Seatbelts - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

vtwinsport · 02-22-2009, 03:50 PM

Hey all,
Quick question; when did shoulder belts come into law in the US? Was it different for each state? Like Texas? Or, Did shoulder belts become mandatory all over the US at once?
thanks in advance for all replies.

**N2TRUX** · 02-22-2009, 11:47 PM

Anyone?

mhicks · 02-23-2009, 08:26 AM

I think it is just seat belts (any kind) and not shoulder belts. If they came with shoulder belts then that is what you use, if it came with lap belts then that is what you use. If it did not have any from the factory then you do not have to have them.

vtwinsport · 02-23-2009, 08:29 AM

thanks mhicks. Got another question then. Were 76s made with both lap belts and lap& shoulder?

Damien · 02-23-2009, 01:49 PM

My dad has a '76 with lap belts. I don't know if this helps you.

bigblock73 · 02-23-2009, 02:11 PM

I think 76 was the transition year from lap to shoulder.

If I am reading your mind correctly, and you want to run the speaker brackets...you could find a 78 and newer set of shoulder belts, they had the retractors on the floor and not on the back pillar like your truck.

I think 76 was the only year that had the high mount retractors...my 77 has the floor mount ones, but that truck has been "restored" one by a PO, so who knows what it had from the general.

vtwinsport · 02-23-2009, 05:56 PM

Indeed that is what I am thinking. My shoulder belts mounts are in the way alright of those fine speaker boxes. I would have to go to 5" rounds and use a shorter box I make myself.
I'll try looking at that option. I know it would mean drilling into the floor for the anchor bolts as well the belts you mentioned. I was planning on buying new belts here in the late spring so I need to decide which is best- different boxes or belts.
thx

S10Fan · 02-23-2009, 07:21 PM

I bought a 76 new, lap belts only.

vtwinsport · 02-23-2009, 07:32 PM

thanks s10 and damien.
That means there were some 76's made without shoulder belts. Which means, if I can find factory looking plugs or replacement trim pieces on the cab where the shoulder hole guide is, I can place those speaker boxes and get rid of the annoying shoulder belts or get later belts with a different mounting location.

p.s.- I know some people highly recommend the shoulder straps for safety but I'm not convinced they're worth it. I'm more likely to get rear-ended and suffer whiplash with no bucket headrests or nailed from the side which I'm assuming shoulder belts won't help in that case.

*78 Chevyrado* · 02-23-2009, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtwinsport

thanks s10 and damien.
That means there were some 76's made without shoulder belts. Which means, if I can find factory looking plugs or replacement trim pieces on the cab where the shoulder hole guide is, I can place those speaker boxes and get rid of the annoying shoulder belts or get later belts with a different mounting location.

p.s.- I know some people highly recommend the shoulder straps for safety but I'm not convinced they're worth it. I'm more likely to get rear-ended and suffer whiplash with no bucket headrests or nailed from the side which I'm assuming shoulder belts won't help in that case.

I LOVE my shoulder belts, they keep steering columns out of your chest. think about it, nobody can plan for a wreck, or they wouldn't have gone driving that day. I know my shoulder belt did a heck of a lot for me, because the only thing on me that was hurting was my shoulder where that belt grabbed me.

**Captkaos** · 02-23-2009, 08:42 PM

It was a dealer option on all of them, but I think became standard in 1977...

73CheyenneSuper20 · 02-24-2009, 01:35 AM

My '73 has the nut part in the frame post, but it has lap belts. It has plastic molding covering up the nut. It all looks original.

vtwinsport · 02-24-2009, 09:04 AM

Well, my wife won't ride in the truck without the shoulder belts so I'll be posting a WTB add in parts shortly. FYI, 76 seems to be the only year the shoulder harness was mid pillar.
78 chevyrado, a picture is worth a thousand words. point taken.

Dooley · 02-24-2009, 11:07 AM

Pic from page 8 of 1976 showroom brochure.

vtwinsport · 02-24-2009, 01:33 PM

I'd say that speaks volumes. thx

**Captkaos** · 02-24-2009, 07:16 PM

Anything PRE-1977 would be most likely be pillar mounted...

mrmojo32 · 02-24-2009, 09:27 PM

I put these in for my rear bench seat of my 89 GMC Jimmy for my kids and my wife is very happy.

If you cannot find a shoulder option for yours you might consider them. I know they make some waaaay more expensive too.

http://wescoperformance.stores.yahoo.net/am4point.html

02-22-2009, 03:50 PM	#1
vtwinsport Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: edmonton, alberta Posts: 293	Seatbelts Hey all, Quick question; when did shoulder belts come into law in the US? Was it different for each state? Like Texas? Or, Did shoulder belts become mandatory all over the US at once? thanks in advance for all replies. __________________ 76 Silverado, 2wd, long box, 350/th350, 3.42 posi, edelbrock performer 64cc heads, edelbrock 1405, 2101 intake, Hedman Headers, Comp Cam XE262 http://beerbreadbike.wordpress.com/ Last edited by vtwinsport; 02-22-2009 at 03:53 PM.

02-22-2009, 11:47 PM	#2
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: Seatbelts Anyone? __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

02-23-2009, 08:26 AM	#3
mhicks Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Weatherford,Tx Posts: 747	Re: Seatbelts I think it is just seat belts (any kind) and not shoulder belts. If they came with shoulder belts then that is what you use, if it came with lap belts then that is what you use. If it did not have any from the factory then you do not have to have them. Last edited by mhicks; 02-23-2009 at 08:26 AM.

