Whiplash

[davepl]

Now that I drive this thing a bit more regularly, I have 3-point belts but I'm worried about getting rear ended, given there's nothing but some glass to catch your head, and even that's 8" behind you or so.

Not the best design. Is there any "genius" solution within the confines of the stock seats? I can't replace them, it's a factory restoration. But if there were pillows that attached to the back window and didn't look stupid (note that caveat) I might try that...

I think I can see the only answer is "wear a helmet", but figure it doesn't hurt to ask...

[cleszkie]

A helmet alone won't prevent whiplash. You need to install a H.A.N.S. device like they use in NASCAR

[n33k0]

I can't comment on any mods to increase safety, but I can say that I watch my rear view mirror like a hawk because I'm so paranoid about someone plowing into the back of my truck. It sucks knowing you can do everything possible to be safe, but you are still at the mercy of the distracted driver coming up behind you.

The previous owner moved the gas tank out of the cab and pushed the bench seat back to make more leg room. As a result, the rear glass is only a couple inches away from the back of my head. I take comfort in knowing that my bench seat has head rests, but they are pretty flimsy by modern standards, I'm not sure how much protection they can really offer.

[Stocker]

It'll be interesting to see what other answers you get. Personally, I think fewer (and less effective) safety features are simply a part of driving an older vehicle. For instance, no crumple zones, at least nothing like what are designed into newer stuff, means more energy will be absorbed by the vehicle's occupants. Little or nothing can be done about that. Some of us who have ridden motorcycles are aware of the risks and accept them as part of the riding experience. As to your whiplash concern, you are limited by your refusal to install the one thing that might help somewhat -- better seats, with headrests. Just my two cents, hopefully you'll get some better ideas.

[69moneypit]

I've searched but I can't find it . I quess you would call it a pillow . it was clear. I can't remember if it had a gel or air in it but it was designed to be attatched directly to the rear glass ; instead , of using a headrest . It was designed to protect driver in rear end collision . I thought it was a good idea ; however, I was young and invincible then . It wasn't demonstrated on a c10 it was a mini truck.

[davepl]

A suction-cup pillow that stuck to the glass might not be a terrible idea... never seen one, they're probably hideous, but worth a shot.

I have a motorcycle I don't ride (hardly) anymore too... as I get older my risk tolerance seems to go down (it really takes a dive when you have kids, but even over time it seems).

I do track my Z06, that's about the extent of my risk taking!

[In The Ten Ring]

I've found hauling a load of 10 foot long pressure-treated 4x4 timbers tends to keep the tailgaters away.

I have wondered this same thing, "I wish I had headrests" but I love the bench seat so much.

I've gotten whiplash twice in my life, once so bad I couldn't move my head in either direction for a week! *That time, I was fine after about 7 days but the next time it happened I got a massage and I was perfectly fine just a few hours later.

Both my cases were cased by skiing crashes not auto collisions so I may not have been so badly hurt anyway.

[AnotherWs6]

Good topic. I have thought about this several times. I have a Suburban so I don't even have back glass to smash my head into. Without putting in brand new, modern seats I wonder what can be done? A roll bar with padding I suppose....

[Orange Crate]

Fabricate a bar that goes from the top seat belt hardware attach points. Put a couple of curves in it at the attach points so it rides close to the back glass or slider. Put a couple of nice foam filled pads right behind the driver and pass and match the vinyl to your interior. Patent it and make a bundle. Come back on here and tell us about living large after.....

[davepl]

It'd look horrible, but the best thing I've found so far is a bathtub pillow on Amazon that has suction cups to stick to the tub. If I had it reupholstered in blue vinyl....

[Grumpy old man]

Originally Posted by davepl

It'd look horrible, but the best thing I've found so far is a bathtub pillow on Amazon that has suction cups to stick to the tub. If I had it reupholstered in blue vinyl....

I think they make them them in the donut hole style ,Cover it in some blue velvet and it just may fit perfectly !

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by davepl

It'd look horrible, but the best thing I've found so far is a bathtub pillow on Amazon that has suction cups to stick to the tub. If I had it reupholstered in blue vinyl....

Try searching for Hot Tub or Spa pillows or headrests. There are some that are not all that bad. They have suction cups on the back and look almost like a regular car headrest. I have a set that came with my whirlpool bathtub.

For instance:
https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Spring-Sp.../dp/B00ASIJF82

[firedemon]

I like these trucks because the other guys car is the crumple zone

[garyd1961]

If you drive one of these classics you need to be tough. If you need a pillow buy a Prius.







Just kidding, I've thought about installing a set of high back buckets myself.

[special-K]

A helmet would help guarantee whiplash by adding weight and bulk to your head. I've driven these trucks since they were new and never worried about it. That seems to work just fine. If I wanted updated safety equipment I'd drive a modern vehicle. Life is full of risks we can't eliminate and I enjoy it by not worrying about all the what ifs.

[Dad's72]

I think about this as well. My neighbor got rear eneed in his 80 something c10 and the back of his head was cut up pretty good. Stitches, back windshield, new bumper and he was back on the road.
On a horrible note a good friend of mines dad was killed after being rear ended. Medic said his neck was broke on impact. Sucks.
My headrests in my 94 saved my head after a guy forgot to stop at a red light and used my truck to park under.

