seat belts and such

[jocko]

good evening truckers.
an even stupid"er" question (by the way, the "stupid" question was a GREAT question!) When installing seat belts - shouldn't the belt that has the latch (i.e. the end with the adjustable length strap and the buckle itself) be anchored in the center area of the truck behind the seat - with the end that has the part that gets inserted into the latch anchored at the outside (near the door) anchor points?

Although I could swear every old car I've had is set up that way - my current truck is set up the opposite way - and it just doesn't "feel" right. So, every time I release my belt and open the door, 3 feet of seat belt flops into the street...

So, trying to find out if someone installed them backwards somewhere along the way, or if I'm just full of crap or losing my mind.

Either way, I think I'm going to swap them and put some of those aute-re-winders on the belt so it winds up the outer belts nice and neat. Had that set up in a 65 impala and I could swear it almost made the vinyl smell like rich, corinthian leather..... (can someone name THAT car?)

Thanks for the help.

[jocko]

hmm - now this little clip of literature would seem to indicate (from a 62 impala) that the theory is correct - short belt to outside (assuming the crash test dummy is sitting in the driver's seat...)

this is a new low. nothing like replying to your own thread - and the number of views equals the number of replies... and they're all me.

come on now! surely someone is excited about seat belts!

[nomrlz]

my 67 camaro had the female end on the outside and i believe my old nova did too. for some reason. it seems all my old trucks had the female end on the inside tho

[jocko]

I wonder if it matters one way or the other which way they are mounted? I can't imagine it would. Any safety gurus out there?

[lakeroadster]

This is one of those "Ya know, I never really thought about that" questions.

When I installed lap belts in my '65 I put the retracters on the outside by the doors. Did it 'cause every vehicle I have had with retractable belts had the retracters there. And also it keeps the retracters away from the trans hump, and if you run a console, the retracters aren't in the way.

These instructions specify installing the retractors outside by the doors also. http://www.wescoperformance.com/2-po...t-install.html

But I can't see why it would matter, the locking mechanism should work either way. I think it is installers choice.

Now if you don't have retracters, then the long part of the belt goes toward the center of the car. I had a '70 and a '72 Nova, no retracters, long belts in the center. For the exact reason you state, so you don't end up with the belt out the door.

Man, my post seems to be rambling......Did this help?

[oldtrux]

chrysler cordoba!

[Russ65C10]

If you're using retractable "newer" style belts then the retractor side goes on the door side. My 66 that my dad bought new and came with factory belts had them the way you're suggesting.