The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk seatbelts in a 41

Has anynone put seat belts into a 41-46 1/2 ton. I should do it and was wondering if anyone has done this and would share pictures tips. Dave

i am doing it with my trucks.thanks

I did a search, and I could have sworn I read a Tec-Tip on seat belt install, but now I am unable to find it. I too am at the stage of seat belts for the 1941-46 truck. My preferences are aircraft type, “Lap Style”. http://www.sjtsa.org/TYPES%20OF%20SEAT%20BELTS.pdf
I have thought about chassis/floor reinforcements, but sure would like anybody’s photos or thoughts on how they did it.

Homer: Send me your e mail and I'll send photos.

I added belts to my '41 a coupe years ago. The seat belts are bolted through the floor and I added a piece of 1/8" steel under the floor for reinforcement. I welded a piece of 1 1/2" square tubing to the beltline in the back of the cab and welded the shoulder belt attachment plate to it. The retractors are mounted on the floor. I used aircraft style buckles & I think they came from Seat Belt Pros.

There was a post on here awhile back about adding seat belts to the older vehicles. Someone added to be sure not to bolt them to the frame, just go through the floorboards. If you are in an accident and the body should separate from the frame, it would cut you in half. I had not thought about that, but it sure makes sense. Seat belts save lives, but they need to be installed properly.
Just my two cents worth.
Jim

my truck came with buckets out of a newer chevy silverado that has seatbelts on the seats. funny thing is i have never used them in this truck.

I put mine only to prevent arguments with the local law. I’m not really sure I want to be strapped on top of my gas tank

Has anyone installed 3-point belts in one of these trucks? I'm considering using the Juliano's kit and just wondering how well it works in these.

homer52, I installed seatbelts on our '40 a few years ago, but don't have good pics. Been happy with them, and makes the wife happy. Kip, you have a point, but in case of a catastrophic accident, I doubt if it will matter. (I do keep a sharp knife in the glove box...) I hope none of us ever has to face that. Drive safely!

Try this http://www.chevytrucks.org/tech/seatbelt.htm no pictures but a good description.

Straight from the vendor's site http://www.julianos.com/how2_3point_antique_chevy_truck.html

Thanks. I actually saw both of those, but I've learned the Art Deco trucks can be quite a bit different and am wondering if anyone here has tried this on one.

46gmcpu,
Did you read my post (about the 5th one) in this thread?

Do you have any pictures of your installation Harold? Dave

I'll try to get some this week-end.

I have a couple of photos in photo bucket of how I am doing my seat belts (lap only)in a 46 Art Deco. The cab has a second set of holes at the rear mounts. I used 7/16in grade 8 bolts with a fender washer underneith. I spaced the angle above the cab mounting springs with pipe. I used a 3/16 in 2by2 angle iron. I bolted the seat belts with grade 8 bolts to the angle.

From your description and the photos, it sounds like the fender washer and nut are the only things supporting the belts underneath the floor in the event of a collision. If this is true, you should use either a length of flat plate of angle iron (best), to spread the load over a greater area. If you're in a collision, the fender washers will tear right through the floor and your belts will do nothing.

I would agree except the cab is reinforced at that point with about an 1/8inch plate becuase it is the cab to frame mounting point. Note the cab mount bolts and springs. Not sure why there were two sets of holes it must be for differences in frames for the same cab. Thanks for the tip!

I'm contemplating the same modification. I plan on figuring out how to do three point belts, even if it takes a ton of work.

There are a few options here, and I'll try and share photos of what I do.

Or do as others do and find a seat with integrated belts.

Lap belts = head in steering wheel, maybe

Good luck.

I would suggest anyone using the Julianos product should install it with your door weatherstriping on so as to place the side hook in the proper place. As with anything we modify/upgrade from original, it will take a bit of tweaking in places. Because I had finished all my interior work i.e. paint, upholstery, etc. I opted to not weld. Instead I only bolted and believe what was done was safe. To relate this to a 41 I would repeat; all upgrades require some thought but are usually possible. "Where there's a will, there's a way".

I've heard that lawyers say where there's a will there's a way around it

Well that's a good point Homer, just make sure you don't use legalzoom.com for your will. lol