47-59 Safer Builds: A reference thread

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We should all be aware that keeping people safe in and an older vehicle really requires the vehicle to be driven safely. Modern engineering includes millions of dollars of research and design dedicated to making sure everyone inside survives an accident. This wasn't the case in the '40s and '50s and it shows in our trucks. We just can't fix many of the inherent issues. But we can try to make improvements designed to reduce the chances a relatively small accident doesn't turn bad.

For example, the original folding seat and many replacement seats before the and '60s don't latch. In a frontal collision the seat back folds forward quickly. This can slam the driver and passengers into the steering wheel or dash. If you're building a stock truck or using this type of seat it's a good idea to design a latch or stop into the seat. Better yeat, use a modern seat that has a positive latch or an inertia latch which will keep the seat back from folding in an accident.