatbelts lock up in reaction a sudden jerk, even if the truck is parked and turned off.

BTW, Bullnosebob, thanks for that link to GotBelts.com -- I like the chrome lift lever retractable they offer. Haven't seen that anywhere else. :-)

I purchased the 3 point belts from Chevy Duty, they have the chrome latch like my originals. I installed them, and welded the point in the Bpillar. Shoot me a pm and I will email you a picture.