Inliners International Forums General Discussion Truck Talk Installing seat belts , what to use???

Hi, I am needing seat belts for my '53 Chevy truck and wondering what you guys have found to be an easy swap. This is a farily original truck but hotrodded a bit. I don't want some new fancy shmancy stuff, but something that doesn't look too out of place. At the same time, they need ot be functional as my kid will be in the passenger seat as well. I know there are lots of generic kits on Ebay and the like, but most look like they would be too short. Any experience here? Thanks in advenace. Hans

Dear Hans;

After you get the size/color you like, all that's needed is #6- 3/8" bolts & the 2-3" flat washers (street side) that the bolts fit through.

They are a MUST for them to stay mounted to the FLOOR in case of a collision etc.

FYI: A #6 bolt will have 4 'hash marks' on the head and should have fine (SAE) threads.

Good luck.

Hans look around at later model trucks for lap-shoulder belts that would fit. Seat only just provides a fulcrum for better head bashing! I put Jaguar belts in my 68 Camaro Convertible, one of my better upgrades and much safer for Wife and kids. The tricky part is fastening the slider to the door post the floor pan as per John just need the large washers to keep from ripping loose in an accident. Good Luck Herb keep us posted with your findings.

H;

Herb is correct. This type is much better/safer.

There's a complete kit for these and the top anchor needs to be professionaly welded into place. The rest is easy.

You'll need to go through a few catalogs, but there around. Don't buy this on e-bay; as you want ALL the parts & instructions.

Good luck.

Check out a copy of Street Rodder magazine. There usually several ads for belts. With the popularity of old pickups, you should not have a problem finding an appropriate set.

Yes, I have seen some of the aftermarket belts, but most are 'lacking' in the design catagory to say the least. My problem is that I am working in Norway, my truck is in Texas and about to be shipped in a month, so cruising boneyards to compare belts is mighty hard about now. I figured someone had found a decent looking belt from a OEM manufacturer, which are generally better quality than the stuff you get through the aftermarket. Have any of you put shoulder belts in this type of truck? I know on my old '71 chevy truck it actually had teh threaded insert for the shoulder bolt from the factory, just had a plug inserted. I wouldn't think a 50s truck would have a decent, aka strong, mounting point up there ...I guess i could try to see what i can find here, but a belt out of an old SAAB just doesn't seem right...

The kits have the mounting piece in there. One of the 'truck publications' will list them.

It may require some extra bracing is why I said it needed 'professsional' welding. When they come out they make it to suite.

Otherwise; They mount the same on the floor.

Good luck.

Just a thought....if you order your 3 point belts from Julianos, be sure to ask them for the longer floor mounted belt, with the buckle. I had to add an extension to get them long enough to come through the seat in my 54 truck. They aren't cheap and you would expect that they would fit! Hope this helps!

Dave

I put some after market belts in my sedan,motor tester advised me to strengthen the floor where they're fixed so I got some 3mmx25mmx steel strap from the hardware store and made up some small plates with the mounting bolts passing through

That's a good move.

Here the belt kits usually come with 3" round flat washers with a 7/16" hole in the center. This keeps the bolts from comming through the floor in a collision etc.

Welcome to Inliners Int. & "Happy Trails".

i used julannio's
but look here::
http://www.speedprint.com/Deves50/seatbeltassembly.php

Dear Hans;

That's it, "go for it" & good luck.

caroline/Jim,
thats exactly what i was looking for , thank you very much. I think i will go this route as this will be my daily driver and new assemblies will be fully functional, good coloring etc. Thanks for all the help guys.

Hans