[Dad's72]

I think about this as well. My neighbor got rear eneed in his 80 something c10 and the back if his head was cut up pretty good. Stitches, back windshield, new bumper and he was back on the road.
On a horrible note a good friend of mines dad was killed after being rear ended. Medic said his neck was broke on impact. Scary.
My headrests in my 94 saved my head after a guy forgot to stop at a red light and used my truck to park under.

[CG]

Have a custom head rest made that matches your interior. Mounted it to some sort of shaft or stick or something. Slide it in when you go for a drive, take it out and cram it under the seat if you want to show.

[Overdriven]

Originally Posted by CG

Have a custom head rest made that matches your interior. Mounted it to some sort of shaft or stick or something. Slide it in when you go for a drive, take it out and cram it under the seat if you want to show.

If the truck is a stock restoration I think this is the best route and was thinking of something similar. My idea had the head rest attached to something flat, like a piece of 1/2 ply, 1/8 aluminum plate, whatever would fit between the seat and cab wall. Upholster the whole thing so it won't scratch the cab wall. It's removable yet provides protection from whiplash.

I knew someone who got rear ended in a pickup and his head hit the back window. Whiplash isnt really a concern when your brain gets scrambled. Every time we drive it's a risk, older vehicles just up the risk, the price of being cool I guess. I'll probably end up with headrests just because of the seats I want to run, otherwise I'm not gonna worry about safety stuff. We all have an expiration date, might as well be doing something ya love.

[hdff]

Dave if you are that concerned about getting rear ended and whiplash you should probably give your truck to me. I have never even thought about that till now, I track my Z06 and have rode my Harley 40K miles in the last 4 years, had kids raised em and am getting old. Enjoy life , take a few risks, you only live once. And if something does go bad wrong(which I hope it doesn't) while you are having fun, you will never know it! Don't mean to sound like a dick just like to live life and encourage others to do the same. Life is to short.

[davepl]

Originally Posted by hdff

Dave if you are that concerned about getting rear ended and whiplash you should probably give your truck to me. I have never even thought about that till now, I track my Z06 and have rode my Harley 40K miles in the last 4 years, had kids raised em and am getting old. Enjoy life , take a few risks, you only live once. And if something does go bad wrong(which I hope it doesn't) while you are having fun, you will never know it! Don't mean to sound like a dick just like to live life and encourage others to do the same. Life is to short.

Safety equipment just means you want to have the fun AND not wink out in a flash not knowing it...

I want my cake and eat it too. I want to drive the old truck AND survive it. Nothing wrong with "and". People talk about a "calculated risk". I like to calculate my risk, multiply it by some fraction, and then move on. I've always made my own luck, to the extent I can, and this is no different.

I never said "these trucks are too dangerous to drive, I'm staying home". I just pointed out a glaring safety issue with them and would like to mitigate that, as the manufacturers did a couple years later (40 years ago!)... not hide under the bed.

[special-K]

What year did people start rear ending trucks? Millions of people have driven these trucks millions of miles with a smidgen of a percentage resulting in serous injury from rear end collision.

There's a thing known as calculated risk. I've enjoyed many things in life other would never do... ride MCs, rock climb, whitewater kayak, surf, sky dive, camp in wilderness for weeks far from any help, walked down a major city street, etc. I have lived my life where if I die today I feel I've had a good one. I've driven these trucks since '73 and never worried about getting rear ended. While newfound safety awareness is hard to ignore, I guess that's what I'm doing. The fact is, just because we mandate a safety device it doesn't mean those without have any more likeliness of having an occurence than before.

I accept the calculated risk of driving a vehicle built decades before all the devices implemented in today's vehicles that seem to be resulting in a false sense of security causing far more dangerous drivers. "My car will protect me", seems to be the mentality. I see cars mangled up far worse than ever before. I just take the slow lane and let the buffoons rip on by to their next tragic accident.

[davepl]

Originally Posted by special-K

What year did people start rear ending trucks? Millions of people have driven these trucks millions of miles with a smidgen of a percentage resulting in serous injury from rear end collision.

My father, 1992.

My best friend, 1994.

Both survived, both rear-ended in 67-72 trucks requiring medical attention. In both cases the trucks were OK at the frame (bumper mounts twisted only).

[Grumpy old man]

Are you turning your NOS Build into a restomod ? late model wheels ,4l80, flashing leds,headrests ,overloaded options ? May as well just add 5 point restraints ,late model seats ,and drop it . With the longhorn bed the impact (heaven forbid) would never make it to the cab . Your truck looks great the way it is ...

[Metaldoc]

F450 tow truck hit me doing 55mph, I was stopped to turn . Even with a shoulder belt I went out the back window and bounced my head off the bed cover. The seat broke and I stayed in the truck because of the lap part of the belt. I braced myself just before the hit and had no whip lash. I was very lucky. I lost over a 1 1/2 years of working on my 67 as I couldn't wear the welding helmet. It's about paying attention while driving, The guy that hit me was CAA towing, with an Impala in tow, was on his computer. But in Ontario we have no fault insurance so I got nothing, they where going to replace my t-shirt if I had a receipt that I used to stop the bleeding.