No SAFE B Pillar Mount For Shoulder Belt?

[Dan in Pasadena]

I've got a '55.2 with a big rear window and all I've read seems to say there's no safe way to mount a nut in the B pillar for shoulder belts except for small window trucks. I'll use lap belts only if that's the best I can do but would prefer shoulder belts.

Here's my idea, maybe it's overkill but I'd like to hear opinions.
Using a 4"-6" long piece of 1/2 square tube, drill a hole through one wall, insert correct sized nut and weld it in. Then, using a cutoff wheel cut a slit in the B pillar for this tube, insert it flush with the sheet metal and fully weld in, grind and fill til nothing is visible but the nut hole.

I know the B pillar isn't all that strong in a truly serious accident but otherwise do you think this would work? Is there another easier but safe way?

Pictures would be appreciated.

[1958Warrior]

Dan check out post 143 in Dunce79 build Probably similar to the way your describing would be best way other than welding a plate on the surface in a big window cab

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...at+belt&page=6

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks very much, I'll check it out.

I also found THIS how-to on the Juliano's site.
http://www.julianos.com/how2_3point_...evy_truck.html

It's for an AD 5 window so it has me wondering if there's the same amount of room in the slender TF big window pillar?

EDIT: Linky no worky! But it's ok, I'll do a search.

[1958Warrior]

try this one

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...at+belt&page=6

[_Ogre]

I know the B pillar isn't all that strong

i think you'd only be fooling yourself (or the wife )
i rolled a small window 58 back in 1976, the A pillar folded like a house of cards
i'd hate to be held in an upright position as the A and B pillars folded

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

i think you'd only be fooling yourself (or the wife )
i rolled a small window 58 back in 1976, the A pillar folded like a house of cards
i'd hate to be held in an upright position as the A and B pillars folded

No doubt it will fold up if you roll it and its most likely going to pop that window out if you hit head on but it may save your teeth or face from the steering wheel provided your not using a stock column that spears you. Ahh... the thrill of driving an old Chevy truck.

[Dan in Pasadena]

You guys both make good points. On a big window you're gonna get seriously Efffed up if you roll it and maybe in a small window too. Part of the reason for wanting the shoulder belt is that I'm so used to it now it feels wrong not to have it.

I'll be running an ididit colum so hopefully I won't end up skewered like a "shrimp on the barbie"! But honestly, if you drive a truly old vehicle like these you ought to understand it's not in any way "safe" in the same vein as a modern car. Modern suspension & tires, disc brakes, seat belts, are about the extent of safety you can add.

So I think what this boils down to is I CAN install the shoulder belt and have it look fine, it'll keep my face from meeting the steering wheel in a lighter collision but in anything worse than that it's not gonna do much good.

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

You guys both make good points. On a big window you're gonna get seriously Efffed up if you roll it and maybe in a small window too. Part of the reason for wanting the shoulder belt is that I'm so used to it now it feels wrong not to have it.

I'll be running an ididit colum so hopefully I won't end up skewered like a "shrimp on the barbie"! But honestly, if you drive a truly old vehicle like these you ought to understand it's not in any way "safe" in the same vein as a modern car. Modern suspension & tires, disc brakes, seat belts, are about the extent of safety you can add.

So I think what this boils down to is I CAN install the shoulder belt and have it look fine, it'll keep my face from meeting the steering wheel in a lighter collision but in anything worse than that it's not gonna do much good.

I have to agree something is better than nothing.

[Rickysnickers]

I'd like to get some Silverado seats with the built in belts. The best of both worlds that way.

[Dan in Pasadena]

I don't want the seat visible above the rear window opening. All I've seen have a housing for the shoulder belt that sticks up. They have head rests too, which I don't want.

[Rickysnickers]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

I don't want the seat visible above the rear window opening. All I've seen have a housing for the shoulder belt that sticks up. They have head rests too, which I don't want.

Yeah that is the drawback. I figure when I do the seats, I will just have the back window tinted.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

Yeah that is the drawback. I figure when I do the seats, I will just have the back window tinted.

I used 07 Tahoe third row seats to get the intregated shoulder belts. I made a frame that uses the stock seat mount points and allowed the seats to be removed. The short headrests are not to visible from the back in my small window.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

...The short headrests are not to visible from the back in my small window.

Hmmm, have you looked at your own third photo? They're very visible to me!

[OrrieG]

I said not "to" visible, it is subjective. They can also be removed. My seat sits a little high because of my height. Remove the rests and lower the seat one inch or so (it is 5 inches off the floor) and you would not see it.

[58CameoAZ]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

I used 07 Tahoe third row seats to get the intregated shoulder belts. I made a frame that uses the stock seat mount points and allowed the seats to be removed. The short headrests are not to visible from the back in my small window.

Hey Orrie, May i ask on your Back seat Bracket, what did you put underneath?
The reason i ask is i had back in the day almost the same setup on my 58 Cameo, i backed the bottom up with a rectangular plate and had it bolted to the floor board that way and when after several years i took my truck down apart
i had found i had small Hairline Cracks at the attachment points in the floor board sheet metal.FWIW
Allen

[OrrieG]

Thanks for the heads up. Front bracket is 7/8 inch threaded stock welded to a 1/4 flat plate with holes to match the stock seat frame mount without any additional backing. I used G8 bolts. Rear is a 1/4 vertical plate welded to 1/4 flat stock with holes to match stock frame mount without any additional backing. Seat frame is 1" heavy wall tube, threaded stock goes thru it in front for up and down adjustment. In the back it has a vertical leg with 3/4 pivot hole to match hole in the bottom bracket. Pivot bolt is G8 with no threads on contact area.

