Shoulder Seat Belts in a 5 Window?

[chevyky]

Anybody know if its do-able to mount the bolts/plates for shoulder strap seatbelts in a '51 5 window to the frame near where the door closes with the cab?

Has anybody had any success with this? Thanks

[hotrodrookie]

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=348737

[Atomsplitter]

I considered this when I installed my 3-Point Autoloc set but I found that the door frame position was too far forward to be comfortable across the chest. I took a 3" x 4" piece of steel and, with a contour gauge, shaped it to the contour of the metal corner. I welded it by spot welding in 2 places as seen in the link to the Juliano's installation instructions.

[chevyky]

These are a good start. Thanks

[MrTucker]

not for a 5 window...

[Atomsplitter]

Hey Mr.Tucker, did you view the link to the seat belt installation on a 5-Window AD?

[chevyky]

How many hours would you all estimate an experienced welder and custom car installer would take to install two of these shoulder harness seatbelts (link below) in my 5-window 51? Thanks

http://www.julianos.com/how2_3point_...evy_truck.html

[Atomsplitter]

I had mine installed in about 3 hours including bending the metal and beer! I cleaned up the weld later.

A professional should be able to do it in that time or less, say 2 hours if you had the metal bent already.

[chevyky]

Originally Posted by Atomsplitter

I had mine installed in about 3 hours including bending the metal and beer! I cleaned up the weld later.

A professional should be able to do it in that time or less, say 2 hours if you had the metal bent already.

Thats awesome. So if i were to estimate the value of 3 hours of install time by an experienced custom installer/welder... what do you think I should offer for the install? I know its hard to say, and I wouldnt hold anybody to a number, i just have no idea what that would be worth. He would use all his tools at his garage. (I would pay him in cash, not just beer... but that would be involved). Thanks

[50adrod]

Originally Posted by chevyky

Thats awesome. So if i were to estimate the value of 3 hours of install time by an experienced custom installer/welder... what do you think I should offer for the install? I know its hard to say, and I wouldnt hold anybody to a number, i just have no idea what that would be worth. He would use all his tools at his garage. (I would pay him in cash, not just beer... but that would be involved). Thanks

$150 plus free beer shoud probably do it

[1952ssr]

I think we are only state (GA) left where you are not required to wear a seatbelt in a truck. Which now after seeing this post makes me remember we will be traveling to Pigeon Forge next year, so I guess I better be figuring out what seat belts to use myself.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by 50adrod

$150 plus free beer shoud probably do it

Assuming the seat(s), carpet and headliner are pulled and everything is ready to drill and weld. Do those retractors have inertia locks?

[chevyky]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Assuming the seat(s), carpet and headliner are pulled and everything is ready to drill and weld. Do those retractors have inertia locks?

I called them, and Julianos confirmed that the rectractors do indeed have inertia locks on them. Does that make install more/less difficult? Thanks

[Atomsplitter]

The inertia lock is a safety function of the belt that locks the belt in place and won't let any more belt off the reel in an impact. Similar to when you give your seat belt a quick tug and it locks in a more modern vehicle.

[mylow53]

i did mime in a day and no welding. surprisingly simple and worth every penny i used julinos airplane buckles. one thing to keep in mind the passenger seat is the most dangerous. apparently the glove box can open and do some real damage to your passenger during an impact. i've always believed; spend good money on safety and save money elsewhere...
GT

[mylow53]

here's a pict of my mounting point
GT

[MrTucker]

Originally Posted by Atomsplitter

Hey Mr.Tucker, did you view the link to the seat belt installation on a 5-Window AD?

I have - there just isn't enough reinforcement, IMHO. It may be enough to withstand a small to medium impact, but there's no way I'd trust that.

I'm probably wrong, but it just doesn't sit well with me...

[sgtusmc]

I too am running Julianos 3 point. The kit is very well put together with very little welding. I did add a 1/2" (about 9" square) plate under the truck where the seatbelt bolts down through the cab floor. I did the plates at the seat mounts and then welded it together with 1" solid sqare tube. I don't expect to walk away from a high speed front end crash. It just might keep the seats and belts from ripping through the cab floor.

[chevyky]

Originally Posted by MrTucker

I have - there just isn't enough reinforcement, IMHO. It may be enough to withstand a small to medium impact, but there's no way I'd trust that.

I'm probably wrong, but it just doesn't sit well with me...

OK, so if you dont trust that setup for a high impact wreck, then what can be done to the setup to improve it? Alternatively what other setup would you suggest if this one isnt sitting well with you?

Thanks!

[sgtusmc]

Originally Posted by mylow53

i did mime in a day and no welding. surprisingly simple and worth every penny i used julinos airplane buckles. one thing to keep in mind the passenger seat is the most dangerous. apparently the glove box can open and do some real damage to your passenger during an impact. i've always believed; spend good money on safety and save money elsewhere...
GT

Hey Greg, how are the airplane buckles working out? When I ordered mine, I wanted the 3 point airplane buckle set up. I called and talked to them only to find out the 3 point only came in the standard auto buckle set up. He had the lap belts in the A/P set up only. I asked if he could custom make them, but he said he couldn't do it. Now he has them for sale...damn

[mylow53]

the belts are cool looking but maybe I'm used to my 03 dodge. there a 2 hand buckle. but hey they hold.
and yes i would expect to have a closed casket funeral if i were to really hit something at speed. forget the belts my head has no air bag to hit just some billet aluminum... this ain't no volvo. hey it beats dieing slowly in a hospital
my 2 cents
GT

[Atomsplitter]

I guess we all have the same reservations about the strength of the mounts but as they say it's better than nothing. I also have reservations about my hood latch and the door latches, eventually I'll replace all the latches with modern style bear claws.
These trucks were NOT designed to take us safely down the road at modern speeds.

[sgtusmc]

Originally Posted by Atomsplitter

I guess we all have the same reservations about the strength of the mounts but as they say it's better than nothing. I also have reservations about my hood latch and the door latches, eventually I'll replace all the latches with modern style bear claws.
These trucks were NOT designed to take us safely down the road at modern speeds.

My buddy lost his hood on his 49 GMC a year ago. It smashed his windshield and wrecked the paint on his cab. He switched over to the B/C latches and fixed the dents replaced the windshield. This summer it happened again. Same damage...LOL I used a pin system for my hood (just bolts). My hood has unlatched on me a few times (still have the original latch) on a two lane highway. A big rig coming the opposite way lifted the hood some, However it didn't come up on me since my hood pins were in. I know it's not for everyone but it saved me. Check my build page if your interested.

[dug224]

Has anyone done any further development of seat belts in these old trucks? Approaching time to install belts in my '59 and, before I saw this, I was trying to devise a way to handle the load imposed by the top belt mounting point. The '59 appears to have even less structure than the 5 Window. If I get in a wreck, I don't want to take the back and top of the cab with me as I move forward. I was thinking about a tall narrow triangular structure that was mounted to the floor (and additional floor plate or frame) and the top of the cab much like the mounting shown in the attached link for the Julianos belt setup. Any proven ideas? Thanks...dug