The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk toddler in the truck!!

took my son in the truck for the 1st time. he turned two, two weeks ago. and it was GREAT! he had so much fun, loved sitting in the front, up high looking down at all the cars, and he really likes all the noises.
I still have no seat belts, but got a bench seat to replace the original bucket seats. then bolted three D-rings in the bed (easy with the panel truck) and strapped his car seat to that. his seat should be at least as safe as a regular car, and any car that gets in our way gets eaten anyway.

That's great Sietze! Nice solution- I'd love to see how you did it- though I've nearly got it figured with regular lap belts (mine's not a panel truck). My boy was 2 in August, and I can't wait for that first ride with him. His first ride will most likely be my first ride too. I love that our boys will grow up with these trucks- I promised him a new coat of paint (if he wants it) by the time he's ready to drive it to prom.

..... I can see the smiles from S.C. Way to go Seetz. Glad to see ya around the bolt! With that panel you have you can later haul the entire Kindergarden class for a field trip

thanks Alvin. yeah it was a lot of fun for sure!
traeg what I did was bolt two D-rings on the floor directly below the seat, left and right of the kiddo seat, and one between those a little further back, for that strap that goes over the back of the seat. you might not have enough space for that 3rd one, maybe you can put it on the back wall of your cab? I got simple D-rings from Lowes, the whole system is rated at 3600 pounds, that should be enough. be sure to check your state laws though, in Alabama this is legal, but I wouldn't know if that's the same in other states

That is great. i mentioned taking my granddaughter for a ride in my 54 and my daughter-in-law was less than enthusiastic. it has Buick Lesabre seats with shoulder harness and all the safety features that a new car has except air bags. it dos have side air bags in the seats but not hooked up.

Reminds me of taking my grandson and his girlfreind to the Senior Prom in my 1937 Chevy 2 door.We got quite a lot of attention when we pulled into the highschool parking lot.Course my 37 had a 350 SB,with headers and glasspack mufflers,so they could hear it coming down the road.

It reminds me of putting one seat belt in my '55 first back in '85 so my 2 year old could ride. Of course it was on the passenger side so his momma would have to sit by me.

The older kids and the dogs got to ride in the back in those days. Big fun my grandkids will never get to experience.

Still makes me sad, Cletis... My family always took the bed of the truck over the cab 'cuz it was more fun! Safety, shmafety... We made it alright.
That said, I will be buckling my little one up when the interior's done

When me and my brother were growing up we thought it was a right of passage being able to ride in the back of the truck.
If you want to discuss safety one that does make me shiver is riding on the tail board of our 34 Chevrolet Firetruck when we got it. And that was common place for firemen back in the day. Don

On the farm we used to ride all the time on the front fenders with a headlight between our legs.

In the 60's, we used to have Mom driving the 46 pickup with all 5 of us kids in it. Hardly kosher by today's standards, yet we somehow managed to survive.

Maybe a little off topic but i had a 79 ford courier pickup and i added a topper and 1" particle board flooring and carpeting with a intercom system and my son road back there all the time even on a trip to Holland Michigan from central Indiana. probably not allowed now. he was about 10 years old a the time. i made a back rest that folded out for storage behind it.

A little off topic?

when I had my truck and the grandson was riding with me, I had the lap belts but also made him keep a pillow in front of him just in case so he would not hit the metal dash...

I just removed several posts questioning the subject matter of this thread. This forum is for discussing "the care, restoration, preservation or use of old GM trucks". It is not for discussing your opinion of what fits in that category.

I feel that safely transporting your children and grandchildren in your truck is within the scope of this forum.


Thank you.

Not much to add - but thanks for bringing this topic up seetz, and keeping your son safe. One of the first things I did when I first bought my truck was add seatbelts - I was thinking about my granddaughter -- who likes to ride with me time to time. I believe (if I remember right) I used Cletis' install tips. Cletis, thank you too for seeing the importance and the appropriateness of keeping our rigs as safe as we can. Dale

I installed lap belts in the 50, but wanted the top strap of the child seat to be hooked also.

Installed a brace/hook on the seat back
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With the lap belt and top hook the seat is secure as in a modern vehicle.
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Finally was able to take my son (3year old) on his first ride in his Grandpa's Chevy
Video

He Loved riding in that truck.

The brace is just flat bar that I bent a hook on the top and welded to the top and bottom. The hook is just round stock heated and bent. There may have been an easier way to do this, but I’m satisfied with the results. When he is riding I will remove the inside door handle.

Well guess what

These little people grow fast


My son outgrew his Car seat.
I Didn't feel comfortable with just the lap belts for a kid his size, in my state he's required to use a booster seat

So I found a 3 point harness

It will keep him away from the metal dash in case of a hard stop.

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You guys who put in a shoulder belt won't have this issue

This is just an option for those of us who just have lap belts

Before the divorce, I used to have a passenger's side windbag!
Jerry

I remember years ago standing in the back floor while my mom was driving an old 1950's Oldsmobile. If I remember right it was yellow

She had to hit the brakes, ..... there was a nice web shaped crack on the windshield.
I just ended up with a knot on my head


Times have changed.

My son loves riding in the truck
He probably won't get to ride in the bed like it did as a kid. That was fun.

I think we have been brain washed. We always sat on the bed. It all depends on the speed of your truck at the time.

The harness was nice

Just had to attach a center bolt


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