The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Seat Belts Lap or Shoulder

What kind of seat belts did you put in your Truck? Lap or Shoulder. Is anyone using Shoulder Belts in there Truck. Do you think they look out of place in a old Pickup. Lap Belts seem so inadequate and I always reach for the Shoulder Belt when I get in my Truck. I have not installed anything yet but I bought Lap Belts. Just looking for feedback

I used lap belts only.

It's all based though on what YOU are comfortable with.

I put 3 point belts in my '56

I use 3 point integrated in the seats on mine.

When I do it will be 3 point.
For me it's all or nothing,lap belts just restrain your lower half,if the worst happens,crushes your pelvis and you still head-butt the steering wheel or dash anyway!
I've never understood why lap belts were even considered as a 'safety' feature.JMO
I'd much rather sacrifice authenticity and looks for safety anyday....

I put 2001 Buick leSabre seats in my 54 for safety reason to have integrated shoulder belts. i agree about seat belts but they are better than nothing. i had them for years until i did the upgrade.

Ive decided that when I fit them I will go for just some lap belts, After looking at where the top part would be mountiing with a shoulder belt and the amount of reinforcing I would feel it would comfortably need ( too stop it pulling out) I didnt think it would be worth it. If you mount an over the seat sshoulder strap mounted too the floor also the force on this belt will be a direct pull upwards trying too rip it through the floor (also not Ideal ). As the law stands I will post the Email I got back From the Police
Mr. Conduit,
In response to your e-mailed question on seatbelts, (See below) I’ve included the idaho motor vehicle traffic codes related to the question. in summary, a vehicle manufactured prior to 1966, which did not have seatbelts originally manufactured/installed in the vehicle, are exempt. if seatbelts are installed, they are required to be worn(your be ticketed if you dont).I do recommend installing some sort of seatbelt (lap or shoulder) for your continued personal safety, however a 1954 chevrolet pickup would be exempt from needing them installed.
sincerely,
sergeant jason cagle
idaho state police, region iii patrol
meridian, idaho

This is faulty logic. You are assuming that any crash you get into will be enough to rip metal. I'd venture to guess that most "fender benders" are not of sufficient strength to rip the bolts out. Even a low speed crash will put your face into the steering wheel with no belts.

Right now I'm running no belts, however, I have some surplus WWII aviation belts I plan to install. However, I think 'some kind' of belt is better than none.

To each his (or her) own, but I put in three point safety belts shortly after I bought my 56. I was aware I did not have to in Idaho, but I can not imagine putting my family or my friends in a position where they could have possibly been injured, and I could have prevented it from happening. I followed Cletis's earlier Juliano tech tip, and all stress points are now heavy steel plated. Even a huge impact would probably not ever pull them out. Thanks again Cletis - your tech tip made it easy to install correctly , and made me feel a lot safer for those who ride with me.

Dale

This is faulty logic. You are assuming that any crash you get into will be enough to rip metal. I'd venture to guess that most "fender benders" are not of sufficient strength to rip the bolts out. Even a low speed crash will put your face into the steering wheel with no belts.

Fraid not its science in a 30 mph crash G's=.0333 (M.P.H. X M.P.H.) / Distance

So
G = .0333 x 30 x 30 / 1/2ft. I'll presume that the head-on collision still allowed you to travel 1/2 Foot more. in a not very safe and secure way
G = .0333 x 30 x 30 x .5 = 14.985 g meaning me at 300lbs will exert a force
of 4495.5 lbs quite enough too rip out a poorly mounted seat belt. I am not endorsing Not wearing seat belts but rather if you do install them do them correctly.
Cletis I value Your input and advice and know how much engineering we used too put into seat belt mounting points on Landrovers and Rover cars, I ve also bought cars that where retro fitted and not in a safe secure way

Gee, must be an engineer........
Its easy to settle this, get on a bicycle, pedal as hard as you can, and you won't reach 30 mph but close enough, now veer into a concrete wall, tell me how that feels.
Assuming any crash you get into is going to be 30 mph or less is false logic, non-collapsible steering columns, and steel header panels are gonna hurt, but the biggest factor is seatbelts will keep you inside the vehicle, which either a lap or shoulder belt will do, but its gonna be a bumpy ride, imagine getting t-boned, and the doors flinging open, 30 mph or not its gonna be a rough ride.
I would go with three point belts, and for gosh sakes make sure the seat is well anchored and the back is locked and can't tilt forward !

Good point! My bicycle in the 60's had a big wide bald rear tire, ape hanger handlebars and a 3 speed shifter right in front of my crotch... and it was that way when it was brand new.

You bet they look out of place! But if you prefer the added safety of lap belts you have to weigh the options and pick your personal preference.

Those of us old enough to grow up in an era where there were no seat belts, living all the way through to the modern full compliment of airbags in cars with anti-lock brakes and crumple zones have witnessed the evolution and the changes.

It is all personal preference, there are no right or wrong answers. Lap belts are far better than nothing, and that's what I installed in my truck. I don't want shoulder belts, they don't look right, that's a personal preference.

My truck has 4 wheel manual drum brakes, some argue that's not safe.... They work just fine, that's my personal preference.

Want to be really safe? Don't drive these old trucks at all. They are not as "safe" as a new vehicle that is equipped with the full compliment of safety related components.

I am really not trying to preach here. Make your changes, if any, based on your personal preferences and don't look back. Anything is an improvement over nothing. But when it comes to safety, driving a 60's era truck isn't going to be as safe as a new vehicle.

Remember though, for decades, for many, the stock set-up has worked just fine also.

Good luck and happy motoring.

The 1956 Ford was the first American car to come standard with lap belts. They are better than nothifng. they will keep your butt in the seat and not out on the highway.
I too will install 3 point when I get that far.

I agree BIG,they are better than nothing, they will stop you being thrown out in the event of a big one.
At least it gives the paramedics a chance when you're kept 'all together' inside the cab!

My buddy had a 70+mph spin in his '52 with three in the cab.(NO seatbelts)
Thankfully the doors stayed shut,no-one got hurt and the truck wasn't too badly damaged either.
Seat belts were fitted shortly thereafter.

Here's a little 'factoid' and sobering thought.
Even a collision at as little as 15mph, no-one,no matter how big or strong they are, can hold themselves back off the steering wheel in the event of a bump.

I've had my Chevelle for 8 years. It has separate shoulder belts, tucked away above the top of the door. I have never worn them yet, always use only the lap belts. So I likely would put lap belts in my panel.

Back in 1962 i spun out in my 57 VW and could not reach the brake, clutch and i slid off the seat and could not reach the e-brake. i was lucky that it stalled pointing to the curb not the telephone further on. the next day i installed seat belts and have use them ever since. i installed them my 54 the first week that i got it, lap belts at the time.

When there are fatalities in a single vehicle crash the news often reports that the unlucky people that died were those ejected from the vehicle. I've always added lap belts to my vintage cars just to keep us in the car - I doubt the old door locks would stay shut in an accident.

I have lap belts in my '66 and always wear them same idea as other posters I want to stay in the truck and not become road pizza. Of course that also keeps me securely strapped in front of the gas tank but if I want to drive a 46 year old vehicle I guess some trade offs are necesarry.

In cab fuel tanks are not rolling bombs. This aint the movies.

3 point in my 41 1ton. If they do not keep me out of the windshield or steering wheel they will at least slow down the impact and keep me inside the cab.

Will do the same on my 46 Suburban as well.