I currently have the frame out for carpeting. I will check the area around the stock bolt area for any cracks. I went over the floor pretty carefully, it was not rusted but I wanted a good surface for paint, I believe any cracks would have been obvious after the white primer was put on.

When I had the previous bucket seats in used 2" x 2" x 1/4" plate under the flat floor parts for the lap belt and child seat attachment. I did some pretty hairy off roading that challenged the seat belts and when I welded up the old holes did not notice any cracking around them.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Re

Originally Posted by OrrieG

I used 07 Tahoe third row seats to get the intregated shoulder belts. I made a frame that uses the stock seat mount points and allowed the seats to be removed. The short headrests are not too visible from the back in my small window.

Orrie,
Resurrecting this old thread because my truck is in the body shop and a decision on the shoulder belts has to be made - I can't procrastinate any longer.

I searched your build thread but couldn't find (I'm sure I missed them) close up photos of the complete mount frame you fabricated for your Tahoe seat.

From the pictures above it looks like a rectangular frame of 3/4" or 1" tube mounted to the original seat floor mount locations. How has the rod-to-plate weld in the front held up? I'm a little more "porky" than I care to admit (225lbs) and concerned that weld would fatigue after many cycles of getting in, getting out. In hindsight in the rear would you use both factory seat holes on each side or has yours been solid?

My research shows 2007+ Tahoe third row seats runs between $400-800. Pricey but they're leather and are in perfect condition so no reupholstery cost.

Thanks for answering questions that are likely in your build thread. Maybe just point me to the post #'s. Best, Dan

EDIT: Went back and looked at photos here more closely. I see there's no adjustment fore/aft but I see the rod in front allows up/down tilt. I assume that's why the rear mount is bolted and allows the frame to pivot using a Nylok nut, is that right? I also now see one cross member, so there's likely two at least and the solid rod the seat clamps hold. Anything else I'm missing? Is that front rectangular frame member visible other than when first entering the truck? You don't hit your ankles on it?

[OrrieG]

Answers - 1) I am short and 160 right now. I designed the seat so I could place my elbow out the window comfortably and adjust the angle. Front to back was not an issue, I am using a caddy tilt telescope column. I set the initial angle to match my CRV which I think is about 15 degrees. That matches human anatomy in a seated position. 2) After I fabbed the seat I placed the side bars on blocks and jumped up and down on the center of the cross bars, no obvious movement. If its a concern you could add bracing down to the cab floor cross braces in the middle. 3) In retrospect the front back could be moved back closer to the round rods. I solved the shin/leg gashing issue with upholstry, photos attached. 4) Frame is 1" heavy wall tube steel. Bars are 1/2" solid rods. Plate is 3/16". Bolts and threaded rod are 1/2".

I paid $100 for my seats, the person was literally leaving town on short notice for a new job and had their truck and Tahoe completely full and was going to leave them at the rental if someone did not buy them.

[yossarian19]

The B pillar, you can see four sides of it. In between the fore & aft bits of sheet metal, there is a third rib of sheet that is inside the pillar. You won't have room for a nut, for a tube, nothing.
I wound up making right angle brackets and welding them to the rear of the B pillar.
I know it's not as strong as a factory shoulder belt on a later model but it's a hell of a lot better than smacking my face into the column (or my wife's into the dash) in a 35 MPH bangup.
I take it for granted that if I seriously wreck at 60 or if I roll it, all occupants are dead. Who knows, maybe I get lucky - but I'm not betting on it and I won't drive like it.

Dan, I hope you come up with something you like - but damned if I could do any better on a BRW cab than to round off some angle iron for brackets & weld her home.

[1958Warrior]

I have to agree with DWCSR anything you do to improve safety for yourself and passenger is a lot better than nothing , weather you weld a plate to the pillar or inside the pillar no one will think less of you or your ride for it. Power brakes, disc brakes ,Ifs is all safety upgrades .
God forbid we roll our truck or get into a serious accident we want to come out of it all the better if there is a piece of angle iron or plate welded to the pillar it wont matter if the truck is totaled what does it matter ? We get so anal about how slick things look we overlook the value of our lives sometimes.

[dwcsr]

I guess its time for this old favorite again
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPF4fBGNK0U

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

I guess its time for this old favorite again
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPF4fBGNK0U

It broke my heart when I first saw that. They don't build them like they used to....

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

It broke my heart when I first saw that. They don't build them like they used to....

In regard to safety I think the suffix to your statement is, "Thank God"

As for styling? They surely don't which is why we're all on a site about 60 year old (+/-) trucks.

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

In regard to safety I think the suffix to your statement is, "Thank God"

As for styling? They surely don't which is why we're all on a site about 60 year old (+/-) trucks.

Agree 100% about the safety. Always think the same thing when someone says...They don't make them like they used too. Much safer today!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Okay, understood.
I will be tinting my rear window but not quite to limo tint level.