Re: [Amc-list] Seatbelts

[farna@xxxxxxx]

As Matt pointed out, there are no hard points in ANY AMC car (with the possible exception of late model Eagles) for REAR shoulder belts. The hard points for FRONT shoulder belts are in 68 and later (possibly 67) cars, where shoulder belts were at least an option. Of course Matt is probably correct that they were required for front seat passengers in 68. 

I have lap/shoulder belts in my 63 Classic. The front belts are from a two door S-10 Blazer. The retractor is mounted on the floor in a plastic housing, so it was easy to adapt. I trimmed the housing to fit closer to the side sill and use a large fender washer under the floor. In a serious crash there's a very slight chance that the washer could pull out by splitting the floor, but it would take a very hard head-on collision that I don't think anyone would survive.   My car doesn't have upper anchor points. Rather than weld in a plate, I drilled completely through the B pillar and ran a 3/8" grade 5 or grade 8 (I forget which) bolt though it. This only works because it's a four door. When a door is open you can see the bolt head and washer, but rarely does anyone notice it since it was put in before the door jambs were painted. The bolt is unseen when the doors are closed. 

The rear shoulder belts are from a Nissan IIRC. All I really recall is it was a four door with the retractors mounted on top of the rear wheel wells. I went to the pick-n-pull and "shopped"  until I found some that looked like they would fit. It took a little work to cut the metal to extract the belts without cutting them. The retractors have plastic covers. I mounted them on top of the rear wheels wells. I don't think anyone even notices them at all -- looks like they belong. The lower portions are in the regular mount points. 

The best source for NEW belts is Juliano's Hot Road Shop (http://www.julianos.com/retract_3point.html). Their three point harness is $89.95 for a new set. They also have installation how-tos with many pictures in various 30s-60s cars showing how to install the upper hard points. Al of these are front seat installations, but the rear is basically the same. 

Date: Tue, 29 May 2007 21:23:54 -0400
From: Matt Haas <mhaas@xxxxxxx>

Mark,

I don't think that there are previsions for rear shoulder belts. I've 
heard talk of the earlier cars having the reinforcements for front 
shoulder belts. I think the discussions were for 1968's since they were 
required after Jan 1, 1968. I also just checked the options lists I have 
for 1967 and 1968 and shoulder belts first show up as an option on the 
1968 list. I would think the easiest way to get modern shoulder belts 
for the rear passengers is to swipe them out of a car that has them 
already. I just looked and Kanter sells three point harnesses. I'm sure 
you can get them from most street rod interior places as well.

Matt

Wrambler242@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> OK, I'm tired of having to map out how to use the factory seatbelts in the 
> American to passengers. I'm going to see about replaceing them with a set that 
> don't require the shoulder belt to be added to the lap belt.
>   I've got a couple of questions. The main one is how difficult is it to add 
> shoulder harnesses to the rear of a 69 2 door sedan? I know peole have 
mentioned 
> the lugs are in place for this, but I've never looked for them, so are they 
> really there?
>   My plan is new shoulder harnesses front and rear with a lap in the rear 
> center.
> Anyone have experience with aftermarket belts? I'm not really interested in 
> retrofitting junkyard belts. I don't have nor want to spend the time scorungin 
> for these. Plus if I going to do this, I really would like new known unstressed 
> pieces.
> Thanks in advance!

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars" 
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AMC.html
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