02-23-2009, 08:29 AM	#4
vtwinsport Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: edmonton, alberta Posts: 293	Re: Seatbelts thanks mhicks. Got another question then. Were 76s made with both lap belts and lap& shoulder? __________________ 76 Silverado, 2wd, long box, 350/th350, 3.42 posi, edelbrock performer 64cc heads, edelbrock 1405, 2101 intake, Hedman Headers, Comp Cam XE262 http://beerbreadbike.wordpress.com/

02-23-2009, 01:49 PM	#5
Damien Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Farmington, MN Posts: 928	Re: Seatbelts My dad has a '76 with lap belts. I don't know if this helps you. __________________ I can still count my vehicles on two... wait three hands.

02-23-2009, 02:11 PM	#6
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,824	Re: Seatbelts I think 76 was the transition year from lap to shoulder. If I am reading your mind correctly, and you want to run the speaker brackets...you could find a 78 and newer set of shoulder belts, they had the retractors on the floor and not on the back pillar like your truck. I think 76 was the only year that had the high mount retractors...my 77 has the floor mount ones, but that truck has been "restored" one by a PO, so who knows what it had from the general. __________________ Jeff 73-87.com 73-87.com Facebook page 73-87 cab corner 6x9 speaker brackets for sale 67-72 cab corner speaker brackets for sale 47-54 cab corner speaker brackets for sale

02-23-2009, 05:56 PM	#7
vtwinsport Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: edmonton, alberta Posts: 293	Re: Seatbelts Indeed that is what I am thinking. My shoulder belts mounts are in the way alright of those fine speaker boxes. I would have to go to 5" rounds and use a shorter box I make myself. I'll try looking at that option. I know it would mean drilling into the floor for the anchor bolts as well the belts you mentioned. I was planning on buying new belts here in the late spring so I need to decide which is best- different boxes or belts. thx __________________ 76 Silverado, 2wd, long box, 350/th350, 3.42 posi, edelbrock performer 64cc heads, edelbrock 1405, 2101 intake, Hedman Headers, Comp Cam XE262 http://beerbreadbike.wordpress.com/

02-23-2009, 07:21 PM	#8
S10Fan Old Heap Driver Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Newport News, Va Posts: 2,642	Re: Seatbelts I bought a 76 new, lap belts only. __________________ _____________________________ Bryan '99 Silverado 1500, 4.3, 5-speed, reg cab, short bed '50 Chevy 2DR Hard Top, 350/350, M2 Front End, 3:08 gear, cruiser. '40 F**d Sedan, all Chevy power, Heidt's front end, TCI rear, nice driver.

02-23-2009, 07:32 PM	#9
vtwinsport Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: edmonton, alberta Posts: 293	Re: Seatbelts thanks s10 and damien. That means there were some 76's made without shoulder belts. Which means, if I can find factory looking plugs or replacement trim pieces on the cab where the shoulder hole guide is, I can place those speaker boxes and get rid of the annoying shoulder belts or get later belts with a different mounting location. p.s.- I know some people highly recommend the shoulder straps for safety but I'm not convinced they're worth it. I'm more likely to get rear-ended and suffer whiplash with no bucket headrests or nailed from the side which I'm assuming shoulder belts won't help in that case. __________________ 76 Silverado, 2wd, long box, 350/th350, 3.42 posi, edelbrock performer 64cc heads, edelbrock 1405, 2101 intake, Hedman Headers, Comp Cam XE262 http://beerbreadbike.wordpress.com/

02-23-2009, 08:42 PM	#11
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Re: Seatbelts It was a dealer option on all of them, but I think became standard in 1977... __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

02-24-2009, 01:35 AM	#12
73CheyenneSuper20 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Bernardino, CA Posts: 92	Re: Seatbelts My '73 has the nut part in the frame post, but it has lap belts. It has plastic molding covering up the nut. It all looks original. __________________ '71 C25 Camper Special, 402, TH400, Longbed, Power Loc axle, Figuring out the rest of the details.... '10 Dodge Charger SXT - DD '91 Kasel M101A2 3/4 ton trailer (It has Chevy rims!)

02-24-2009, 09:04 AM	#13
vtwinsport Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: edmonton, alberta Posts: 293	Re: Seatbelts Well, my wife won't ride in the truck without the shoulder belts so I'll be posting a WTB add in parts shortly. FYI, 76 seems to be the only year the shoulder harness was mid pillar. 78 chevyrado, a picture is worth a thousand words. point taken. __________________ 76 Silverado, 2wd, long box, 350/th350, 3.42 posi, edelbrock performer 64cc heads, edelbrock 1405, 2101 intake, Hedman Headers, Comp Cam XE262 http://beerbreadbike.wordpress.com/

02-24-2009, 11:07 AM	#14
Dooley Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: North Coast Posts: 1,012	Re: Seatbelts Pic from page 8 of 1976 showroom brochure. Attached Images

02-24-2009, 01:33 PM	#15
vtwinsport Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: edmonton, alberta Posts: 293	Re: Seatbelts I'd say that speaks volumes. thx __________________ 76 Silverado, 2wd, long box, 350/th350, 3.42 posi, edelbrock performer 64cc heads, edelbrock 1405, 2101 intake, Hedman Headers, Comp Cam XE262 http://beerbreadbike.wordpress.com/

02-24-2009, 07:16 PM	#16
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Re: Seatbelts Anything PRE-1977 would be most likely be pillar mounted... __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com



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02-24-2009, 09:27 PM	#17
mrmojo32 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 216	Re: Seatbelts I put these in for my rear bench seat of my 89 GMC Jimmy for my kids and my wife is very happy. If you cannot find a shoulder option for yours you might consider them. I know they make some waaaay more expensive too. http://wescoperformance.stores.yahoo.net/am4point.html __________________ 1972 LWB 1969 4x4 Suburban 1989 4x4 Jimmy Last edited by mrmojo32; 02-24-2009 at 09:28 PM.

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