TF 3-point seat belts. Who's done it?

[roger55]

I'd like to put 3 point seat belts in my '57. I will be using the stock bench seat. I'd sure like to see photos of the upper mounting point for the shoulder harness if anyone out there has done this.

Thanks,
Roger

[HiRMKin]

Here's a how to

http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/12...tbelt_install/

[Dan in Pasadena]

Denee just did it with belts from Juliano's ($$$$)

I HAVE the belts (for $9 each!) that I haven't installed yet.

[roger55]

Thanks guys. That looks pretty straight forward and easy. I didn't know that area would be strong enough to do it that way but evidently it is.

I'll see if I can find Denee's photos in her build thread.

Are you saying Juliano's is too high priced? I might check with Andover Restraints. I bought all the belts for my '55 Bel Air from them.

[Denee007]

That's right Dan! Juliano's 3 point are very good! comes with all the necessary hardware, or what you may need. I had already installed the upper by fishing it up through the body, then bolting it~ testy, but looks nice with little affect on the paint. I really feel this isn't something to skimp on when it comes to safety!
dne'

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Denee just did it with belts from Juliano's ($$$$)

I HAVE the belts (for $9 each!) that I haven't installed yet.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Never heard of "Andover Restraints" but I'm gonna go do a search after posting this.

No, Juliano's isn't too expensive IF you have the budget and they have a large selection of colors. I've only ever heard good things about them too. I just lucked into finding some so cheap.

[sqrlnts]

I will play. I purchased $50 belts from ebay. Here is what I did. I cut a slightly rectangular hole in the cab. I then cut a piece of 1/4" steel that was slightly larger than the rectangular in the cab. I welded my nut (not mine but the one for the bolt) to the plate on the back. I then welded the plate into the cab.

If I had to do it again I would grind down my welds and I need to make some sort of cover for the bolt because my head will slam into it in any crash.

[Russell Ashley]

I used Juliano's and am pleased with them. You might be able to find a set cheaper but you probably won't find a set that fit's and looks better. They come with all of the bolts and brackets so it's a quick and easy install. When I was installing mine I made one slight change from the way shown in the video. On the bracket that goes up into the cab, I tapped the two holes and used chrome button head allen screws to hold them in instead of using pop rivets as the video suggests.

[Dan in Pasadena]

I agree on not "skimping" - heck, I'm the guy that told you about Juliano's!

But in my case I don't know what my final upholstery color is gonna be so I didn't want to spend extra on Juliano's just to order black ones. Black ones are fine if my upholstery were to be black but that's the one color I know it will NOT be. So I settled for dark gray for $9 takeoffs from a late model Ram van.

Russell, why do you need EITHER pop rivets or button head bolts? If I weld a nut on my backing plate and fish it up behind the metal to align with a hole I've already drilled, the shoulder belt bolt will hold it. What am I missing?
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[Russell Ashley]

Dan, The upper bolts have a shoulder and the bracket that the belt slides through is free to pivot on that shoulder. This bolt doesn't hold the inner bracket tight against the cab so you need the screws to hold it in place.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

Dan, The upper bolts have a shoulder and the bracket that the belt slides through is free to pivot on that shoulder. This bolt doesn't hold the inner bracket tight against the cab so you need the screws to hold it in place.

Ahhhhh......NOW I understand! You are wise, Sensai

I think I'll use little polished button heads set screws too, but I'll have to use little nuts spot welded to the plate - is that what you did Russ?

I'm concerned they'll come loose but I guess I can use some Locktite on them.

[roger55]

Since I'm in the middle of a restore and will be painting anyway, I think I'll plug weld mine.

[Russell Ashley]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Ahhhhh......NOW I understand! You are wise, Sensai

I think I'll use little polished button heads set screws too, but I'll have to use little nuts spot welded to the plate - is that what you did Russ?

I'm concerned they'll come loose but I guess I can use some Locktite on them.

Dan, There's holes in the brackets for pop rivets. I threaded those holes so didn't need to weld nuts on them. The bracket is thick enough to do this. I didn't use any loctite on mine but surely wouldn't hurt to do it.

[entourageguy]

you can check these guys for belts. Lots of colors and good price.

www.seatbeltplanet.com

[G&R's57GMC]

Has anyone done this on a big window ?

[Dan in Pasadena]

Mine's a big window. Where the shoulder bolt goes I don't expect the window size to be any issue.

Russ, I'm using my $9, Dodge Ram van take-offs so there are no plates that come with holes. Plus, I don't own any taps either, sooo...I plan to cut some plate maybe 2"x3" and just drill for the small button heads & the big bolt too. As someone mentioned above, I've gotta find a shoulder type bolt, OR use a spacer of some kind to allow the shoulder bolt to pivot freely.

For those that have done it already, can you post the dimension from cab floor to the shoulder bolt? How far in from the door edge horizontally?