47-55.1 seat belt threads sources and advice

[Marty68]

i have a 51 GMC my wife would like seat belts in it. so the grand kids can cruise with Papa. is there a good thread here? i learn best from pictures. is there a preferred source? i guess i would like just lap belts
i added a picture of my truck because why not

[jweb]

Here's a good write up on installing 3 point belts:
https://www.julianos.com/Articles.asp?ID=277

Here are some basics for installing lap belts, not AD specific:
https://www.wescoperformance.com/lap-belts-install.html

I have lap belts in my truck, if I were to do it again it would be 3 point belts.

[jwhotrod]

seatbeltplanet.com is a certified seatbelt mfgr and rebuilder great people and reasonable prices

[1project2many]

Originally Posted by jwhotrod

seatbeltplanet.com is a certified seatbelt mfgr and rebuilder great people and reasonable prices

I have purchased from Seatbelt Planet for our fleet vehicles that had custom seating. Very helpful and there are real people that know the business and the product.

Now, if you're looking for an alternative to installing belts, I used IMMI school bus child seats in my '57 and in my '36 Plymouth when my kids were little.


The back of the child seat uses one strap that wraps around the back of the truck seat and two that wrap around the base. In order to keep the truck seat back from folding forward in an accident I used two ratcheting tie straps to restrain the seat back. These worked great while they were small.

[Marty68]

Great info thanks guys

[Zippi]

Nice looking little grocery getter Marty68. Can't tell if you have a bench seat or buckets but I bought these lap belts online last year and they were great quality and easy to install. Came with all hardware needed.
https://www.wescoperformance.com/lap...t-lo-help.html

[LEEVON]

I put 3 point belts in my '50 3 window after a little head scratching and examples like Julianos. If you can weld it's a pretty satisfying project. PM me if you would like some tips!

Leevon

[Katrina/10]

I like your truck, I have a 51 GMC also. I have the original bench seat, went to the U-Pull and got lap belts out of the rear of a conversion van, cheap. I bolted them through the vertical wall under the back of the seat.

[nvrdone]

for years i had lap belts out of the back seat of an old Chevelle. Then I rear ended an expedition. Bent the steering wheel with my chest but they held me in so i guess i was some what lucky. During the rebuild, I decideded to go with new 3 point belts. Got a set from Juliano's . We re enforced the door pillar with 1/8" angle and made angle mounts that are welded to the floor with a reinforcement under the floor. They seem stronger than a factory mount but I hope I never have to test them.

[mr48chev]

When I got rear ended in my Geo Prizm GSI a few years ago the impact from being shoved into the Johnson barrier jammed the seat belt retractor. I probably wouldn't be sitting here writing this without the seat belt and shoulder harness as hard as he hit me. That ended my wanting to use any more used seat belts out of a donor rig.

[MiraclePieCo]

I put 3-point belts in my pickup, but the panel truck got just lap belts because it has no good anchor points for the shoulder strap.

[AZ59apacheguy]

I just ordered a set of seatbelts from Juliano’s, can’t wait to install them on my ‘59

[Driver_WT]

We put in shoulder belts in 53 Chevy three window. Shoulder belt mounting plates are welded in the corners of the cab. Not as strong as a modern vehicle, but I am hoping better than just lap belts.

[Marty68]

Originally Posted by MiraclePieCo

I put 3-point belts in my pickup, but the panel truck got just lap belts because it has no good anchor points for the shoulder strap.

how does the shoulder harness fasten on the pillar?

[Dan in Pasadena]

This post and pictures are an FYI for Task Force guys like AZ59apacheguy. I installed 3 point belts from Juliano's in my '55.2 big window and had to open the B pillar to install an anchor point.

The pillar is only folded sheet metal so it isn't very strong. In a true violent collision this mount will keep your face from meeting the steering wheel or dash but remember that the likelihood is in these 60+ year old vehicles we WILL get hurt in anything more than a mild collision. They're filled with hard surfaces inside and were not designed with collapsing steering columns or door collision beams, engines that will be driven under the cab, etc. It's just what it is.

HELPFUL HINT: Don't make the mistake I did. My mount hole is centered on the B pillar. It SHOULD have been more toward the front of the pillar so the belt hanger will hang truly horizontal. As mine is the big window rubber molding won't allow it so the belt binds when pulled out. But otherwise it works well.