seat belts in a 1953 3100
 

shoulder strap or just lap belt?

Re: seat belts in a 1953 3100
 

Shoulder belts!

Remember your face will meet either a metal dashboard or your chest (AND face) will meet a hard steering wheel on top of a non-collapsing steering column without a shoulder belt.

Re: seat belts in a 1953 3100
 

What's a common seat belt set up swapped into these trucks?

Re: seat belts in a 1953 3100
 

I have heard the AD's glove box can open during impact and act as a lethal edge for Passengers. Just another reason lap belts seem a NO_NO in ADs.

Re: seat belts in a 1953 3100
 

There are several aftermarket seat belts you can buy. Here's an install guide for one
http://www.seatbeltsplus.com/mm5/ima...Conversion.pdf

Re: seat belts in a 1953 3100
 

Good post. I was needing know this on down the road. Shoulder it is.

Re: seat belts in a 1953 3100
 

Thanks. I figured there would have been some specific junkyard vehicle that would be a easy swap in. I'm picking up a 91 silverado this weekend and was going to try toadapt those but doubtful it's going to bethat easy

Re: seat belts in a 1953 3100
 

You could always get some seats with built in seatbelts too, like the last generation Silverado ('99-'07).

Re: seat belts in a 1953 3100
 

5 point harnesses for me. Eventually, I'll have my boys in there.

Re: seat belts in a 1953 3100
 

Definitely a three point. I ordered a set from Seat Belts Plus:

http://www.seatbeltsplus.com/categor...eat-Belts.html

Have yet to find time to get them installed but they looked good to me. Should be easy to install:

http://www.seatbeltsplus.com/categor...eat-Belts.html

Re: seat belts in a 1953 3100
 

I just ordered samples for these too. Looks like a good price and good fit. Thanks for the suggestion

Re: seat belts in a 1953 3100
 

I did get mine installed, super easy. I suggest taking some time to get the shoulder mount point right where you like it. I sat in my seat and had my wife move it around to find the "sweet spot".

Re: seat belts in a 1953 3100
 

Any pictures in your build thread on how the shoulder mount was attached?

Re: seat belts in a 1953 3100
 

later model trucks have the belts integrated so they don't have to rely on the installer's sheet metal skills for the integrity of the high point mount. they have arm rests, power everything, heat, just a thought. then it comes down to the floor integrity, seat mounting, cab mounting etc etc. the seats may be too big for an old truck though. not much room between the rear wall and the steering wheel. that's why I extended my cab. I wanted a headrest for whiplast protection, plus a comfy ride.

there is a site that sells really nice factory replacement covers to make the old seat like new again. I used them in my 03 avalanche and they are still looking like a factory seat, color and wear are same same.
the seat shop.

https://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&me=...EX5RZ48&page=1

Re: seat belts in a 1953 3100
 

Speaking of the glove box door.... I say a driver safety film in school where the door falls open and the unrestrained passengers knee goes right into it. Didn't show the gore, but led you to believe that the door cut into the knee like a knife through butter!

Decades later I was using plastic "break away" screws to secure the wing on a large RC glider and thought..... Hummm....... wonder if they would be of benefit on that glove box door? A door that breaks off if / when a knee hits it. Of course then you have a loose metal door flying around in the cab too. Ugh..... maybe put a small cable tether on it.

Oh..... and the same movie implied that a passengers head could become impaled on the rear view mirror mount too. The mirror snaps off leaving a metal spike that is rigidly screwed into the cab. Plastic screws for that one too! Ha! -Steve

Re: seat belts in a 1953 3100
 

I don't think so but I can grab a couple tonight and post them up here.

Re: seat belts in a 1953 3100
 

I don't know about this whole subject, these trucks aren't even close to what we have learned is safe, they are basically one small step from riding a motorcycle. In my daily driver Rambler, I installed the seat belts, it had none. But just lap, again, I drive like I am riding a motorcycle.

With my truck I hadn't even thought about it, but would have added just lap too. But after reading these posts, I am thinking what the heck, I think I will reinforce the B pillar for a shoulder three point belt. I mean, it's apart anyway for the top chop, there is no inner panel right now. I will be putting a piece of tubing in there with a nut welded in for the belt, I might as well.

It's going to be a daily driver.

Brian

Re: seat belts in a 1953 3100
 

While unconventional i have installed my upper belt anchor by drilling thru and using exterior grab handles as anchors. 3/8' grade 8 bolts were used. The exterior grab handles work well for cab entry and for accessing the bed as needed. The fixed seat anchors are attached with 7/16" grade 8 bolts to a 1'' heavy bar that runs under the floor from side to side. The bar also stiffens the floor considerably. My only complaint is my belts are an older style inertia ratchet type which are a little hard to use. I may replace them.

Re: seat belts in a 1953 3100
 

I picked up a seat and belts from a '94 Silverado. I installed the belts but have changed them for Julianos belts, mostly because of color. I used the same holes for the new ones as the Silverado's.