seat belts

[1971k567cam]

I was looking at the top on my blazer the other day and was wondering if you installed 3 point seat belts how they would work. I can see that it would work with top on no problem one to top one to floor and a buckle on inboard side. So i was thinking later model like 88-94 trucks would work just fine with some paint and dye. My question is how would it work with top off? Pictures any one or ideas?

[1971k567cam]

ttt

[psuedopimp]

i cant see it working with the top off. what about a seat with integrated seatbelts? those would work with or without the top, but then you have to redo your seats too.

[1971k567cam]

I was thinking maybe i could attach them to roll bar?

[psuedopimp]

post #34 of VTBlazers thread about going topless.... sorry i cant' post links to other posts..

the seatbelt was attached to the rollcage...not sure how safe that is, but who knows.

[psuedopimp]

ha! we posted at the same time

[psuedopimp]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=148639&page=2

[Firebirdjones]

Attaching shoulder belts to the roll bar is the only way I could even fathem that working in the least bit.

I wouldn't even attempt attaching to a fiberglass top. One good jolt and they would rip out for sure.
It was never an option for me though, with family getting in and out of the back all the time, a shoulder belt in the way would make the experience even more fun So stock belts have to do.

For another option, you might want to look at something like a convertable 4th gen. They use shoulder belts, but the retractor is mounted on the inside of the quarter panel just behind the door jamb (about shoulder level for safety reasons). It then runs through a plastic loop on the front bucket seat.
I don't see why you couldn't use one of these and fasten it in some way to the inside of the quarter just behind the door jamb. You would still need a bucket seat that would hold the belt at your shoulder though. But it sounds like a more secure solution to me. It would take some fab work, but might look better in the end, especially with the top off.

[1971k567cam]

I like that even better will look at some of those in wrecking yard.

[Firebirdjones]

I remembered this question and had to run some errands this afternoon in the blazer, so I was looking at the quarter just behind the door jamb. It appears the top of the factory buckets are very close to the top of the door jamb so a shoulder belt from a convertable mounted in that location might work out pretty good. With it also mounted on the floor (as they are in the 4th gen convertables) It might stay in a straight line from the top of the quarter to the floor when it's not being used, so it wouldn't be in the way so much, and it's out of sight with the top off.

Could turn out to be a good solution.

Keeping in mind NHRA shoulder belts are required to be mounted at shoulder height (or not much more than a few inches below) to keep from compressing the spine in the event of a head on collision. Car manufactures follow the same principle, which is why in the 4th gen verts you see them mounted at the highest point of the rear quarter panel (about shoulder height when seated) Should work in the blazer too.

[1971k567cam]

Good idea but what body style is 4th gen blazer? Or were we talking 4th gen f body?

[Firebirdjones]

I meant 4th gen Fbody convertable. I only mentioned that because I have one and it looked like a viable option. There are probably other body style convertables that would also fit that purpose as they should also have shoulder belts that may be fastened in a similar manor.

Later model blazers wouldn't work, because I don't think shoulder belts came into play until the full removable roof was gone (1975) So the later models only have a half removable roof, and those shoulder belts are mounted up high behind your head on the fixed roof portion of the truck, which we don't have on these early models.

[2003 silverado]

My top has plugged holes in that area for a 3 point belt.I think it might have been an opt???according to another member