3-Point Seat Belt Install
A few days ago I promised a how-to story on installing 3-point retractable seat belts in my `68 Fastback. This same procedure should apply to ALL Mopars that had those horrible 2 piece lap/shoulder belt - bondage/S&M devices that came from the factory. If your a numbers matching / date code correct enthusiast please try not to cringe. This is a Hot Rod story....
When I first purchased my car in the fall of 1998 I knew then that I was going to modify it. I wasn't even going to attempt a numbers-matching resto. But every modification I did make is reversible. And those factory seat belts were on the list of upgrades. I bought these belts from http://wescoperformance.stores.yahoo.net/conversion-van-seat-belt.html for about $150 shipped to my door. They are advertised as replacement belts for conversion vans. This version gives you a 7" drop bar for the upper mount. This will lower the belt over your shoulder instead of across the side of your head and neck.
The first modification that was required was to fabricate a 3/8" steel plate to move the belt retractor reels rearwards about 5" to clear the side of the seat hinge. The factory anchor points are too far forward for the reels to fit alongside the seat.
I slightly Z`ed the plate to allow the nut for the reel mount to clear the rocker panel and make it a cleaner installation. When I re-skin the seats and replace the dash next year I'll probably send these down to my favorite Gal powdercoater and make `em REAL pretty. :-D
http://phoenixspecialtycoatings.com/
Here the reel is mounted to the extension bracket. While at first it looks kind of questionable, the force is coming from above and it *shouldn't* act like a pivot. Besides, I lock-tited the mounting bolt in the rocker and torqued it down REAL good....
This is the passenger side belt.Here you can get an idea as to how it all works & looks. The front mount goes into the original anchor hole, along with the front of the extension bracket. This spreads out the 3 mounting points of the seat belts and gives a true lap & shoulder restraint.
Here the extension bracket with the mounted reel is bolted in place. You can see the front mounting bolt holding the end of the belt anchor in place.
This is where my palms started to get sweaty..... I installed the headliner without marking, or taking note... of the upper seat belt mounting anchor. Thanks to my Pal Steve (REDFASTBACK) and others, I had the measurement and I found the location. Thanks guys!
Here's the upper sash installed. See how much lower the belt is? This positions it in a more comfortable, and no doubt SAFER, location. Plus your just grabbing a buckle instead of fumbling with the two belts.
There's a good number of Hot Rodders out there that build insane amounts of horsepower for their cars and leave in the out-dated safety items. My Buddy Tom has a stroker small block `68 Dart that's probably over 500 HP with the nitrous and he's STILL running 9" drums ON ALL FOUR CORNERS!!!!!!! I refuse to ride with him and I bust his balls CONSTANTLY to up grade before he hurts himself, or worst, someone else. For me, a good set of seat belts is as important as a good set of brakes. Or tires. Or functioning lights. Having confidence in my cars abilities allows me the opportunity to do something really stupid once in a while and scare myself good. 8)
Besides, if anything happened to my Wife, or any passenger, I'd hate myself for not "doing the right thing" and updating the safety along with the performance.
A few days ago I promised a how-to story on installing 3-point retractable seat belts in my `68 Fastback. This same procedure should apply to ALL Mopars that had those horrible 2 piece lap/shoulder belt - bondage/S&M devices that came from the factory. If your a numbers matching / date code correct enthusiast please try not to cringe. This is a Hot Rod story....
When I first purchased my car in the fall of 1998 I knew then that I was going to modify it. I wasn't even going to attempt a numbers-matching resto. But every modification I did make is reversible. And those factory seat belts were on the list of upgrades. I bought these belts from http://wescoperformance.stores.yahoo.net/conversion-van-seat-belt.html for about $150 shipped to my door. They are advertised as replacement belts for conversion vans. This version gives you a 7" drop bar for the upper mount. This will lower the belt over your shoulder instead of across the side of your head and neck.
The first modification that was required was to fabricate a 3/8" steel plate to move the belt retractor reels rearwards about 5" to clear the side of the seat hinge. The factory anchor points are too far forward for the reels to fit alongside the seat.
I slightly Z`ed the plate to allow the nut for the reel mount to clear the rocker panel and make it a cleaner installation. When I re-skin the seats and replace the dash next year I'll probably send these down to my favorite Gal powdercoater and make `em REAL pretty. :-D
http://phoenixspecialtycoatings.com/
Here the reel is mounted to the extension bracket. While at first it looks kind of questionable, the force is coming from above and it *shouldn't* act like a pivot. Besides, I lock-tited the mounting bolt in the rocker and torqued it down REAL good....
This is the passenger side belt.Here you can get an idea as to how it all works & looks. The front mount goes into the original anchor hole, along with the front of the extension bracket. This spreads out the 3 mounting points of the seat belts and gives a true lap & shoulder restraint.
Here the extension bracket with the mounted reel is bolted in place. You can see the front mounting bolt holding the end of the belt anchor in place.
This is where my palms started to get sweaty..... I installed the headliner without marking, or taking note... of the upper seat belt mounting anchor. Thanks to my Pal Steve (REDFASTBACK) and others, I had the measurement and I found the location. Thanks guys!
Here's the upper sash installed. See how much lower the belt is? This positions it in a more comfortable, and no doubt SAFER, location. Plus your just grabbing a buckle instead of fumbling with the two belts.
There's a good number of Hot Rodders out there that build insane amounts of horsepower for their cars and leave in the out-dated safety items. My Buddy Tom has a stroker small block `68 Dart that's probably over 500 HP with the nitrous and he's STILL running 9" drums ON ALL FOUR CORNERS!!!!!!! I refuse to ride with him and I bust his balls CONSTANTLY to up grade before he hurts himself, or worst, someone else. For me, a good set of seat belts is as important as a good set of brakes. Or tires. Or functioning lights. Having confidence in my cars abilities allows me the opportunity to do something really stupid once in a while and scare myself good. 8)
Besides, if anything happened to my Wife, or any passenger, I'd hate myself for not "doing the right thing" and updating the safety along with the performance.