What's under that cap??
 

Has anyone popped the cap off the C post on an early crew cab to see if it's threaded for a shoulder belt attachment? Looking at a nice 1981 3+3 for 1000 bucks, but need to make sure the car seats and booster seats will work in the future.

Thanks!

Re: What's under that cap??
 

both my 84 and the new 85 cab had

Re: What's under that cap??
 

I'd trust a tethered car seat with its own buckles 1000 times more than I'd trust a shoulder belt holding the car seat in place. Especially a seat belt from the 80's. Using the tether system to secure a car seat is a lot easier, tons safer and a whole lot more secure.
Did the whole baby seat training and 'buckle baby right' stuff when I worked for Hertz Rent A Car. We could not use factory seat belts unless it was just for a booster seat, then of course the seat belt is the only option since the booster has no built in harness like infant/toddler/child seat does.

Re: What's under that cap??
 

My '79 just has empty holes there. I strap the child seats in with just the lap belts and it works fine. I put all my weight on the child seat while buckling the belt, and make sure the belt locks in place. It feels like it's mounted well, not floppy at all.

Re: What's under that cap??
 

The tether system is out of the question in an older vehicle the mounts arent there.

Re: What's under that cap??
 

I know in my burban, there are no tethers at all. The only option is the seat belts. Now with my son's car seat, I can only use 1 rear seat due to the fact I do not trust any of the other seat belts.

Re: What's under that cap??
 

You add them. Very easy to do.

Re: What's under that cap??
 

im interested in how you say "add them" I dont think it is as easy as that, it would have to be something that is thru-bolted at least to hold the force just in case something does happen.

Re: What's under that cap??
 

Were shoulder belts an option you could buy in 1980? Has anyone popped the cap off to see if it's threaded or an empty hole?
LMC Truck sells shoulder belt kits so the booster seat will work in the future.

Re: What's under that cap??
 

You install a small U bolt type connection, or even a cargo type anchor on the back of the cab wall and along the bottom by the package tray. That would give you the three mounting locations you need. If you don't think the cab sheet metal is strong enough, you can reinforce with a backing plate. If you don't think screws are strong enough, use nuts and bolts, if you don't think that is strong enough, you can weld it.
As long as the tether strap can pass between the seat bottom and seat back (can't really think of a car/truck they couldn't), you can use a tether system once you add brackets.

Re: What's under that cap??
 

I added a tether attachment on a truck for a buddy of mine. U-bolt through 1/8 plate then through the floor, through 1/8 plate again sandwiching the floor between the two pieces of 1/8 plate and then bolted in.